Georgia Tech’s Dedrick Mills getting attention entering sophomore season
Dedrick Mills opened plenty of eyes during his freshman season at Georgia Tech. That is reflected in the announcement of the preseason honors that the running back has received, most recently being named to the preseason All-ACC team.
Mills, a sophomore from Waycross, was the only underclassman chosen by the panel of 167 voters at last week’s ACC Football Kickoff in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was the only Georgia Tech player selected .
Mills is one of 85 athletes named to the watch list for the Maxwell Award, given to the nation’s college player of the year. Mills is one of 16 sophomores on the list.
Last year, Mills rushed for 771 yards and scored 13 touchdowns in just nine games. His 12 rushing touchdowns ranked third nationally among freshmen, even though he played four fewer games than most of his competitors.
Other Georgia Tech players who received votes include running backs Clinton Lynch and Qua Searcy, wide receiver Ricky Jeune, offensive linemen Andrew Marshall, Jahaziel Lee and Will Bryan, defensive end Antonio Simmons, linebacker Brant Mitchell, cornerback Lance Austin, safeties Lawrence Austin, Corey Griffin and A.J. Gray and specialist J.J. Green.
The All-ACC team was led by defending national champion Clemson with five selections. Miami, the preseason pick to win the Coastal Division, had four selections, including running back Matt Walton. The top vote-getter was Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner.
The Yellow Jackets have had numerous other players chosen to a variety of watch lists.
Offensive lineman Parker Braun is one of 81 chosen for the Outland Trophy watch list. Braun, a sophomore, was named to ESPN’s True Freshman All-America team last fall. He started the final eight games of the season at left guard and helped the team rush for 277.6 yards per game.
Defensive end KeShun Freeman is one of 108 players on the list for the Wuerffel Trophy for community service. Freeman was chosen as a member of the 2016 Allstate AFCA Good Works team for his involvement in community service projects in Atlanta.
Quarterback Matthew Jordan is one of 145 athletes chosen for the 2017 Good Works Team chosen by the American Football Coaches Association. Jordan is active as a mentor for young people with diabetes and with charities that support diabetic research.
Fan Day scheduled: The Yellow Jackets have scheduled their annual Fan Day for Aug. 12 at Bobby Dodd Stadium. The Wreckfest begins at noon and the stadium will open at 1 p.m. and conclude at 2:30 p.m. Players and coaches will be available for photos and autographs. Parking is available in the Peters Deck, McCamish Pavilion and on Fowler Street.
This story was originally published July 19, 2017 at 6:06 PM with the headline "Georgia Tech’s Dedrick Mills getting attention entering sophomore season."