Georgia Tech relying heavily on freshmen

ATLANTA -- The column on the roster indicates that they're freshmen, but that doesn't mean they're rookies.

More than a dozen freshmen and redshirt freshmen have been forced into action at Georgia Tech this year. For some, it was a matter of winning their spot through skill and by outplaying the competition. Others, however, have been thrown into the fire when teammates were forced out because of an injury.

Regardless of the reason, these Yellow Jackets can longer use youthful inexperience as an excuse.

"It's like I tell them, they're not freshmen anymore," Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson said. "They've played enough to know, so hopefully they're getting better."

Georgia Tech has used eight freshmen in key roles on offense and another five on defense.

"We're pretty much starting five freshmen on offense, playing five freshmen a lot," Johnson said.

The influence of the freshmen has been felt all over the field but is most noticeable in the backfield, where B-back Marcus Marshall and A-backs Clinton Lynch, Mikell Lands-Davis and TaQuon Marshall have made an impact.

"I think our A-backs, both Mikell Lands-Davis and Clinton Lynch, have started to play a little better," Johnson said. "Marcus Marshall at B-back is a productive guy. Got to play better without the ball. When he has the ball in his hands, he does some really good things."

Marshall leads the team with 526 yards rushing, an 8.2-yard average and four touchdowns. Lynch has rushed for 312 yards, a 9.5-yard average and three touchdowns, and he has caught seven passes for a 27.9-yard average and three touchdowns. Lands-Davis has rushed 16 times and has caught seven passes for a 9.9-yard average and one touchdown.

Receiver Brad Stewart has been a dependable target from the start of the season. Stewart, who received the final scholarship available last spring, has caught five passes for 81 yards, including a critical 36-yarder against Florida State.

The offensive line has been impacted by the arrival of Will Bryan, who has started the past three games at right tackle. Grey Klock has played in all nine games, and Gary Brown was asked to step in and play at Virginia.

"If (Bryan) can cut down on his missed assignments, he does some good things," Johnson said.

The freshmen are less noticeable on defense.

Defensive back A.J. Gray has played plenty of snaps and impressed the coaching staff with his ability to be around the ball and make tackles. The former Washington County star, who was injured against Florida State and missed the Virginia game, has 20 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery.

Linebacker Brant Mitchell made a splash with an interception against Clemson and has seen his role continue to grow. Mitchell has 26 tackles, one for loss.

"Brand Mitchell has played really well at linebacker," Johnson said. "I think he's getting better every game. I think he's got a chance to be a really, really good player."

The other have played more of a supporting role: linebacker Victor Alexander, defensive tackle Kyle Cerge-Henderson and defensive end Anree Saint-Amour. The linemen could play a bigger role depending on the severity of the knee injury suffered by Adam Gotsis against Virginia.

"You know, our guys have been pretty good about (filling in), and I think it's because we haven't complained," Johnson said. "I try not to dwell on it. If somebody asks me, I say all the time, 'You've got guys hurt, nobody cares.' And it's an opportunity for somebody else to come in and play. I thought the guys did a pretty good job of just playing."

This story was originally published November 3, 2015 at 9:12 PM with the headline "Georgia Tech relying heavily on freshmen ."