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

#8: Jeremiah Attouchou (2010-2013)










Jeremiah Attaochu is one of the best pass rushers in Georgia Tech history. He played Defensive End from 2010-2012 and Outside Linebacker in 2013. As a Freshman, Jerry was a key contributor off the bench and made his first career start vs. Air Force in the Independence Bowl. That season he finished with 3 sacks, 4 TFL's, and 23 tackles. As a Sophomore Attaochu started 10 games, played in 11, and missed two due to injury. The 10 games he did play were good enough to garner all-ACC honorable mention by the media and third team all-ACC by Phil Steele. His 6 sacks that season were 5th in the ACC and 54th nationally. His 11.5 TFL's were 6th in the ACC and 66th nationally. His 3 sack 9 tackle performance that season vs. UNC was good enough to earn an ESPN Gameday helmet sticker, FWAA national player of the week, and ACC linebacker of the week. His Junior and Senior seasons Attaochu really padded his numbers. A career high 10 sacks followed by a career high 12 sacks were how his last two seasons unfolded. Those were good for 10th and 2nd in the ACC respectively. his 12 sacks in his senior season were fifth nationally. On top of that Attaochu added 28 TFL's in his last two seasons. Attaochu is Georgia Tech's all-time leader in sacks and sack yards. Below are a full list of his accomplishments and awards.

4th in sacks in a season with 12.5 in 2013
8th in sacks in a season with 10 in 2012
6th in TFL's in a career with 43.5
3rd in sacks in a game with 4 (vs. UGA in 2013). He is also 4th twice with 3.
5th all time in the ACC for sacks
1st all time in GT history for sacks

Honors
* 2013 Third Team All-American (AP)
* 2013 Third Team All-American (CBS)
* 2013 Fourth Team All-American (Phil Steele)
* 2013 Honorable Mention All-American (SI.com)
* 2013 First Team All-ACC (Coaches)
* 2013 First Team All-ACC (TSN)
* 2013 Second Team All-ACC (ACSMA)
* 2013 Second Team All-ACC (Phil Steele)
* 2013 Reese's Senior Bowl Inivitee
* 2013 College All-Star Bowl Invitee
* 2013 Athlon ACC Defensive Player of the Week (11.30)
* 2013 ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week (11.30)
* 2013 Bronco Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List
* 2013 Lombardi Award Preseason Watch List
* 2013 Butkus Award Preseason Watch List
* 2013 Chuck Bednarik Award Preseason Watch List
* 2013 Preseason First Team All-ACC (Phil Steele)
* 2013 Preseason Second Team All-ACC (Athlon)
* 2012 Honorable Mention All-ACC (media)
* 2012 Honorable Mention All-ACC (coaches)
* 2012 Third Team All-ACC (Phil Steele)
* 2012 ACC Linebacker of the Week (11/5/12)
* 2012 Rotary Lombardi Preseason Watch List
* 2012 Preseason First Team All-ACC (Blue Ribbon)
* 2012 Preseason Second Team All-ACC (Athlon)
* 2012 Preseason Second Team All-ACC (Phil Steele)
* 2012 Preseason Third Team All-ACC (Lindy's)
* 2011 Honorable Mention All-ACC
* 2011 Third Team All-ACC (Phil Steele)
* 2011 Bronko Nagurski Watch List
* 2011 ESPN Gameday Helmet Sticker (9/24)
* 2011 ACC Linebacker of the Week (9/26)
* 2011 FWAA National Player of the Week (9/27)
 
#7: Shaquille Mason (2011-2014)






Mason starts at 2:25




Shaquille Mason is one the most decorated Guards in Georgia Tech history. From playing 11 games as a key reserve to Omoregie Uzzi as a Freshman in 2011 to being a First team All-American as a Senior Mason perfectly embodied what it means to be a student athlete at Georgia Tech. His first start was the Sun Bowl in 2011 and he was named to the ACC All-Bowl team for his performance in that game. As a Sophomore Mason started 12 games and played in 14. In 2013 as a Junior, Shaq started garnering national recognition for his performances. He was a consensus all-ACC Guard ranging from 1st team to 3rd team depending on the publication. He also racked up back-to-back ACC lineman of the week's from Sept. 16-Sept. 23. In 2014 Mason was incredible, racking up a ton of achievements in route to an Orange Bowl ring. In his four seasons Mason started in 40 games and played in 52. Here are a list of his career achievements, including 2014.

2014 ALL-AMERICA, FIRST TEAM (USA TODAY)
2014 ALL-AMERICA, SECOND TEAM (Sports Illustrated, FWAA, Phil Steele)
2014 ALL-AMERICA, THIRD TEAM (AP)
2014 ALL-BOWL TEAM (AP)
2014 ALL-ACC (ESPN)
2014 ALL-ACC, FIRST TEAM (Phil Steele)
2014 ALL-ACC, SECOND TEAM (ACSMA, coaches)
ACC OFFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE WEEK(Oct. 6, 2014)
ACC OFFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE WEEK(Nov. 10, 2014)
ACC CO-OFFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE WEEK(Dec. 1, 2014)
2013 ALL-ACC, FIRST TEAM(ACSMA, TSN)
2013 ALL-ACC, SECOND TEAM(Phil Steele)
2013 ALL-ACC, THIRD TEAM(coaches)
ACC OFFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE WEEK(Sept. 16, 2013)
ACC OFFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE WEEK(Sept. 23, 2013)
 
#6: Michael Johnson (2005-2008)


Pick 6 vs. Miami


Causing a fumble vs. Notre Dame


Johnson's game ending sacks vs. Maryland


At 1:36:45 Johnson has a huge and rather unconventional 3rd and 4 sack on stafford


Michael Johnson is one of the most athletic defensive players in Georgia Tech history. The freak came onto the flats in 2005 and immediately saw playing time, being one of 8 true freshman to play. He played in 11 games and recorded one sack. After missing the first two games of the 2006 season due to injury, Johnson would go onto play the rest of the season and even start one game. Even though he was a reserve Johnson still finished second on the team with five sacks and accumulated 6 TFL's. Johnson still didn't get the nod to start in 2007, but was basically the teams first string pass rusher and was on the field for every passing down. He ended that season with four sacks and added two blocked kicks as well. 2008 is when MJ broke out big time, garnering first team all-American honors. The 6'7 defensive end ranked third in the ACC in TFL's (17.5), third in the ACC in sacks (9), and added another kick block. As of 2008, only 10 other players had more career blocked kicks than Johnson's three. MJ ended his career with 107 tackles, 30.5 TFL's, 19 sacks, 10 forced fumbles, 2 fumbles recovered, 1 interception (26 yard TD return), and three blocked kicks.

Career Accolades
9th career sacks at GT (19)
17th career TFL's at GT (30.5)
4th TFL's in a game (4.5 vs. Gardner-Webb in 2008)
1st Fumbles forced in a game (Wake Forest 2006)

* 2009 Senior Bowl Invitee

* 2008 First Team All-America (AFCA)

* 2008 Third Team All-America (Phil Steele)

* 2008 Honorable Mention All-America (Sports Illustrated)

* 2008 First Team All-ACC

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

* 2008 Second Team All-ACC (Rivals)

* 2008 Team Tri-Captain

* 2008 Team ACC co-Defensive Lineman of the Week (Nov. 3)

* 2008 Second Team Preseason All-America (Phil Steele)

* 2008 Bednarik Award Candidate

* 2008 Hendricks Award Midseason Candidate

* 2008 First Team Preseason All-ACC
 
#5: Morgan Burnett (2007-2009)
Sacking ND quarterback as a Freshman


One of Burnetts 14 career INT's


One of MB's bigger hits


Game clinching pick vs. Clemson in 2008


Interception vs. UVA


UGA vs GT highlight vid from 2008. Burnett's only college touchdown is in this highlight. Go ahead and watch the whole thing though
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pruMPBJGDOU&t

Also, don't forget to watch his endzone interception in 2009 vs. Virginia Tech!

Morgan Burnett is one of Georgia Tech's most prolific ball hawks. With 14 career picks Burnett immediately made a name for himself as a freshman. He played in all 13 games and basically was our starting nickle safety the whole season. His 3 interceptions that season led the team. In 2008 Burnett had one of the single best seasons for a defensive back in Georgia Tech history. He picked off seven passes, which led the nation and the ACC, 93 tackles (5th in the acc), and 7 TFL's (a lot from that position). It was obvious in 2009 that teams completely stayed away from the 2008 first team all-american Morgan Burnett. He only had 4 interceptions but played better than he ever had. Locking down corners, taking away deep routes, and hogging interceptions was what this man was all about. He has planted his name in the record books at Tech, here are a list of his accolades:

2nd career interceptions (14)
4th interceptions in a season (7 in 2008)
9th career tackles by a DB (235)
10th tackles by a DB in a season (93)

Honors

* 2009 Second Team All-ACC (Coaches)

* 2008 First Team All-America (Pro Football Weekly)

* 2008 Second Team All-America (Rivals)

* 2008 Second Team All-America (Sports Illustrated)

* 2008 Second Team All-America (Sporting News)

* 2008 Third Team All-America (Phil Steele)

* 2008 First Team All-ACC (Rivals)

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

* 2008 Second Team All-ACC (ACSMA)

* 2008 First Team Sophomore All-America (College Football News)

* 2007 ACC All-Freshman Team (Sporting News)

* 2007 Honorable Mention Freshman All-America (Sporting News)
 
#4: Demaryius Thomas (2006-2009)


Fake FG!,1


Stiff arming a DWAG (goddamn this game though)


88 yard reception


Huge play vs. FSU!


Checking in at number four is one of Georgia Tech's all-time best receivers. Thomas racked up almost 2,500 total yards in three seasons on the flats (four including his redshirt season) and left a year early to go pro. He redshirted in 2006 before becoming Taylor Bennett's go to guy in 2007. That season he caught 35 passes for 558 yards and 4 TD's. When Paul Johnson took the reigns, DT saw an opportunity to take advantage of all the one-on-one opportunities he would see. In 2008 Thomas hauled in 39 passes for 627 yards and three TD's. He was ninth in the ACC that season in receiving yards. 2009 is when DT took that extra step into elitism. 46 catches, 1,154 yards, and 8 TD's. The yards led the ACC and his touchdowns were second. In his career Thomas ended up with 120 receptions for 2339 yards, 15 TD's and an astronomical 19.5 yards a reception. Thomas also added 32 yards on the ground and a fumble recovery touchdown (vs. Duke in 2007) to his career numbers. Here a list of his accomplishments and awards: (Thomas's statistics look different in Georgia Tech's official record book, due to the ineligibility BS from 2009. He was stripped of 204 receiving yards, 7 receptions, and two TDs. I have included these stats in my record book.)

7th career receptions at GT (120)
4th career yards at GT (2,339)
2nd receiving yards in a season (1,154 in 2009)
2nd yards per reception (19.5)
4th career TD receptions (15)
5th career 100 yards receiving games (6)
3rd longest reception in GT history (88 yards vs. Duke in 2008) and 30th (vs. UGA in 2009 76 yards)
2nd receiving yards in a game (230 vs. Duke 2008) and 16th (174 vs. Miss St. 2009)

2007 All-ACC Freshman Team
2007 honorable mentional national all-Freshman team
3rd team All-American in 2009
Bilenktoff Award Semifinalist in 2009
1st team All-ACC in 2009
 
Nesbitt, Thomas and Dwyer coming right up!!!

Damn, did I spoil it for everyone?
 
#3: Jonathan Dwyer (2007-2009)










Jonathan Dwyer was an easy choice for my top three. JD came to the flats as a true freshman in 2007 and immediately started scoring TD's, even with backing up nationally recognized Tashard Choice. Dwyer played in every game his Freshman season and scored nine touchdowns on 436 rushing yards and over 5 yards a carry. When Paul Johnson took the reigns in 2008, he knew he had a good running back even with the departure of Tashard Choice. Dwyer erupted for 1,395 yards and 12 touchdowns on his way to being the ACC player of the year and multiple other accolades. He averaged seven yards a carry which led the ACC. He led the ACC in all rushing categories except Touchdowns in which he was second. His Junior season in 2009 would be his last, as he would declare for the draft shortly after the Orange bowl. He went out on a good note, racking up exactly the same amount of yards he had in 2008 on his way to another all-ACC caliber season. Dwyer finished his career with 3,489 yards from scrimmage and 36 touchdowns. He averaged 6.6 yards a touch in his three seasons and added 477 yards giving him 3,966 all-purpose yards at Tech. Below is his laundry list of accomplishments and accolades as a Jacket:

1st Yards per carry in a career, mininum 400 attempts (6.2)
1st in rushing duos in Georgia Tech history (Josh Nesbitt/Jonathan Dwyer in 2009, combined 2,432 yards)
1st 100 yard rushing games in a season (9 in 2008)
2nd longest rush in Georgia Tech history (88 yards vs. Mississippi St. in 2008)
3rd Yards per carry in a career, minimum 200 attempts (6.2)
3rd Rushing Touchdowns (35)
3rd 100 yard rushing games (17)
3rd (twice) 100 yard rushing games in-a-row (4 in 2008 and again in 2009)
3rd all-purpose yards in a season (1,775 in 2008)
3rd career touchdowns (36)
4th (twice) rushing yards in a season (1,395 in 2008 and 2009)
4th Rushing Touchdowns in a season (14 in 2009)
4th longest rush in Georgia Tech history (85 yards vs. UNC in 2008)
5th 100 yard rushing games in a season (7 in 2009)
6th career rushing yards (3,226)
6th all-purpose yards (3,966)
7th yards per game in a season (107.3 in 2008)
8th career points scored (218)
9th Rushing Touchdowns in a season (12 in 2008)
10th rushing attempts (517)
18th total career yards (rushing + passing) (3,226)
18th longest rush in Georgia Tech history (74 yards vs. Jacksonville St. in 2009)
19th rushing yards in a game (189 vs. Wake Forest in 2009)
19th longest reception in Georgia Tech history (Booker to Dwyer for 79 yards vs. Gardner-Webb in 2008)
23rd longest touchdown play in Georgia Tech history (88 yards vs. Mississippi St. in 2008)

*2009 Doak Walker Award Semi-finalist

* 2008 & 2009 1st team all-ACC

* 9/10, 2007 ACC rookie of the week

* 2008 ACC player of the year

* 2008 ACC Offensive Player of the Year

* 2008 ACC Offensive Player of the Year (Sporting News)

* 2008 ACC Offensive Player of the Year (ACC Sports Journal)

* 2008 First Team All-America (Pro Football Weekly)

* 2008 Honorable Mention All-America (Sports Illustrated)

* 2008 ACC co-Offensive Back of the Week (Nov. 24)

* 2008 ACC Player of the Week (Rivals/Sept. 9)

* 2008 Midseason All-ACC First Team (Phil Steele)

* 2007 ACC All-Freshman Team (Sporting News)
 
#2: Justin Thomas (2012-2016)










Justin Thomas is one of the single most electrifying athletes in the history of Georgia Tech athletics. He came onto the scene after Alabama snubbed him and he redshirted in 2012. In 2013 he played sparingly behind Vad Lee, but the chatter the whole season and pre-season was that Justin Thomas was hot on his heels for the job. Vad must've seen the writing on the wall because he jumped ship to James Madison, opening the door for Thomas to be our starting quarterback as a redshirt sophomore in 2014. We all know how that season went, as Thomas ran the ball 190 times for 1,086 yards and 8 TDs. He also threw 96/187 for 1,719, 18 passing Td's, and 6 interceptions. In the Orange Bowl Thomas ran for 121 yards and passed for 125 yards to take home orange bowl MVP honors. He also scored four touchdowns, three on the ground, in that game. 2015 was a very rough season for the Jackets. Thomas had a lot of trouble finding rythym with the constant injury cycle of running backs and a depleted offensive line. He only ran for 485 yards and threw for 1,339 in 2015. Thomas was able to right the ship in 2016 leading the Jackets to a Taxslayer bowl victory. He ran for 604 yards and had arguably his best passing season: 79/148 1,559 yards 8 Tds, 2 INT's, and a 157.0 rating. Thomas finished his career 259/532 for 4,748 yards, 40 TD's, 18 interceptions, and a 141.7 rating. He also ran 504 times for 2,409 yards and 22 touchdowns. Combined he finished with 7,157 yards and 62 touchdowns. Here are a list of his accomplishments and accolades:

1st rushing yards by a quarterback in a season (1,086 in 2014)
1st career yards per completion, minimum 200 completions (18.4)
1st yards per pass attempt, minimum 500 attempts (8.94
1st touchdowns responsible for in a game (5 vs. Georgia Southern in 2014)
2nd single season rushing trios (Jusint Thomas, Synjyn Days, and Zach Laskey combined for 2,861 yards)
2nd rushing yards by a quarterback in a career (2,412)
2nd pass efficiency in a season (157.0 in 2016)
3rd rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in a career (22)
3rd games with a rushing and passing touchdown (10)
3rd passing efficiency in a game (276.94 vs. Duke in 2016, 10/14 284 yards and 2 TD's)
3rd passing TD's in a game (4 vs. Georgia Southern in 2014)
3rd yards in a game (459 vs. Duke in 2016)
4th passing efficiency in a game (275.25 vs. Wofford in 2014, 11/15 282 yards and 2 TD's)
4th passing efficiency in a season (153.9 in 2014)
4th touchdowns responsible for in a career (62)
4th touchdowns responsible for in a season (26 in 2014)
4th single season rushing duos (Justin Thomas and Synjyn Days in 2014 combined for 2,010 yards)
4th passing touchdowns in a season (18 in 2014)
4th total yards in a season, passing + rushing (2,805 in 2014)
4th career yards, passing + rushing (7,186)
4th career passing efficiency, minimum 100 attempts (141.8)
5th career passing touchdowns (40)
6th career passing yards (4,754)
6th longest pass in GT history (83 yards to Clinton Lynch vs. North Carolina in 2016)
7th rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in a season (8 in 2014)
8th rushing yards by a quarterback in a season (604 in 2016)
8th career pass attempts (532)
8th longest run in GT history (82 yards vs. Duke in 2016)
9th career rushing yards (2,412)
9th career rushing touchdowns (22)
9th career completions (259)
10th longest pass in GT history (81 yards to Marcus Marshall vs. Vanderbilt in 2016)
10th touchdowns responsible for in a season (19 in 2015)
11th career rushing attempts (505)
13th rushing yards in a season (1,086 in 2014)
16th rushing yards in a game (196 vs. Duke in 2016)
16th passing TD's in a game (3 vs. Virginia in 2014)
19th longest pass in GT history (79 yards to Charles Perkins vs. Pittsburgh in 2014)
19th yards in a game (353 vs. Wofford in 2014)

Walter Camp National Player of the Week vs. Duke in 2016
2nd team all-ACC quarterback in 2014
2 ACC offensive back of the week awards (one in 2014 and one in 2016)
 
#1 (more to come)

gt-wake.jpg
 
coit said:
I'm just gonna say it. JT was better than JfN.
Click to expand...

I tried to be completely unbiased in 40-3. but nesbitt is my favorite athlete of all time, couldn't help putting him at one. Thomas certainly has an argument obviously.
 
coit said:
I'm just gonna say it. JT was better than JfN.
Click to expand...

2014 showed us what the prototypical QB in this offense is capable of. JT put on a clinic in the Orange Bowl. That alone makes him my favorite player in the CPJ era and my top 3 of favorite QBs in my years of being a Tech fan.
 
Can we just call it 1a and 1b? Both QB's were outstanding for us.
JT: 2 wins over UGA, Orange Bowl victory, ACC Coastal champion
JN: 1 win over UGA, ACC Championship, Orange Bowl appearance



 
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