Georgia Tech Football: 2015 Spring Practice Week 2 Wrap-Up

Practice #5 (Monday, March 30)

Format: Full Pads (23 periods)

Highlights of the Day

Justin Thomas hit Ricky Jeune in stride down the seam on the first play of 11-on-11 drills for a long touchdown. Later in the same drill, defensive back Lance Austin delivered a big hit on an A-back trying to turn the corner. Honorable mention goes to director of athletics Mike Bobinski showing off some fancy footwork to avoid getting pancaked on the sideline as a pair of players tumbled out of bounds.

Quote of the Day

"I'm basically Coach O, Junior."

-- Dennis Andrews, when asked about tutoring a young group of A-backs surrounding him (referring to Coach Lamar Owens)

Post-Practice Interviews

Head Coach Paul Johnson

A-Back Dennis Andrews

Practice #6 (Wednesday, April 1)

Format: Full Pads (23 periods)

Highlights of the Day

B-back CJ Leggett broke through the line several times for long runs during 11-on-11. Wide receiver Antonio Messick went up the ladder for nice catch along the right sideline. Safety Jamal Golden picked off a pass over the middle in the final session of the day.

Quote of the Day

"In the spring, one day one side's going to win, the next day it's the other side. It's a give-and-take. Nobody's going to dominate. We're not that good on either side." - Paul Johnson

Post-Practice Interview

Head Coach Paul Johnson

Practice #7 (Friday, April 3)

Format: Full Pads

There was no media availability or notes following Friday's practice.

Practice #8 (Saturday, April 4)

Format: Full Pads

Highlights of the Day

In addition to forcing several turnovers, the defense made a stop on fourth-and-goal early in 11-on-11 drills. Linebacker Terrell Lewis made a big hit in the backfield a few series later. Quarterback Chase Martenson recovered a fumbled in the backfield, broke left and made a nice gain to the six-yard line.

Quotes of the Day

The interior guys have a hard time blocking -- especially the second group. They can't get in the way right now.

-- Paul Johnson, on a depleted offensive line

"We've been competing, working hard and getting better every day."

-- Wide Receiver Ricky Jeune

Post-Practice Interviews

Head Coach Paul Johnson

Wide Receiver Ricky Jeune

News & Notes

• Coach Johnson spoke highly of Francis Kallon's performance in the March 28 scrimmage, as well as Ricky Jeune's play in the last week.
• As previously noted, OT Chris Griffin is out for the spring and possibly the 2015 season recovering from an injury he suffered in the offseason from playing pickup basketball.
• OL Bryan Chamberlain has moved from left tackle to left guard, and Trey Braun has moved from left guard to right guard. They figure to be the starters, backed up primarily by Shamire Devine and Gary Brown. In Griffin's absence, Eason Fromayan appears to be the favorite to start at Chamberlain's vacated left tackle spot, with Errin Joe anchoring the other side.
• On the offensive line, Devine, Freddie Burden, and Andrew Marshall have also missed a lot of time through the first couple of weeks of practice, which likely has a lot to do with the offensive struggles in practice.
• Where normally Saturdays are scrimmage days, this past Saturday was a normal practice given the injuries that have been piling up.
• Marcus Allen, originally recruited as a B-Back, has played linebacker for the last two years but more recently has lined up at wide receiver on offense.
• Justin Thomas has been limited in practice from a contact standpoint. More focus has been on Tim Byerly, Matthew Jordan, and Chase Martenson.
• Apparently early-enrolled B-Back Quaide Weimerskirch suffered a significant injury to his lower leg or foot on Saturday that could keep him out of the remainder of spring practice, and even beyond. That leaves only C.J. Leggett and two walk-ons (Brady Swilling & Ryan Braswell) to fill that spot, potentially for the remainder of spring practice. Watch for a potential position change to help supplement those three (perhaps from Allen).
• Early-enrolled DT Kyle Henderson was held out of practices early with an undisclosed injury, but has joined in on more recent practices.
• Take this as you will, but **RUMORS** are that a transfer B-Back is to join the ranks and supplement that aforementioned depletion in depth. If true, and that player is able to play right away, it would almost certainly be a fifth year player who would have only 2015 to play on the Flats.

Up Next

Georgia Tech returned to practice on Monday, and will practice again on Wednesday and Friday before a potential scrimmage on Saturday.