Freshman LB Burnett makes impact for Georgia Tech
We examined this morning the considerable contributions made by 5-star defensive backs Branden Smith of Georgia and Greg Reid of Florida State. But it was a two-star player that had the biggest impact at Georgia Tech.
Julian Burnett
Julian Burnett, a 5-foot-10, 220-pound linebacker out of Macon’s Westside High School, led the Yellow Jackets with 9 tackles and had a half-sack. What’s more, the backup to junior Brad Jefferson at inside linebacker was in on seven stops in his first nine snaps in the game. Burnett — who was named first-team all-state by the AJC — drew only a two-star ranking from Rivals.com but got three from Scout.com.
“Julian is going to be great football player,” coach Paul Johnson told the AJC’s Doug Roberson after Saturday’s game. “He plays with intensity. We need a transfusion of him into the others.”
Burnett wasn’t the only true freshman getting it done for Tech. He was one of six members of the Class of 2009 to see action Saturday.
- A-Back Orwin Smith (6-0, 190, Phenix City, Ala.) returned three kickoffs for 85 yards and had a 21-yard reception;
- Safety Jemea Thomas (5-10, 185, Fitzgerald) recovered a fumble on a kickoff and had a tackle as the No. 2 safety;
- Cornerback Rod Sweeting (6-0, 170, Locust Grove) played on the No. 2 defense and recorded one stop;
- Stephen Hill (6-4, 190, Lithonia) as first off the bench for the wideouts;
- Izaan Cross (6-4, 250, Flowery Branch) got a good bit of work as a backup defensive end.
Including redshirts and transfers, several other first-year players had varying impacts for the Jackets: DB Jerrard Terrant had a 68-yard punt return, Louisville transfer Anthony Allen caught a 26-yard TD pass, backup B-back Preston Lyons had three carries for seven yards and Shorter College transfer Kevin Cone got his first career start at wide receiver.
We’ll look at the Georgia guys this afternoon.
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24 comments Add your comment
Geori
September 8th, 2009
12:38 pm
Impressive. It’s nice to see that we are building depth and that we brought in guys like Julian Burnett that we just can’t keep off the field.
Burdell
September 8th, 2009
12:51 pm
Julian Burnett was all over the place on Saturday. He really has a nose for the ball. Go Jackets!
wiley
September 8th, 2009
1:18 pm
Both Burnetts looked very good….cant wait to see what other freshman step up. Most of these guys that PJ recruited may not have 5 stars but PJ obviously knows what a good football player looks like. I have no problem putting my trust in PJ and his recruiting…he knows what he needs and can spot talent…thats why he is one of the most successful coaches after the first 12 years.
GPB
September 8th, 2009
1:42 pm
Burnett was all over the field. Anyone who was even remotely paying attention to the game should have noticed Burnett and O. Smith. These guys are going to contribute a lot to GT football in the next couple of years.
Reeze
September 8th, 2009
1:48 pm
Burnett is just a monster.I first saw him play as a ninth grader with the Seminoles and throughout his high school career he just got better and better double digit solo’s were the norm. Congrats Julian I always knew who was the best Linebacker in GA’s 2009 class
Pi$$onaDawg
September 8th, 2009
1:54 pm
#40 J. Burnett is a great backup. He comes in with all the Pi$$ and Vinagor the D needs. He is playing D like #40 Eddie Lee Ivory played O. HE WANTS THE BALL. J. Terrant has many more special play in him TOO, and I think he gets a PICK-6 Thursday Night.
Techjock
September 8th, 2009
2:10 pm
Good game Burnett, I like to the middle ga boys doing well. don’t let it go to your head, keep working hard
rduck
September 8th, 2009
2:28 pm
J. Burnett is a Beast! He has a nonstop motor and a great nose for the football. Seemed like the PA announcer was calling his name on every defensive play Sat. Can’t wait to see how much more he develops over the season.
Kingster
September 8th, 2009
2:35 pm
I’m very glad we won, but like the coach said, we got to get a lot meaner and focus a lot more, I do understand we could not let Clemson see what we have in our goody bag, so I’m looking forward to the Jackets blowing out the Tigers– GT=45 Clemson= 21
optionoffense
September 8th, 2009
3:17 pm
Bennett is yet another recruit that doesn’t get the four or five stars but at a program like Georgia Tech will turn into a star.
blah
September 8th, 2009
3:36 pm
Vinagor is like vinegar but MEANER
juvenal
September 8th, 2009
3:49 pm
#40 looked plenty mean & focused, i hope the rest copy
Cuttysark
September 8th, 2009
4:08 pm
The # of stars is best left to the astronomers. Julian Burnett is a Stud! The only stars that matter are what a player does on the football field. Go to isportsweb.com for more Georgia Tech Football articles. Looking forward to Clemson this Thursday. Go Jackets!
SouthGARules
September 8th, 2009
5:10 pm
Another case of recruiting services not being able to measure everything about a kid. Robert Davis said it best when he said Julian was the best defensive player since Ron Simmons. Considering that has been over 30 years ago & he has sent other players to NCAA & NFL, that is high praise indeed.
Tokyo jacket
September 8th, 2009
9:32 pm
With as many folks returning from last year as we have, these guys probably are special to even be on the field. What will really be impressive is if anyone from the 2010 class even makes it without a redshirt.
Good coaches do much better than prognosticators at measuring heart. That’s the real difference between a Jerry Rice and a Ted Ginn or a Roddy Jones and a Richard Samuel.
Douglas
September 8th, 2009
10:07 pm
Being a UGA fan, I hate to admit it but it sure seems like Paul Johnson and staff know how to coach their players up better than Richt’s staff does.
Slow down there
September 8th, 2009
11:03 pm
So Burnett goes out against a cupcake and has a good game and all of a sudden he is a stud? Let’s wait and see how he does against quality competition before we crown him as newcomer of the year.
oletimeGTfanatic
September 9th, 2009
12:30 am
Y-E-L-L-O-W J-A-C-K-E-T-S WOW IT FEELS GOOD TO WIN AGAIN. Thank you players and coaches!
Big Dawg
September 9th, 2009
1:50 am
UGA gets 5 star recruits dogs get 2 or maybe 3. That is why we are generally the better football team. Tech does deal a good hand sometimes with the cards it manages to scrounge. I’m expecting a good game this year but a definite UGA victory… the nice thing about being in the SEC is that even with one loss we still have a shot it at all! Go Dawgs!
Big Dawg
Gt4ever
September 9th, 2009
7:35 am
I was glad to see somebody on the defensive sid of the ball step up….. But hey, it was only JAX State. Let’s get a grip, wait until we actually play somebody. I am very concerned about our defense getting pushed around by a poor to average team at best…..
AMG
September 9th, 2009
7:43 am
Week 1 DAWGS 0-1 and only one comment from a dawg fan . . . How sweet this year is going to be. Dawgs will lose at least 5
blazer
September 9th, 2009
8:21 am
shot at sec 2nd place in the east
Big Dawgie Doo
September 9th, 2009
8:31 am
I think the point of this article is that nobody should that the # of stars a recruit has don’t matter, Big Dawg.(nice handle redneck) Let me spell it out for you- Caleb King, 5 star. Julian Burnett, 2 star. Caleb King, 3 years riding the pine awaiting his breakout year. Julian Burnett, contributes immediately in his first game as a freshman.
So shut your freakin’ mouth and go back to the UGA blogs to talk about your hapless QB and coaching staff.
George
September 9th, 2009
9:10 am
“coach Paul Johnson told the AJC’s Doug Roberson after Saturday’s game.”
And by told Doug Roberson, you mean said it in his press conference to 30 reporters and TV crews, right?