Georgia Tech DE Jeremiah Attaochu draws high praise from ESPN’s Todd McShay

Nov 2, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defensive end Jeremiah Attaochu (45) in action against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the third quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports

The 2013 college football season wasn’t exactly a banner one for Paul Johnson and Georgia Tech, but if there was a singular bright spot on the Yellow Jackets roster, it was senior defensive end Jeremiah Attaochu. With the NFL Draft on the horizon, the “experts” are beginning to weigh in, and one of the more high-profile pundits seems to have a newly formed man-crush on Attaochu.

Well, that was glowing. McShay isn’t exactly the type to rave about lesser-known guys on his Twitter account, either, which is a clear sign that he’s seen something in Attaochu that translates well. The former Yellow Jacket was selected as a 3rd-team All-American by the Associated Press after a season where he netted 12 sacks (including 10 in the final 5 games), and his tape is reportedly screaming in terms of production.

The “A. Barr” that McShay is referring to is Anthony Barr from UCLA, who also happens to be a consensus top-10 player in this year’s draft. Earlier in the process, McShay’s partner-in-crime, Mel Kiper, projected Barr as the Falcons #6 overall pick, and any favorable comparison to a guy at the top of the draft board is enormous for Attaochu. It remains to be seen where he’ll land when the actual draft comes around, but positive reports are circling, and with the hometown Falcons needing a pass-rusher, perhaps there is a perfect marriage on the horizon.