The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Camp popular pick for most improved
Coach Johnson says decision on backup QB not likely until August.
Georgia Tech’s spring practice is in its final week, with the spring game scheduled Friday night at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
On Monday following practice, offensive players were asked to name the Yellow Jackets who had caught their attention with their improvement. Wide receiver Jalen Camp was named three times, quarterback Lucas Johnson, A-back Omahri Jarrett and B-back Jerry Howard were named twice.
■ A-back Nathan Cottrell: A-back Xavier Gantt, Camp and Jarrett. (Cottrell also included “all of us A-backs” and “all the QBs” and said “on offensive line, there’s been some great people.”)
Jarrett is a sophomore who played in 10 games last season, mostly on special teams.
Cottrell on Jarrett: “He’s really settling in, knowing what’s going on on every single play, doesn’t have any hiccups. It’s been a great experience. I think for all the A-backs (there’s been improvement), like I said, but Omahri, he’s looking a lot more comfortable in it, and this spring has really helped him build up and get those reps in. It’s been good.”
■ Wide receiver Stephen Dolphus: Johnson, Camp and Howard.
Dolphus on Camp: “Camp, definitely. Camp has been making plays, but he’s definitely looking good out there.”
■ Quarterback TaQuon Marshall: Safety Christian Campb ell, A-back/B-back Jordan Ponchez-Mason, Camp, Johnson and Howard. (Marshall also has been complimentary about the pass protection provided by the offensive line.)
Marshall on the offense: “I mean, the list goes on. I’ve seen a lot of guys just focus on some things each and every day and just make those strides to get better. I think a lot of guys have really
progressed this spring and I’m looking forward to the season.”
■ A-back Qua Searcy: Dolphus and Jarrett.
Searcy on Dolphus, a sophomore who appeared in only three games last year but now may be the No. 3 receiver behind Brad Stewart and Camp: “I guess he just into the realization that he’s a big body and he just goes and gets the ball. You just throw it up and he comes down with it.”
Waiting on No. 2 QB: One goal Georgia Tech coaches had going into spring practice was to set a depth chart to take into preseason practice in August. In some cases, three weeks of spring practice has allowed that competition to unfold.
At quarterback, it will have to wait. Coach Paul Johnson said the competition for the No. 2 job behind TaQuon Marshall will probably carry into preseason practice. Sophomore Lucas Johnson and redshirt freshman
Tobias Oliver are competing.
Asked if there was any separation between the two, coach Paul Johnson replied, “Not really. Lucas, he missed a lot of practice.” He spoke Monday following the team’s 13th of 15 spring practices. Spring practice concludes Friday evening with the annual spring game.
Lucas Johnson has an extra year in the system and backed up Marshall last season with Jay
Jones (who has since transferred) as Oliver redshirted. However, Johnson suffered an undisclosed injury early in spring practice and missed the second week. When Tech scrimmaged this past Saturday, Johnson was allowed to participate, but only ran pass plays.
Oliver would stand to benefit from the consistent practice time he has received this spring as he tries to catch up to Johnson. As Paul Johnson put it, the two have completely different skill sets. Lucas Johnson’s strength is in his passing, Oliver’s more in his running.
“They’ve done a great job,” Marshall said. “’T.O.’, he’s coming along well. He’s always asking questions. I’m trying to help him out as much as I can. He’s a great runner. He can put the ball in the air. Lucas is coming along well, also. He’s progressed a lot since I’ve seen him there. Just everybody’s really been progressing, trying to work on their craft.”