Who is Redshirting??

Well I guess I was wrong about a few of the redshirts. Looks like Julian Burnett is definitely skipping his redshirt this year. He's the top backup to the Gladiator at middle linebacker.

Lanier is out for the year with shoulder surgery.

Orwin Smith has been amazing in practices this fall. That he will skip a redshirt with all the talent around him in the backfield, speaks volumes to his abilities.

Cross and Thomas, as expected, should also play this year.

Hill and Sweeting will definitely play and a decision is still being made on Robbie Godhigh.

Recruiting

RB recruit Charles Perkins of Collins Hill ran for 303 yards last night against Parkview. I'd say Paul Johnson knows a thing or two about recruiting talented running backs. Can't wait until next year to see Perkins and all the other talent that has given verbal commitments. A machine is being assembled down in Atlanta.


Meanwhile, QB Synjyn Days of Marietta and ATH Jake Skole of Roswell have verballed to GT this week. Skole probably projects as a S at the next level-if he ever steps on the football field. He may well end up being taken in next year's Major League baseball draft. Skole had offers from Auburn, Georgia, Maryland, Virgina Tech, South Carolina among others.



A month ago, former ESPN 150 WR Chris Jackson, transferred from Alabama to Georgia Tech. Jackson was a member of the class of 2008 and will sit out this season under the transfer rule. Jackson was a 4 star WR by Scout and a 3 star from Rivals.


4 star commi-DB BJ Bostic-has been named to the Atlanta Journal Constitution Georgia Super 11 list.

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Castille is Gone-Could GT be in the mix?

With RB Quentin Castille getting the boot from Nebraska today, you have to ask the question "What's next?"

If you've been paying attention, Castille spent a few weeks in Atlanta this summer, with some family in the area.

Now I'm not saying he would transfer to GT or that Paul Johnson would even take him. GT recently shut down any speculation that Nate Frazier, a standout on Navy who was recently dismissed from the Mids, would transfer to the Jackets.

Castille could definitely just declare for the NFL although he probably needs to prove he can stay out of trouble first.

Stay tuned...

Impact Freshmen

It will be a few more weeks before decisions are made on who redshirts and who doesn't. Just based on a week of practice and a few full pad scrimmages, here's how I see it:

Definitely won't redshirt:
-Stephen Hill (drawing comparisons to Georgia's AJ Green)
-Jamea Thomas (#2 safety behind the Predator)
-JC Lanier (already working with the twos)

Wait and see:
-Orwin Smith (they don't need him this year but he is really a talent)
-Daniel Drummond (an absolute monster, dragging players for 4 yards-do they need him?)
-Izaan Cross (physically ready 6'4 272, doing some great things in practice)
-Roderick Sweeting (haven't heard much-talent undeniable though)
-Emanuel Dieke (I think either he or Cross skips a RS)

Definitely RS:
Finch, Beno, Jackson, Foster, Luallen, Sims, Godhigh (walk-on, tenacious blocker), Burnett, Moore, Richardson, Watts, Crenshaw, Miles, Moore, Cummings.

What We Know So Far

Jackets went full pads for the first time yesterday. After a week of practices here's what I'm seeing and hearing:

-To nobody's surprise, offensive execution is light years ahead of last season. The younger players are of course, struggling as all newcomers do. Tempo and understanding of what to do and where to do are far ahead of a year ago.

-Dwyer looks in mid-season form already. This guy could win the Heisman. Seriously.

-Roddy is still wearing a yellow jersey as he recovers from a broken wrist suffered this summer.

-O line is vastly improved. Lots of shifting positions right now to try and get the best possible 5 on the field. Howard and Claytor at G positions? All the chatter indicates there is a solid 2-deep.

-Quintin Sims is another WR who PJ has singled out as impressing.

-Updated heights/weights on the official GT site at Ramblinwreck.

-Best chances to avoid a RS: Stephen Hill, JC Lanier, Emanuel Dieke and Jamea Thomas. So far the young OL aren't being mentioned much. Hill is wowing with his athletic ability and acrobatic catches. Calvin Johnson II? We'll see.

GT Lands Another One

Union Grove 4 star DE Anthony Williams committed to GT today. Looks like another outstanding prospect and GT is about done recruiting for the year. I believe they will finish the class with a QB and perhaps a DB or LB-look for QB prospects Sinjin Days or Ryan White to be the final piece of the puzzle. I'm told White is higher on the board and the GT staff will wait for his decision. With only 6 seniors on the roster this year, it will be a small group but I can't help but be excited about the kind of talent PJ is bringing in. Certainly a bit better than what he had to work with at Navy (sarcasm).

Let's get this thing started!

Georgia Tech players on the 105 report today. First practice is tomorrow! Destination: BCS