:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/35506454/20131102_kdl_al3_003.0.jpg)
The wide receiver position is usually the last offensive position that comes to mind when talking about Georgia Tech and their offense. You can argue the lack of production the past couple of years, but you can't argue the importance and significance the position holds in this offense.You can look back at 2008-2011 when Tech had receivers who were game changers like (Demaryius Thomas and Stephen Hill) who helped made this offense flourish and made big plays. If the Yellow Jackets want to make a case to win the ACC this year, they need a big impact from this group of veterans and also some newcomers looking to help.
Who Left
Tech's leading receiver last season, Robert Godhigh, who actually played A-back for the Jackets has now graduated. Godhigh lead the team in receptions (23) and yards (471) which, to be honest, is not a shock. Robbie was one of the best play makers on the squad the past two seasons and you could always count on him to be clutch and dependable. He had the hands of a wide receiver and the vision of a running back. On top of that, the kid could block with the best of them; not bad for someone 5'7 and 190 lbs.
Who's New
One of the highly recruited wide receiver targets for the 2014 class was Qua Searcy. He was a three-sport athlete in high school, with one of those sports as track and field. He had offers from Clemson, Ole Miss, Michigan State, Wisconsin, and South Carolina just to name a few. Along side Searcy is Clinton Lynch. The 6'0, 185 lb played with recruit Myles Autry at Norcross High School. In his senior season, Lynch recorded 47 receptions for 912 yards and racked up a total of 1,000 yards for 2013. Though Lynch was initially slotted as an A-Back, there is a chance that he will see time at wide receiver as well. Also, don't forget about Ricky Jeune and Antonio Messick. These two young men were a part of the 2013 recruiting class but took a redshirt last season. Jeune list at 6'3, 218 lbs while Messick stands in at 6'3, 185. They both have the makeup to be a big play wide receiver and help contribute.
Projected Depth Chart
| Position | First String | Second String |
|---|---|---|
| WR |
Anthony Autry (R-So) Micheal Summers (R-So) |
Ricky Jeune (R-Fr) Qua Searcy (Fr) |
| WR | DeAndre Smelter (Sr) |
Darren Waller (Sr) Antonio Messick (R-Fr) |
This is the most underrated group of receivers coach Johnson has had since he has been at Tech. DeAndre Smelter turned a lot of heads last season. He came into the program from playing baseball with relatively low expectations other than he being listed as an athlete. Smelter showed that he can play and he has a bright future if he continues to develop and can have another good season. Lining up behind him is the talented senior Darren Waller who, at 6'5, 225 lbs, had a solid junior season. Waller made a great catch for 72 yards against Ole Miss in the Music City Bowl and also got Tech going in the first quarter against Georgia with a 68 yard catch that led to a touchdown. Starting opposite Smelter will be the combo of Anthony Autry and Micheal Summers. Autry returns off of a second ACL tear, and is looking to see his first action since originally injuring himself against BYU in 2012. Summers saw his role increase throughout last year and has shown a lot of promise at the position. With the additions of Searcy, Jeune, and Messick, Georgia Tech brings considerable depth at wide receiver.
How do you feel about the wide receiver position this season? Do you feel that it's a position of strength for the team? Will Smelter make some more big plays or will one of the new guys make an impact?