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Jackets still strong without Johnson

July 5, 2007

Macon -- The face of the Georgia Tech offense will look different this year, with stand-out wide receiver Calvin Johnson off catching passes in the NFL.

Senior running back Tashard Choice will play a big role, and has been named to the Maxwell Award watch list as one of the top players in the country.

The Yellow Jackets lose four-year starter Reggie Ball at quarterback, but junior Taylor Bennett threw for 335 yards and three touchdowns starting in place of Ball in the Gator Bowl.

Yellow Jacket defensive tackle Darryl Richard says his team isn't going to catch any breaks just because Calvin Johnson is no longer around.

"I really don't think defensive coordinators are going to say, 'Well, we don't need to worry about scheming those guys, now that Calvin Johnson is gone,'" says Richard.  "We're gonna open it up. We have passing threats at all five receiver positions. We have a guy who ran for about 1,500 yards last year, so we have a lot of weapons that we're definitely going to put to use going into this season."

Georgia Tech opens the season September 1st in South Bend against Notre Dame.

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