Wednesday, August 1, 2012

College Football Preview: Best of the Rest: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

31. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Returning Starters: 15 Returning Star: QB Tevin Washington Key Loss: WR Stephen Hill Player to Watch: LB Jabari Hunt-Days Paul Johnson enters his fifth year as coach of the Yellow Jackets and still ACC coaches can't stop his triple-option attack. That attack led these Jackets to the second best rushing numbers nationally, a number that should keep that way with the return of quarterback Tevin Washington and a trio of backs. Washington played strong in his junior year and is experienced enough to be a dark horse Heisman contender. The other returners in the backfield include senior Orwin Smith, junior David Sims and sophomore Charles Perkins. Smith reminds many of former great Jonathan Dwyer as he runs hard and has decent speed. David Sims was inconsistent last year and didn't quite fill Anthony Allen's role. Depth is no issue for these Yellow Jackets as Paul Johnson seems to think he needs about 10 backs. The biggest issue for Georgia Tech over the past few seasons has been the passing game. Last season only 12 teams had a worse passing game than Georgia Tech. That shouldn't improve too much with the loss of Stephen Hill and Tyler Melton. Replacing Hill and Melton will be Jeremy Moore and Chris Jackson. Both are fast and pretty good blockers but don't expect either of them to be All-ACC wide outs. The offensive line could end up being the best in the ACC with the return of four starters including guard Omoregie Uzzi, an All-ACC product. Also back are tackles Ray Beno and Tyler Kidney and center Jay Finch. The defense should end up being much improved from a pretty good unit last season. On the line, only end Izaan Cross returns. Cross has speed on the side and has the size to get off blockers. Expect big things from senior tackle T.J. Barnes who will clog up the middle. These linebackers are dangerous with the returns of Jeremiah Attaochu and Quayshawn Nealy not to mention the appearance of Jabari Hunt-Days. Attaochu has speed and is a sure tackler and 2011 top recruit Hunt-Days is disruptive. In the secondary the Yellow Jackets have talent headlined by cornerback Louis Young and safety Isaiah Johnson. The special teams is okay with kicker Justin Moore returning for his junior season.

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