The Yellow Jackets started spring with the luxury of knowing they have a senior leader at quarterback.
But Tevin Washington can't get too comfortable. Sophomore Synjyn Days and freshman Vad Lee are pushing hard, and not just to establish themselves as the clear backup.
Days, a dynamic runner who bench-presses 365 pounds, says the best player should start, regardless of experience. Lee has the best arm of the trio and is more familiar with the offense after redshirting last season.
"It's the best thing you've got as a coach if you have competition," QB coach Brian Bohannon said.
Washington must improve his accuracy after completing 49.3 percent of his throws last season. Days must improve his ball security. And Lee must demonstrate he has a firm grasp of what coaches want on every play.
"They've all got things they've got to get better at, every single one of them," coach Paul Johnson said. "You'd better maximize your opportunities and be productive when you get out there."
There's an added urgency this spring because Tech doesn't open with a cupcake. The Jackets visit Virginia Tech on Labor Day in a matchup that's decided the ACC's Coastal Division every year.
Washington remains the odds-on favorite to start, not just the opener but every game. But this is an intense competition will continue through the April 20 spring game, as well as fall camp.
NOTES, QUOTES
--Senior A-back Orwin Smith, who averaged 10.1 yards per carry last season, is sitting out spring practice while recovering from turf toe surgery. His absence is enabling Tony Zenon, Robert Godhigh, Broderick Snoddy, Deon Hill and B.J. Bostic to get plenty of reps as they compete for the starting job opposite Smith.
--Spring practice marked the debut of special teams coordinator Dave Walkosky, the first special teams-only coach in Paul Johnson's five-year tenure. Walkosky is infusing drills with energy, and starters are getting lots of work on special teams.
--Sophomore Zach Laskey returned to B-back after spending last season as a backup DB and punt returner. Laskey figures to back up David Sims and Charles Perkins. Coaches want more production out of that position; Laskey could move up the depth chart if he impresses.
SPRING MOVERS
LB Jabari Hunt-Days -- The 6-3, 244-poundredshirt freshman is opening eyes as he challenges Quayshawn Nealy and Daniel Drummond for one of two inside spots. "He's got a significant set of skills, so we're looking forward to giving him concentrated coaching here in the spring that was not available to him because of his position on the depth chart last fall," DC Al Groh said of Hunt-Days.
A-back Robert Godhigh -- The junior arrived at spring practice as one of the best-conditioned Jackets. The 5-7, 187-pounder is a heady player who excels at blocking on the perimeter. He played in six games last season and is ticketed for a bigger role this fall.
OL Shaquille Mason -- The 6-1, 295-pound sophomore, who played in 11 games as a true freshman, is vying for a starting job. He started in the Sun Bowl and was named to ESPN.com's ACC All-Bowl Team.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
2012 OUTLOOOK: Senior QB Tevin Washington has improved each year. If he can make another significant leap, the Jackets will contend for the ACC title. If not, Tech is looking at a .500 season and a potential quarterback controversy. Washington, 9-8 as a starter, has Synjyn Days and Vad Lee nipping at his heels. How the Jackets play early will determine which way the season goes. Tech opens with a Labor Day showdown at Virginia Tech, and plays Virginia, Miami and Clemson by early October. If Tech starts 1-3 in the ACC, the pressure will mount to give Days or Lee a chance.
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: After finishing second nationally in rushing (316.5), the option-based Jackets will again feature a potent ground game. The O-line that returns four starters, including All-ACC G Omoregie Uzzi. QB Tevin Washington ran for 986 yards last year, second-most ever by a Tech QB, and A-back Orwin Smith averaged 10.1 yards per carry. B-back David Sims, who averaged 5.2 yards per carry, will be pushed by explosive sophomore Charles Perkins. The passing game remains a question mark. Washington completed 49.3 percent of his throws last year, and no returning WR has caught a pass. Sophomore WRs Jeff Greene (6-4, 200) and Darren Waller (6-5, 220) must develop quickly.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: Tech must replace five starters from a unit that allowed26.1 points per game, which ranked eighth in the ACC. The biggest loss is co-captain Julian Burnett, the LB who led the team in tackles the past two seasons and made the All-ACC second team in 2011. The Jackets also must find another pass rusher besides OLB Jeremiah Attaochu (6 sacks). T.J. Barnes (6-7,347) is the leading candidate to replace graduating DT Logan Walls. After three seasons as a backup -- he made 11 tackles while playing in every game last year -- Barnes must finally live up to his promise. Otherwise, Tech won't improve on the 4.9 yards per carry it allowed in ACC play last season.
SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS: Dave Walkosky was brought in as the first special teams coordinator in coach Paul Johnson's five-year tenure. In his tenure at Toledo, seven of his 15 special teams units ranked in the top 15 nationally. Johnson turned to Walkosky after a season in which two Tech field goals were blocked, a fumbled punt return resulted in a Miami TD, there were two punts of less than 20 yards and three missed field goals in the Sun Bowl loss. "I told the players to match my energy, and if they can do that, it's on me," Walkosky said. "If things aren't right, then the blame and onus is on the special teams coordinator."
TOP NEWCOMERS
QB Vad Lee -- After redshirting last season, Lee (6-1, 206) will vie with rising sophomore Synjyn Days for the backup job. Expectations are high for Lee. He threw for 3,223 yards as a HS senior and could be a true dual threat. Lee has the best arm among all the QBs.
RB Broderick Snoddy -- The speedy 5-9,190-pound redshirt freshman shined on the scout team last season and could make an impact at A-back or B-back. A prep track star, Snoddy rushed for 18 touchdowns as a senior at Carrolton High School, the same school that produced former Jacket S Jerrard Tarrant.
QB Dennis Andrews -- The early enrollee from Tallahassee is considered one of the top athletes in Tech's 2012 class. He threw for 5,426 yards and 36 TDs in his high school career while also rushing for 22 scores. His father, Dennis Andrews, played fullback at Florida State.
ROSTER REPORT
--Sophomore S Fred Holton, who missed all of last season with a torn Achilles, returned to the field at full speed for spring practice. One of the team's strongest players, Holton played significant snaps as a true freshman and is in the mix for a starting spot.
--Sophomore A-back B.J. Bostic, who missed all of last season with an arm injury, also returned at full speed for spring practice. He's one of several A-backs competing to start opposite Orwin Smith, and also could return kicks.
--ILB Julian Burnett, the team's leading tackler the past two seasons, apparently will not play again due to a significant neck injury suffered in the Dec. 31 Sun Bowl. "He's a heck of a competitor and a good football player, but there's bigger things in life than football," coach Paul Johnson said. "You've got to be safe."
QUOTE TO NOTE
"Obviously, right now, Tevin (Washington)'s the starter,
and there's a lot of competition with Vad (Lee) and Synjyn (Days) for
that next spot. I just want to see some guys compete and see somebody
step up, kind of take hold of the thing." -- QB coach Brian Bohannon at
the start of spring practice.
