Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 2018 Football Preview

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 2018 Football Preview

Opening Statement: Georgia Tech did their usual thing under Paul Johnson, win one season, lose the next. Last fall was a losing season, so by the pattern of the Johnson era, maybe the Yellow Jackets can win this season once again. The Rambling Wreck finished just 5-6 last season, with one cancellation due to bad weather, and they lost 4 of their final 5 games, with the only win coming against Virginia Tech in an upset during that stretch. They were 5-1 at home, and 0-5 away from home last fall, so obviously, winning on the road will be something they have to figure out a way to do this fall.

Breakdown Offense: The triple option is alive and well at Georgia Tech, as the Yellow Jackets averaged 307.36 yards per game on the ground, a number that had them ranked 5th in the nation in that category. Of course, they were one of the very worst teams in the nation throwing the football, averaging just 84.3 yards per game through the air. The problem with this offense is that if you do not get an early lead, or get behind by just as many as 10 points, it becomes virtually impossible to make up for that deficit, because you cannot switch to a passing mentality when you have to. That plagued them last fall, as Tech lost 4 games by 14 points or less. They lost their final 2 games, in clutch situations to become bowl eligible, by an average of 27 points per game (losses to Duke and Georgia).

Taquan Marshall is a solid option QB, and does everything you would want from a triple option trigger man. He led the team in rushing with 1146 yards and 17 scores, but his per carry average was a little underwhelming at 4.64 yards per carry. He passed for 10 more scores, and only turned the football over through the air 5 times on INTs. He returns to run the offense, but he needs more help than he got a year ago. There is no experience on the roster or depth chart behind him, so it all falls on his shoulders this fall.

KirVonte Benson is the B Back, which is the most important back in the triple option offense. He rushed for 1053 yards and 6 scores, while averaging 5.16 yards per carry. Nathan Cottrell is the first of the 2 A Backs, and he rushed for just 271 yards last fall, while averaging 8.21 yards per carry on just 33 carries. Qua Searcy also returns at A Back, and rushed for just 217 yards and one score, while averaging 6.17 yards per carry. Clinton Lynch (AB) and Jerry Howard (BB) provide limited depth.

Ricky Jeune led the team with 25 receptions last season, and has moved on. No other receiver on the roster caught more than 5 passes. Brad Stewart, who caught 4 balls, is back and will start. Jalen Camp also starts, but caught just one pass last fall. There is no discernible depth at the position.

There are some issues to work out on the line, as a starter at RT has not been found as we head into fall camp. Jahaziel Lee (LT), Parker Braun (LG), Kenny Cooper (C), and Will Bryan (RG) project as starters. Will Bryan will back up at the Tackle spots, as will Bailey Ivemeyer. Brad Morgan backs up at OG and C. The main problem will be finding consistency with this group, as there has been a lot of shifting of responsibilities and position changes with this group over the last couple of seasons. The goal will be to cement these guys where they are, and get them to produce as they should.

Breakdown Defense: Tech allowed 26.5 points per game last fall. They were decent against the pass, allowing 200.6 yards per game, and gave up 153.46 yards rushing per game.

Antonio Simmons was the leader on the defensive line last fall, but has moved on. Tyler Merryweather and Anree Saint-Amour will start at DE. Saint-Amour recorded 5.5 TFLs last fall, good for second on the team. He recorded 32 total tackles.  Merryweather recorded just 2 total tackles for the entire season. Desmond Branch and Brentavious Glanton are the starters at the DT spots. They combined for 6.5 TFLs and should be in line to show some improvement as a duo this fall. Brandon Adams and Antwan Owens are the backups inside, but depth at the DE spots is still being figured out.

Tyler Cooksey and Victor Alexander are the starting OLBs out of spring ball. Alexander led the team with 60 tackles last fall, while Cooksey played in just 6 games in 2017. Brant Mitchell played in 9 games last fall, and recorded 51 tackles. He starts at the MLB spot. Bruce Jordan-Swilling, a sophomore, backs up the MLB spot, while depth is thin at the OLB spots.

Lamont Simmons and Ajani Kerr are the listed starters at CB. They combined for just 5 PBUs as a duo last season, so the Yellow Jackets appear to be in need of someone who can make plays here. Both Safety jobs are up for grabs as we head into fall camp. Again, depth will be an issue in the secondary.

Breakdown Special Teams: Brenton King left spring ball as the starting PK after hitting 5/6 FG attempts last fall in 8 games, but Shawn Davis is back as well after hitting 2/4 FG attempts in 5 games. Each kicker missed one PAT on the season.

Pressley Harvin III leaves zero doubt at the Punter position, as he averaged 44.1 yards per punt last fall.

Nathan Cottrell averaged just over 20 yards per KR last fall, and returns. Omahri Jarrett averaged just over 18 yards per return, and is also back.

Brad Stewart is back on PR duty, but did not scare anyone last fall.

Final Analysis: The win/lose pattern in alternate years under Johnson has been well established at this point, and if the pattern were followed, this would be a win year upcoming for the Yellow Jackets. Unfortunately, this could be a year where the win season does not deliver. The roster is full of holes, offensive line play has been unstable, and the defense has little to no depth. I, personally, would have fired Johnson by now, as I feel that his tenure has grown stale and predictable. That said, he still has the job, but if the team cannot deliver this fall, does he have a job after the season? This could be one big letdown waiting to happen.