The Top-40 Players of the Coach Paul Johnson Era -- w/ Highlights, Stats, and Facts

#13: Anthony Allen (2008-2010)
82 yard run vs. Clemson


Allen runs over 5 tigers


Long run vs. FSU


Highlight package


Classic video


Anthony Allen was heavily recruited by Chan Gailey, but he ultimately signed with Louisville for more playing time. All he did as a true freshman for the Cardinals was rush for almost 500 yards, record five multi-touchdown games, and score two touchdowns in the Orange Bowl to help Louisville win their first ever BCS bowl game. In 2007 Allen combined for 850 total yards and 9 touchdowns, including an incredible 35 carry, 275 yard, 2 TD performance vs. Middle Tennessee St. that broke Louisville's single game rushing record. Almost immediately after the 2007 season, Allen announced he was going to transfer. The news was a shock to some but people close to the organization knew he was unhappy with Coach K's system and that they did not get along. Louisville fans preferred Bilal Powell at running back and the coaches seemed to as well. In his two seasons at Louisville Allen ran 242 times for 1,102 yards, caught 25 passes for 201 yards, and recorded 23 combined touchdowns (20 rush and 3 receiving). When Coach Paul Johnson took the reigns at Georgia Tech, he immediately began recruiting Allen. The relationship made a lot of sense- Since Allen would have to sit out a season it would give him plenty of time to master the offense and he would have a starting spot in 2009. The planned panned out wonderfully, as Allen went on to start all 27 of GT's games from '09-'10. As an A-back in 2009 Allen rushed 64 times for 618 yards and 7 total touchdowns. He averaged a whopping 9.7 yards a carry and scored his third career Orange Bowl touchdown in the Jackets loss to the Hawkeyes. In 2010 Allen really broke out and had his first career 1000 yard season, leading the ACC in rushing with 1,316 yards on 240 carries. He scored eight touchdowns that season and earned first team all-ACC honors. Allen ended his Georgia Tech career with 1,934 yards on 304 carries and 200 receiving yards on 8 receptions. He scored 15 touchdowns (13 rushing and 2 receiving) in his two seasons on the flats. In his career, Allen amassed 3,437 total yards and 38 touchdowns. He averaged 5.8 yards a touch in his illustrious collegiate career and has a laundry list of accomplishments as a Jacket-

1st in GT history with 6.4 yards per attempt (min. 300 attempts)
16th in GT history with 1,934 rushing yards
8th most rushing yards in a single season with 1,316 in 2010
10th in yards per game with 101.2 (min. 200 attempts)
9th in 100 yards games with 8
3rd best rushing duo in Georgia Tech history combined with Josh Nesbitt in 2010 with 2,053 yards
15th rushing yards in a game with 196 vs. Virginia in 2010
8th longest run in Georgia Tech history with his 82 yarder vs. Clemson in 2009. 2nd longest in ACC game
1st team all-ACC 2010
Senior Bowl 2010
 
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#12: Omoregie Uzzi (2008-2012)


Uzzi's pro day


Omoregie Uzzi is one of Georgia Tech's most decorated offensive lineman. He came onto the flats in 2008 and redshirted, before not playing at all in 2009. From 2010-2012 he started and played in 48 of GT's 50 earning first team all-ACC honors twice and multiple all-american mentions. He is one of just 16 Jackets with two first team all-ACC honors and one of just four offensive lineman to do it. Just check out his list of honors-

2012 Third Team All-American (CBSSports.com)
2012 First Team All-ACC (media)
2012 First Team All-ACC (coaches)
2012 First Team All-ACC (Phil Steele)
2012 Midseason Fourth Team All-America (Phil Steele)
2012 Preseason All-ACC 2012 Outland Trophy Watch List
2012 Preseason Second Team All-America (Lindy's)
2012 Preseason Best Run Blocker in ACC (Lindy's)
2012 Preseason First Team All-ACC (Lindy's)
2012 Preseason First Team All-ACC (Athlon)
2012 Preseason First Team All-ACC (Phil Steele)
2012 Preseason First Team All-ACC (Blue Ribbon)
2012 Preseason Second Team All-America (Phil Steele)
2011 Second Team All-American (SI.com)
2011 Third Team All-American (Rivals)
2011 First Team All-ACC
2011 First Team All-ACC (Phil Steele)
2011 Preseason All-ACC
2011 Outland Trophy Watch List
2011 Preseason First Team All-ACC (Phil Steele)
2011 Preseason First Team All-ACC (Athlon)
2011 Preseason First Team All-ACC (Blue Ribbon)
2011 ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week (9/19)
2011 ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week (9/26)
2011 Third Team Midseason All-American (Phil Steele)
2010 Second Team All-ACC
 
#11: Andrew Gardner (2005-2008)
At :21 watch Gardner at LT showing off his pass blocking skills


First highlight in this video shows Gardner completely pancaking a Blue Devil (watch LT)


Watch Gardner block the DE off the screen as Tashard Choice gallops for a long run


1:37 Gardner clears a huge lane for RaShaun Grant


1:08 Gardner clears a TD scamper for Choice in Notre Dame


What can I say about Andrew Gardner? A lot. He came to the flats in 2005 and went onto not miss a start until the last four games of his Senior year, when he tore his labrum. That would make Andrew Garnder the least experienced Paul Johnson player on this list, but there is no denying he is one of, if not the best tackle Paul Johnson (and probably Gailey) has ever had. In his Freshman season Gardner drew a lot of praise for his year, earning first team freshman all-american and even honorable mention all-american in a few publications. He went onto be a two-time first team all-ACC performer and is fourth all-time in starts at Tech with 48. He won four ACC lineman of the week awards as well. As mentioned in the Uzzi post, Gardner is one of just four Tech lineman of all-time with two first team all-ACC selections. Here is a list of his accomplishments-

* 2008 First Team All-ACC

* 2008 First Team All-ACC (Rivals)

* 2008 Second Team All-ACC (ACC Sports Journal)

* 2008 Honorable Mention All-America (Sports Illustrated)

* 2008 Team Tri-Captain

* 2008 ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week (Sept. 1)

* 2008 ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week (Sept. 22)

* 2008 Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List

* 2008 Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List

* 2008 Lowe's Senior Class Award Candidate

* 2007 First Team All-ACC

* 2007 Rivals.com Second Team All-ACC

* 2007 ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week (Sept. 4)

* 2006 Honorable Mention All-ACC
 
southendzoneBEE said:
#11: Andrew Gardner (2005-2008)
At :21 watch Gardner at LT showing off his pass blocking skills


First highlight in this video shows Gardner completely pancaking a Blue Devil (watch LT)


Watch Gardner block the DE off the screen as Tashard Choice gallops for a long run


1:37 Gardner clears a huge lane for RaShaun Grant


1:08 Gardner clears a TD scamper for Choice in Notre Dame


What can I say about Andrew Gardner? A lot. He came to the flats in 2005 and went onto not miss a start until the last four games of his Senior year, when he tore his labrum. That would make Andrew Garnder the least experienced Paul Johnson player on this list, but there is no denying he is one of, if not the best tackle Paul Johnson (and probably Gailey) has ever had. In his Freshman season Gardner drew a lot of praise for his year, earning first team freshman all-american and even honorable mention all-american in a few publications. He went onto be a two-time first team all-ACC performer and is fourth all-time in starts at Tech with 48. He won four ACC lineman of the week awards as well. As mentioned in the Uzzi post, Gardner is one of just four Tech lineman of all-time with two first team all-ACC selections. Here is a list of his accomplishments-

* 2008 First Team All-ACC

* 2008 First Team All-ACC (Rivals)

* 2008 Second Team All-ACC (ACC Sports Journal)

* 2008 Honorable Mention All-America (Sports Illustrated)

* 2008 Team Tri-Captain

* 2008 ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week (Sept. 1)

* 2008 ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week (Sept. 22)

* 2008 Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List

* 2008 Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List

* 2008 Lowe's Senior Class Award Candidate

* 2007 First Team All-ACC

* 2007 Rivals.com Second Team All-ACC

* 2007 ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week (Sept. 4)

* 2006 Honorable Mention All-ACC
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Playing a little fast and loose with how to define "CPJ era".
 
JJacket said:
Still one year coached by CPJ and ranked higher than guys who committed to CPJ out of high school.
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He is one of the most decorated offensive lineman in our history, certainly one of the most decorated lineman that played under CPJ. The guy was a straight monster who rarely missed blocks or games.

The difference between Mills and Gardner is that Gardner had already played three seasons of college football before CPJ. Mills only has 10 games of experience in college football. I did say in the Gardner post that he would be the player on this list with the least CPJ experience, but he is too damn good to leave off.
 
#10: DeAndre Smelter (2013-2014)










https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCYOYWVDbaI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfS2-59Qazw

DeAndre Smelter came onto campus as a heavily recruited baseball player who racked up multiple national all-star game appearances through his youth. Smelter was drafted by the Twins in 2010 in the 14th round but decided to play for Danny Hall instead. A shoulder injury in 2012 hurt his chances of contributing in baseball, so he decided to play football for the first time since 2010. He made an immediate impact for Vad Lee and the Jackets, playing in every game and starting in eight of them. He caught 21 passes and averaged 16.4 yards a catch with four TD's in his freshman year. He would have also been one of the ACC leaders in punt return averaged but barely missed the cut off. Smelter only got better going into his senior year. He would end up racking up a 35 catch 715 yard, 7 TD season and entered the record books in multiple categories for the Jackets. He was a consensus first or second team all-ACC receiver in 2014 and finished his career with 1,069 yards, 11 TDs, and an 18.9 yard average. Smelter added another 115 yards on the ground and 124 on returns in his career, giving him over 1200 career yards in just two seasons (as a WR for a Triple Option team at that!). His list of accomplishments aren't incredibly long, but we can all agree he was one of the most dynamic players in the CPJ era. Here are some of his distinctions:

5th in Yards per Reception with 18.9 (50 reception min.)
6th in Yards per Reception in a season with 20.4 (25 reception min.)
7th in TD's in a single season with 7
21st in career receiving yards with 1,069
10th in 100 yard games in a career with 4
5th in 100 yard games in a season with 4
16th longest run in Georgia Tech history at 75 yards (vs. UNC in 2014). 6th longest in ACC play. 2nd longest in road ACC play.
 
#9: Vance Walker (2005-2008)
Safety vs. BC


Combines on a sack at 2:20


One of Walker's best plays on the flat was the strip of an ND running back at 1:20


Huge TFL at 3:17


14 yard sack in his Freshman year vs. NCST at 2:07:23


Vance Walker was a dominant defense tackle for Georgia Tech in his four seasons. Starting 29 games and playing in 49, Walker racked up sacks, TFLs, fumble recoveries, and created a lot of heck for interior offensive lineman across his four seasons. As a true freshman in 2005 Walker started in two games and played a huge part as a reserve. After being the main back up for the DT position in 2006, he took over the starting job and never looked back. From 2007-2008 Walker racked up 11.5 sacks, 22.5 TFL's, and 78 tackles. In his career Walker ended with 13 sacks (15th all-time), 26.5 TFL's (20th all-time), and 110 tackles. He was a Bednarik award semi-finalist in 2008 and was a two time first team all-ACC DT in 2007 and 2008. He is one of just three interior defensive lineman to earn two first team all-ACC's in GT history. He earned multiple national distinctions and was a consensus 2nd or 3rd string all-country D-lineman. Here is a list of his awards and accomplishments as a Jacket:

Honors
* 2009 Senior Bowl Invitee

* 2008 First Team All-ACC

* 2008 First Team All-ACC (ACC Sports Journal)

* 2008 Second Team All-ACC (Rivals)

* 2008 ACC Midseason Defensive MVP (ESPN.com)

* 2008 Preseason All-American (Sports Illustrated)

* 2008 Bednarik Award Semifinalist

* 2008 Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List

* 2007 First Team All-ACC

* 2007 Rivals.com First Team All-ACC

* 2007 Third Team All-America (AP)

* 2007 Third Team All-America (Rivals.com)

Led acc in forced fumbles with three in 2007. was fourth in sacks that season as well with 8.

In The Record Books
* 12th -- Season sacks (2007)

* 15th -- Career sacks

* 20th -- Career tackles-for-loss
 
southendzoneBEE said:
#34: Synjyn Days (2010-2014)




If you needed a reminder of how awesome of a guy Synjyn Days is-


Synjyn Days as a Quarterback starting at 2:12




An easy pick for this list, Synjyn Days played in 39 games for the Jackests from 2011-2014. As a RS Freshman in 2011, Synjyn was a quarterback. A very accurate quarterback at that, going 8/12 for 198 yards in his limited action. In 2012 and 2013, Days only carried the ball 50 times and was not a huge weapon for the Jackets. But something clicked right before the Pittsburgh game in his Senior year. Just look at the numbers:

Before the 8th game (Pittsburgh) in his senior year, Days had a combined 113 carries for 553 yards in his career. For the last 7 games of his career, Synjyn ran the ball 143 times for 835 yards, propelling him from seldom used back-up bback to 2nd team all-ACC running back. In his career, he ended with 1398 yards and 18 touchdowns. But it was the last 835 that put him on this list.
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FWIW Days was not 2nd team all ACC running back his senior year. Laskey was 2nd team along with Dalvin Cook

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2014/12/01/2014-all-acc-football-teams/19745399/
 
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