Georgia Tech Football: Replacing Four NFL Draft Picks

It is never easy replacing superstars on a college football team. Ask Georgia. The Bulldogs lost first round picks Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno after a 10-3 season, only to go 8-5 the next. 

Georgia Tech will be in the same boat in 2010. Four All-ACC performers have moved on to the NFL after making a huge impact on the Yellow Jackets ACC championship team. 

Every year in college football, players come and players go. New guys replace the old guys. Playmakers leave and new playmakers slide right in. 

Almost every team in the country will have to replace players that made an impact on their team in 2009. But will there be a team hit harder by early NFL draft entries than Georgia Tech? We shall see.

Ever since Paul Johnson has arrived to Georgia Tech, the depth on the roster has increased. There are talented guys at different positions that have been waiting their turn to take over. Can they do their jobs as well as their predecessors? Once again, we shall see. 

The Old: Jonathan Dwyer

The 2008 ACC Player of the Year ran for 1,395 yards in both 2008 and 2009. He was an integral part to Paul Johnson's spread option offense.

After his 2008 campaign, Dwyer was projected to be a first round pick in the 2010 draft. Although Dwyer had the same numbers in 2009, his draft stock dropped and after he showed up to the combine out of the shape, he fell off the radar.

Dwyer was drafted in the sixth round to the Pittsburgh Steelers and is in danger of not making the squad. Despite his struggles at the next level, Tech fans sure would like to have him in the backfield this year. 

The New: Anthony Allen

Anthony Allen makes the switch from A-back to the B-back position to replace Dwyer. The senior rushed for over 600 yards last season and had an absurd 9.7 yards per carry. 

The former Louisville transfer rushed for over 1,000 yards in his two seasons as a Cardinal. At 6'0", 229 pounds, Allen has the ability to pound away at defenses but can also be a big play threat.

Allen was not highly recruited out of high school but the senior has worked hard and become a leader on this team. Look for Allen to have a breakout season in 2010. 

The Old: Demaryius Thomas

Demaryius Thomas was a three-year starter for Georgia Tech, doing his best work in 2008 and 2009. 

Last season he caught 46 balls for 1,154 yards and eight touchdowns. He was the first receiver taken in the 2010 draft, debunking the myth that receivers can't succeed in this offense.

Thomas was strong, fast, and could go up and catch the jump ball over defensive backs. He will be the toughest one of the four to replace. 

The New: Stephen Hill

Sophomore Stephen Hill showed signs of potential in his freshman season and will be Nesbitt's number one target this season. He had six receptions for 137 yards and one touchdown last season. 

Hill is 6'5", 200 pounds and has 4.4 speed. He is very good with the ball in his hands, as he showed last season on multiple reverse plays. 

Not as physically imposing as Thomas, Hill will try to use his speed and athleticism to get separation from defenders. 

The Old: Derrick Morgan

Fans were excited when Derrick Morgan, surprisingly, chose Georgia Tech over his hometown team, Penn State. Morgan was highly regarded as one of the top defensive ends in the country. The recruiting services were right on the money.

Morgan played sparingly as a freshman and although he started as a sophomore, he took a back seat to Michael Johnson and the rest of the Tech defensive line.

In 2009, he took off. Morgan recorded 12.5 sacks and was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year. He made big plays in big situations in 2009, including the game-clinching sack in the ACC championship.

Morgan was drafted 16th overall by the Tennessee Titans. 

The New: Jason Peters

When Jason Peters committed to Georgia Tech in 2007 along with Derrick Morgan, it looked like a dominating tandem of defensive ends. 

Morgan played right away while Peter redshirted and played in limited action in his first two seasons.

Peters was highly recruited and, like Morgan, chose Georgia Tech over his hometown team, LSU. 

The redshirt junior moved from defensive end to defensive tackle last season and was a little undersized for the position. He will now move to his more natural defensive end position in Al Groh's 3-4 scheme. 

Peters is 6'4", 271 pounds, a smart kid and possesses good athleticism. He was the most dominating defensive player in spring practice and looks like he has found a home on defense. 

The Old: Morgan Burnett

The loss of Morgan Burnett will hurt but with Al Groh's 3-4 defense now implemented on the Flats and the depth in the secondary, the Jackets should be able to move on.

But there is no doubt about his impact on the Tech defense. Burnett was a playmaker and a guy that just had a nose for the football. He made an immediate impact as a freshman at cornerback and then moved back to safety in 2008.

After 14 interceptions in three years, Burnett moved on and was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the third round of the 2010 draft. He is projected to be a starter for the Packers this season. 

The New: Isaiah Johnson

This kid has impressed Georgia Tech fans and coaches since the day he stepped on campus earlier in the year. He will be the only true freshman in the starting lineup come September 4th.

Johnson was one of the top safeties in the state of Georgia but was somewhat underrated nationally. He chose Georgia Tech over Georgia, Ole Miss, NC State, Vanderbilt, Oklahoma State, and Stanford.

He will be replacing Morgan Burnett and, oddly enough, will wear his number. He is built in the mold of Morgan Burnett and is known for his playmaking ability, ala Morgan Burnett. 

The true freshman won't be the fastest guy on the field but he is athletic and is solid against the run and the pass. Johnson will be fun to watch for Yellow Jacket fans for the next three of four years.