Players who will either start or get PT... Position-by-position

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gtfan09

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QB- Theres NO experience besides Josh Nesbitt whose PT last year was very limited. Bryce Dykes looked ok in the spring and Calvin Booker isn't fit for this offense. I look for incoming frosh Jaybo Shaw to take 15-20% of the snaps each game just to get some desperately needed depth at the qb position.
Top 2 at QB: 9 Josh Nesbitt 6'1 214 So.*
11 Jaybo Shaw 6'0 200 Fr.
AB-Theres alot of talent at A-Back but very little depth. Roddy Jones is probably the most underrated player on the team. He can take it to the house with his speed. Greg Smith is coming back from a collarbone injury he suffered during the spring and should be a mismatch for opposing defenses with his 6'3 200 frame and his ability to catch and run the ball very well. Incoming froshs Marcus Wright and Embry Peeples should get ALOT of PT with the departure of Jamaal Evans. Wright is a shifty speedy back that can make you miss. He's alot like CJ Spiller and Noel Devine. Austin Barrick is huge at A-back but he should definitely be a mismatch in the backfield and he had a pretty decent spring. I think Daniel McKayhan will get moved to A-back.
Top 4 at AB- 20 Roddy Jones 5'9 195 RFr.
5 Greg Smith 6'3 200 RJr.
3 Marcus Wright 5'8 180 Fr.
24 Embry Peeples 5'10 180 Fr.
BB- Jonathan Dwyer should be the next best thing at GT. He has good size for a B-back at 6'0 228 and he can break tackles and has good speed. Dwyer had 9 tds last year behind Choice. Lucas Cox and Quincy Kelly make good backups and should be very good in this offense
Top 2 at BB- 21 Jonathan Dwyer 6'0 228 So.*
36 Lucas Cox 6'0 254 RSo.
WR- Demaryius Thomas and Correy Earls are the only WR's that have had any gameday action. Thomas has good size at 6'3 230 and Earls has good speed at 6'0 190. This offense is a run oriented offense but I think Bebe and Earls will get there share of catches especially when defenses put 9 in the box to stop the run. Tyler Melton should get alot of pt. He has great hands and he can flat out catch the ball. Don't be surprised if he takes Earls place. Kevin Cone had a good spring, but I think incoming frosh Quentin Sims will find a way on the field.
Top 4 at WR- 8 Demaryius Thomas 6'3 230 RSo.
15 Correy Earls 6'0 190 RSo.*
84 Tyler Melton 6'0 200 Fr.
23 Quentin Sims 6'3 195 Fr.
OL- To be honest, I have no clue who'll start on the OLine. I know Andrew Gardner will start at LT and Dan Voss at C. We should be ok at this position but it'll take time to learn the new blocking system.
Starting Lineup (Just a guess):
LT-64 Andrew Gardner 6'6 295 RSr.
LG-62 Omeregie Uzzi 6'3 290 Fr.
C-77 Dan Voss 6'4 290 RJr.
RG-71 Cord Howard 6'5 300 RJr.
LT-78 Clyde Yandell 6'5 295 RFr.
DL- This should be the best DLine we've had in years, but I remember hearing the same thing about last years DLine and we were decent but nothing close to DLine preseason expectations. I do think this years DLine will be one of the top 5 in the country and certainly the best in the ACC. They should keep us in games especially early in the season as our offense will still be learning. Michael Johnson is a top 3 NFL mock draft pick for class of 09. Vance Walker was a All-American last year and the president (lol) Darryl Richard is a very good DT and Derrick Morgan got alot of pt last year and is a compliment to the rest of the DLine. Robert Hall and Jason Peters are good backups for Morgan and MJ. Elris Anyaibe and Ben Anderson are the DT backups.
Starting Lineup- DE-91 Derrick Morgan 6'4 270 So.*
DT-99 Vance Walker 6'2 295 Sr.
DT-95 Darryl Richard 6'4 290 RSr.
DE-93 Michael Johnson 6'7 250 Sr.
LB- Alot of talent... make that raw talent. Anthony Barnes and Shane Bowen are the only 2 LBs with experience. Brad Jefferson started on special teams last year and I think Barnes and Jefferson will be the next great GT LBs. Kyle Jackson is good enough to take Shane Bowen's spot and I think he will. Osahon Tongo should get some pt after being injured the past few seasons. One of the frosh LB's should also get some pt... most likely Steven Sylvester.
Top 6 LBs- 12 Anthony Barnes 6'3 230 RSo.
51 Brad Jefferson 6'2 230 So.*
59 Kyle Jackson 6'0 225 RFr.
57 Shane Bowen 6'1 220 Jr.
56 Osahon Tongo 6'3 250 RSo. (NFL size LB)
34 Steven Sylvester 6'2 225 Fr.
CB- Besides Jahi Word-Daniels. there is NO depth at all. Jerrard Terrant's situation doesn't help matters either. I know he's innocent until proven guilty but things do not look good for him as of right now. Mario Butler started on special teams last year nd he has good size for a CB. Incoming frosh Jon Lockhart, I think, will have a good fall camp and will be a top backup. Martin Frierson will be the other backup.
Top 4 CBs- 32 Jahi Word-Daniels 6'0 195 Sr.
2 Mario Butler 6'1 180 So.*
10 Martin Frierson 6'2 205 RJr.
29 Jon Lockhart 6'0 190 Fr.
Rov/S-Last year Freshman All-American Safety Morgan Burnett returns and should be the best safety we've seen at GT in a while. He can play almost any position on the field. He should only get better in year 2 of his career and he''ll be playing the rover position this year. Dominique Reese is one of the most gifted athletic players on the team and he should be fine at free safety. Besides Burnett there is no experience at safety but the secondary can't be any worse than past year's secondary and they should be improved. Incoming frosh Brandon Leslie should be the top backup for Burnett and Willie White will backup Reese.
Top 2 at Rover- 1 Morgan Burnett 6'1 200 So.
4 Brandon Leslie 6'0 195 Fr.
Top 2 at FS- 26 Dominique Reese 5'11 180 RSo.
6 Willie White 6'3 185 RFr.
Special Teams- I think and hope Scott Blair will be as good as Travis Bell was at PK. He has a strong leg he just needs more reps. Kevin Crosby had a good spring and I think he'll take over for Durant Brooks. Boy will we miss him and Travis Bell. Scott Blair had kickoff duties last year and did a good job and he will be the man this year. The special teams unit last year were very improved and should be ok again this year.
Starters- PK- 14 Scott Blair 6'0 175 So.
P- 82 Kevin Crosby 6'3 190 RSo.
KOS- 14 Scott Blair 6'0 175 So.
(Guess) KR- 3 Marcus Wright 5'8 180 Fr.
(Guess) 15 Correy Earls 6'0 190 RSo.
(Guess) PR- 84 Tyler Melton 6'0 200 Fr.

Bold- Indicates players that started last year.
*- Indicates the players that got alot of PT last year.

I think we're good enough to win 7-9 games this year considering how young and inexperienced we are. Everybody talks about how our offense might be kinda bad this year considering we're running a totally new offense. Well, our offense has been HORRIBLE the past 6 years anyways so I don't see how we can't win at least 7 games this year with our defense. We've had to rely on our defense the past 6 years to get us 7 wins so I think we can still win 7 this year the only difference is CPJ is a WAY better coach than Gailey and his coaching alone just might get us one or 2 upsets this year.
 
Good write up. I hope for the best this season, but expect the worst.

One of the issues that hasn't been brought up much that you mentioned is the kicking game. We've been spoiled the last few years with Bell and Brooks. Arnt wasn't bad either.

I hope Blair and Crosby have a good august.
 
You never know about kickers. Everyone conveniently forgets how much flack Bell was catching his junior year. Hopefully we can find some consistent performers so we can count on them game to game.
 
Nice post. I tend to agree except O-line. I think it will be hard for Uzzi to crack line-up as a true freshman. I also think David Brown finished spring ahead of Yandell.

The next 3 weeks will be interesting. Here are the position battles I expect to be the closest.

backup QB
Guards and Right tackle
OLB's
All special teams
 
gtfan09 said:
QB- Theres NO experience besides Josh Nesbitt whose PT last year was very limited. Bryce Dykes looked ok in the spring and Calvin Booker isn't fit for this offense. I look for incoming frosh Jaybo Shaw to take 15-20% of the snaps each game just to get some desperately needed depth at the qb position.
Top 2 at QB: 9 Josh Nesbitt 6'1 214 So.*
11 Jaybo Shaw 6'0 200 Fr.
AB-Theres alot of talent at A-Back but very little depth. Roddy Jones is probably the most underrated player on the team. He can take it to the house with his speed. Greg Smith is coming back from a collarbone injury he suffered during the spring and should be a mismatch for opposing defenses with his 6'3 200 frame and his ability to catch and run the ball very well. Incoming froshs Marcus Wright and Embry Peeples should get ALOT of PT with the departure of Jamaal Evans. Wright is a shifty speedy back that can make you miss. He's alot like CJ Spiller and Noel Devine. Austin Barrick is huge at A-back but he should definitely be a mismatch in the backfield and he had a pretty decent spring. I think Daniel McKayhan will get moved to A-back.
Top 4 at AB- 20 Roddy Jones 5'9 195 RFr.
5 Greg Smith 6'3 200 RJr.
3 Marcus Wright 5'8 180 Fr.
24 Embry Peeples 5'10 180 Fr.
BB- Jonathan Dwyer should be the next best thing at GT. He has good size for a B-back at 6'0 228 and he can break tackles and has good speed. Dwyer had 9 tds last year behind Choice. Lucas Cox and Quincy Kelly make good backups and should be very good in this offense
Top 2 at BB- 21 Jonathan Dwyer 6'0 228 So.*
36 Lucas Cox 6'0 254 RSo.
WR- Demaryius Thomas and Correy Earls are the only WR's that have had any gameday action. Thomas has good size at 6'3 230 and Earls has good speed at 6'0 190. This offense is a run oriented offense but I think Bebe and Earls will get there share of catches especially when defenses put 9 in the box to stop the run. Tyler Melton should get alot of pt. He has great hands and he can flat out catch the ball. Don't be surprised if he takes Earls place. Kevin Cone had a good spring, but I think incoming frosh Quentin Sims will find a way on the field.
Top 4 at WR- 8 Demaryius Thomas 6'3 230 RSo.
15 Correy Earls 6'0 190 RSo.*
84 Tyler Melton 6'0 200 Fr.
23 Quentin Sims 6'3 195 Fr.
OL- To be honest, I have no clue who'll start on the OLine. I know Andrew Gardner will start at LT and Dan Voss at C. We should be ok at this position but it'll take time to learn the new blocking system.
Starting Lineup (Just a guess):
LT-64 Andrew Gardner 6'6 295 RSr.
LG-62 Omeregie Uzzi 6'3 290 Fr.
C-77 Dan Voss 6'4 290 RJr.
RG-71 Cord Howard 6'5 300 RJr.
LT-78 Clyde Yandell 6'5 295 RFr.
DL- This should be the best DLine we've had in years, but I remember hearing the same thing about last years DLine and we were decent but nothing close to DLine preseason expectations. I do think this years DLine will be one of the top 5 in the country and certainly the best in the ACC. They should keep us in games especially early in the season as our offense will still be learning. Michael Johnson is a top 3 NFL mock draft pick for class of 09. Vance Walker was a All-American last year and the president (lol) Darryl Richard is a very good DT and Derrick Morgan got alot of pt last year and is a compliment to the rest of the DLine. Robert Hall and Jason Peters are good backups for Morgan and MJ. Elris Anyaibe and Ben Anderson are the DT backups.
Starting Lineup- DE-91 Derrick Morgan 6'4 270 So.*
DT-99 Vance Walker 6'2 295 Sr.
DT-95 Darryl Richard 6'4 290 RSr.
DE-93 Michael Johnson 6'7 250 Sr.
LB- Alot of talent... make that raw talent. Anthony Barnes and Shane Bowen are the only 2 LBs with experience. Brad Jefferson started on special teams last year and I think Barnes and Jefferson will be the next great GT LBs. Kyle Jackson is good enough to take Shane Bowen's spot and I think he will. Osahon Tongo should get some pt after being injured the past few seasons. One of the frosh LB's should also get some pt... most likely Steven Sylvester.
Top 6 LBs- 12 Anthony Barnes 6'3 230 RSo.
51 Brad Jefferson 6'2 230 So.*
59 Kyle Jackson 6'0 225 RFr.
57 Shane Bowen 6'1 220 Jr.
56 Osahon Tongo 6'3 250 RSo. (NFL size LB)
34 Steven Sylvester 6'2 225 Fr.
CB- Besides Jahi Word-Daniels. there is NO depth at all. Jerrard Terrant's situation doesn't help matters either. I know he's innocent until proven guilty but things do not look good for him as of right now. Mario Butler started on special teams last year nd he has good size for a CB. Incoming frosh Jon Lockhart, I think, will have a good fall camp and will be a top backup. Martin Frierson will be the other backup.
Top 4 CBs- 32 Jahi Word-Daniels 6'0 195 Sr.
2 Mario Butler 6'1 180 So.*
10 Martin Frierson 6'2 205 RJr.
29 Jon Lockhart 6'0 190 Fr.
Rov/S-Last year Freshman All-American Safety Morgan Burnett returns and should be the best safety we've seen at GT in a while. He can play almost any position on the field. He should only get better in year 2 of his career and he''ll be playing the rover position this year. Dominique Reese is one of the most gifted athletic players on the team and he should be fine at free safety. Besides Burnett there is no experience at safety but the secondary can't be any worse than past year's secondary and they should be improved. Incoming frosh Brandon Leslie should be the top backup for Burnett and Willie White will backup Reese.
Top 2 at Rover- 1 Morgan Burnett 6'1 200 So.
4 Brandon Leslie 6'0 195 Fr.
Top 2 at FS- 26 Dominique Reese 5'11 180 RSo.
6 Willie White 6'3 185 RFr.
Special Teams- I think and hope Scott Blair will be as good as Travis Bell was at PK. He has a strong leg he just needs more reps. Kevin Crosby had a good spring and I think he'll take over for Durant Brooks. Boy will we miss him and Travis Bell. Scott Blair had kickoff duties last year and did a good job and he will be the man this year. The special teams unit last year were very improved and should be ok again this year.
Starters- PK- 14 Scott Blair 6'0 175 So.
P- 82 Kevin Crosby 6'3 190 RSo.
KOS- 14 Scott Blair 6'0 175 So.
(Guess) KR- 3 Marcus Wright 5'8 180 Fr.
(Guess) 15 Correy Earls 6'0 190 RSo.
(Guess) PR- 84 Tyler Melton 6'0 200 Fr.

Bold- Indicates players that started last year.
*- Indicates the players that got alot of PT last year.

I think we're good enough to win 7-9 games this year considering how young and inexperienced we are. Everybody talks about how our offense might be kinda bad this year considering we're running a totally new offense. Well, our offense has been HORRIBLE the past 6 years anyways so I don't see how we can't win at least 7 games this year with our defense. We've had to rely on our defense the past 6 years to get us 7 wins so I think we can still win 7 this year the only difference is CPJ is a WAY better coach than Gailey and his coaching alone just might get us one or 2 upsets this year.
Click to expand...


(Overall a good analysis) A couple you will probably be wrong on.

On the oline...Uzzi may very well break the 2 deep but if 100% A.J. Smith will be the starter at one guard spot..P.J. said he may very well be our quickest lineman off the snap..Also Gilbert made strides in the spring..So Uzzi will have his work cut out for him to crack the 2 deep.

At linebacker you left off Cedric Griffin...Sylvester as the other Frosh. will most likely be redshirted..I don't know if Malcomb Munroe might just have the best chance of playing among the 3 frosh.

At safety, Mario Edwards will most definetly be in the mix and if eligible (most likely will be) will be one of our top 3 at safety and may force Reese to move to CB...Edwards could be a HUGE boost for us in the secondary...

At A-Back the 3 most likely true Frosh. to play are Peoples, Wright, and Mckayhan...You left him off...All 3 will add tremendous speed to our Offense.
 
I was going to put Mario Edwards on there but I didn't because I wasn't sure if he would be eligible. I thought about Daniel McKayhan but I wasn't sure if he would play WR or A-Back. I wasn't sure if Sedric Griffin was still hurt or not.
 
Don't be surprised if Tevin Washington plays over Jaybo Shaw. Tevin was one of Alabama's best kept secrets in high school. He's bigger, stronger, just as fast, and also ran option in high school, although he was a pass-first guy. Also had HS stats about like Jaybo's:

A three-year starter for the Indians, Washington finished his high school career with an unofficial 5,242 passing yards and 42 touchdowns and 2,166 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns.
Click to expand...

But I do agree that freshman may get 20% or more of our snaps at QB, as much to protect Nesbitt as anything else.
 
PJ will play more than one QB. Some will be simply to give the starter a break depending on how the game is going, but it's also a recognition that running QBs need a breather from time to time just like RBs do.
 
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