Aug. 12, 2013
THE FLATS – College Football News has released its preseason rankings of the top 20 players by position and five Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets are recognized. Senior Jeremiah Attaochu leads the way as the sixth-ranked defensive end.
Junior Jamal Golden, who returned a pair of kickoffs for touchdowns last season, is ranked No. 7 nationally at return specialist. Senior Isaiah Johnson is 12th on the safety list, senior Will Jackson is listed 19th at guard and senior Jemea Thomas is ranked 20th at cornerback.
Attaochu is one of just eight qualifying defensive players nationally to be listed on the watch lists for four major defensive awards – the Lombardi Award, the Nagurski Award, the Bednarik Award and the Hendricks Award. The senior, who registered a career-best 10 sacks in 2012, is fourth nationally among active players in career sacks (19.0) and is 13 shy of the Jackets’ career mark of 31.0 held by Greg Gathers.
Georgia Tech opens the 2013 season August 31 versus Elon at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
CFN Top 10 Defensive Ends
1. Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina
2. Stephon Tuitt, Notre Dame
3. Jackson Jeffcoact, Texas
4. Scott Crichton, Oregon State
5. Aaron Lynch, South Florida
6. Jeremiah Attaochu, Georgia Tech
7. Devonte Fields, TCU
8. Cassius Marsh, UCLA
9. Demarcus Lawrence, Boise State
10. Chris Smith, Arkansas
CFN Stop 10 Return Specialists
1. De’Anthony Thomas, Oregon
2. Tramaine Thompson, Kansas State
3. Marqise Lee, USC
4. Tyler Lockett, Kansas State
5. Marcus Murphy, Missouri
6. Stefon Diggs, Maryland
7. Jamal Golden, Georgia Tech
8. Autrey Golden, UTEP
9. Kyshoen Jarrett, Virginia Tech
10. Chae Clayton, New Mexico
