Sports

Choice carrying Tech's hopes to ACC media days

• Now that Georgia Tech's Calvin Johnson ascended to the NFL, running back Tashard Choice remains to power the Yellow Jackets.

Scott Chancey

PINEHURST, N.C. — Georgia Tech running back Tashard Choice was not exactly at ease Sunday morning at the Pinehurst Resort, walking through the lobby for his photo to be taken on the first day of the ACC’s football media gathering. His gold, No. 22 jersey wasn’t the problem. It was the name on the back – it wasn’t his. That No. 22 jersey belonged to former Bainbridge High School standout James Butler, who was a Yellow Jackets standout and now plays safety for the New York Giants.

“(Georgia Tech) wanted to keep my jersey (framed) because I have a lot of records with that jersey,” said Choice, who led the ACC in rushing last year with 1,473 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Choice, who is on the watch list for the Maxwell Award which recognizes college football’s best player, had the second-best rushing season in school history (the most is 1,562 by Eddie Lee Ivery in 1978) and set a school record with nine 100-yard games last year. Choice’s seven consecutive 100-yard games equaled Ivery’s record in that category, and he added another school record with 297 carries.

It just so happened that Choice’s new gold jersey was not ready, so he had to wear Butler’s No. 22.

“I mess with him since he’s been working out with us for the past two or three weeks,” Choice said. “His jersey is a little big while I like mine kind of tight.”

By the time Georgia Tech opens the season Sept. 1 at Notre Dame, Choice will have his new jersey. This current Yellow Jacket wearing No. 22 is one of the certain, dependable players on an offense that is dealing with its share of uncertainty. Star wide receiver Calvin Johnson is now a member of the Detroit Lions, and quarterback Reggie Ball was a senior last season.

This could be Choice’s year for a number of reasons as the Yellow Jackets attempt to defend their Coastal Division championship. First, rushing for more than 1,000 yards can only help his confidence. Second, the Yellow Jackets return four starters on the offensive line, who each has started 26 or more games. Then, after being content with letting Johnson take the spotlight last season, Choice remains indifferent to whatever public praise comes his way.

“Last year, Calvin was the greatest athlete I’ve ever seen,” Choice said of the receiver who had 1,202 yards and 15 touchdowns receiving. “He took a lot of the pressure off of us. He got all the respect, and he should have. My teammates, though, know what I can do.”

This preseason, most of the focus has been on Clemson running backs James Davis and C.J. Spiller, who combined for 2,125 yards in 2006.

Georgia Tech linebacker Philip Wheeler feels respect for Choice is long overdue.

“He doesn’t get as much respect as (Davis and Spiller), but I think he deserves it,” he said. “He has good vision, and he will have an even better season this year. He makes a lot of big runs; he’s a real shifty runner. He has great vision. We might see a hole, and he sees something else. We ask, ‘Why is he cutting that way?’ or whatever, but then we see him get a first down while three guys are trying to tackle him. We just let him do his thing.”

North Carolina defensive end Hilee Taylor, whose Tar Heels lost, 7-0, to Georgia Tech last season while Choice gained 119 yards and scored the game’s only touchdown, from 3 yards, is one player who also knows how effective Choice is.

“He has those offensive linemen, standing 6-8 or 6-9, and by the time you see him break through that line, he’s gone,” Taylor said.

Choice’s journey was not easy. He began his career at Oklahoma, and red-shirted in 2003, and then was Adrian Peterson’s backup the next year while only gaining 100 total yards.  At the end of the 2004 season, Choice’s mother sustained a foot injury and Riverdale native applied for a medical hardship to return home and play for Georgia Tech. His hardship was granted and he transferred to Tech by spring 2005, where he was backup to P.J. Daniels.

The 2006 season was Daniels’ first chance to prove himself as a starter, and he played beyond expectations. Now that Ball and Johnson are gone, Choice has a chance to take his game to yet another level. He is likely to be depended on while new quarterback Taylor Bennett matures under center and the offense continues to learn under new offensive coordinator John Bond.

The previous offensive coordinator, Patrick Nix, left Georgia Tech for the same position at Miami.

“He has that mentality like we’re going to do what we’re going to do and it’s up to you to stop us,” Choice said. “Third-and-1, we’re going to run the ball at you to get the first down.”

If that third-and-1 situation rests in Choice’s hands, he appears more than ready for the opportunity.

“I don’t want to say I’m the man, but I’m going to do my thing this year,” Choice said. “With the offensive line, we’re going to have fun. It’s going to be a heck of a season.”

Back to today's Sports>>