ACC Signing Day Team Ranking and Recap

Paul Johnson brought in the biggest ACC recruiting class and with most of his team back from last season, including Justin Thomas, he doesn’t need much. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

8. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Paul Johnson is another great coach who gets guys to fit his system, and is great at what he does. The best trait he gives his players, particularly his wide receivers is the ability to block, but also the tenacity (think Demariyus Thomas and Calvin Johnson). Those guys were not heavily recruited, but wound up being first round picks after developing their route running as well as their ability to block in the run game.

The Yellow Jackets did not get any players that will jump off the page at you, but they really did not need any with Heisman contender Justin Thomas coming back. They just needed depth and guys to develop for the future, and with the biggest class in the ACC (27), Johnson certainly did that.

One guy to keep any eye on that could see some time however is running back Nathan Cottrel who is a burner in every sense of the word. Cottrel isn’t likely to be a between the tackle type of guy, but I think he can be a very good third down back for this offense as he can really catch the ball well. Like most high school backs, he will need some practice pass blocking and cutting, but with Tech that isn’t a huge issue considering they will run most of the time.

Nothing flashy here, but a solid group for Johnson as he looks to make a run and build stability.

Next: No. 7 Ranked ACC Recruiting Class