Audition continues for Tech A-backs
By MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM
There are three tenets that coach Lamar Owens repeats to his Georgia Tech A-backs.
“Be fundamentally sound, play with great effort and take care of the ball,” Owens said.
Sounds simple enough, but those are just the general requirements. The specifics are much more demanding, adding urgency to Tech’s task of finding a successor to Roddy Jones to start opposite senior Orwin Smith at one of two A-back positions.
In coach Paul Johnson’s run-oriented option offense, the A-backs have to do it all.
“He will run routes,” Owens said. “He will run with the ball. He will also block on the perimeter. He’s pretty versatile. He’s pretty involved in the offense.
“The main thing with the A-backs is you have to have the right attitude. You have to be tough, physical and also be willing to play extremely fast.”
The Jackets know what to expect from Smith, who is probably the team’s most dynamic offensive player. It’s less certain what Tech can get from the other A-backs, who don’t have much experience.
Johnson said junior Robbie Godhigh and sophomore Deon Hill entered camp ahead of the rest of the pack. But a lot can change during preseason camp and Smith said he’s curious to see which of the younger backs emerges from the pack.
“They are looking good,” he said. “I got to watch them during the spring and all of them have improved. I’m really looking forward to what they are going to do and seeing who is going to step up this year.”
Owens said it was tough to tell who has made strides early in camp because so much of the position comes down to blocking. The full-contact sessions between now and the opener Sept. 3 at Virginia Tech will be important in determining the pecking order.
Godhigh, a former walk-on from Harrison High School, said he was eager to start practicing in pads for that reason.
“I love it,” Godhigh said. “If it was up to me, I would want to scrimmage every day. I like going against the defense and competing. I like hitting.”
There’s no shortage of speed among the A-backs. That includes redshirt freshman Broderick Snoddy, who was the Class AAA state track sprint champion at Carrollton High, though Snoddy may end up at B-back.
Hill also has play-making potential. After a redshirt year, he was a standout on special teams in 2011 and scored a touchdown on his only carry of the season.
“Obviously we know he’s a great athlete,” said Smith, Hill’s roommate and high school teammate in Phenix City, Ala. “We just need him to prove himself.”
The other A-back candidates include B.J. Bostic and Synjyn Days. Bostic had 127 yards rushing on 13 carries as a freshman but suffered a season-ending thumb injury during 2011 preseason camp. Days is making the transition from quarterback.
Smith returns after rushing for 615 yards and 11 touchdowns on just 61 carries in 2011. He proved his big-play ability against Kansas when he became the first Tech player to ever have 100 yards rushing and receiving in the same game.
No matter which A-back starts opposite Smith, the others will see playing time. Johnson typically shuttles his A-backs through the game.
Owens said he’s looking forward to finding out which of the other A-backs will emerge as a key player.
“It’s a process but it’s fun,” Owens said. “It’s fun being on a journey with these guys starting out and seeing what we want to be this year.”
B.J. Bostic, 5-11, 170
Skinny: Injury redshirt last year after averaging 9.8 yards per carry as a true freshman, can improve blocking
Robbie Godhigh, 5-7, 188
Skinny: Probably the best blocker in the group and can catch, not as fast as others
Deon Hill, 6-0, 205
Skinny: Has size, speed and produced on special teams last year, could be better catching the ball.
Broderick Snoddy, 5-9, 190
Skinny: One of fastest on team, may end up at B-back
Tony Zenon, 5-8, 182
Skinny: Has great speed and shiftiness, needs to use it more effectively.
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68 comments Add your comment
Marine Jacket
August 17th, 2012
11:03 am
Bolt equals blog
WnE
August 17th, 2012
11:13 am
re:
crackbaby
Did CPJ under perform in recruiting A-backs for two years? Maybe he did. So what? We have plenty of talent to fill the gap, IF the O-line does their job.
_____________
So you freely admit that CPJ recruited horribly at A-back for 2 recruiting classes and yet you question me for criticizing his recruiting.
BTW if Days is as good of an Athlete that everyone says he is, then you don’t waste him at A-back for no more than 3 carries per game, Orwin only averaged 6 carries per game and his role will be expanded this yr. so that puts even more of a “cap” on the numbers of touches that Days will get at A-back.
A-Back is a waste of a physical specimen like Days.
That is real FB analysis, not some made-up crap to show support for CPJ no matter how bad he screws up.
GT Lee
August 17th, 2012
11:53 am
^ Please Ignore The Barking Dwag ^
BIrmingham Jacket
August 17th, 2012
2:19 pm
Not all criticisms are “Barking Dawgs”.
There is a serious lack of talent on our roster, and that’s a problem that will manifest itself in 6, 7 and 8 win seasons without any real signature wins for years to come.
You can’t finish in the bottom of the ACC in recruiting rankings year after year and expect to compete with the UGAs, FSUs and Miami’s.
Just because some GT fans want to be competitive and strive for 10 win seasons, and won’t tolerate abysmal recruiting classes, doesn’t make them “Barking Dawgs”.
waiting for the start of CFB
August 17th, 2012
2:29 pm
Birmingham – Good point, although having Miami in there might not apply just yet. Seems opponents like VT or Clemson would also be better comparisons to where GT lacks the talent and depth in the ACC. I do believe however that this will be the last year Miami, pending NCAA sanctions, will possibly lose to GT. The new coach down there will consistently attract top talent.
FSU, Clemson, VT and Miami will be very difficult games for GT in the next few years unless PJ can attract “a lot” of top talent, especially on defense.
GTfan 2012
August 17th, 2012
3:17 pm
Clemson is a football factory with a huge student enrollment, a large AA budget, and an 80,000 seat stadium….
FSU is a football factory with a large student enrollment, a large AA budget, and a 75,000 seat stadium…
VT is a large relatively high quality institution that has the benefit of the same football coach for 20+ years….
UNC is a large, high quality academic institution, that has shown the propensity to bend the rules in order to further its athletic programs…
Miami is a football factory with a history of bending the rules to benefit its athletic programs…
Now having seen all that, Why is anyone surprised when we finish in the middle of the pack in recruiting rankings?!?!? I know, it might be a good idea to see if we can hire a coach who can do more with less talent… o wait, we have one. The good news is that on average we’ve finished well above where are recruiting ranking indicate we should.
BV
August 17th, 2012
3:17 pm
With Synjyn carrying the ball like he is in the headline photo, he sould be riding the pine. This is D-1 man…protect the football!
BirminghamJacket
August 17th, 2012
3:40 pm
That a way GT 2012, settle for less.
You know what they call 2nd place? First loser..
Jack G
August 17th, 2012
4:38 pm
GT2012
The Star players coming out of high school are concerned with one thing and that is which program offers me the best chance of being drafted by the NFL and GT is not it.
I still dont like Paul Ball
Go Tech
GTfan2012
August 17th, 2012
10:03 pm
Jack G,
I hate to break it to you, Jack, but GT has not ever had significant success attracting the type of players you describe. At best, we’ve had good success at certain points attracting solid players who develop into NFL prospects. If you think I’m wrong about that, prove it. show me when GT has attracted recruiting classes full of NFL caliber players. Show me any other school with an undergrad enrollment of less than 15,000, that has attracted recruiting classes full of NFL caliber players. Show me any other school with GT’s academic standards that attracts classes full of NFL quality players. Show me any other school with our size athletic association budget that attracts classes full of NFL quality players. Jack G, if you can address these questions in a thoughtful way then I will believe you are not a troll. Until then, I’m throwing you in the troll ignore category.
Jack G
August 18th, 2012
3:32 am
GT2012
Call me a troll if that makes you feel any better. I am not bothered by name calling, I just consider the source.
What you should do is pay attention to what WnE says. He tells it like it is.
The trpuble with so many posters on here, is that they resort to name calling if someone sstates an opinion different than theirs..
It is what it is.
Go Tech
BLT
August 18th, 2012
7:24 am
“When it comes to analyzing GT FB I guess you are a crackbaby.”
Sort of like this Jack G?
BLT
August 18th, 2012
7:29 am
“What you should do is pay attention to what WnE says.”
Why in the world would I do that? He hates CPJ and Tech. Do you think he’s going to give an honest opinion?
He does not “analyze”, he denigrates.
blackandwhitestripes
August 18th, 2012
7:42 am
What is the name of that team ugag is opening up with? How high are they ranked? I know they are a great team. Their mascot is a big old nickel.
wreckbone
August 18th, 2012
8:05 am
Dude he had been recruiting them but they won’t come. He always after one or two 4 or 5 star running backs but we lose at the end.they go to football factories. We’ve been in the mix to win the division every year except one. Of coarse we want better players but let’s face it 55k at some home games does not turn 4 and 5 stars heads. So blame it all on Johnson but those are the true facts. You want 4 and 5 star recruits go follow one of those 80k plus home field schools. We’ve had one 5 star recruit ever. Look it up and I think he was on defense so was here for tenuta not Gailey. I’ve been reading all this truth from our sour alum. Yes we don’t have running backs we had they were great 4 star guys . But we haven’t had a game we sucked so bad against VA tech like gaileys last. It was pathetic. I like what Johnson is doing. I think his only mistake was not retaining tenuta. Gt defense was ranked highly in 4 categories each year. That won those games. If grohs side steps up then wee may really have something because his offense can score. And the a backs are getting bigger. He has learned. A six foot 190 can easily turn into 205 210 in the gym if he works at it. His offense is only getting better and I think next 3 years will show us some good records. I agree I want those b backs that can dominate. But you got to have a guy with lots of talent willing to take that chance too go here. As Johnson said long ago you think you gonna beat these big schools at the same thing they doing when their bench is full of 4 and 5 star recruits? My point is be a fan or follow someone else. If gross defense comes to play we are in for good times and we may beak into that to p 4 someday which now is what its all about
BigDaddyC
August 18th, 2012
8:07 am
Godhigh has been overlooked at every level that he has ever played because of his size. He is once again earning the opportunity show what he can do.He worked his way to a scholarship, he is working his way to a starting A back spot and he will soon work his way into the hearts of the Jacket fans. This kid can play! He always works hard… but he’s one of those gameday guys…..Something extra shows up under pressure…. Like Tebow in the fourth quarter.
BLT
August 18th, 2012
8:30 am
I agree BigDaddyC
Jorge O'leary
August 18th, 2012
11:15 am
Bobby Petrino’s available!