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AJC College Sports Recruiting

Jemea Thomas among newbies expected to play for Tech

7:52 am September 2, 2009, by Chip Towers

When Jemea Thomas signed with Georgia Tech last February, nobody was sure what he was signing as. He was listed merely as “athlete.” He was profiled in the team media guide as an A-Back and that’s where he opened preseason camp.

Jemea Thomas

Jemea Thomas

Saturday, Thomas will trot onto the Grant Field for the first time for the Yellow Jackets as a safety. Specifically, he will be playing the rover position.

Needless to say, it’s been a whirlwind month for the 5-foot-10, 185-pound freshman from Fitrzgerald.

“It was a little rough at first but it’s getting better as we get toward the end of camp,” said Thomas, who scored 15 touchdowns as a senior at Fitzgerald High.

Thomas said he loves to hit and playing defense has always been his first love. He made the switch at the behest of coach Paul Johnson after the first preseason practices, shortly after Kamaron Riley’s transfer to Georgia Military College was official. Thomas said he didn’t mind at all.

“My scholarship was as an athlete,” said Thomas, who was the AJC’s Class AA Defensive Player of the Year. “At first they had me as an A-Back. But Coach Johnson asked me what I really wanted to play and I said safety. We came in on a Sunday, had practice that Sunday night and did our conditioning test. He asked me that night and that was it.”

Thomas is one of at least seven true freshmen from the Jackets’ Class of 2009 that could see action Saturday against Jacksonville State. Others likely to make their college debuts include linebacker Julian Burnett of Macon, defensive end Izaan Cross of Flowery Branch,  A-Back Robert Godhigh of Acworth, wide receiver Stephen Hill of Lithonia, A-Back Orwin Smith of Phenix City, Ala., and cornerback Rod Sweeting of Locust Grove.

With 18 starters coming back, the majority of contributions from freshmen will come on special teams. Smith is listed listed as a kick returner alongside another first-year player at Tech, Louisville transfer Anthony Allen, a junior. Hill has also been getting looks returning kicks.

The majority of Thomas’ work also will probably come on special teams. At rover, he’s listed behind a guy that wears No. 1 on his jersey and uses “All-American” in front of his name — Morgan Burnett. Thomas admits that at times it’s all a bit overwhelming.

“I’m adjusting to it all right, learning it all right,” he said. “The players are just way better. It’s different. Way different. They’re real good athletes.”

So, it seems, is Thomas.

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34 comments Add your comment

Paddy

September 2nd, 2009
8:26 am

Jemea, count yourself as one of those good athletes. Step up and show your fans what you got.

Gt4ever

September 2nd, 2009
8:44 am

Great, we need some good athletes on the defensive side of the ball! The only way we win more than 7 to 8 games is with a GOOD defense. If we have a great defense then we could run the table or win 9 to 10 games. Time will tell, and thank GOD it’s finally time for some football! Go Jackets and THWG!

joe

September 2nd, 2009
9:03 am

Great player, will help Tech alot

OK ST=Brokeback Mountain Cowboys

September 2nd, 2009
9:34 am

Dawgs should do well this weekend. I think the bulldawgs offensive and defensive line will be the difference in the game. Control the line of scrimmage, you control the game. Hope Caleb gets some play time? He’s had it tough….

Cuttysark

September 2nd, 2009
9:43 am

This kid is going to be a stand out performer on the field as well several others from this class. Looking forward to the start of the season.

Go to isportsweb.com for more Georgia Tech Football articles. Go Jackets!

Murray County Indian

September 2nd, 2009
9:43 am

When are you yech fans gonna realise, what he does in practice doesn’t matter, or even what he does in “the games”. He’s a 2 star recruit and he always will be, the DAWGS have the real players (4 & 5 stars). He can play in your rinky dink high school offense, that won’t work against good teams in the big league.
ps anybody got any new excuses for losing? Please e-mail me by Sunday at cmr@crybabydawg.com

Tech82

September 2nd, 2009
9:53 am

Murray County Indian – If I remember correctly, the four and five star recruits at UGA had a little trouble with Tech’s two and three star athletes last November. If I were you (and I thank God I’m not), I would refrain from talking down to our recruits until your flea infested team can actually beat them.

HJ

September 2nd, 2009
10:10 am

Good one MCI, I’m a Tech fan, but you sure hooked Tech82!

hedge puller

September 2nd, 2009
10:25 am

OK, someone get word to PJ. Things could get dicey at QB this year and here is an idea: Cooper “Coop the Hoop” Taylor needs to be given a few basic plays at QB in the event Jaybo does not heal quickly or if he cannot make it back at all. Taylor is a smart kid who can absorb as much as the offensive staff wants to give him and could save our bacon if Nesbitt goes down with no experienced backup.
Taylor has 4.38 40 yd. speed and is a winner. I am not talking about taking him off the defensive side; he is needed there. I’m talking about what the late great cuddly ball of fur, Skip Caray, used to say:
“A little insurance couldn’t hurt.”

Tech82

September 2nd, 2009
10:30 am

MCI – Mea culpa! Yes, the hook is firmly implanted. You can start reeling it in any time.

Murray County Indian

September 2nd, 2009
10:54 am

Me like guys.

GT72

September 2nd, 2009
11:18 am

Techs defense is what has me a little concerned. Not with this game but with Clemson next week. I hope these newcomers can step in and contribute. GT might be like the falcons where we need to outscore our opponents.

GT

September 2nd, 2009
11:29 am

Who is playing defense in college football? Who would you consider the best defensive team in the ACC or even the SEC.

murfdawg

September 2nd, 2009
11:31 am

Chip,
Don’t get too close to the sidelines Saturday or you will get in the game against Jax St. Good Grief!

GT72

September 2nd, 2009
11:35 am

UF is. USC too. As for the acc, unc and vt’s was the best last season. We just need to stop giving up the big plays. And 3rd and long conversions.

the real Old Gold

September 2nd, 2009
11:47 am

I wouldn’t even respond to anyone from Murray County. It’s hard to follow football when your sister is asking you for a divorce.

GT Fan...

September 2nd, 2009
11:50 am

Come on there “MURFDAWG” …. what difference ONE year makes. I’ll bet you were one of the many GA fans who last season suggested Tech just might lose to Jax St. (especially b/c they had an SEC player on the team).

Now it appears that you’re on the other side of the spectrum. Is that b/c Perriloux has been suspended? Or that Jax St. is simply no good? B/C I know you can’t admit that GT might just be a pretty decent team, and that PJ is a pretty darn good coach.

Come on down to “the Dodd” on Saturday, and watch some exciting football – we’d love to have you. According to most GA fans, I’m sure there will be plenty of seats available. And there might even be a pretty girl on campus – come check her out.

North Ave Pimp

September 2nd, 2009
12:09 pm

Athens, GA where highschool stars go to under achieve, disappoint and become Clark County inmates, or single toothed gas pumpers, shining your winshield and humping your leg for a tip

andre

September 2nd, 2009
1:03 pm

hey yall dont worry about d-line the d line coach is also recurting cordinator so hopefully he got talent stock piled

GTMan

September 2nd, 2009
2:08 pm

I can’t believe these dawg fans. The year they haven’t started out playing Georgia Southwestern or someone like that, they talk a lot of smack. You fans need to worry about OSU and not worry about the Jackets.

THWG…

1Jacket7

September 2nd, 2009
2:09 pm

Jamea Thomas is another Star buster. He is proving everyday in practice that he will be someone special for us in the coming years. The kid is fast and can hit. I would like to see him get a pick opportunity on Saturday to see if he makes the play. Glad to have you on The Flats JT. Saturday is slowly approaching and just like everyone else I am excited about the upcoming season. Gooo JACKETS!! THWG

CollegeLevelAthletes.com

September 2nd, 2009
2:36 pm

If you get any video from any athletic events, games, practices, or whateveer else… log-on to….

http://CollegeLevelAthletes.com and upload videos, post photos, create recruiting profiles, and more.

http://CollegeLevelAthletes.com/video

http://twitter.com/SPORTSRECRUITS

GT4Ever

September 2nd, 2009
2:56 pm

Don’t worry we’ll be just fine. I really like our team. This year will be special. GO JACKETS!!!!

question

September 2nd, 2009
3:02 pm

was Kamaron Riley’s transfer like what the dogs do to many of their top recruits? send them to that military college to catch up scholastically?

or is he permanently gone?????? i hope that the young man is just trying to get his scholastics in order and makes it back to the jackets. i have heard he was quite the athlete and was heart broken that he had to transfer.

any ideas????????????????????

GT4Ever

September 2nd, 2009
3:07 pm

This whole ranking system is just nuts!!!! How many high school kids come out of school to college football each year? Can these ranking sites 100% correctly rate every player. I think it all depends on the system he’s recruited for. GT option can make 3 stars players into 4 or 5 stars players overnight. No one can really say how could a player will be until he steps onto the football field. PJ’s system will make these guys into stars. He knows what he’s doing so we must trust in him. Things are finely looking good on campus now a days. This will be a great year for us. GO JACKETS!!!!

Chip Towers

September 2nd, 2009
3:31 pm

question: I don’t know this for an absolute fact but I think Riley’s departure from Tech is a permanent one. But I’ll need to check on that. Perhaps I can track down Mr. Riley and find out what his plans are going forward.

GT4Life

September 2nd, 2009
6:42 pm

@ hedge puller: Please lay off the “Cooper Taylor is the saviour of this team” comments. Coop is an outstanding athlete but is hardly the defensive stopper/offensive threat that you make him out to be. His most celebrated play last year was aas much about luck as it was skill. He’ll be a solid player (maybe even a legit star) for years to come on the Flats but a saviour…in the mold of Morgan Burnett, he is not….yet.
Also, your concerns about Jaybo going down will be quickly forgotten. I’d like to thank Jaybo for plugging the hole during the recruiting transition period but I doubt he’ll ever see the field again. With Tevin Washington getting his opportunity and the fine stable of frosh QB’s on the roster (both Luellan and Sims), Jaybo’s commitment has been fulfilled, much like Calvin Booker’s last year. THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES & THWG!!!!

Tokyo jacket

September 2nd, 2009
7:01 pm

CPJ is a talent hawk it seems. He’s also a fan of redshirting and not playing freshmen. If he wants to play 7 true freshmen, I’ll be surprised if they’re not mentioned for all conference one day.

NG-Bulldogs

September 2nd, 2009
10:53 pm

Does anybody know how Tyler Jarry (from NG) is doing?

Paddy

September 3rd, 2009
1:12 am

Believe it would be very difficult for a skilled position player to go both ways in CPJ offense. Just being fast like Taylor does not translate into TD’s or effeciency. He is best used on defense and be a star there.

Not Disappointed!

September 3rd, 2009
9:54 am

Good luck Jemea Thomas on Saturday. Go out there and show the Jacket Nation what you’re made off. Make your parents proud as well. Football is here and it’s going to be a great year for the Jackets!

Ramblin Wreck!

Tech needs freshmen

September 3rd, 2009
10:06 pm

South Carolina 7 N.C.State 3. SEC 1 ACC 0. Jax St. 17 Tech 10. big upset coming

Hedgepruner

September 4th, 2009
8:59 am

hedge puller, not trying to be rude but I have copy rights to the name HEDGEPRUNER, please come up with something a little more original (dont be a copycat) , and for God’s sake I hope your not a uga poser….

BobinBuford

September 4th, 2009
9:03 am

Tech needs freshmen:

The team that put up 45 points on the SEC’s greatest team and preseason number 1 last year is only going to score 10 against Jax St.??? Wow.