Georgia Tech Football: Star RB Dedrick Mills dismissed from team

Georgia Tech football lost a key piece to its 2017 team in sophomore running back Dedrick Mills as he was dismissed Friday.

If there’s one thing Georgia Tech football is known for, it’s running the ball. Paul Johnson is one of the most unique coaches in college football because he sticks to the run game and his option attack is still seen as successful.

More: Georgia Tech Football: 2017 season preview, predictions

Unfortunately, the team suffered a major loss on Friday as it announced sophomore B-back is dismissed from the team for a violation of team rules.

To lose a projected starter this close to the season, Mills must have really messed up. He led the team in rushing yards last season with 771 to go along with a team-high 12 touchdowns. He averaged 5.1 yards per carry and was a breakout freshman.

This adds to the blow of losing three-year starting quarterback Justin Thomas who was second on the team in rushing with 604 yards and six scores. Sophomores KirVonte Benson and Quaide Weimerskirch will have to fill in for the dismissed running back.

Clinton Lynch is another guy who could lessen the blow although he plays the A-back position, which is more of a slot-type. He rushed for 415 yards and two touchdowns on 11.2 yards per carry as a sophomore. J.J. Green will be back as an A-back as well.

For those looking for a silver lining in all of this, just check out the Yellow Jackets’ stats with and without Mills last season:

Hard to fathom how this is possible, but the Yellow Jackets have plenty of depth at the A-back and B-back positions.

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Unfortunately, this throws a wrench in the starting rotation and there’s now going to be a battle for the No. 1 B-back spot. The Yellow Jackets will likely still finish near the top of the ACC in rushing for 2017.