Marcus Marshall still favorite for B-back slot
As the second week of spring practice at Georgia Tech nears its conclusion, the competition at the B-back was no closer to being settled.
“We’ve got some good competition at that position,” Yellow Jackets coach Paul Johnson said.
The favorite to start remains sophomore Marcus Marshall, who led the team in rushing last fall with 654 yards, a 7.6-yard average. Marshall has an added explosiveness he brings to the spot, which makes him a big-play threat when he gets through the line.
“Marcus Marshall is better than he was a year ago,” Johnson said.
Although he wasn’t specific, that normally means his blocking has improved.
The competition also includes newcomers KirVonte Benson, a redshirt freshman from Marietta, Dedrick Mills, a true freshman and early enrollee from Ware County, and Quaide Weimerskirch, a redshirt freshman who missed last season with an injury.
“(Quaide) clocked someone today,” Johnson said.
The B-back candidates also include senior Marcus Allen, redshirt sophomore C.J. Leggett and sophomore Mike Lands-Davis.
“(The young guys) look a lot more fluid,” quarterback Justin Thomas said. “They’re not out there asking questions with the big eyes. They know what to do and they’re doing and they’re playing fast.”
Gray on pace
Sophomore A.J. Gray of Washington County continues to impress at safety. He played 10 games last year, missing a couple with an injury suffered against Florida State.
“He’s getting more comfortable,” Johnson said. “He’s a good athletic, he make plays. We’re excited about. I think he just likes to play.”
Gray had 21 tackles, one interception and recovered a fumble during his freshman season.
Marshall moves to QB
Sophomore TaQuon Marshall has been moved from A-back to quarterback. The A-back spot was loaded with talented players, while the depth at quarterback is less since Christian Campbell was moved to safety.
Marshall will compete with Matthew Jordan and Chase Martenson, a pair of redshirt sophomores, for playing time behind senior Justin Thomas. Jordan, who played five games last season, has a solid grip on the backup role. Martenson ran the triple option when he was quarterback at Marist, but has not played in college.
Marshall, a sophomore from Harris County, played nine games as a true freshman in 2015. He carried eight times for 58 yards and caught three passes for 76 yards and one touchdown.
Marshall was a quarterback in high school and was a first-team all-state selection as a senior when he threw for 1,376 yards and ran for 1,436 yards.
Who’s returning?
Georgia Tech hasn’t spent too much time on kick returns this season. Johnson said he’s been using four or five different players on punt returns and kickoff returns. Qua Searcy and Brad Stewart are the main punt returners and freshman Dedrick Mills from Ware County is getting a look on kickoffs.
“We’re repping it, but we’re not doing any of it live,” Johnson said. “We may do it one day.”
Johnson said “that’s a lot of colliding” that won’t have a lot of residual carry-over benefit for the fall.
Camp notebook
Redshirt sophomore Jake Whitley, a candidate to play on the offensive line, has been sidelined for an undisclosed reason. Incumbent center Freddie Burden is already out this spring with a thumb injury. … The week’s second practice included a long touchdown catch and run from A-back Clinton Lynch and a nice catch from wide receiver RickyJeune on a well-defended play. … Defensive stars included linebacker P.J. Davis and defensive backs Step Durham and Shawn Kagawa, who each had interceptions.
This story was originally published April 7, 2016 at 4:17 PM with the headline "Marcus Marshall still favorite for B-back slot."