Georgia Tech Football Potential Breakout Candidates: Offensive Line

Georgia Tech returns all five starters on the offensive line this season

Georgia Tech was young on the offensive line last season and that can be attributed to some of the unit's struggles throughout the season. They were one of the lowest-graded offensive lines on PFF (Pro Football Focus). However, all five starters return and that could lead to improvement up front, which is going to be necessary if this offense wants to score more points. 

I have been picking breakout candidates for each position and have already discussed quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end. Today, I am going to look at who could be the breakout player on the offensive line. 

When you have a unit returning all of its starters, it might make it tough to pick a breakout player. One guy's name who was said consistently among the coaches this spring was Weston Franklin, who started every game at center last season. Franklin was durable last season and offensive line coach Geep Wade praised his leadership this spring: 

"It is huge. That position is huge. We put a lot on that position to run and reach, to block back, to make calls. The thing about spring is that you are not game planning so you are seeing everything so that is good and you learn how to really sit back and teach, hey if this linebacker is here, ID here and we are really going through a lot and he is really catching on and I wish I had more of him and we are trying to go out and recruit more guys like him.

One thing that I will say about him and Joe Fusile is that those guys have benefitted from AJ in the weight room and have gotten bigger and stronger, got twitchier. When you get stronger, you get twitchier and that makes you a better football player with hat speed so Joe Fusile, I think he is a different player this year because of the work he put in the offseason."

Who is the breakout player on the offensive line this season for Georgia Tech? / Atlanta Journal-Constitution- Credit: Danny Karnik, Georgia Tech Athletics

Franklin said that it is more of a mentality change for him when it comes to expanding his leadership role ahead of this season:

"It is more of a mentality change for me. I knew going into this year that I would still be a young guy, but still a vet at the same time so I know those guys look up to me at the same time so I am stepping into that role and trying to be the best leader of the team."

When asked about some things that he is doing differently this year to help improve that leadership, Franklin talked about the experience that he gained last year and how big of a factor that has been:

"Last year, I was just trying to figure out things for myself, this year, I know a lot more about what is going on in the game and stuff like that and I am able to help the younger guys and the guys around me if they don't quite see it and giving them a helping hand. Just helping those guys out has been a big part of it."

Looking at Franklin's numbers on PFF last year, there is plenty to improve upon, but the coaches believe he is going to be a leader up front and that is a huge intangible when it comes to the offensive line. Franklin finished with a 54.7 grade on offense, with a 58.2 in run blocking, and a 44.5 in pass blocking. I think those numbers are going to improve and Franklin is going to be the anchor of this unit in 2023. 

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