--The offense new coach Paul Johnson is installing at Georgia Tech is often labeled triple option, but Johnson prefers to call it a spread offense. The triple option is part of it, of course, but there are also elements of the run-and-shoot and sprint-out principles. As for the emphasis on the run, there is that, but the passing game isn't completely ignored. About a fourth of the plays in the spring game were passes. Last season, the Jackets ran the ball 548 times, threw it a total of 363, which figures out to about 60 percent run, 40 percent pass.

--Incoming freshman WR Tyler Melton could be the beneficiary of veteran WR James Johnson's decision to give up football. Melton enrolled early and took part in spring practice, where he impressed coaches. Johnson, who had to contend with hamstring, knee, rib and neck injuries throughout his career, made his decision after a week of spring practice. He said it had nothing to do with the change in coaches and the new staff's more run-oriented attack but that he simply had lost his passion for the game. He had 25 catches last year.

SPRING MOVERS

B-back Jonathan Dwyer -- After backing up Tashard Choice last season and rushing for 436 yards as a freshman, Dwyer has had to make some adjustments in Tech's new offense but still looks to be the primary guy at a position that gets a lot of carries.

LB Brad Jefferson -- With returning starter Shane Bowen missing spring to recover from shoulder surgery, Jefferson, a sophomore, got an early opportunity to show his ability. He was running with the first-team defense in the spring game.

QB Josh Nesbitt -- Despite being hampered by a groin injury that limited him in the spring, Nesbitt has established himself as the starter. He backed up Taylor Bennett as a true freshman last year and ran for 339 yards and threw for 93.

B-back Lucas Cox -- The younger brother of former Tech fullback Michael Cox, Cox gained 80 yards on 18 carries in the spring game and likely will go into the fall as the starting fullback, not just because of the yardage but because he didn't have a fumble. Lucas sat out last season after transferring from Connecticut.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"We've got a lot of work to do, but I am excited about the young guys. We were rough in spots today, but nobody got hurt and that's a good thing." -- Coach Paul Johnson, summing up his first spring at Tech.

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