Aug. 20, 2002
With Georgia Tech breaking in a new starting quarterback and a new tailback, the Yellow Jackets’ experience and depth at wide receiver is a welcome component of the offense.
Even with the graduation of all-time leading receiver Kelly Campbell, who is now in training camp with the Minnesota Vikings, Tech returns three receivers who each caught more than 40 passes last fall. The trio of seniors Kerry Watkins (LaPlace, La.) and Will Glover (Tampa, Fla.) and junior Jonathan Smith (Argyle, Ga.) combined for 136 receptions, 1,810 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2001.
“It’s great to have veteran receivers, especially with those two starters playing really well right now,” said Tech head coach Chan Gailey, referring to the two seniors, Watkins and Glovers. “They are playing really well right now and being excellent leaders for us. We’re very pleased with where we are with that position right now.”
All three players are in the Top 20 on Tech’s career receiving lists, led by Watkins, who has caught more touchdown passes–17–than any player in Tech history except Campbell (24). Watkins also stands eighth in Rambling Wreck annals with 100 receptions and ninth with 1,630 receiving yards.
That trio will receive a boost when sophomore Nate Curry (Miami, Fla.) is ready to return from a 2001 knee injury in a few weeks. Curry caught 22 passes for 298 yards as a freshman but missed the entire 2001 season.
Sophomores Levon Thomas (College Park, Ga.) and Mark Logan (Greenwood, S.C.) are in the mix, and true freshmen LeKeldrick Bridges (Dallas, Texas) and Xavier McGuire (Dallas, Texas) could also see action.
With classes starting this week on the Tech campus, the Yellow Jackets have concluded two-a-days and will soon begin specific preparations for on their season-opening contest against Vanderbilt, which visits Bobby Dodd Stadium/Grant Field on Aug. 31 at 6 p.m.
“We’ll turn our attention to Vanderbilt toward the end of this week,” said Gailey. “Right now we’re still in the installation and fundamental mode.”
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