Georgia Tech football looks to bounce back in 2016
Georgia Tech football has been a respectable program under head coach Paul Johnson. This past season caused them to sink to the bottom of the ACC Coastal Division. In 2016, they will try to regain their recent success.
Paul Johnson‘s option attack had ACC teams running scared after the 2014 season. The Yellow Jackets were a top 10 squad and averaging 342.1 yards per game on the ground. They were returning multiple starters and seemed to be headed for another great ACC year.
But, injuries and poor play headlined the 2015 season. The Yellow Jackets would end up at 3-9 missing a bowl game for the first time since 1996. Georgia Tech’s powerful running game looked hobbled with just one player rushing for over 600 yards.
The passing game looked less explosive and the defense failed to record sacks and forced fewer turnovers. Fortunately for Georgia Tech football, there are multiple key players returning for the upcoming season. And head coach Paul Johnson’s offense doesn’t stay down for long.
On offense, two-year starting quarterback Justin Thomas returns for his senior year. Thomas is the best passer Johnson has ever had. In two seasons under center, he has thrown for over 3,000 yards 31 touchdowns and just 12 interceptions. These numbers are impressive for an offense that throws the ball sparingly and deep.
His career rushing totals are what make the offense go. He has 1,805 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground. Georgia Tech football also returns its top three rushers including freshman leader Marcus Marshall. Marshall rushed for 649 yards and four touchdowns at 7.6 yards per carry. Freshman Clinton Lynch is more of the do-it-all back for the Jackets. He put up 724 scrimmage yards and eight total touchdowns at 12.3 yards per touch.
The offensive line returns four key contributors including All-ACC center Freddie Burden. The offensive line suffered a major setback last season as starting tackle Chris Griffin missed all of last season recovering from surgery. He is back with two more years of eligibility remaining.
The defense played solid in terms of pass defense last year. Georgia Tech football gave up just 12 passing touchdowns all season. However, they lost key players in the secondary. Although, the Jackets do return key defenders at linebacker and defensive line.
More from Saturday Blitz
- Michigan State vs. Maryland: Location, time, prediction, and more
- ACC Power Rankings: Can #4 FSU overthrow Clemson at Death Valley East?
- Most heartwarming social media reactions to Nick Chubb’s injury
- Ranking college football’s top 10 quarterbacks after Week 3
- Things are going to get much darker for the Houston Cougars
The two key linebackers are Brant Mitchell and P.J. Davis. Mitchell recorded just 36 total tackles but recorded two interceptions and 2.5 tackles for loss in his freshman year. Davis led Georgia Tech football in total tackles (77) and tackles for loss (6.5) last year.
On the defensive line, the Jackets bring back KeShun Freeman and Patrick Gamble. Freeman is the only real player with sack production left on the roster. He has 7.5 career sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss expect him to make an impact. Patrick Gamble is known more as a run stuffer. Gamble has 69 career tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss.
More saturday blitz: 20 Best NFL Players from ACC Teams
Georgia Tech football returns enough on both sides of the ball to return to at least bowl eligibility. However, the conference as a whole has gotten better. They will need their veterans to step up against mid-level squads like Duke, Miami, and Pitt if they want to keep Paul Johnson in Atlanta.
For more ACC coverage, you can visit our hub page.