With overcast skies lowering temperatures again Friday morning, Georgia Tech worked out on Alexander Rose Bowl Field for its sixth practice of the preseason. The Yellow Jackets trained in full pads for the second day in a row.
Observations from the portion of the practice open to the media:
1. The team rehearsed its field-goal operations at the start of practice. Out of the snap of Cade Long and hold of David Shanahan, kicker Jude Kelley was perfect on at least four attempts. The longest try was from 51 yards.
Kelley is competing with Gavin Stewart for the place-kicking job. Both Kelley and Stewart were 0-for-1 last season as Brent Cimaglia held down the job, making 11 of 15 tries.
2. Freshman offensive lineman Brandon Best has been training at center. Best, from Milton High, played offensive tackle last year for the Eagles and was listed in recruiting rankings as a guard. Offensive line coach Brent Key often has players practice at multiple positions to develop depth. Key is trying to find a successor to Mikey Minihan, a two-year starter at center.
Weston Franklin, R.J. Adams (a transfer from Kentucky) and William Lay also have worked at center in the preseason.
3. Defensive end Keion White showed off the breadth of his skill set in a pass-rush drill. Linemen were to engage a blocker and then rush toward the passer to bat down a pass thrown by secondary coach Travares Tillman. (It was part of a rotation of drills for all defensive players to develop production for deflections, forced fumbles and interceptions.)
While White has been practicing with a bandaged right hand, he was not satisfied with batting down the ball, instead catching it cleanly with his left hand.
Former Tech captain Chris Young, a former secondary mate of Tillman’s who was in attendance Friday, kiddingly gave White a hard time about showing off.
“I used to play tight end,” answered White, who did in fact play one season of tight end at Old Dominion before switching to defensive end and then transferring to Tech.
White recently was named No. 20 on the Athletic’s annual “Freaks List,” recognizing the most athletic players in college football. Past Tech honorees have included defensive end Kevin Harris and wide receiver Jalen Camp. Coach Geoff Collins said that White has done 38 bench-press reps of 225 pounds. The highest total at the NFL draft combine last year was 32, and the highest by a defensive lineman was 29.
“He’s a freak in the weight room,” defensive tackle Makius Scott said. “Athleticism, strength, he’s smart on the field – he’s got everything you need.”
