Georgia Tech Football: Will 2019 be a transition year for Yellow Jackets?

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BLACKSBURG, VA – OCTOBER 25: Running back Jordan Mason #24 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets celebrates his touchdown run against the Virginia Tech Hokies with quarterback Tobias Oliver #8 in the second half at Lane Stadium on October 25, 2018 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images) /

Offensive scheme changes will be interesting to watch

This could be the most interesting offense to watch in 2019. A group of players that were recruited to play an old-school triple-option will now be running what Geoff Collins has described as an NFL-style, spread-based attack.

There is one positive for offensive coordinator Dave Patenaude, and that is that he has a surplus of running backs. Jerry Howard Jr. and Jordan Mason are the two leaders of that group. Mason gained 659 yards in 2018, along with seven touchdowns and 6.1 yards per carry. Howard averaged 5.3 yards per attempt, totaling 564 yards and finding the endzone five times.

Under this new scheme, Howard could see more of a fullback or H-back role, but he’ll still be a big part of this running game.

It will be the run game that carries the offense, as the tools for a passing game aren’t all in place. Quarterback Tobias Oliver showed promise at times last season, but he only attempted 16 passes. Lucas Johnson was a strong passer as a high school player, but he hasn’t had much opportunity to air it out during his time in Atlanta so far.

On the outside, it’s a similar story. Jalen Camp is the number one receiver, but he only had 11 receptions last season. As the passing game continues to gel and grow, Malachi Carter, Nathan Cotrell and Jair Hawkins-Anderson could all see a greatly improved workload in 2019.

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