June 26, 2006
Georgia Tech’s season-opening football game is still more than two months away, but there’s plenty of buzz around the Yellow Jacket program, particularly star wide receiver Calvin Johnson.
Tech begins the 2006 in the national spotlight as the Yellow Jackets host Notre Dame Sept. 2 at 8 p.m. at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Historic Grant Field in a game that will be nationally televised on ABC. ESPN’s College Gameday will originate from the Tech campus that weekend as well.
Johnson, the junior from Tyrone, Ga., is on the cover of numerous preseason magazines, from Lindy’s to Athlon to The Sporting News. He is a consensus choice as ACC Offensive Player of the Year and is a first or second-team all-America by virtually every publication.
But Johnson isn’t the only Yellow Jacket to receive preseason attention.
Senior defensive tackle Joe Anoai was tabbed to the preseason all-ACC first team by Lindy’s, which also named him the No. 14 defensive tackle in the nation. Athlon put him on its all-ACC second team but rated Tech’s defensive line the best in the ACC.
Senior linebacker KaMichael Hall is a first-team all-ACC choice and the No. 9 outside linebacker in the nation by The Sporting News. He was named to the all-ACC second team by Lindy’s and Athlon.
Senior cornerback Kenny Scott was also named to the all-ACC first team by The Sporting News, which rated him the No. 8 cornerback in the nation. Scott and quarterback Reggie Ball were third-team all-ACC picks by Athlon.
Sophomore offensive tackle Andrew Gardner, a freshman all-America last fall, is a second-team all-ACC choice by Lindy’s, Athlon and The Sporting News, which rated him the No. 17 offensive tackle in the nation.
Junior Mike Cox was rated the No. 6 fullback in the nation and the best blocking back in the ACC by The Sporting News.
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