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[FLOAT_LEFT][figcap]Video courtesy of ACC Digital Network[/figcap][/FLOAT_LEFT] ATLANTA, GA - In life you're not always presented with second chances. For Marcus Allen and Jabari Hunt-Days, a second chance is what they needed and received. Both took advantage Friday night during Georgia Tech's spring game and left indelible marks in the minds of Yellow Jacket fans going into the offseason.
Allen, a running back turned linebacker turned wide receiver turned running back again, rushed for a team-high 77 yards and caught multiple passes out of the backfield with ease. On any ordinary night in college football that stat-line would certainly not earn an ESPN helmet sticker nor much more than a pat on the back. However considering Allen's spring, one in which he took over Georgia Tech's feature back position after practicing there just 7 days, those statistics are far more impressive.
Reflecting on the past week Allen complimented his coaches and teammates. "Coach Cook and Justin [Thomas] and all those guys have really been helpful," said Allen. "I feel a lot more confident now especially after rotating from offense to defense back to offense. I've really learned a lot of football."
Magnifying the importance of Allen's performance was a reminder that Georgia Tech's backfield depth is razor thin heading into the offseason after losing both C.J. Leggett and Quaide Weimerskirch to injury. Following the spring game, head coach Paul Johnson confirmed Leggett tore his ACL and is unlikely to return this year.
Shining tonight on the other side of the ball was Jabari Hunt-Days, another familiar face and one that Tech fans missed last year. Hunt-Days' path back to the field is not yet a sure thing; he is still working as hard if not harder in the classroom after failing to stay eligible following his redshirt sophomore season. A former budding star at linebacker, Hunt-Days is now penciled in to start at defensive tackle and was a frequent visitor in the offensive backfield throughout the night tonight, much to quarterback Tim Byerly's chagrin.
KeShun Freeman had nothing but positive praise for Hunt-Days' and fellow teammate Adam Gotsis' impact this spring. "Adam [Gotsis] and Jabari are seniors and they've brought so much energy to the table and so much motivation. Having those two guys lead us has just encouraged everyone to go harder."
The best news of the night? No serious injuries, according to coach Johnson. As the Jackets depart for the offseason many players now have the opportunity to heal up, rest up, and get their bodies ready for one of the most anticipated football seasons in a long time on The Flats.
Allen, a running back turned linebacker turned wide receiver turned running back again, rushed for a team-high 77 yards and caught multiple passes out of the backfield with ease. On any ordinary night in college football that stat-line would certainly not earn an ESPN helmet sticker nor much more than a pat on the back. However considering Allen's spring, one in which he took over Georgia Tech's feature back position after practicing there just 7 days, those statistics are far more impressive.
Reflecting on the past week Allen complimented his coaches and teammates. "Coach Cook and Justin [Thomas] and all those guys have really been helpful," said Allen. "I feel a lot more confident now especially after rotating from offense to defense back to offense. I've really learned a lot of football."
Magnifying the importance of Allen's performance was a reminder that Georgia Tech's backfield depth is razor thin heading into the offseason after losing both C.J. Leggett and Quaide Weimerskirch to injury. Following the spring game, head coach Paul Johnson confirmed Leggett tore his ACL and is unlikely to return this year.
Shining tonight on the other side of the ball was Jabari Hunt-Days, another familiar face and one that Tech fans missed last year. Hunt-Days' path back to the field is not yet a sure thing; he is still working as hard if not harder in the classroom after failing to stay eligible following his redshirt sophomore season. A former budding star at linebacker, Hunt-Days is now penciled in to start at defensive tackle and was a frequent visitor in the offensive backfield throughout the night tonight, much to quarterback Tim Byerly's chagrin.
KeShun Freeman had nothing but positive praise for Hunt-Days' and fellow teammate Adam Gotsis' impact this spring. "Adam [Gotsis] and Jabari are seniors and they've brought so much energy to the table and so much motivation. Having those two guys lead us has just encouraged everyone to go harder."
The best news of the night? No serious injuries, according to coach Johnson. As the Jackets depart for the offseason many players now have the opportunity to heal up, rest up, and get their bodies ready for one of the most anticipated football seasons in a long time on The Flats.
