Georgia Tech has the majority of its starters back on offense, including most of its offensive line. The Yellow Jackets had the top rushing attack in the ACC last season, and their offensive line led the nation in sacks allowed.
One of the only positions Georgia Tech isn't bringing someone back is right guard. With Connor Scaglione ineligible, the Yellow Jackets' staff brought in Middle Tennessee transfer Kieran Rutledge to compete for the spot. Rutledge is currently injured and Georgia Tech is in spring practice as other players compete for spots.
After practice yesterday, offensive line coach Jeep Wade gave an update on Rutledge and the position.
“Yes, sir. Kieran is a player we recruited and I have full confidence in. And he's a special kid. So his progress is progressing. We're going to spend time… “He's making progress, but the key coaches are making sure we're taking the time to work on him. “He's making progress, but I have a good feeling about him going forward. So I hope it comes to fruition, working there first with Ben (Galloway) and then making some changes and bringing Ethan (McKechnie) down and trying it out. “Just a little bit of a different look, he did a great job. He went down last Wednesday, so this was his third practice at guard, and he did well. He's a different kid, you know what I mean?'' It can take a year to grow, he was a kid in June, we threw him into the fire. So I think he's going to take a different approach, and the way he approaches it will make him a better player. “He's there now. So he's unique there. So we're definitely trying to develop him. And I have full confidence in Ben as well. So we're trying to build depth there.'' Those kids care about that. football. they grow their tails.So I think it's okay there.. ”
I think Rutledge will take over that position once he's healthy, but I think it's interesting that Georgia Tech is testing the players at that position and seeing how they perform. think. Depth on the offensive line is very important, and Georgia Tech was fortunate to have a relatively healthy line last year.
Two key leaders up front this year will be Joe Fusiel and Weston Franklin, and while Wade praised last year's success, he also said there is still a lot of work to be done.
“In the football world, last year was last year. And the first meeting here, the first meeting when I first got here, you know, I was very excited about what we were going to play in this meeting this year. Last year was last year, it's in the past, and I told them that whatever we do, it's going to be harder from now on, so we set ourselves You have to raise your game, and for me those kids are at an age where you raise your level.''In the game, you have to work on your shortcomings.As a coach, I want to be a better coach.'' You have to work on your flaws in order to be. So they've worked really, really hard on their flaws, and they're great leaders, you know? I'm going to be there. I go out and sometimes I end up coaching two guys, they run four plays, I just watch them because they're important and they're ball guys. That's how the position should be played. You know, we're just trying to build a culture. That can't be right. It's never going to be perfect. But if you have confidence in yourself, play fast, and it hits someone in the mouth, you'll be fine. I take care of myself, so that's what I have to do, I mean, you know last year there were some games where I played well and there were games where I played bad, so be more consistent. You know we have to do better, there's one thing I can do, but I feel like towards the end of the year we're starting to see who we are. , and have continued to do so. So I think it helps kids by not doing too much. You know, we're a new staff, Coach Key's first year, and I feel like we've figured out who we are and what we're doing. So we work every day, even after scrimmage, okay, we have to do this better. We had to run away from the ball. I had to run my legs on contact. So there's always something, especially when we have to move our legs. We have to move our feet. We have to move our feet. We have to move our feet. There will be something on the last Thursday before the bowl game. There are always things that need to be corrected and tweaked in the position. ”
High expectations will be placed on this unit this year, and there's every reason to believe they can live up to them.
