Wednesday Taste: Mr. Potential: Jackets believe Watts has what it takes at linebacker | Macon Telegraph

Here's a taste of Thursday's feature on ILB Brandon Watts; a Washington County native...



 

ATLANTA — Packed with all kinds of pomp and punch, the word can do one of two things: provide the perfect roadmap to anticipated success, or spell doom and disaster for those who fail to live up to it.

The word is “potential,” and according to Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson, Brandon Watts has it, and lots of it.

Paul Johnson on Watts: Brandon Watts "might have the (potential) since I've been here at linebacker." Photo credit: scout.com

“Again with the ‘P’ word, he might have the most since I’ve been here at linebacker,” Johnson said nearly two weeks ago during his Media Day press conference. (That day, Johnson had previously said receiver Stephen Hill was filled with the word, as well.)

A redshirt freshman expected to ease into Georgia Tech’s newly-created second inside linebacker position in its 3-4 defense, Watts figures to be a veritable pound-for-pound wrecking ball swaying swiftly in the direction of ballcarriers this season. Noted for his awareness and brute physicality, the former All-Middle Georgia selection should be a key component to the Yellow Jackets’ defensive success.

Johnson at least thinks as much, naming Watts this offseason the starter at inside linebacker alongside senior Brad Jefferson. Linebackers coach Joe Speed could not argue with that decision.

“Brandon can run; he’s a physical player,” said Speed, who specifically organizes the inside linebacker play. “He hasn’t stepped on the field yet to do anything for Georgia Tech, but he has potential. Which means he hasn’t done it yet, but we’re looking for him to do some things."......