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Big news on the Flats today! Georgia Tech picked up their second offensive line graduate transfer in former Vanderbilt offensive tackle Devin Cochran!
I’m excited to say I’m committed to Georgia Institute of Technology, where I will play my last year of eligibility as a Graduate Student earning a masters degree pic.twitter.com/kIxsTjrfaN
— Devin Cochran (@Devin_Cochran57) January 26, 2020
Cochran joins former Tennessee offensive lineman Ryan Johnson, who announced his decision back in December. In short, I’m really excited for this. Cochran announced his intentions to use his final year of eligibility on January 6.
Thank you Vanderbilt. pic.twitter.com/aiF2AXuXjN
— Devin Cochran (@Devin_Cochran57) January 6, 2020
Let’s just say Cochran is really good. How do I know? Well, take a look at this tweet:
Fewest pressures allowed, SEC tackles (min. 250 pass-blocking snaps):
— Cam Mellor (@PFF_Cam) December 22, 2019
1. Landon Young, Kentucky: 5
2. Jack Driscoll, Auburn: 8
2. Devin Cochran, Vandy: 8
4. Andrew Thomas, UGA: 9
4. Isaiah Wilson, UGA: 9
4. Yasir Durant, Missouri: 9
7. Alex Leatherwood, Alabama: 10
I don’t know how many pressures Tech’s offensive linemen allowed last season, and quite honestly, I probably don’t want to think about it.
I reached out to our friends over at Anchor of Gold, who were a little less than thrilled when Cochran announced his transfer, to get a bit of a scouting report on Cochran so we know what to expect. Here’s what they had to say:
“Vanderbilt’s offensive line was a train wreck in 2019, but don’t blame that on Devin Cochran, who performed very well at left tackle while the rest of the line was in flux all season.
“He’s played both tackle spots in his Vanderbilt career, starting at right tackle in 2017 and 2018 before moving to left tackle in 2019 after Justin Skule moved to the NFL, and he’s performed ably at both spots.
“At 6’7” and 317 pounds he has ideal size for the position and good technique. He’s good in both pass protection and in the run game, and looks like a future NFL starter.”
- Tom Stephenson, Anchor of Gold
Man, if that doesn’t excite you, I don’t know what will. Zach Quinney started at left tackle for Georgia Tech this last season, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Cochran coming in cause Quinney to move to right tackle. If that’s the case, here’s how I see the offensive line coming out right now:
LT - Devin Cochran
LG - Jack DeFoor
C - Kenny Cooper (if healthy)
RG - Ryan Johnson
RT - Zach Quinney
That already seems like a much improved offensive line from last year, and this also doesn’t account for any of the true freshmen coming in who could potentially supplant one of these folks. It’s going to be a really fun spring to watch this offensive line battle it out. More than anything, this makes me a lot more hopeful for the offense that they can make a significant jump this next season.
Welcome to the Flats!