Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Football: New B-back in the Fold?

So, Georgia Tech is getting a new B-back, eh? We knew that the kid is going to transfer to Tech and be able to play right away. So, who will it be? Maybe Tech will get Imani Cross from Nebraska. Would they consider bringing in a guy like Josh Clemons in Kentucky? How about a flyer on georgia's Keith Marshall? Would South Carolina's Brandon Wilds make an impact on the Flats should he choose to transfer? Another outside of the box idea: Alabama's Kenyan Drake. All great names, but not the guy that will be transferring to Georgia Tech. I'll tell you who is coming, but first, allow me to introduce myself.

My name is Kevin Pate. I'm 25 years old, and I live in Cartersville, GA. I was raised a Tech fan by my father Jim, who was recruited by the legendary Bobby Dodd. Unfortunately, he was injured and was not able to suit up for the Jackets. I graduated from Kennesaw State University in the Fall of 2013, and received my first "big boy" job as a sports host for AM 1450 WBHF in Cartersville. I have written for several sports websites, which include Fox Sports and Comcast Sports Southeast on an intern basis, and am very excited to get back into the journalism business.

As stated earlier, I've been a Georgia Tech my entire life. My earliest memories of Georgia Tech football include the likes of Joe Hamilton, Kelly Campbell, Dez White, Charlie Rogers and many more. I never liked Chan Gailey and I've been a huge supporter of Paul Johnson ever since his hiring in 2008. I'm very excited to work here at From The Rumble Seat for SB Nation, and I hope you enjoy my content as much as I like bringing it to you.

Anyway, I think that's enough about me. Let's get into the part of this story that matters: Who is transferring to Georgia Tech to play B-back?

All the names I mentioned were possibilities, yes, but it appears that one name has picked up steam in recent days. The guy I'm talking about is Stanford's Patrick Skov, who is a graduate transfer and took an official visit to Georgia Tech prior to its Spring Game. Let's take a look at Skov, shall we?

Who Is Patrick Skov?

Skov was a three-star recruit (for those of you who care about stars) out of Trenton, NJ. Skov, now a fullback in Stanford's system, was recruited as an outside linebacker, and was ranked 24th in the nation by 247Sports in 2011.

Here is the line on Skov according to the Stanford Football website:

2014 (Senior)
• Capital One Academic All-District
• Pac-12 All-Academic first team
• 11 games played
• 12 rushes for 18 yards and four touchdowns
• One reception for 16 yards
• Two-yard rushing touchdown vs. USC
• First career touchdown
• Two rushes for seven yards, one tackle for four-yard loss vs. Army
• One catch for 16 yards at Notre Dame
• One rushing touchdown in three consecutive games (at Arizona State, vs. Oregon State, at Oregon)
• One kickoff return for 29 yards vs. Maryland

The 6'1" 235 lbs. Skov didn't play much at Stanford. In three years, he accumulated 25 yards on 14 rushes, with all four of his touchdowns coming in 2014. He also had four receptions for 25 yards.

Skov's brother, Shayne, played with him at Stanford and was signed as a undrafted free agent by the San Francisco 49ers in 2014. Skov has a good shot at a professional career also, being that some consider him as one of the top fullback prospects going into the 2016 NFL Draft

How will Skov fit in at Georgia Tech?

This spring, Skov ran a 4.7 40 at Stanford and ran a 4.25 5-10-5 shuttle with a 33-inch vertical and 38 reps on the bench (subscription required). Those numbers aren't going to jump out at you, but the fact that Skov is a bruising back should. Is Skov as flashy as the names listed above? No, but he doesn't need to be. What Skov offers is a B-back that can come in during goal line situations and act as a battering ram for the Georgia Tech offense. Can you imagine a goal line formation that includes Byerly and Skov?

The biggest benefit that Skov would bring the Jackets would be a big, physical body at the B-back position, something the team is currently lacking. Skov isn't going to blow you away with his speed; instead, he's just going to bowl you over. I think Skov will see a vast majority of his work, should he decide to transfer, in short yardage situations. Skov is a tough kid to bring down and doesn't mind doing the dirty work. He can block, he can run over opposing defenses and he can play immediately. All of that makes Skov an ideal candidate for an undersized Tech backfield.

I'm not saying that Skov is going to "save" the B-back group at all. I am a huge fan of Marcus Allen and Paul Johnson's offense has done more with less. I like the different options that Skov and Allen can present at opposing defenses. Allen may be flashier, but Skov is the bruiser.

Why would Skov choose Georgia Tech?

Look, the kid has 14 total carries at Stanford University. He's a guy that would fit in as a fullback, much more so than a traditional tailback. Unfortunately for Skov, his rushing numbers aren't going to appear with many schools at the NCAA level. Georgia Tech, however, is an exception. If Skov wants to play and play often, he needs to come to Atlanta. Not only that, but Georgia Tech is a team that has a real shot at the playoffs. Skov has a chance to be an integral part of a playoff team, which is something that not many schools can offer him.

Skov makes sense at Georgia Tech. Barring something unexpected, I expect to see him transfer to the Flats and get a look at his bruising style of play in 2015.