Tech notes: USC defense loaded
1. It was no season of triumph for the USC defense. The Trojans, picked No. 1 overall to start the season, completed the regular season ranked 45th in scoring defense and 63rd in total defense.
Regardless, Georgia Tech, which plays USC in the Sun Bowl Dec. 31, sees a defense teeming with talent. Safety T.J. McDonald and outside linebacker Hayes Pullard in particular caught the attention of quarterbacks and B-backs coach Brian Bohannon, who said the two “have stood out as awfully talented players.”
McDonald is “big and he plays all over the field,” quarterback Vad Lee said. “That’s somebody we’ll definitely have to look for.”
McDonald, a 6-foot-3, 205-pound senior, was an All-America as a junior and will likely be one of the top players at his position in the NFL draft. McDonald was one of nine USC defensive players receiving All-Pac-12 first-team, second-team or honorable mention recognition. Pullard, a freshman All-America last season, was named All-Pac-12 honorable mention. Defensive end Leonard Williams was selected the Pac-12 defensive freshman of the year.
Bohannon favorably compared the USC defense with Tech’s past two opponents, Georgia and Florida State. Those teams held Tech to a combined 25 points. Six of USC’s listed defensive starters are freshmen or sophomores.
“They’re good now, but in a year or so, they’re going to be really, really good,” Bohannon said.
2. Safety Isaiah Johnson is probably out for the Sun Bowl, coach Paul Johnson said after practice Tuesday. He suffered an undisclosed injury in a seven-on-seven drill in a recent practice. Isaiah Johnson has started 26 consecutive games, going back to the start of the 2011 season.
It is no small loss. Johnson was one of the team’s most improved defensive players and is the team tackles leader with 87 total stops.
“He was really playing well, so you really feel bad for him,” Johnson said.
Potential replacements include Chris Milton, Jamal Golden and Demond Smith. Golden started five games at the start of the season at safety due to injuries to other players.
Offensive tackle Ray Beno returned to practice Tuesday after having surgery to repair a broken finger. Outside linebacker Brandon Watts, who has been out with an undisclosed injury, is expected to return Wednesday.
3. Johnson hired David Walkosky in February as his first special-teams coordinator to coach only special teams. He added defensive line responsibilities midseason when defensive coordinator Al Groh was fired. Asked Tuesday if Walkosky will return to his original special teams-only status, Johnson said “possibly.”
Johnson gave mixed reviews to the special teams this season, saying the return game had improved but the punt team in particular lagged. As he has said in response to questions about hiring a full-time defensive coordinator, Johnson said he will address it after the bowl game. Charles Kelly has been serving as the interim coordinator. Johnson’s coordinator hire could also impact Walkosky’s status.
4. According to media reports, USC quarterback Matt Barkley has not been practicing and is not expected to return until the Trojans’ first practice in El Paso, Texas, Dec. 26. Barkley suffered a shoulder injury in the Nov. 17 loss to UCLA. With the draft upcoming, it’s conceivable Barkley could sit out even if cleared to play. On the depth chart, Barkley and Max Wittek are listed as co-starters.
Wittek started in place of Barkley against Notre Dame in USC’s final regular-season game, completing 14 of 23 passes for 186 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.
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Thanks for reading.
Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
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64 comments Add your comment
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
December 19th, 2012
2:44 pm
Why does Tech not have the money to fire the football coach? You folks are very smart yet nobody makes any money? Dodd and his braintrust killed GT football and it’s no coming back. Darwin Holt only weighted 165 #’s but he killed GT football with one forearm.
ramblingbuzz
December 19th, 2012
2:56 pm
Mike S…………As far as the ACC, had you rather be a big fish in a small pond, or a minnow in the big lake? While I agree ACC football ain’t the strongest thing around, I would not have enjoyed playing in a stronger conference for the past 3 years. I’m not overly impressed so far with CPJ, but he could put up a better record with a decent defense. However, until he decides he doesn’t have the offensive hosses to run over a really good defense and decides to mix up his play calling, I’m not too optimistic about being in the top 20.
ramblingbuzz
December 19th, 2012
3:00 pm
Sorry there Willie, who’s Darwin Holt? College football has changed tremendously since the Dodd days, but I do agree that Dodd’s decision to exit the SEC was not a good one.
True ATL Fan
December 19th, 2012
3:31 pm
Georgia Tech football really sucks honestly. No matter how you try to spin it, to be a D-1 school getting beat by “creampuffs”…the program sucks. I actually admire most Tech fans for supporting a team due to their allegiance, although deep down we all know…they suck. Yall can say whatever you want about Reggie Ball, but the teams during that era (which included Dwyer and Nesbitt as recruits) was very entertaining to watch and was always in position to compete in big games. Tenuta’s defense was hard-hitting with Wheeler, Michael Johnson, Burnett (all in the NFL). Not to mention some guy named Calvion Johnson. That was barely more than 5 years ago and now…it sucks. Proud to be a UGA fan since the days of Robert Edwards, H Ward, Biley, etc. and as a native of the city, it SUCKS that I cant cheer for Tech b/c…well you know…they suck.
IMO it boils down to that coach that comes off as unapproachable and emotionless. You will never, and I mean NEVER, have a relevant football team so long as you guys run that kind of offense. It evens affects the confidence of your defense. The reason why alot of talent leaves the state is not because of “bad” UGA recruiting…it’s because there are no other options. The only decent players that go to Tech are like OL. Beautiful campus, excellent academics, dedicated fanbase (although delusional) and nobody wants to go there. Starting to get annoyed just typing this so Im definitely suprised the alum have not called for this man’s firing. MTSU just scored again because…you suck.
Jon Koncak
December 19th, 2012
3:39 pm
I love the MTSU just scored again comment above…..
G.P. Burdell
December 19th, 2012
3:57 pm
True Atl Fan and Jon, Conner Shaw just ran for another TD against your over-rated D…Conner Shaw, really?
GT71
December 19th, 2012
4:25 pm
Wet Willie – Darwin Holt? You dare mention Darwin Holt? In any light but as a total jerk and swine? Yeah, he sucker-punched Chick Granning 50 yards form the play, was never called out by your fr*gging ‘God’, Bear Bryant. Just shows what low-class your school, coach, team was then and still are…and so are your fans if you are any sample.
Go suck an egg through a straw when YOUR jaw is wired together once someone forearm’s your ugly puss.
AND RUDY WAS OFF-SIDES! So take another fish, ARA, we don’t like ND either.
GTJohn
December 19th, 2012
5:58 pm
Darwin Holt assaulted a Tech player (Graning) after the whistle blew. Graning was WALKING to the huddle. Holt was RUNNING to the sideline and put his elbow under Graning’s face bar on the way. The result was multiple face fractures, collapsed sinus, concussion for Graning and a pat on the back for Holt by his teammates and the Bear. Strangely, Holt visited Graning in the hospital and told Graning that “if I really wanted to kill you I would have”. I’m not sure why Bama fans want to hang their hat on that incident?
It’s easy to find on the internet. Unfortunately, most of what you’ll find is stuff by Bama fans down playing it. There is one article that gives Graning’s account. It’s a good read. The rest is baloney. You can find the stills of the incident too. It’s brutal so be warned.
Oh yeah, the great Darwin Holt already had numerous personal fouls for such things like biting the opposing player. Unfortunately this crime was missed by the officials.
Tech1986
December 19th, 2012
6:00 pm
Winning solves all issues, no one complains when Coach Saban gets all over his players when they mess up or is sarcastic with the media because he wins. If we can win the close games like we did in 2008/2009, all the haters would love Coach Johnson. I am just sick of the same crap. And I will never forget getting our A$$es handed to us 51-7 against UGA with many of the players from O’Leary’s teams that beat UGA a couple of times. And then we no show in the bowl game. Tenuta’s defense got lit up by Matt Ryan that year also. We lost to Wake 9-6 with Calvin Johnson and Tashard Choice, yeah that’s the guy I want coaching my team. Give me the name of the coach who wants to come to Tech and not use it as a steeping stone. And if you want to get rid of him, write the check. Go Jackets!!!!
Pro fan
December 19th, 2012
6:37 pm
LOL did dawgfan really say that stuff? Now that’s funny,I don’t care who you are..It is amazing the football experts that I read on these blogs..I’m pretty sure that’s why they are on blogs and not coaching…..Seems like True ATL fan is an expert also…true ATL Fan? LMAO well I wouldn’t tell anyone….but send the dawgfan” ways to stop Calvin Johnson” to the ATL coaches ..I’m sure they don’t know..Double team Calvin…LOL..LMAO…you can’t make is stuff up
Pro fan
December 19th, 2012
6:37 pm
can’t make this stuff up
Truth
December 19th, 2012
6:47 pm
superDawg
Buzz-Off
December 20th, 2012
6:00 pm
I hate the Jackets, but I sincerely believe they will run wild over USC. The Trojans don’t even want to play in this bowl game, their morale is at an all time low and their rushing defense totally sucks. GT will control the clock and score many times and USC will not be able to match them with their disorganized offense This is a great match-up for GT and I’m confident it will be an easy win…..maybe by 14-21 points.
Bali
December 20th, 2012
11:31 pm
Someone on here mentioned the cut blocks. If you’ve never played a team that used those, then you are missing a treat. A lot of teams ran the option when I played, but not all of them cut blocked. The ones that did were some of the most brutal games I’ve been in. I’ve never been a fan of that scheme, but it dam sure works when executed well. Good luck against USC.