Georgia Tech running back Synjyn Days has found a new home. After accepting coach Paul Johnson’s request 2 1/2 weeks ago to try his hand at B-back, the senior from Hillgrove High has been made the backup to Zach Laskey.
Days, who came to Tech as a quarterback and moved to A-back as a sophomore, continues to take some snaps at A-back and also is getting work as a short-yardage possibility at quarterback, but is spending most of his practice time at B-back. Laskey and Days could share the load similarly to how David Sims and Laskey did the past two seasons.
“Synjyn will play a lot in there,” Johnson said after Monday’s practice, as the game week began for the season opener against Wofford.
Since moving to B-back, Days has jumped ahead of backups Matt Connors and C.J. Leggett, a freshman who has impressed but has missed time with injuries. At 225 pounds, Days is a load and has a powerful base. Days said he saw himself as more of a power runner than an open-field runner, which is what he had done at A-back.
“I love it,” Laskey said. “Not only is he a great teammate, but he’s one of my best friends on the team. We have a good time. He’s a good competitor. He pushes me to be better and I push him a little bit as well.”
Days already has a name for the duo: “Ebony and Ivory.” (Days is black and Laskey is white.)
Prior to this summer’s camp, Days had never played B-back before, but he has the benefit of knowing the offense well, having learned it first as a quarterback and then as an A-back. The quarterbacks and B-backs work together extensively and share the same position coach, Bryan Cook.
“They said they want me to play everywhere, even quarterback (in certain situations),” Days said.
Fromayan wins waiver: The NCAA has verbally approved Tech's hardship waiver request for offensive tackle Eason Fromayan to receive immediate eligibility. Fromayan, from Milton High, redshirted last year at TCU but transferred to Tech in May. He said at the time in a text message that he planned to request a waiver due to a family situation.
It was unclear if he will need written approval to actually play in a game or if Tech will receive it before Tech’s first game on Saturday. Fromayan is competing at backup tackle, mostly on the left side behind starter Bryan Chamberlain and Errin Joe.
Kagawa impresses: Add safety Shaun Kagawa to the list of incoming Tech freshmen who are expected to play this season. Johnson said Kagawa will probably see action, mostly on special teams.
“He’s just a good athlete, runs around, makes some plays,” Johnson said.
Kagawa was the last to join Tech’s 21-member freshman class. He was at U.S. Army Prep School for one semester last year before leaving this past January. He signed with SMU before being released from his letter of intent due to admissions issues. With recommendations to Johnson from SMU coach June Jones and others, Kagawa committed to Tech in May.
Johnson said he counted eight or nine true freshmen who will probably play this season. One estimation: cornerbacks Lance and Lawrence Austin and Step Durham, offensive linemen Trey Klock and Andrew Marshall, defensive linemen KeShun Freeman and Tyler Merriweather and Kagawa. Other possibilities: wide receiver Qua Searcy, B-back Leggett and linebacker Terrell Lewis.
Summers returns: Wide receiver Micheal Summers returned to practice after suffering an injury last week. He'll start along with DeAndre Smelter. Leggett, who has had difficulty staying healthy through the preseason, remained out. Backup guard Nick Brigham is also out, which has moved No. 2 center Thomas O'Reilly to guard and pushed up No. 3 center Andrew Marshall to No. 2 center.
Etc.: Tech practiced in full pads Monday as the team began its first game-week preparations of the season. … Johnson's response to whether he has plans to play backup quarterback Tim Byerly with the first-string offense against Wofford: "I don't know. We'll just see how it goes. I don't have any plans for that." … Offensive line coach Mike Sewak on offensive tackle Chris Griffin, expected to start in his first college game Saturday: "Griffin, he's been the most pleasant surprise of the whole (preseason). He gets better all the time."
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