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“As the season went on, we kind of figured out what we were and
what we could do the best. We settled into those types of schemes that
fit our guys the best. We were able to be productive at times and had
a nice balance of run and pass. The quarterback run was a big part of
the run game. For us going into the season, we knew Jerod was a big,
strong kid, but I don’t think we envisioned him being as durable and
consistent running the ball, especially up inside, as he was. That became
a big weapon for us in a lot of different situations. To me, those were a
couple of things that were key for us.”
Q: How do you go about replacing Evans’ production?
BC:
“I don’t think you worry about that part of it right now. You try to
develop the guys that you have, as you’re evaluating and trying to figure
out who is your best guy. Whoever it is will be a little bit different than
Jerod. That’s part of the evaluation process. Before we hit that first game
next year, we’d like to feel like we know what they’re all best at and what
they can do. Sometimes, you don’t know even in that first game because
it is different when those guys can tackle you.
“Our focus has been, whatever style or scheme it is, let’s get our
quarterback to play well. Whether that means he throws it five times
a game or 50 times, or he has to run the ball a ton or not, we’re more
focused on him playing well, which comes back to taking care of the ball
and making the easy plays, the easy throws that are there, and doing
what he’s supposed to do.”
Q: You find yourself in a similar situation to last spring
with relatively unknown or unproven guys like Josh Jackson,
Jack Click, Hendon Hooker and A.J. Bush. Do you go about the
process the same way?
BC:
“It’s going to be real similar. It was obvious pretty early on last
year that Josh was worthy of being in that mix from the beginning with
the two older guys [Evans and Brenden Motley]. I think it’s going to be
a similar situation and a similar process. It always plays out differently
each year, but I think it will be, as far as reps and trying to evaluate those
guys each and every day, a similar spring for us.”
Q: You guys ranked 55th nationally in rushing offense (183.1
ypg). How important will it be to improve the rushing attack?
BC:
“I do think we need more production. We take a lot of pride in
finding ways to get yardage on the ground. When you hand the ball off
and run it inside the tackles, you have to physically dominate people, and
that’s the area where we need to improve. We can find other ways. When
you run your quarterback, you’re able to spread the defense a little bit to
create some room and create a numbers advantage. Using the jet sweeps
and perimeter runs gives you a chance to get the ball out in space and on
the edge, and that neutralizes a good defensive front.
“But when you can line up and hand the ball off to the tailback and
consistently make four yards up inside, that’s when you really have
something going. That’s a point of emphasis for us this spring. We need
to get more production handing the ball off to the tailbacks and getting
yardage on more of the inside type of runs.”
Q: Travon McMillian is the only returning tailback with
experience. Who are some other tailbacks to watch?
BC:
“[Deshawn] McClease was a guy that I thought was going to have
a good year for us, and he got hurt pretty early in the year. He’s a guy
that needs to come on and help us. D.J. Reid is a young kid that has a
lot of physical tools, and it’s time for him to take that next step and be
a player for us. We have Terius Wheatley who is a young kid that came
here in January, and he’s got some tools. It’ll be exciting to see what he
can do this spring. Hopefully, he can help us. Jalen Holston, as a signee,
is someone that we’re extremely excited about [Holston enrolls in July].
He’s a developed kid physically, and you never know how those guys will
handle the transition, but from a pure physical standpoint, he’s going to
be in a position to make that transition quickly, if he can handle the rest
of it and looks good.
“Travon also has to continue to get better. He’s got some big-play
potential. He’s got to get more consistent when there isn’t a big play there.
He’s got to get better at making three yards instead of zero yards. When
he breaks one out for seven yards, we want him to break that next tackle
IHS
extra
Travon McMillian will be one of many tailbacks
in the spotlight this spring, as Tech’s staff
seeks to improve its rushing offense.
Continued on page 22