A returning starter in the second and one of the most electrifying punt returners in the nation… moved to safetyfrom cornerback in the fall. scored all four of Tech[apos]s non-offensive touchdowns in 2009 — two by punt return, one by interception return and one by fumble return… extremely athletic… re-joined the team in the spring of 2009 after sitting out all of 2008, suspended from the team while awaiting the result of a legal issue that was cleared earlier this year.
2009 (Sophomore)
Was a starter at cornerback and was one of the nation[apos]s top punt returners… played in 14 games and started 10 times… recorded 58 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss… was responsible for all four of Tech[apos]s non-offensive touchdowns with two punt returns, one interception return and one fumble return… ranked third in the ACC and 12th nationally in punt return average, and had two punt return touchdowns… had two interceptions with one in each of the last two games of the season… recovered two fumbles and forced one fumble… had six pass break-ups… had 21 punt returns for 281 yards (13.4 ypa)… ranked third in the ACC and 13th nationally in punt return average… recorded his first career interception and returned it 50 yards, plus five tackles and a pass break-up vs. Clemson in the ACC Championship Game (Dec. 5)… recorded nine tackles, a half-tackle for loss and a pass break-up at Florida State (Oct. 10)… picked up a fumble and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown — his third TD of the season — and added three solo tackles at Mississippi State (Oct. 3)…. was the first Yellow Jacket to return a fumble for a touchdown since Oct. 6, 2007 (Darrell Robertson vs. Maryland) and had the longest fumble return for a TD since 1998… led the team in tackles (9), including five solo tackles at Miami (Sept. 17)… returned a punt 85 yards for a touchdown against Clemson (Sept. 10) — the sixth-longest punt return in Georgia Tech history… also had seven tackles and two pass break-ups against the Tigers… became the first Tech player to return punts for touchdowns in consecutive games since Jonathan Smith in 2003… had a debut to remember in the season opener against Jacksonville State (Sept. 5)… returned a punt 68 yards for a touchdown — Tech[apos]s first punt return for a TD since 2004 — added another return for 26 yards, and had four tackles at the cornerback position.
2008 (Freshman)
Participated in spring drills and entered the season as a candidate to start in the secondary… was suspended indefinitely, however, because of a legal issue.
2007
Redshirted as a true freshman.
High School
A first-team all-state honoree in Class AAA at both defensive back and return specialist… rated the No. 43 prospect in Georgia by Rivals and No. 47 by Scout.com… Top 50 in Georgia selection by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the Macon Telegraph… PrepStar all-region selection… coached by Rayvan Teague at Carrollton High… had 53 tackles, six interceptions and 12 pass break-ups as a senior… also played wide receiver (34 catches, 569 yards, four touchdowns) and returned punts and kickoffs.
Personal
Full name is Jerrard DaShawn Tarrant… parents are Reico and Tricia North… born May 29, 1989.
| Career Statistics | |||||||||
| Year | G-GS | P-A | TKL | TFL | SCK | FC | FR | INT | PB |
| 2010 | 12-8 | 29-26 | 55 | 2.5-9 | 0-0 | 3 | 3-5 | 3-93 | 2 |
| 2009 | 14-10 | 39-19 | 58 | 1.0-5 | 0 | 1 | 2-40 | 2-90 | 6 |
| Total | 26-18 | 68-45 | 113 | 3.5-14 | 0-0 | 4 | 5-45 | 5-183 | 8 |
| Career Statistics (Returns) | ||||||||||
| Year | KOR | Yds | Avg | TD | LP | PR | Yds | Avg | TD | LP |
| 2010 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 131 | 6.6 | 0 | 25 |
| 2009 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 281 | 13.4 | 2 | 85 |
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 41 | 412 | 10.0 | 2 | 85 |
CAREER HIGHS
Tackles: 11 at Virginia Tech, Nov. 4, 2010
TFL: 2.0 at Wake Forest, Oct. 2, 2010
INT: 2 vs. Middle Tennessee State, Oct. 16, 2010
FR: 1, five times
PB: 2 vs. Clemson, Sept. 10, 2009
Punt Returns: 5 at Wake Forest, Oct. 2, 2010
Punt Return Yards: 87 vs. Jacksonville State, Sept. 5, 2009
Longest Punt Return: 85 (TD) vs. Clemson, Sept. 10, 2009
