Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Head Coach

Paul Johnson	1st year
07-08	7-6
ACC	4-4
FCR	52

Previous Season Wins

Head Coach - You have to give Paul Johnson credit, he made his triple-option attack work first at Georgia Southern, then at Navy where his Midshipmen led the nation in rushing the last three seasons and now he’s taken on the challenge of making it work at Georgia Tech. He inherits better athletes than he ever had in the past but not necessarily the ones who’ll fit best in his system and he won’t be given much time to make it work but he’s accepted the challenge. The Yellow Jackets have made it to a bowl game for eleven straight years and Johnson’s job will to make it twelve straight.

Quarterback - Last years starter Taylor Bennett has transferred and the new quarterback will be either sophomore Josh Nesbitt or redshirt freshman Bryce Dykes. Nesbitt played some in a reserve role last season and has the right skills for this attack, he rushed for 355 yards last season and also possesses a good arm, but he missed some of the spring with an injury and will make his share of mistakes will adjusting to spread. Dykes has the right skill set and gave Johnson the confidence with his spring performance that he can lead the attack if called upon.

Running Backs - The terminology is different and everyone needs to get used to it, the B-Back lines up behind the QB and he’ll be flanked by two A-Backs, the penciled in starters are sophomore Jonathan Dwyer at the B and at the A’s will be junior Greg Smith and redshirt freshman Roddy Jones. Dwyer was built to be the featured back in this type of attack and last year he had 436 yards and 9 TD’s from what was then called the fullback position, and those numbers were in a reserve role. The A backs will catch the ball out of the backfield or receive a pitch and try to get outside, Smith led the team with 37 receptions for 588 yards and Jones will hope to utilize his speed and get behind the defenders quickly.

Receivers - At the wide receiver spots will be sophomores Demaryius Thomas and Correy Earls whose roles will be quite different this fall. But the good news is that these are two good receivers who will contribute when the Yellow Jackets go to the air, Thomas had 35 receptions for 558 yards and four scores and Earls missed some time last year with an injury but has the speed to stretch the field.

Offensive Line - The responsibilities will be much different this fall for the O-Line and they return only one starter but in senior left tackle Andrew Gardner they have one of the ACC’s best. He showed this spring that he’ll adjust and will be a force in leading the run attack. Although they don’t return any other starters there’s some experienced player to choose from in senior David Brown who’ll be the right tackle, at the guards will be junior Jason Hill and redshirt freshman Joseph Gilbert, while at center is junior Dan Voss.

Defensive Line - Upfront the Yellow Jackets had the 20th ranked unit against the run and both starters return at defensive tackle seniors Vance Walker and Darryl Richard, obviously they’re outstanding run stoppers and Walker is 1st team All-ACC and gets great pressure upfield as his 8 ½ sacks indicate. On the outside will be senior Michael Johnson and sophomore Derrick Morgan, Johnson had four sacks in a limited role; look for them both to be a constant presence in the backfield this fall.

Linebackers - Tech will be green at linebacker this fall, get the starting assignments will sophomores Brad Jefferson in the middle and Anthony Barnes on the weakside with redshirt freshman Kyle Jackson pushing returning starter, junior Shane Bowen on the strongside. The Yellow Jackets believe Barnes has the chance to be outstanding; he’s becoming a force against the run and has the speed to stay with the receivers down the field.

Defensive Backs - The leaders in the secondary are returning starters senior Jahi Word-Daniels at cornerback and sophomore Morgan Burnett who’ll be the Rover, they combined for 113 tackles and five interceptions last year. The newcomers will be Dominique Reese at free safety and at the other corner look for redshirt freshman Jerrad Tarrant to get the first shot.

Special Teams - Sophomore Scott Blair is the front runner to handle all the kicking for Tech this year; he handled the kickoffs last year and has good leg strength. Junior Tyler Evans and sophomore Correy Earls will handle the returns.

Schedule - You have to hand it to Georgia Tech, they’re not afraid to play the tough teams and this year will be no different. They’ll play SEC schools in Mississippi St and Georgia and in Weeks two and three they go on the road to face Boston College and Va Tech. You can add games at Clemson and UNC late and it’s obvious that Johnson’s’ first season will be challenging. Expect growing pains but an upset along the way as they become more familiar with the new attack, the Yellow Jackets will surprise and get 5 wins this season.