Next up in Georgia Tech spring position previews is the wide receiver group, not the flashiest group but a much needed group.
Position Previews:
- Quarterback
- A-Backs:
- B-Backs:
- Offensive Line:
- Wide Receiver:
- DL (4/13):
- LB (4/16):
- CB (4/17):
- S (4/18):
- Special Teams (4/19)
Wide receivers aren’t the flashiest members of Georgia Tech’s offense but their a much needed group. When they’re not making plays on the sidelines, the Yellow Jackets’ receivers are tasked with being some of the most important blockers on the field for the Jackets offense to be successful.
Last season, the Georgia Tech wide receiving corps didn’t put up their usual numbers. The Jackets offense last season shied away from the passing game, mostly due to TaQuon Marshall’s struggles as a quarterback. Marshall last season completed just 37.1% of his passes last season. A far cry from Justin Thomas’s 53.4% completion percentage in 2016, which is still a rather poor completion percentage.
This off-season, the Jackets also lost one of their top wide receivers in Ricky Jeune. With the loss of Ricky Jeune, the Jackets lost a receiver who totaled 74-receptions, 1,492-yards, and 11 touchdowns over the past three seasons.
While the Jackets did lose Ricky Jeune this off-season to graduation, they do return one starter at wide receiver and have plenty of options in the rotation.
Starters:
Brad Stewart – Sr:
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Through his first three seasons on The Flats, Stewart has had an up-and-down career offensively. After having seven receptions in seven games his freshman season in 2015. In his follow up sophomore season, Stewart had a big year with 19-receptions for 382-yards, an average of 20-yards per reception.
Last season, Stewart’s numbers took a dip with TaQuon Marshall under center and not a more polished passer in Justin Thomas. Stewart had just four receptions for 99-yards and a single touchdown.
Jalen Camp – Jr:
Since Jalen arrived on campus three years ago, all fans have heard about was Camp’s abilities. Each spring, summer, and fall there are reports about how Camp has “all the tools” and how he has been impressing the coaching staff.
Now with Ricky Jeune gone, the Jackets have a starting spot open and it’s Camps to lose at this point it seems. Last year, he showed a glimpse of what he can do when he had one reception for 49-yards against Virginia.
As long as Camp is able to take that step forward this spring, the Yellow Jackets are going to have a nice weapon along the outside.
The Rotation:
Stephen Dolphus – RS So:
At 6-foot-5, Dolphus is the tallest wide receiver the Jackets currently have on their roster. His tall frame could make him a top option for the Yellow Jackets when closer to the endzone or in jump ball situations. Once Dolphus puts it all together as a wide receiver he could be a dangerous weapon for the Yellow Jackets.
Jair Hawkins-Anderson – RS So:
Hawkins-Anderson like Sanders is a player with blazing speed but there are some things he still has to work on. When Hawkins-Anderson is able to put it all together, he’s going to be an intriguing receiver for the Yellow Jackets. He may seem some snaps this season but he still may be just behind the curve.
Adonicas Sanders – RS Fr:
Last summer, Sanders was impressive according to all the reports coming out of camp. While he never saw the field as a true freshman, Sanders’s biggest asset is his blazing speed. When you’re a rotational piece as a wide receiver with the Yellow Jackets, you’re not going to be expected to put up huge numbers. What is expected is for the rotational receivers to be strong blockers. If Sanders can prove he’s a great blocker, he’ll see plenty of time in the rotation and could be a dangerous weapon if given the chance.
Walk-ons in redshirt sophomore Alan Bussoletti and redshirt freshman Carson Fletcher will both be looking to battle for rotational snaps this season. The Jackets will also add two scholarship wide receivers with incoming freshman Malachi Carter and Peje Harris coming in.