Tech Topics - Spring 2008 - (Page 47)

YellowJackets GETTY IMAGES Super Bowl Superstar Former Georgia Tech standout James Butler, a safety for the New York Giants, is surrounded by a sea of fans and media as he holds aloft the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Butler led the Giants’ defense with 10 tackles in the 17-14 upset of the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII on Feb. 3. As a Jacket, Butler, Cls 05, was a national semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award and named a first-team AllAtlantic Coast Conference player in 2003 and ’04. He also was an All-ACC Academic. He signed as a free agent with the Giants in 2005. Two other former Yellow Jackets also played on the Giants championship team. Linebacker Gerris Wilkinson, Mgt 05, was named to the ACC All-Academic team. The Super Bowl win gave tight end Michael Matthews, Mgt 06, a spectacular close to his rookie year in the NFL. Coach Johnson Brings Options Offense G eorgia Tech will definitely have a different look under new head football coach Paul Johnson and, based on his tenure at Navy, it will be a potent, highscoring offense. Johnson, who led highly successful coaching campaigns at the U.S. Naval Academy for six seasons and previously at Georgia Southern, was named Tech’s 12th head coach on Dec. 7. He replaced Chan Gailey, who was fired as head football coach on Nov. 26. Johnson, who is best known for his powerful tripleoption spread offense, led the Midshipmen to unparalleled success. Under his direction, Navy was 11-1 against Army and Air Force and won the Commanderin-Chief's Trophy five consecutive seasons. He coached at Navy six years, compiling a record of 45-29. As head coach at Georgia Southern, he led the Eagles to the 1999 and 2000 championships. Overall, Johnson is 107-39 in 11 seasons as head coach. He was a finalist for the 2007 Liberty Mutual National Coach of the Year and was the Bobby Dodd 2004 National Coach of the Year. Johnson said the option attack that he used to make Navy a top rushing team was its “calling card.” Athletics director Dan Radakovich said, “Paul Johnson is the best fit, the best choice for the Georgia Tech coaching position. He will educate young men, represent Georgia Tech at the highest level, he will win football games and play for championships. “He accomplished feats at a service academy that many thought were not possible,” Radakovich said. “He looks at his talent and maximizes it. Whether as an assistant coach at Hawaii or as the head coach at Georgia Southern or Navy, he has figured out how to be successful.” Johnson said, “The opportunity was too great here to come to a great institution and have a chance to compete on the national level. If I thought there was a ceiling here and we couldn’t compete for championships, I wouldn’t be standing here.” Football Recruits Sign Letters of Intent Head football coach Paul Johnson announced his first recruiting class on Feb. 6 — the signing of 20 highly sought after high school seniors to national letters of intent to play for the Jackets. “I think we were able to recruit quality kids while filling some needs at every position group. We have some good fits for what we want to do on offense and defense,” Johnson said. T.J. Barnes, of Enterprise, Ala., made more than 70 tackles as a high school senior. He set a school record with eight sacks in one game. Safety Brandon Leslie, of Fresno, Calif., had 71 tackles and four interceptions in his senior season. Jon Lockhart, of Blountstown, Fla., played both wide receiver and cornerback in high school and led his team to three district championships. Linebacker B.J. Machen, of Hilliard, Ohio, registered more than 130 tackles and five sacks in 13 games as a senior. Wide receiver Daniel McKayhan, of Decatur, Ga., helped lead Martin Luther King Jr. High School to a Division 5A championship last season. Center Nick McRae, of Dublin, Ga., helped lead Dublin High School to a state football title in 2006. Malcolm Munroe, of Miami, is the No. 36ranked outside linebacker prospect according to Rivals.com. ESPN called him one of Tech’s highestrated recruits. Back Embry Peeples, of Orlando, Fla., rushed for five touchdowns last season. Defensive back Rashaad Reid, of St. Augustine, Fla., helped lead his high school team to three consecutive district championships. Kamaron Riley, of Hawkinsville, Ga., a defensive back, had 10 interceptions during his high school career. Jaybo Shaw, of Flowery Branch, Ga., is ranked as the nation’s 10th-best dual-threat quarterback prospect nationally. Wing back Quentin Sims, of Cincinnati, was listed No. 14 in USA Today’s “National Super 25.” Phil Smith, of Tampa, Fla., earned all-state honors as an offensive tackle. Linebacker Steven Sylvester, of McDonough, Ga., was ranked No. 26 nationally in his position by Rivals. He also received the Coca-Cola Award for outstanding athletic and academic achievement. Cooper Taylor, of Atlanta, a safety at Marist High School, was a two-time all-state and all-county selection. Offensive guard Omoregie Uzzi, of Chamblee, Ga., is the ninth-rated prospect for his position nationally according to Scout.com. Quarterback Tevin Washington, of Wetumpka, Ala., was named first team Class 6A all-state and earned all-county honors three times. He ranked as the No. 60 quarterback prospect nationally. Fullback Richard Watson, of Tallahassee, Fla., rushed for more than 1,500 yards as a senior and as a junior ran for 2,140 yards and 34 touchdowns. Defensive end Antonio Wilson, of Decatur, Ga., starred in basketball but played high school football for the first time as a senior in 2007. He played in just four games before suffering an injury in an automobile accident. He had 25 tackles and 11 sacks in those four games. Marcus Wright, of San Antonio, a Parade AllAmerican, rushed for a city record of 3,374 yards on 359 carries and scored 45 touchdowns last season. TECHTOPICS | SPRING 2008 47 http://Scout.com http://Rivals.com

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Tech Topics - Spring 2008 Contents Mail Call Gold & White Honors Alumni House Sweet Spring Centennial Buzz Supreme Court Victory The Hill ‘Treasure Trove’ of Stories Living History Forget-me-not Fashion Student Life Investing in Graduates Giving Back Training the Next Generation Burdell & Friends Ingredients for Success Yellow Jackets Hockey Club Ices Georgia Tech Job Hunters Fare Well Real World

Tech Topics - Spring 2008

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