Aug. 9, 2002
Georgia Tech sophomore offensive tackle Nat Dorsey has been tabbed to the preseason watch list for the 2002 Outland Trophy, which is presented by the Football Writers Association of America to the top interior lineman in college football each season.
The winner of the 2002 Outland Trophy will be announced Dec. 12 on the ESPN College Football Awards Show from Orlando, Fla. Three finalists will be selected by the FWAA All-America Committee in late November and will appear on the show.
Dorsey, Tech’s 6-6, 330-pound left tackle, is a sophomore from New Orleans, La. He was named to the watch list on the heels of an outstanding rookie season in which he earned first-team all-Atlantic Coast Conference honors as well as first-team Freshman All-America accolades. Dorsey was the first true freshman to be named first-team all-ACC since Clemson linebacker Anthony Simmons in 1995.
Dorsey earned preseason all-America recognition from Athlon (second team) and Street & Smith’s (third team) magazines.
The Yellow Jackets, who open the season by hosting Vanderbilt Aug. 31 at Bobby Dodd Stadium/Grant Field, continued two-a-days Friday. The first day in full pads is Monday, when the Jackets will work out at 9:15 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
“Today was a little better,” said Tech head coach Chan Gailey after Friday’s morning workout. “This would have been an easy time for our guys to feel a little sorry for themselves, being tired on the second day of two-a-days, but I thought they came out with an excellent attitude and worked.”
On defense, senior cornerback Kelley Rhino (Smyrna, Ga.) continues to lay claim to playing time in the secondary. An all-ACC punt return specialist last year, Rhino has been working as a nickel back.
“He had a great spring,” said Gailey. “Obviously he knows what to do out there, and he’s earned the spot to this point. Until somebody comes along and shows that they’re a good bit better, that will be where Kelley will help us out.”
The 5-7, 179-pound Rhino set an ACC record with 515 punt return yards last fall, averaging 10.7 yards per return.
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