Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Football: "Friday Night on the Flats" Spring Game Preview

Tonight is the annual tradition known as " Friday Night on the Flats", or Georgia Tech's Spring Football Game. Whatever you want to call it, it's our favorite team in the country playing football under the lights in Bobby Dodd Stadium at Historic Grant Field. If you're wanting a football fix, there is no better place to be.

Tonight you will see some new and familiar faces suiting up for the old gold and white.

One of the most popular questions this Spring is who will be under center for the Ramblin' Wreck this year? Look no further than red shirt sophomore Justin Thomas. Justin played in eight games last season and ran Paul Johnson's offense pretty efficiently as the backup. He has the speed to run the offense; what he has to work on is his ball handling. The Triple Option relies on good decision making and consistent ball handling skills. If Thomas can polish this part of his game, he could be very successful behind center. Another name to listen out for is sophomore Tim Byerly. Tim played sparingly last season but was always able to move the offense when he went in. Tim also has shown he has a good arm and could be the dual threat QB for Tech down the road. He has had a good Spring and I look for him to push Thomas all the way into fall camp. Ty Griffin and Matthew Jordan will also get a look at QB this year. I expect them to play some at the game too.

Ed. Note: Kelly Quinlan of Jackets Online reports that Griffin had a particularly good spring this year, so make sure you look out for him at the spring game tonight.  He'll be wearing #17.

One of the newest faces for Georgia Tech this year has been gaining a lot of interest from his players, coaches, and even Yellow Jacket fans. His name is Travis Custis. The freshman out of Lovejoy has been turning heads this Spring. He has the strength and the athleticism that has been missing out of the B-back position. His senior year he had 2,118 rushing yards, 35 touchdowns, and 7.9 yards a carry. Those stats alone should get us excited. How he will adjust to the speed of the college game will say a lot but he has the potential to be a really good football player. Zach Laskey is proven and will be the starter, but it's nice to know there is someone waiting in the wings to step in and carry the rock. Look for those guys to get a majority of reps tonight.

On the defensive side of the ball, we all are curious who is going to step in for Jeremiah Attaochu. #45 was Tech's anchor on the defensive line and he will be missed. This Spring, coach Ted Roof has been giving Jabari Hunt-Days a lot of reps and looks at the position. Hunt-Days has played linebacker the past two seasons and has shown signs that he can create havoc on that side of the ball. He's got the body type and the ability, he just needs to be more consistent. Adam Gotsis is another player who will need to step up this season for Tech on defense. Adam had a great season last year, collecting 61 tackles and 5.5 sacks. (Not bad for a guy who never played high-level competitive football until college!) Gotsis is one of the best defensive players in the ACC and a great leader. This will be Ted Roof's second season as Tech's Defensive Coordinator and you get the feeling players are understanding his scheme and know what to do better.

I'll leave you with this: It's Georgia Tech. It's Football. Need I say more? Enjoy the game everyone!

The game starts at 7 pm and is on ESPN3. If you're watching online, come hang out with everyone at FTRS for a Spring GameThread!

So with all that I have covered here, what are some things you are looking for tonight? Is there a certain player you are looking forward to seeing play? Perhaps some of our new recruits? Or, are you looking at play calling? Is there something you're wanting to see from Coach Johnson?

Note: Per GTAA, some pre-game activities have changed.

• Wreckfest will move indoors to the north concourse. Rock 100.5, Kicks 101.5 and All News 106.7 will be there with live remotes as well as other vendors. Former Georgia Tech all-American Joe Hamilton will be signing autographs in the AT&T booth 5:30-6:30 p.m., and Ruben's Bell will start a pre-game concert at 5 p.m.
• Callaway Plaza will feature food trucks and other vendors, as well as Tailgater's Alley.
• Normal gameday entry security measures will be in place. However, food and non-alcoholic beverages will be permitted into the stadium. Umbrellas will also be allowed.
• The post-game fireworks show has been cancelled.
• Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. inside Bobby Dodd Stadium. All seating, including club seats, is open on a first come. first serve basis.