College Notebook 8/14
Dec 31, 2012; El Paso, TX, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets coach Paul Johnson is doused with water by linebacker Jabari Hunt-Days (32) and receiver Chris Jackson (33) in the final minute of the 2012 Sun Bowl against the Southern California Trojans at Sun Bowl Stadium. Georgia Tech defeated USC 21-7. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports
If you missed yesterday’s college notebook be sure to check that out here so you have an idea of what the schools have been up to. For today though, let’s see what’s going on at Georgia, Georgia Tech, and Georgia State.
Georgia
Yesterday, the Bulldogs ditched practice and put in some work in the weight room to make sure the players were settling into classes okay. Naturally the athletics website put up this super intense and exciting “inside the UGA weight room video“. It’s not really informative in the least bit and after watching you will be affected in one of several different ways:
- You will be amazed that those kids can lift that kind of weight.
- You will be jealous that your local YMCA doesn’t have the kind of work out room UGA does.
- You feel terrible about yourself now.
- You’re really pumped up because of the motivational music and you’re on your way to the gym now.
- The AC and internet you are currently enjoying seems even better to you
As far as actual news out of the football team, we really didn’t get much unless you have been dying to know when the team’s picture day is going to be. In that case, feel free to go out and pay for some player’s autographs on August 17th at Reed Plaza.
*Note: Don’t actually do that. That would be stupid and a huge waste of money.
Georgia Tech
The Jackets have a bit more to offer as far as information goes. Matt Winkeljohn aptly wrote a story titled, “Good Name, Better Game” and no it wasn’t autobiographical–as much as it should be. It’s actually about the development of guard, Shaquille Mason, who is supposed to be one of the nation’s top linemen a year from now according to line coach Mike Sewak.
Here’s a bit of what Winkeljohn wrote:
"The O-line lost center Freddie Burden in the spring to a season-ending injury, Catlin Alford quit the day before fall camp began,Morgan Bailey hasn’t practiced yet and won’t for a while, Errin Joe will be out another week or so, and Beno’s been on the shelf for several days. Ouch!Thanks be to the bearer of good news. Up to now, Mason’s claim to fame has been his name: Shaquille Olajuwon Mason. His mother, Alicia McGuire, loves basketball big men.A year ago, her son was a bit too big. Now, the 6-foot-1 Mason is a more trim 305 pounds or so. Even though he started 12 games last season, the junior from Columbia, Tenn., is playing bigger now that he’s smaller.“He’s got a better stance than he did a year ago. Also, he’s really worked on his feet,” Sewak said. “He’s matured, he’s starting to get his technique down. He’s getting his two steps in the ground, and driving off the ball with a square base.“His pass protection has gotten to the point where he’s bending his knees and playing lower. I think the loss of weight helped him a little bit to keep his pad level low all the time.”So technically speaking, bigger is not always better."
If that’s not enough for you than check out Jon Cooper’s story on back up quarterback Justin Thomas. It’s a good read, apparently he can run around a bit.
"Thomas Significant Facts:2 – His rank in total offense in the state of Alabama in 20114 – His rank in passing in the state in 20114.21 – His time in the 4010.79: His State-winning time in the 4A-6A 100 meters as a senior"
Georgia State
The big news coming out of GSU camp yesterday was the announcement of Donovan Harden transferring from Illinois State. Harden is a solid slot receiver who will be forced to sit out this season per NCAA rules. Starting in 2014, Harden will have two more years of eligibility with GSU.
Here is what GSU’s athletics page had to say about Harden:
"Playing in 13 games and starting eight last fall, Harden was the Redbirds’ third-leading receiver with 46 catches for 617 yards (13.4 yards per catch), and he was second on the team with six touchdown receptions. After helping Illinois State to a berth in the FCS playoffs, he caught five passes for 68 yards and a touchdown in a second-round playoff victory at future Sun Belt Conference member Appalachian State.As a freshman in 2011, Harden contributed on special teams, averaging 9.2 yards on punt returns (No. 23 in FCS) and 23.5 yards on kickoff returns. He was named to the College Sports Journal All-Freshman Team for the Missouri Valley Football Conference.“He’s a good inside receiver with really good hands and excellent quickness,” said Miles, whose Indiana State team faced Harden and Redbirds. “He is a young man with experience playing Division I football, and we are glad to have him.”"
You can’t be too down on all that now… can you?