We are close to Georgia Tech’s Week 2 matchup vs. UCF on Saturday, and that means another “Above the Line” (ATL) Chart was released on Thursday afternoon.
There are a lot of similarities to the first one that was released last week prior to the opener at Florida State, but a few differences that stand out.
Here are a few takeaways from this week’s chart:
Big names absent on the defensive side
The Jackets were without some of their impact guys on the defensive side of the ball last week, and it appears they will be once again when they host the Golden Knights on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
Defensive linemen Antonneous Clayton, Antwan Owens and TK Chimedza and defensive back Tre Swilling were all absent from Thursday’s ATL Chart.
It was announced earlier this week by Georgia Tech head coach Geoff Collins that Chimedza suffered a season-ending injury so there is no mystery around his name not being on the list.
Clayton and Owens have been rumored to have suffered injuries, but no further details are available on them. Swilling was seen in a walking boot at last Saturday’s game. With as tight-lipped as Tech is with injuries, it’s hard to know the severity of any of these injuries.
Carpenter on chart after leaving game vs. FSU
An encouraging sign on this week’s chart is safety Tariq Carpenter’s name appearing there following his early exit from last Saturday’s game just prior to halftime.
Carpenter made a big hit across the middle to dislodge the ball from Florida State receiver Tamorrion Terry and prevent a possible reception, but both players were helped off the field and Carpenter didn’t return to the game.
Carpenter appearing on the ATL Chart as well as being named one of Tech’s four captains for Saturday would lead one to believe he should be available for the big matchup against UCF.
The #GaTech ATL chart for the UCF game. No Tre Swilling who was in a boot at FSU and TK Chimedza who Collins said was out for the year. pic.twitter.com/TUGc46jMpe
— Kelly Quinlan (@Kelly_Quinlan) September 18, 2020
Gibbs still Above the Line
There was plenty of excitement about seeing freshman running back Jahmyr Gibbs make his college debut last week against Florida State, but it wasn’t to be as Gibbs didn’t play due to undisclosed reasons.
The hope to see the dynamic playmaker is back again this week as Gibbs was back on the ATL Chart once again. It’s not certain that he will play once again, but the first step toward him being out there on Saturday is appearing on the chart. He’s on there so all we can do is hope for the best.
Johnson becomes next true freshman added to list (not counting kickers)
Emmanuel Johnson was a late addition to the 2020 signing class for Collins and Company as the defensive end from South Carolina flew under the radar until late in his recruitment when bigger schools started to give him attention before Tech was able to sign him.
On Thursday, Johnson became the sixth true freshman (non-kicker) to be added to the ATL Chart this season along with quarterbacks Jeff Sims and Tucker Gleason, offensive lineman Jordan Williams, running back Jahmyr Gibbs and tight end Billy Ward.
You can never have enough depth on the defensive line so Johnson being on the list this week, especially with Clayton still being out, provides some of that depth should he be needed.
Douse joins the group at defensive tackle
Another body on the interior of the defensive line appears to be ready to be added to the rotation as redshirt-freshman D’Quon Douse appears on the ATL Chart this week for the first time at defensive tackle.
Douse is a large presence at 6-2, 305 and should be able to allow the group which also includes Djimon Brooks, Ja’Quon Griffin, Mike Lockhart and Jahaziel Lee to stay a little more fresh by taking some of the reps at the position.