Top ACC Position Battles in Spring Practice
Paul Johnson must decide who will take the bulk of the carries for the Yellow Jackets, who lose almost every running back on their roster from a year ago. Mandatory Credit: Liz Condo-USA TODAY Sports
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Positional Battle: Starting Running Back
Favorite: Dennis Andrews
Competitors: Isiah Williams, Mikell Lands-Davis
Last year the Yellow Jackets ranked second in the country in rushing checking in at 342.1 rushing yards per game. The scheme that Coach Paul Johnson runs will continue to churn out running backs that are decisive with their cuts, and have ability to adjust on the fly. After all the triple option is one split second decision after another.
Despite Johnson’s ability to continue finding running backs, this year he has the unenviable task of trying to replace his top seven running backs from last year. They do however possess two running backs who got touches last year. The problem is though, that Andrews and Williams both saw a combined 18 carries all season.
That being said Andrews got the majority of those carries with 16 carries, while Willis had just two. That alone makes Andrews the odds on favorite to earn the starting sport this season. Nevertheless there are a few wild cards in this decision. One is while Willis is smaller (5’9” to 6’1”) he is built more for the power game and running in between the tackles than Andrews is. Willis also possesses good short area quickness and has an edge over Andrews in that department.
They most likely will both see carries, unless the true wild card makes a statement. The true wild card would be incoming freshman Mikell Lands-Davis. Lands-Davis already possesses a physically mature body and comes in ready to assume full time carries if Johnson decides he is ready. He also is a true power back with enough speed and footwork to keep defenders on the edge honest.
All things being equal though, and Paul Johnson is going to go with the guys who have been in his program and he can count on. Namely Willis and Andrews, with Andrews assuming more carries.
Next: Syracuse Orange: Quarterback