^* ••••«". Gookin
Thomason
^ Smith
Stephenson
A FEW OF THE TOP CANDIDATES FOR THE THREE IF POSITIONS O N THE 1 9 5 5
SQUAD
Question-marks at three positions, a tough schedule and no surprise element make 1955
THE IFS ITH A COUPLE OF BIG exceptions, Tech's 1955 football season wears the look of '51. The exceptions—the absence of the surprise element that worked so well for the Jackets four years ago and the great improvement in the caliber of the teams gracing this year's schedule. Otherwise, a great number of factors look the same as Bobby Dodd readies his charges for his eleventh season as Tech's head coach. This team, like the '51ers, appears to be a year away. It is a sophomore-junior squad like the first of Tech's four straight bowl squads. Of the expected first-game starters only two, or at the most three, will be seniors. Yet lettermen should start at every position but one of the ends. Like '51, this season's success will hinge more on breaks than the average year. With the possible exception of Florida State and LSU, every team on the Jackets' slate is within six points of Tech in team strength. Thus a ball bouncing the right way on every Saturday could bring Dodd's charges home without a loss. But if that ball starts bouncing the other way, Tech could well lose half of its ball games without being any less team. Knowing the law of averages of the bouncing ball as well as he does, Coach Dodd would probably settle happily for a repeat of last season's 7-3 record. He doesn't expect it to bounce as well as it did for the Jackets in 1951. A preseason comparison with last year's team shows the Jackets to be
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stronger at guard, tackle, quarterback and halfback and weaker at center, fullback and ends. Position by position, the Jackets stack up something like this: Ends — gone are five of the top ends of 1954. Only Ellis and Huff of the group have game experience. But last year's freshmen team produced a crop with fine potential. Ellis will be the likely starter on the right side with sophomore Rose and Smith the top candidates for the other terminal slot. Rose and Smith are both fine defensive operators but will take time to reach the offensive level attained by Hair, Sennett and Durham. Ellis is also a solid defensive man short of offensive experience. Huff and sophomores Vickers and Henry will also be much in the picture. To sum it up, the ends should be as strong defensively as last year but weaker offensively —especially in the pass-catching department. Tackles — only two of the tackles with appreciable game time are gone from the squad. And the two top boys, Vereen and Anderson, are back from last year. Anderson will face a stiff fight for the starting right tackle position from converted guard Don Miller brother of AilAmerican Hal Miller of '52 fame. Vereen, top blocker of the tackles, is slated to start on the left side. Lots of candidates like Christy, Gossage and sophomores Askew and Denning will also see action. Askew may be the surprise here. The
tackles are certainly no weaker than lasi year and the seasoning should help them strengthen a '54 trouble point. Guards — strongest point of the line with the great Franklin Brooks and watchcharm Bill Fulcher back along with top sub Allen Ecker. Brooks is a cinch to open at his old left-guard position, but Fulcher faces stiff competition from Ecker and amazingly active, 228-pound sophomore Glazier. No worries here as Dodd comes up with another great crop of guards. Center — loss of great competitor Larry Morris will be felt heavily here. Capt. Jimmy Morris, brother of the 1952's George, is back, but his knee is still a question mark. Returning veteran Jimmy Johnson is big and tough but was slow rounding into form in the spring session. Sophomore Don Stephenson will remind you of Lewis Hook and may be a big factor at this position. Center will definitely he weaker than in 1954, but it's still fairly well manned. Quaterbacks — Wade Mitchell is back and should have his greatest year. He looked much improved in spring practice in his offensive work and nobody ever doubted his defensive ability. Techs coaching staff considers him one of Tech's all-time defensive greats already, and he still has two years to go. In reserve, Toppy Vann and Burton Grant will back up Mitchell but the big Atlanta boy will be number 1 all the way. Tech Alumnus