Georgia Tech tight end Tyler Davis had a season high for receiving yardage Saturday against Virginia, with three catches that totaled 54 yards.
That nearly matched the grad transfer’s season yardage total to that point, 60 yards. Davis’ usage as a target could be another step in the progress of the offense and quarterback James Graham. Freshman tight end Dylan Deveney also caught a pass, for 13 yards. Of Davis’ 12 catches for the season, eight have come in the past three games.
Offensive coordinator Dave Patenaude said the increased role of the tight ends in the passing game was the result of numerous factors, including play-calling, execution and comfort level.
“I just went to James and said, ‘Listen, dude, that guy’s a big target. He’s easy to find, he’s got great hands, and if you need to find somebody, that’s a good checkdown guy for you,’” offensive coordinator Dave Patenaude said. “‘Get him the ball, and he’s going to make a play for you.’”
Coach Geoff Collins praised Davis, who came to Tech as a graduate transfer from Connecticut, saying that he and fellow grad-transfer Jared Southers, an offensive tackle from Vanderbilt, could write a book on how to be a grad transfer for the way they have established themselves in the team’s culture and become leaders.
“Everybody in this organization trusts him, has faith in him,” Collins said of Davis.
