Georgia Tech is halfway through spring practice, and the Yellow Jackets held their first scrimmage of the spring yesterday morning. It was a long scrimmage (155 plays), so a lot of players had to rotate and show what they can do. This spring is the first for Georgia Tech's freshmen and transfers, and it's an opportunity for them to try to get playing time early.
After yesterday's scrimmage, Yellow Jackets head coach Brent Key spoke to the media and highlighted several young players and transfers who had outstanding scrimmages.
“Yeah, we don't want anybody to miss. We're trying to get it done. Jameson Riggs played 100 or whatever play today at left tackle. I thought he did it against a pretty static defense for the most part. “I'll have to look at the tape and see, but I didn't think it looked like he was making any critical mistakes. So, since I don't have a chance to see it all, I'm going to watch it all. I don't mean to. He was making mistakes and running, Anthony (Carey), Evan (Dickens), he's not a rookie, but it was good to see him out there. Jackson Hawes — I mean. , he's a big old sucker in the middle now, especially when he comes down in the red area. 'That's a big old goal and they can come forward for you. Tana is a center “Harrison Moore, I think all young O-linemen have a chance to be that.” “It's been really good. Harrison Moore has been very impressed with him so far. I think working with both of them. So it's nice to see Leo (Blackburn) back. I know he's not a freshman, but he's a freshman now. So, Leo I'm happy to meet you. So he's not just making plays, he's trying to make physical plays, he's imposing his will on everything he's doing. So it's good to see him stand up.
Warren Burrell and Saeed Gibbs on defense. Jackson (Hamilton) has been shining all week. I didn't notice him much today. That's because I wasn't specifically observing him. Overall, we have to be good at getting off blocks defensively. He has to be able to use his hands. I didn't notice him much today. It wasn't because I looked at him in any particular way. Overall, we have to be good at getting off blocks defensively. He has to be able to use his hands.
I think Jackson, Kyle, Tren, and Taj have been active in this group. So all four of those guys have a chance to really help us and play a lot of really good football for us. They've got a number of reps in front of them now that we're in August, so we're all going to need to step up so we can fill in the guys that I'm missing. There are some new players there as well. Jordan Boyd, Jordan flashes, they can run. He is athletic.
He's going to be a really, really good football player, but every day is a new day for them right now. So it's good to be able to see him in a little more simulated scrimmage where it's not a full playbook and really see who can play. Speaking of which, next time it's going to be a little different. ”
Key also praised the performance of the two freshman quarterbacks this spring.
Georgia Tech is a veteran team and won't have to rely on freshmen players this year, but that doesn't mean someone can't break through and earn playing time. Building depth is one of the most important things for a program to prepare for injuries, and that could be evident in spring practice.
The young freshmen on the offensive line are unlikely to play this year barring injuries, but the faster they develop and develop, the better the transition will be when Georgia Tech loses a starter up front. . Georgia Tech has a stud in Jamal Haynes, but they need to find someone to fill the role that Donte Smith filled last year. I was happy to hear that Anthony Carey, Evan Dickens, and Chad Alexander had a good day yesterday.
The most encouraging story may be about the standout defensive players. Warren Burrell and Saeed Gibbs will compete for the starting spot in the secondary, and it should be a good sign that they look good early on. Jordan Boyd and Taj Butler are two of the most underrated signees in Georgia Tech's 2024 class and could compete for playing time this year.
It's only been two weeks since spring practice began, but this team has a long way to go to find new impact players for next season. But at least Brent Key's program appears to be off to a good start.
