At his videoconference Tuesday, Georgia Tech coach Geoff Collins named 12 players for their contributions to the Yellow Jackets' win over Florida State.
They included players who offered support from the sidelines, on developmental team and actually contributed in the game.
The players of the game, who were also announced Monday, were the offensive line (offense), cornerback Zamari Walton (defense) and Dontae Smith (special teams).
The offensive line was, left tackle to right, Zach Quinney, Jack DeFoor, Mikey Minihan, Ryan Johnson and Jordan Williams. The line gave up one sack, enabling freshman quarterback Jeff Sims to throw with confidence in his debut, and helped the offense run for 161 yards against one of the top defensive lines in the country.
Walton, Collins said, “had a huge game.” Among other plays, he successfully defended passes in Florida State’s final two plays of the game as the Seminoles tried to drive to tie or win the game. He also had seven tackles.
Aside from two kickoff returns for 43 yards, Smith also helped on kickoff coverage and the punt return team and “did some really good things, special teams-wise,” Collins said. He also had three touches on offense for 41 yards and made a key block in pass protection on Sims' game-tying touchdown pass to Malachi Carter.
Collins also named three players on the developmental (scout) team – offensive lineman Will Scissum (offense), cornerback Miles Brooks (defense) and defensive back Michael Brimer.
Said Collins of Scissum, a walk-on from the Walker School, “He is just awesome. His contributions every day to this program – energy, juice, work ethic, stays after (practice); he’s actually out there right now getting some extra work in – the kid is amazing.”
Collins also highlighted two players for their contributions on the sidelines, neither of whom played – cornerback Tre Swilling and quarterback Jordan Yates.
Swilling, who was held out of the game with an injury, was talking with the cornerbacks when they were not on the, helping with adjustments. Yates charted the game for freshman quarterback Jeff Sims.
“Jordan really helped Jeff play at a really high level, so (I’m) proud of him,” Collins said.
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