The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Oliver enjoying switch from QB to receiver
Given the opportunity Wednesday, Georgia Tech’s newest wide receiver wasn’t
interested in making a fuss over his position switch. That’s standard for Tobias Oliver, typically low-key and team-first.
Moving from quarterback, where he had started two
games this season? Not a big deal.
“I guess it feels good to know where I’m at right now, but we’ve had several guys all over the team that are playing multiple positions, so it’s not like it’s uncommon that I’m playing a dif- ferent position,” Oliver said following practice.
A year ago, Oliver looked like the successor to thenstarter TaQuon Marshall at quarterback. But, a change
in coaches and schemes appears to have changed his course. Oliver played quarterback throughout the spring and preseason, sometimes taking occasional snaps elsewhere, and started
against Clemson in the season opener. He backed up
Lucas Johnson in the second and third games and started the fourth game, against Temple, but was
replacedby James Graham. Graham’s play has appar-
ently earned him the No. 1 spot. The se a son-end
ing injury to wide receiver Jalen Camp and the desire for coaches to get Oliver onto the field has routed
him to receiver, where position coach Kerry Dixon has been happy to receive him.
“He’s one of the best natural athletes I’ve ever been around,” Dixon said Monday on coach Geoff Collins’
radio show. “Extremely competitive.” On Saturday against North Carolina, Oliver caught his
first pass (Oliver’s summation: “It was pretty nice”) and also continued to work at kick returner. He alsotook
a handful of snaps at quar
terback. Collins said Oliver’s role will “absolutely” expand. Collins has praised Oliver repeatedly for his athletic ability, competitiveness and team-first mindset.
“You’ll see him doing different things for us,” Collins said. “Don’t want to give too
much away, but we’rebeing creative just like we always are and being innovative, and when you have some
one like that with his skill
set, (we’re) trying to make
sure we showcase that for himself and for the betterment of the team, too.”
Having come from quarterback, Oliver already has an in-depth knowledge of the offense, reading coverages and understanding where the quarterback will want him to go. It is a help that, when he played for Baylor,
Dixon made the sameswitch from quarterback to receiver.
“I’m enjoying the process,” Oliver said. “There
comes a rough patch when there’s transition from posi
tion to position, but I have pretty good coaches around me that have been in the same position, so it’s not as bad.”