Defense worth a look tonight

New coordinator’s group is expected to be fast, aggressive.

Georgia Tech will conclude spring practice today with its annual spring game, starting at 7 p.m. at Bobby Dodd Stadium.

The primary objective for coach Paul Johnson will be to make it through the game with no injuries, but for fans (and media) who are getting their first glimpse of the 2018 Yellow Jackets, there is plenty to observe and glean.

The Yellow Jackets, coming off a disappointing 5-6 season in which they held double-digit leads in four of the losses, have a new look on defense and 10 offensive players back who started six games or more.

Here are five things to watch in the scrimmage:

1. What does the defense look like?

The biggest offseason change for Tech was the hire of defensive coordinator Nate Woody from Appalachian State. Woody’s defense sounds much like what Johnson has wanted all along – a defense that is simple to learn, aggressive and fast.

2. Two stars on the rise?

Woody’s 3-4 defense is such that the two outside linebackers are positioned to produce tackles for loss and turnovers. Keep an eye on linebackers Victor Alexander and Jaquan Henderson. Both have the body type

and skill set to fit into that role, and Woody has liked what he has seen from the two.

3. How much has TaQuon Marshall’s throwing improved?

One of quarterback TaQuon Marshall’s biggest objectives for the spring was to improve his passing fundamentals, including taking the prescribed number of steps in his dropback and not striding too long as he stepped to throw. Marshall completed 37 percent of his passes last season and was 16 for 65 (25 percent) for 471 yards in Tech’s final five games (all against teams rated in the top 35 nationally in opponent passing efficiency and two played in heavy rain).

4. How is the kicking game?

Circumstances of the game will dictate how much kicker Brenton King gets to play (as well as punter Pressley Harvin), but coaches probably wouldn’t be disappointed if he were put in a spot to attempt a field goal from beyond 40 yards.

5. Which young players are ready to contribute?

The spring game perhaps carries more meaning and import for younger players, who can receive extended playing time in a game environment for the first time in their careers. As always, there have been players who have emerged this spring as challengers for playing time this fall.