NCAA Football Preview - Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

By Scott Haynes Aug 18, 2006, 18:00 GMT

OFFENSE: It was another up and down season for the Tech offense, as quarterback Reggie Ball's inconsistent play led to a mere 18.5 ppg. Ball, who excelled as a freshman a couple of years ago, has struggled in the role since, including completing just 48 percent of his passes last season, for 2,165 yards, with 11 TDs and 12 interceptions. It has somewhat retarded the growth of All-American wideout Calvin Johnson, who finished 2006, with 54 catches, for 888 yards and six TDs. Despite the play of his quarterback, Johnson is still one of the best wide receivers in the college ranks. At 6-4, 235 pounds is a big menacing target downfield, with enough burst to run over or around would-be tacklers. Johnson is clearly the crown-jewel of the Tech offense in 2006, especially with talented tailback P.J. Daniels moving on. Daniels rushed for just under 1,000 yards last season and will be missed. The hope is that Oklahoma transfer Tashard Choice will emerge as one of the conference's top rushers. Despite limited carries in 2005, Choice was able to roll up 513 yards and six TDs. If he is a workhorse this season, he should easily double both stats. The offensive front returns four starters, including sophomore tackle Andrew Gardner (6-6, 300), who was a First-Team Freshman All-American in 2005. Senior Mansfield Wrotto will once again move back to the right tackle position and should be a mainstay along the offensive line all year long.

DEFENSE: The Tech defense played well most of the 2005 campaign and even in the lopsided loss to Virginia Tech, the defensive unit only allowed 320 yards of total offense. Opponents averaged only 20.1 ppg against the Ramblin Wreck in 2005, but with only six starters returning and one of them (Wrotto) moving to the offensive side of the ball, things may not come as easy in 2006. The team loses talent almost everywhere, including Eric Henderson up front, Gerris Wilkinson in the linebacking corps and safeties Dawan Landry and Chris Reis in the secondary. The hope is that some youngsters along with select veterans can assuage the losses and keep this unit performing at a high level. Senior defensive tackle Joe Anoai and junior end Adamm Oliver will anchor the line, while sophomore tackle Darryl Richard is a bit of a wildcard. The 6-4, 290- pounder was solid as a true freshman, posting four sacks in four starts in 2004. He missed the entire 2005 season with a knee injury, but is healthy again and should be a key contributor in 2006. The linebacking corps is highlighted by the play of senior KaMichael Hall (64 tackles, 10 TFLs last season) and junior Philip Wheeler (64 tackles, four sacks, four INTs). The secondary will feature senior cornerback Kenny Scott, who at 6-2, 185 pounds, presents a challenge for opposing QBs. Scott had 56 tackles last season, with two picks.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Junior Travis Bell was a perfect 27-of-27 on extra point attempts last season, but his accuracy in field goal attempts was far from perfect. Bell did hit a long of 48 yards in 2005, but was just 11-of-21 on the season, including just 4-of-11 between 40-and-49 yards. Bell will probably get the nod again this season, with 24 starts under his belt. Ben Arndt averaged 36.0 yards on 87 punts in 2005, but he is gone, leaving the job for junior Durant Brooks, who sat out last year after transferring from Georgia Military College, where he averaged 40 yards per punt. Tailback Rashaun Grant took over the kick return duties late last season and did a solid job, averaging 22.6 yards per return. He will once again man that job for the Yellow Jackets in 2006.

OUTLOOK: Just how good the Yellow Jackets can be in 2006 remains a mystery, but a real litmus test will come in the season-opener, as Georgia Tech plays host to Notre Dame, which should be a top-five team entering the season. Even if Tech drops the season-opener, the next three games are very winnable, with home games against Samford, Troy and Virginia. The non-conference slate finishes up with the season-finale at Georgia. Going at least .500 out of conference is a definite, leaving just the conference schedule to define this team's season. Tech doesn't go on the road until September 30th at Virginia Tech, but could come into Blacksburg with a full head of steam, providing the team upsets the Irish in the opener. Other ACC road tests will come at Clemson, at NC State and at North Carolina, while home games include the Cavaliers, Terrapins, Hurricanes and Blue Devils. The team avoids Florida State this season and that is always a good thing in terms of scheduling. A 10th straight winning season is in the cards and if everything plays out right, a shot at a Coastal Division crown could be on the line late in the season.

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