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Fall Camp for Georgia Tech football is officially over with school starting on Monday. Some questions were answered over the last week while others remain going into a tough season opener against Clemson for the Jackets.
THE OFFENSIVE LINE IS GETTING CLOSER TO SETTLING DOWN
After tinkering with his offensive line group throughout camp, our sources have indicated OL coach Brent Key is closer to his starting five. Sources tell JOL Key has moved Jordan Williams back to RT due to the emergence of Corey Robinson II at LT. It was a big ask also of Williams to learn LT after spending so much time at RT over the last three years so it makes sense that if there was a better option on the left side you could work Williams back at RT and have him available as a backup option at LT. Jakiah Leftwich can now play both LT and RT as well and Wing Green can backup Williams at RT.
The center spot remains what it has been Weston Franklin and Will Lay plus either RJ Adams or Brandon Best.
Guard is still being sorted out as Paul Tchio continues to ramp up coming off his injury. Guard Pierce Quick suffered a minor injury per my sources that put him back a few days, but he should be fine moving ahead. That is still a four-horse race with Tchio, Quick, Paula Vaipulu and walk-on Joe Fusile. Vaipulu is primarily a LG, but the rest can play either side.
With two weeks before kickoff, Key should be able to finally set some depth on the OL.
LOOK FOR MORE MULTIPLICITY DEFENSIVELY
Other than the switch to the 3-3-5 look last season at times, the last three years the Georgia Tech defense has been a pretty consistent 4-2-5 look other than some short-yardage and goal line packages and the odd dime package on really long distances. The lack of defensive tackle depth last year led to the move to the odd front and the lack of linebacker depth meant that in games against run-heavy teams the Jackets did not really have a 4-3 look other than putting all three of their rotation linebackers on the field as they did against KSU last year. That left them without much depth. Now the team finally has some numbers at linebacker and some guys with some versatility. The top three linebackers Ace Eley, Charlie Thomas, and Trenilyas Tatum can play all three linebacker spots including the SAM which has been used infrequently.
Having the bodies to actually run 6-deep at linebacker to have a true SAM position will help the Jackets against some of the more run-focused teams or teams that struggle to throw the ball or lack dynamic slots. That should help the run defense a lot and give Thacker and Collins a chance to be more multiple in their approach to matchups this season.
I would say right now they have six linebackers they feel good about playing and two more on the edge of being there as well.
TECH'S SECONDARY DEPTH HAS IMPROVED
One of the biggest criticism I had of the last three seasons was the lack of rotation in the secondary expect for deep shots on the corners, the safeties stayed in the game most of the time and the nickel usually did not rotate either and the corners played too many snaps. Travares Tillman, Collins and Thacker have all made an effort to change some of the approach there and develop more of a rotation going into the season.
The first five will likely be Sims and Walton at CB and King and Allen at safety plus Edwards at the nickel, but even guys like LaMiles Brooks (S) and Kenny Bennett (NB) are pushing for larger roles or Kenyatta Watson at CB or even Kenan Johnson at CB.
There is quality depth at most of the spots in the secondary now and a lot of young talent as well in the pipeline like Jaylin Marshall or Clayton Powell-Lee.
The secondary by all accounts looks like it should in practice and they make plays. You will not win 100 percent of the time, but they won't be hitting the low number last year's secondary did either if they continue to build upon what they are working on.
BREATH HOLDING TIME
The second scrimmage is usually the most dangerous of camp on the injury front. Guys tend to really go all out and that leads to some injuries. There are always a few guys we are waiting to hear reports on that got dinged, so keep your fingers crossed on that front.
Fall Camp for Georgia Tech football is officially over with school starting on Monday. Some questions were answered over the last week while others remain going into a tough season opener against Clemson for the Jackets.
THE OFFENSIVE LINE IS GETTING CLOSER TO SETTLING DOWN
After tinkering with his offensive line group throughout camp, our sources have indicated OL coach Brent Key is closer to his starting five. Sources tell JOL Key has moved Jordan Williams back to RT due to the emergence of Corey Robinson II at LT. It was a big ask also of Williams to learn LT after spending so much time at RT over the last three years so it makes sense that if there was a better option on the left side you could work Williams back at RT and have him available as a backup option at LT. Jakiah Leftwich can now play both LT and RT as well and Wing Green can backup Williams at RT.
The center spot remains what it has been Weston Franklin and Will Lay plus either RJ Adams or Brandon Best.
Guard is still being sorted out as Paul Tchio continues to ramp up coming off his injury. Guard Pierce Quick suffered a minor injury per my sources that put him back a few days, but he should be fine moving ahead. That is still a four-horse race with Tchio, Quick, Paula Vaipulu and walk-on Joe Fusile. Vaipulu is primarily a LG, but the rest can play either side.
With two weeks before kickoff, Key should be able to finally set some depth on the OL.
LOOK FOR MORE MULTIPLICITY DEFENSIVELY
Other than the switch to the 3-3-5 look last season at times, the last three years the Georgia Tech defense has been a pretty consistent 4-2-5 look other than some short-yardage and goal line packages and the odd dime package on really long distances. The lack of defensive tackle depth last year led to the move to the odd front and the lack of linebacker depth meant that in games against run-heavy teams the Jackets did not really have a 4-3 look other than putting all three of their rotation linebackers on the field as they did against KSU last year. That left them without much depth. Now the team finally has some numbers at linebacker and some guys with some versatility. The top three linebackers Ace Eley, Charlie Thomas, and Trenilyas Tatum can play all three linebacker spots including the SAM which has been used infrequently.
Having the bodies to actually run 6-deep at linebacker to have a true SAM position will help the Jackets against some of the more run-focused teams or teams that struggle to throw the ball or lack dynamic slots. That should help the run defense a lot and give Thacker and Collins a chance to be more multiple in their approach to matchups this season.
I would say right now they have six linebackers they feel good about playing and two more on the edge of being there as well.
TECH'S SECONDARY DEPTH HAS IMPROVED
One of the biggest criticism I had of the last three seasons was the lack of rotation in the secondary expect for deep shots on the corners, the safeties stayed in the game most of the time and the nickel usually did not rotate either and the corners played too many snaps. Travares Tillman, Collins and Thacker have all made an effort to change some of the approach there and develop more of a rotation going into the season.
The first five will likely be Sims and Walton at CB and King and Allen at safety plus Edwards at the nickel, but even guys like LaMiles Brooks (S) and Kenny Bennett (NB) are pushing for larger roles or Kenyatta Watson at CB or even Kenan Johnson at CB.
There is quality depth at most of the spots in the secondary now and a lot of young talent as well in the pipeline like Jaylin Marshall or Clayton Powell-Lee.
The secondary by all accounts looks like it should in practice and they make plays. You will not win 100 percent of the time, but they won't be hitting the low number last year's secondary did either if they continue to build upon what they are working on.
BREATH HOLDING TIME
The second scrimmage is usually the most dangerous of camp on the injury front. Guys tend to really go all out and that leads to some injuries. There are always a few guys we are waiting to hear reports on that got dinged, so keep your fingers crossed on that front.
