...but that offense. Outside of a couple stud RBs, headlined by Jr. Anthony Dixon, and one really good blocker in LOG Anthony Strauder, there just isn't very much "there" there. The defense, matched with an SEC caliber offense, would be good enough to allow Mississippi State to play with anybody in the country, but they desperately need some help on the other side of the ball so that they aren't on the field all day. Georgia Tech, on the other hand, has just enough offense (led by a solid O-line and a #2 QB who has run this offense since 9th grade) to overwhelm the Dogs. And, the real difference maker in this game was the Tech defensive line. The Wreck has an NFL-Caliber D-line, pure and simple. At least 5 guys now playing D-line for GA Tech will be in the NFL making money one day. QB Josh Nesbit went down early in the first quarter with some sort of ankle injury, but the Tech offense never skipped a beat with backup Jaybo Shaw. RB Jonathan Dwyer was the real story though. He will be a 3rd rounder at worst one day. He scored on the longest TD-run from scrimmage in Georgia Tech history on one play (88 yards) and ran for 37 yards on the next carry. So, in about 15 seconds, he had a very good DAY for most running backs.
SCOUTING SUMMARY:
College: Georgia Tech Conference: Atlantic Coast Columnist: Steve Martin
Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class Game Notes
Andrew Gardner 64 6' 5.6" 305 5.25 OT 2009: Doesn't always play to the whistle. Has a tendency to overextend and fall down or to try to cut from too far away and miss, but other than those correctibles there is very little not to like about this guy. Locks on and pancakes. Run blocks like an ROG. Good enough back pedal, set up and mirror to be looked at even as an NFL LOT, but he would be better moving inside or bulking up and playing ROT. Not an elite LOT prospect, but is an elite OL prospect. GRADE: Positive
Anthony Allen 43 5' 11.5" 225 4.50 HB 2011: DNP...Dog house? Injury? Anyone know?
Vance Walker 99 6' 2.2" 293 0.00 DT 2009: Vance is not flashy, and is not the biggest DT around but he is very steady and can be plugged into an NFL 4-3 DT rotation tomorrow and do just fine. Light feet. Constantly comes hard. Smart. Sometimes gives ground with a purpose (uses it to free himself for a counter move.) Vulnerable to side blocks. GRADE: Positive
Michael Johnson 93 6' 6.1" 255 4.65 DE 2009: A top 5 prospect now. He is like a young Kiwanuka with a slight bit more refinement to his game than MK had coming out of BC. Immense measurables. Incredibly intense pass rusher. Long arms that he uses to bat passes and to block kicks. Finshes the rush. Wraps. Aware, explosive, quick twitch. Coiled aggression. Needs to guard legs better, and be aware of the combo block coming at him. GRADE: Positive
Darryl Richard 95 6' 3.7" 290 4.96 DT 2009: May not be getting quite the press that Walker gets, but that extra inch and a half, gives him what Walker lacks--an upside. He could probably play at 320 and be fine. Not only that, but he is a solid player already. Opportunistic. Good tackler. Generally keeps his man at bay. Struggled bringing down Dixon, but who wouldn't? A very solid prospect who should go in the middle rounds. GRADE: Positive
Jahi Word-Daniels 32 5' 9.0" 194 4.50 CB 2009: A solid run-support cornerwho didn't get a chance today to show me much in pass d. Smallish, but plays big in the run game. Squares up and hits. GRADE: Neutral
Sedric Griffin 54 5' 10.6" 239 4.65 LB 2010: The most exciting prospect on the defense after Johnson. If he comes out, he could go by round three also. Plenty of LB skills. Plays the run like H.B. Blades, but is smoother in his drops. Fires gaps. Lauches himself accurately in short yardage. Fast enough to be a starter in the NFL. I'd use him as a SAM in a 3-4, but he could do other things. GRADE: Very positive
College: Mississippi State Conference: Southeastern Columnist: Craig Strachan
Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class Game Notes
Derek Pegues 3 5' 10.0" 196 4.45 S 2009: What makes him special is his kick return abilities. He is a try hard safety too, who generally gets the job done, but his size is a liability in terms of seekinga FT starting job in the NFL. He just gets beat up and worn down. Has the heart of an enforcer, but not the body. Comes up quickly and is a leader. Bit of a bump tackler. GRADE: Neutral
Anthony Strauder 53 6' 3.0" 295 5.20 OG 2009: Quick out of his stance. Cuts a lot, and cuts well, though, like Gardner, he will occasionally try to cut someone who is just too far away at times. Absolutely laid out Michael Johnson on one combo block. Gets out on the second level. Can play in space. GRADE: Positive
Jamayel Smith 89 6' 0.0" 183 4.45 WR 2009: Was hardly used until the 4th quarter, when he had one of the better catch & runs of the day on 4th and 15, where he picked up the 1st. Promptly dropped the next easy pass. Not enough info here. GRADE: Incomplete
Charles Burns 92 6' 2.2" 265 4.90 DE 2009: Playing out of position as a DT in this rotation. Looks like a solid 4-3 strongside DE propsect because he would be able to hold the point well enough. Shows good pursuit down the line, and I just get the feeling he could be one of those guys who turns out to be a better pro than college player. I, personally, wouldn't draft him, but I'd be on the phone right away after. Can hold the point, can run and can tackle. Doesn't have elite anything though, and doesn't look like he'd ever be much of a threat if asked to rush the passer as task uno. GRADE: Positive
Dominic Douglas 10 6' 2.0" 235 4.65 LB 2009: Yea, saw enough today to stamp him with a 6th round grade. Good closing speed. Active tackler. Good enough agility. Not dynamic, but can backup anybody's starting 3-4 ILB. GRADE: Neutral
Jasper OQuinn 23 5' 9.3" 179 4.50 CB 2009: A press corner who tackles well. Looks like a little LB out there, and they are saing he's up to 185 now. Wasn;t challenged enough in pass defense to draw any conclusions there, but I doubt he has what it takes to be considered more than camp fodder. GRADE: Neutral
Keith Fitzhugh 1 5' 10.3" 205 4.60 S 2009: Actually a better pure safety prospect than Pegues. Really flies around and gets after it. Extremely aggressive, and never gives up on a play. Chases to the sidelines and flings the trash out of bounds. Warrior metality. Gets over trash to make tackles. Good blitzer. Again, he lacks ideal size and can get worn down. GRADE: Positive
Anthony Dixon 24 6' 0.7" 238 4.55 HB 2010: Big, powerful back with legit 4.55 speed. Can break a long one, and is playing behind a limited O-line. Only slightly less a prospect than the Illini's Mendenhall was last year, and if he comes out, he goes Top 100. Very good downhill runner. Cuts well for a big man. Not a smart runner. Bounces in short yardage and gets nailed. Needs some refinement, but the package is there. Blocks OK. GRADE: Positive
Jessie Bowman 94 6'1.0" 315 5.23 DT 2009: Coming off an SEC Defensive POTW award, but didn't show up nearly as much today. Bad body that he moves surprisingly well. Slow, but chases hard any way. Gets tripped and chopped far too easily. Fills his gap though, and generally takes care of his responsibilities. Movement skills are above average for a 315 pounder. GRADE: Neutral
OTHER NOTES:
Georgia Tech: Only one other comment: JONATHAN DWYER
Mississippi State: Tim Bailey is another DE with some potential. Senior DT Cortez McCraney also will turn your head occasionally. May warrant a dbase inclusion, Craig, if he stats up all year.
The Bulldogs still need to decide between Wesley Carroll and Tyson Lee at QB and go with their decision. They are not platooning based on variety of skill sets and game planning, that's for sure.