Georgia Tech LB Anthony Harrell Likely Out for Rest of 2013 Season

In the aftermath of Georgia Tech’s dominant 56-0 victory against Syracuse on Saturday, it would be tough to envision a scenario in which the optimism On the Flats was dimmed this week, but unfortunately, that’s where we find ourselves with the latest news concerning the defense.

On his weekly call-in show on Monday night, head coach Paul Johnson indicated that inside linebacker Anthony Harrell has “probably” been lost for the year. Admittedly, details of Harrell’s absence are sketchy at this time, but the sophomore from Jesuit High School in Florida left Saturday’s game with an unspecified leg injury, and that is now expected to require surgery.

This is a devastating break for a young man who started his first career game against Syracuse, as he unseated Jabari Hunt-Days for the starting job in the lead-up to the game. Harrell has appeared in all 7 games this season, making 6 tackles (including 2 for loss), but expectations were rising for him after winning the job. Now, he will be forced to look forward to his 2 remaining years of eligibility, but that is of little comfort at this point.

Now, Paul Johnson and the Jackets must turn their attention back to Hunt-Days, and while the 6-foot-3 sophomore does have 29 tackles on the season, his play did slip enough to (temporarily) lose his starting job. The Yellow Jackets have a crucial road tilt against Virginia on Saturday, and there will be a lot of eyes on Hunt-Days as he looks to step up his game.