Tech’s Joshua Nesbitt: The most valuable collegiate player?
It takes at least four Hokies to handle Joshua Nesbitt. (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
Ankle surgery having precluded his participation in spring practice, Joshua Nesbitt had the chance to study Georgia Tech from the sideline. And what he saw, he said, was a team just as talented as last season’s ACC champs. Which is, not to put too fine a point on it, a big ol’ fib.
Because the Jackets with Nesbitt on the sideline aren’t one-tenth as impressive as Tech is when he’s on the field. He’s not quite the best player in college football, but no one means more to a program than this quarterback does to his.
Paul Johnson’s stylized option-based spread starts with Nesbitt, and often it ends there. He has to make every read, every pitch, every throw. He also has to take 30 hits a game, and therein lies the issue. With backup Jaybo Shaw having transferred to Georgia Southern, Tech can’t afford to lose Nesbitt for a single snap. But even a man as conspicuously robust as this — he appears bigger than his listed 217 pounds — is going to feel some pain.
The good news: Nesbitt said last week he feels better than he has “since high school.” The bad: Every Tech opponent won’t be so concerned with defending the option this season as with simply smacking Nesbitt.
But here’s the thing: Nesbitt is capable of smacking back. He has a linebacker’s approach to playing quarterback. If you come hard at him, he’ll come harder at you. Apologies in advance for again using the I-word — “indomitable” — but with Nesbitt no other adjective is half as applicable.
Said Nesbitt, speaking of Tech: “We understand what it means to fight until the clock says zero.”
Much of this comes from Pugnacious Paul, the head coach. Nearly as much emanates from the quarterback he inherited on arrival, a young man after PJ’s fighting heart.
And these Jackets, picked to finish third in the ACC Coastal Division, figure to need all the orneriness they can muster. They lost four gifted juniors to the NFL, and their road schedule — trips to Kansas, North Carolina, Clemson, Virginia Tech and Georgia — is a fright. Or it would be, were Nesbitt the sort to get nettled.
“People are looking for us not to be the same team,” Nesbitt said. “We know we’ve got a bull’s eye on us. … We need to prove everybody wrong.”
Someone asked if Johnson imparts that very message to his players. “Only every time we talk,” Nesbitt said, and then he laughed.
Another source of some amusement: The two letters at the shank of his first name. He was born Joshua Leonard Nesbitt, but for 21 years he answered to Josh. He and his mother decided to ask Tech to list his name as Joshua for his senior season: “More businesslike,” he said.
Which isn’t to say everyone has gotten the memo. Heck, sometimes his mom even slips and forgets the “u” and the “a.” “It doesn’t faze me,” said Nesbitt, who isn’t easily fazed.
And what does Tech’s coach call his quarterback? “He can call me whatever he likes.”
We know Johnson has the utmost faith in his offense — he should; he designed the thing — but even a man as proud as PJ will acknowledge that an option cannot run itself. Somebody has to take the ball from center and send it the right way and absorb those hits, and there’s nobody on Tech’s campus who can do it the way Nesbitt does.
Still, the cult of Joshua hasn’t yet found national traction. We saw it again this week when the assembled ACC media voted him sixth in its preseason player-of-the-year balloting. Yeah, that’s part of being an option quarterback in 21st century football, but still … sixth!
Maybe his low standing had something to do with Nesbitt skipping the ACC’s media days in Greensboro. Both Tech and conference officials implored him to come, but he was adamant. He had to attend a family reunion in Miami. (And no, it wasn’t an agent-funded soiree.)
And there’s just another reason to like Joshua Nesbitt. In an age where hype knows no restraints — hello, LeBron James — the most valuable Jacket had better things to do than talk about himself. Talk about a throwback.
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555 comments Add your comment
kevin
July 28th, 2010
7:53 pm
Nesbitt is a great running QB and a mediocre (at best) passer. Seriously, the guy completed more passes to Clemson last year than GT! If he is the MVP of college football, that speaks volumes about the the rest of GT–not in a good way.
That said, GT’s program is much improved over the last 2 years–no question. While I do think there is ceiling with respect to how far the triple option can take them, they’re better. However, to start talking trash to UGA who has beaten you 8 out of the last 9 years, is the only team in the country to win more than 8 games or more the last 13 years, has competed in 3 BCS bowls and won 2 and has finished in the top 10 6 of the last 10 years is silly. Sure, you’re better, but still not on par with the UGA program. Know your place.
POAD
July 28th, 2010
7:54 pm
Bill don’t feel bad that is all Damon was doing. He was just passing out Doggie treats to the female masses too.
NESBITT is the man for sure.
FORTY ONE POINTS to your seventeen points
July 28th, 2010
7:59 pm
kevin
July 28th, 2010
7:53 pm
….but still not on par with the UGA program. Know your place.
Could not have said it better *SMACK*!!!!
(((((((((((((((((((((((41-17))))))))))))))))))))
7 out of 9
17 out of 20
kevin
July 28th, 2010
8:04 pm
41-17,
I know my place which is why I am not on FL blogs talking smack about FL. That said, while you have owned us (to your credit), at least we did not have the biggest tool in the world playing QB for us writing religious BS all over his face.
POAD
July 28th, 2010
8:05 pm
kevin TAKE OUT THE EASY GAMES. You think Ga. Tech is a joke so there is 1 team on your every schedule. Now, take out the 3 sisters of the poor. Add in Vandy! Now, you can add Kentucky, Ole Miss, or Miss State. UGA maybe plays 5 of 12 games that are real games. I don’t care what the media says. They are fools just look at their picks all year long. UGA plays 5 games that are hard. In those 5 games UGA has as many or more STAR RECRUITS than 2 of those teams. UGA fans still hear the POOR MOUTH VINCE DOOLEY TALKING IN THEIR EARS. Vince was always the poor underdawg but he had more talent. “I don’t know how we should be on the same field with (enter any SEC TEAM). They just have a great( enter Player) and I just don’t know how we can stop ?????” Vince was the Classic POOR MOUTH COACH. He knew the MUTTS only played 3 or 4 hard games all year. Now, you stupid mutts are still buying into the same crap. UGA schedule was 78-74 lasy year. your OOC schedule was 21-28 and 11 of those wins came from TECH how you don’t fear. Grow some UGA fans. Your weake schedule has handed UGA an 8 win season since 1989.
POAD
July 28th, 2010
8:07 pm
Kevin you ar not smart enough to search up Florida papers to talk crap to Gator fans and have your butt handed to you.
POAD
July 28th, 2010
8:09 pm
KEVIN what does your coach do? CHRISTIAN and I forgive all my players they are just young boys. Do you think Richt expects more from his kids? Yes.
kevin
July 28th, 2010
8:09 pm
POAD,
We play in the hardest conference in college football and our schedule is typically far more difficult that GTs–what are you talking about!
kevin
July 28th, 2010
8:10 pm
POAD,
I take your point about Richt and am often embarassed by his christian nonsense, but he does not paint it on his face.
FORTY ONE POINTS to your seventeen points
July 28th, 2010
8:11 pm
kevin
July 28th, 2010
8:04 pm
…we did not have the biggest tool in the world playing QB for us writing religious BS all over his face.
Kevin, you’re right…you didn’t have someone that believes in his convictions (you may recognize “convict” in this word). That actually “walks the walk” as well as “talks the talk”. No, Kevin, you had an AD, cheating on his wife, out allegedly driving drunk, with a woman’s panties in his hands. Along with your numerous other arrests (7 this year), and this guy was “supposed” to be an example??? Have you ever actually seen what Tebow does with his life??? NO, you haven’t have you?
Brad
July 28th, 2010
8:15 pm
Funniest thing I have heard all day!
kevin
July 28th, 2010
8:18 pm
41-17,
You’re right insofar as our AD made big mistakes–no question (clearly, if you subscribed to christianity and Tebow, you’d forgive him since we’re all inherently sinful). But, you’re ex-QB is a moronic, self righteous jacka$$ who, backed by one of the most disgusting social organizations in the US, placed a TV ad encouraging a pro-life message during the superbowl. He’s a douche in the biggest way, no matter how you slice it.
FORTY ONE POINTS to your seventeen points
July 28th, 2010
8:21 pm
kevin
July 28th, 2010
8:18 pm
So what is it Kevin? Are you a Roman from the old days, and your great desire is to feed all Christians to the lions? What is it that these terrible Christians have done to you? I mean, other than 49-10 and 41-17?
kevin
July 28th, 2010
8:27 pm
41-17,
Funny. Again, Fl has dominated us, admittedly and kudos to them for it–no one else has. However, the 49-10 game was quite possibly the worst officiated game in the history of the SEC and 4 of your TDs came off horrible calls/ non-calls. In any case, you win when it comes to UF vs. UGA. Only a GT fan would argue with that kind of dominance.
FORTY ONE POINTS to your seventeen points
July 28th, 2010
8:31 pm
kevin
49-10…you say “possibly worst officiated game…” Is that ALL you GA fans can do when you have your butt handed to you? Blame the officials…same ol GA.
POAD
July 28th, 2010
8:31 pm
KEVIN paly LSU BAMA AUBURN TENN FLORIDA regularly then you can talk some smack. Auburn every year(check) Florida every year (check) Tenn every year (check) 3 GAMES. 3 weak sisters (check) TECH 8-of-9 (easy Check) That is 4 wins and the Auburn toss up. Vandy (please) Kentucky (please just have your fans stay when you have a chance to win) now we ar to 6 wins and the auburn toss up Ole Miss/ Miss State/ Arkiesaw/ So. Carolina that is another 3 wins and the Auburn Toss up so UGA is 7 wins with Auburn toss, Gator loss, Tenn (new everything). UGA should win 8 games just showing up. Not a hard schedule. UGA has equal/more talent than 75% of their schedule. UGA don’t play a hard schedule according to how GREAT the DAWGS are. Don’t cry haow hard you schedule is and then talk crap about how nobody can be on the same field with your MUTTS. Pick a side dunb dawgs.
One day, Kevin
July 28th, 2010
8:44 pm
Kevin, maybe you should take a look at some of the “BS” and “nonsense” (your words) that Richt and Tebow talk about. It sounds like you might be in need of some of that in your life….just saying. I promise you one thing; you WILL have to state your choice one day, and depending on your choice, the results will not be something you will like. Both Richt and Tebow will be there pulling for you, regardless of what you think of Tebow now. I for one would rather be with them, though I am neither a UGA or UF fan, than not with them.
supersize that order, mutt
July 28th, 2010
8:45 pm
OMG, POAD !!! lol
supersize that order, mutt
July 28th, 2010
8:47 pm
Hey, Kevin, I once again refer you back to that link you posted yesterday that showed UGAG as having the 2nd toughest schedule in college football. If you would take time enough to look, you would see that that ranking comes NOT because of the last 10 years schedules, NOT EVEN because of the last 25 years schedules, but because of schedules prior to 1975, and more importantly prior to 1950. The link you gave gives a breakdown by decades and quarter centuries; it’s all there for you to see.
Bill Stanfill
July 28th, 2010
8:51 pm
Bulldog fan here. But I like Nesbitt a lot. He’s tough as nails and a good guy too. He’s under-rated, the perfect QB to run Johnson’s offense. He’s Tech’s best player, and one of the country’s MVPs. I hope he gets the credit he deserves this upcoming year.
It’ll be interesting to see how he’s viewed by the NFL.
heeldawg
July 28th, 2010
9:00 pm
Nesbitt is the most valuable offensive player on an offense-centric team. Tech’s offense is predicated upon QB reads and mobolity; the best of CPJ’s teams have had option wizards at the helm (see Tracey Ham). Josh Nesbitt is cut from that same mold. Without his experience, decision-making, elusiveness and toughness, Tech is not the same team offensively. And this Tech team, unlike Tech two years ago, is not going to win games with its defense. So he’s Tech’s MVP without question. Is the the most valuable player for any team in the country? Quite possibly.
But even with him, Tech won’t beat Georgia.
heeldawg
July 28th, 2010
9:02 pm
Mobility…sorry
the voice of truth
July 28th, 2010
9:04 pm
hey kevin,,I’m back,,,,just in time to remind everyone that you pretty much suck
heeldawg
July 28th, 2010
9:04 pm
POAD, are you high?
POAD
July 28th, 2010
9:29 pm
heeldawg why do you ask? I don’t type well but the story is true. UGA VII heel, sit rollover play dead. Wait you are not playing dead. Paint Russ’s butt and play La. Laf.
Yellow
July 28th, 2010
9:50 pm
wishing you well Josh,I’m a big fan kick ass next year.
kevin
July 28th, 2010
9:51 pm
You’re right–abortion was not mentioned in the ad. However, one of the most oppressive, disgusting organizations in the country paid for the ad. It’s gross.
Regarding scheduling, it’s hilarious that an ACC team mocks UGA’s schedule. When is the last time GT played a defending NC champion? UGA has done that year after year. Also, our OOC schedule, like other SEC schools, does not need to be impressive since we play inside the hardest conference in the country. To compare GTs schedule to UGAs over the last 10 years is absolutely laughable. The ACC is a joke.
kevin
July 28th, 2010
9:53 pm
dog $hit,
UF has owned UGA and has every reason to brag about it–no one else has.
wiggy
July 28th, 2010
9:53 pm
This is a Ga. Tech blog. when did it change into a UGA, Fl. shooting match? Don’t you guys have your own blog?
kevin
July 28th, 2010
10:02 pm
jacketnationbabay,
we have competed in 3 an won 2 SEC championships in the last 10 years. We have a winning record over the last 10 years, sans the gators, over every team you mentioned. And to recap, we have owned you to the tune of 8 of 9; so, you might want to shut it up.
FORTY ONE POINTS to your seventeen points
July 28th, 2010
10:10 pm
kevin
July 28th, 2010
9:51 pm
…..The ACC is a joke.
After 4-4 in the SEC, maybe you mutts should consider the ACC.
kevin
July 28th, 2010
10:13 pm
41-17,
That’s funny. We are 1 of the top 5 most winningest programs in the country over the last 10 years and have only 1 less SEC championship than FL. UF has dominated us, but that’s it.
POAD
July 28th, 2010
10:14 pm
KEVIN uga plays UA once every 4 yeras and UF plays as weal an OOC schedule as you do. The problem is UF BEATS UGA and if yo get past then Bama oe LAS beats the dawgs. You dawgs play a weak schedule to get to the shot at the SEC EAST TITLE and you have to know that. I will swap Miami, UNC, VT, and Clemson with the Gators, Auburn, Tenn, and USC anytime you want. Clemsn has tired to get UGA to play them every year but UGA runs like a mutt with it’s nub tail between it’s legs. Tech has treid to get BAMA and bama moved the game, we had Ole MISS and they backed out last year, TENN will not play us. Now Talk about UGA trying to get real team you joke butt sniffer.
supersize that order, mutt
July 28th, 2010
10:15 pm
kevin, I suggest once again that you take an in-depth look at the link you provided yesterday concerning strength of schedule. UGAG’s strength of schedule over the past 10 years is in the top ten (lower half). Admittedly that is higher than Tech’s but not by much. You have to go back to the 40s to find truly difficult schedules by UGAG. Since the 50’s they have been notoriously weak.
Time Out
July 28th, 2010
10:17 pm
Nesbitt throws like he has a broken arm.
FORTY ONE POINTS to your seventeen points
July 28th, 2010
10:18 pm
kevin
July 28th, 2010
10:13 pm
41-17,
That’s funny. We are 1 of the top 5 most winningest programs in the country over the last 10 years and have only 1 less SEC championship than FL. UF has dominated us, but that’s it.
Let’s not forget…3 less NC’s in the last 14 years. Yes, kevin, you are our biyatch.
kevin
July 28th, 2010
10:18 pm
supersize,
it’s still harder than GT’s schedule–not sure your point.
kevin
July 28th, 2010
10:20 pm
the agreed upon spelling is actually beeyotch, but thanks for playing. you are right and i have given you every prop–what is your problem?
One day, Kevin
July 28th, 2010
10:21 pm
Kevin, you don’t know what you’re talking about there. If supporting the rights of the unborn means overturning “women’s rights,” then so be it. I don’t think that anyone has the right to stop an innocent life. Abortion is not a “right,” it is an unnecessary evil, driven for the most part by selfish choices.
POAD
July 28th, 2010
10:22 pm
TIMEOUT go to BING.com and search Florida newspapers You can finf many blogs about the gators to run your mouth on. What? You skeered to talk crap then. I go to the Miami Herald and give the U hell all the time. The Roeanoke Times hate me to when I give VPI crap.
KEVIN and TIMEout go on you riviles newspapers blogs and show your BUTT. Have some guts you DAMON EVANS crybabies.
supersize that order, mutt
July 28th, 2010
10:23 pm
Kevin, my point is that even though it has been SLIGHTLY better than Tech’s over the past 10 years, historically,that has not been the case. By the way, since you brought up the comparison of conference championships between UGAG and UF, it might interest you to know, that when Tech left the SEC, we had more conference championships than the mutts. And now, even though in different conferences, Tech still has more conference championships overall—16-12
End of UGA game
July 28th, 2010
10:46 pm
Loved the 3 tosses Joshie threw at the end of the Dawgs game…quite a QB. Most valuable indeed. As long as he doesn’t have to use his arm, he’s pretty good.
jacketbrave
July 28th, 2010
10:53 pm
HEY KEVIN!!!! BEFORE YOU START MAKING FIGHTS WITH US YOU MIGHT WANT TO GET ALL YOUR PLAYERS OUT OF JAIL 1ST!!! THEY ARE ALL LIKE YOUR RECORD IS GONNA BE….. 1 – 11
jacketbrave
July 28th, 2010
10:54 pm
TELLEM SUPERSIZE!!! HE HAS HIS FACTS DOWN!!!
Tech Guy
July 28th, 2010
10:57 pm
Joshua is one of the best players to ever play for Tech. If he has a great season, Tech wins it all. The awards will come.
Buzzzed
July 28th, 2010
11:06 pm
Josh is baller like it or not. He is tough as nails and that can’t be taught. Josh + CPJ = champions
JCH
July 28th, 2010
11:09 pm
so Bradley instigates a column about a 2nd or third tier QB, last i checked Ga Tech hasnt broken the Top 20 !!!! and that won’t change. Then he wonders Why we get involved in talking about Other Subjects like Schedules, Other Players, Other Teams; Bama, UGA, or now someone wants to talk about Mascots….. my focus remains towards REALISTIC Football, not some Fantasy football images M. Braedley tries to conjer up. ROLL TIDE !
supersize that order, mutt
July 28th, 2010
11:17 pm
JCH, Tech hadn’t broken the top 20 at this point last year, and look what happened, the UGAG loss notwithstanding. And, by the way, didn’t I see earlier today that Tech was indeed in the top 20? I think I remember 18. It’s UGAG that hasn’t broken the top 20, or probably even top 30
supersize that order, mutt
July 28th, 2010
11:19 pm
Thanks, jacketbrave. Another fact I learned today from a post that somebody made was that there is a link with the top 100 college football teams over the past 100 years. In that list, Tech appears 3 times (1952, 1955, and 1956). UGAG doesn’t appear at all. So much for their wonderful football tradition, huh?
JCH
July 28th, 2010
11:39 pm
anybody says Mark Ingram was not deserving of the Heisman, either Didnt See BAMA WIpe Texas all over the field. Ingram Made his case for the Heisman because He was a major Contributor to Bama playing Texas for the Natl Championship, and Continued his awesome display of breaking tackles, and rushing yardage against a stingy Texas defense, or maybe Poad was too busy with those Chips to admit with the Rest of the voters than Ingram Wins ; hands down ! ! ! . .Stanford…gimme a break!