Georgia Tech's Outlook for Next Season

Quarterback:  A

Nesbitt will be a force next season, and Shaw has proven that he is a capable backup. Luallen and Washington should help us avoid a Gardner-Webb scenario. 

B-Back: A +

Dwyer will be back, and Anthony Allen, Richard Watson, and if necessary, Daniel Drummond (based on his measurables, a Peyton Hillis type?), provide lots of punch at this position.

A-Back: B+

Roddy Jones returns, and we finally get some A-Back depth with the tons of incoming freshmen. Peeples, Wright, and Greg Smith, plus a couple of the freshmen, will give us lots of options. Cox will give us different looks as well.

I give this position a B only because several of these players will be so young and underweight compared to how they will be when they are seniors.

OL: B

This should be the most improved unit, with another offseason to get technique down, and an infusion of new blood and arguably greater talent. Depth should be much improved as well, though this will again be the weak link.

WR: A

This group gets an A because BeBe and Stephen Hill look to be a deadly combination, and a couple of the youngsters may surprise. Also, our receivers this season block better than any other group in the ACC. Just hope that the low number of touches doesn't cause desertions.

DE: B

The talent is here, but the depth could be thin. Hall and Morgan and possibly the Tulsa transfer, and Antonio Wilson. Peters will probably be both a DE and a DT.

DT: B -

This group will be young and thin, but the guys have loads of potential.  Barnes and Lanier will be HUGE hogs in the middle (remember seeing our OL versus UVA's and BC's mammoths?), but who will be behind them? Logan Walls and Ben Anderson.

We have not recruited well here for years and didn't even get one last year. Maybe someone will transfer, or we will steal a Clemson or UT commit? Losing Drew here HURTS.

LB: B*

This group is going to be interesting to watch.  We will have lots of linebackers (Bowen, Barnes, Tongo, Griffen, Jefferson, Rocker, Jackson, Machen, Monroe, Sylvester, and Watts). Lots of talent here, too. This could turn into a HUGE strength.

Don't know how likely this would be, but since our DT situation will be scary, why not run a 3-4?  Jackson and Jefferson flanked by Barnes and Griffin?

DB: A

As young, banged up, and unheralded as this group has been, they have exceeded my expectations without exception. I have no idea whether Tarrant is coming back or not, but with Taylor, Burnett, and Reese, we have some solid to spectacular safeties.

Corner is a little thinner (who wouldn't love to have Marius now?) but these good-for-nothing two-star prospects (Wrecks...sometimes all that is gold does not glitter) have held their own as well as could be expected and more.  Add Sweeting (and maybe others?), and this group should be the best we've had in a while.

Special Teams: A

I would fully expect Marcus Wright and some of these other burners to return the ball.  I am sick of seeing slow guys running the ball back.  Not since Jonathan Smith in Reggie's freshman year have we had a solid returner—and with scholarship players full, we shouldn't see walk-on types gunning on coverage teams.

Recruiting: A

The '07, '08, and '09 classes have been our best in a long time.  The '10 class should be as well.  No longer are there two or three difference makers on each side of the ball, but a whole squad of them. And backups! Imagine that, Chandler!