Georgia Tech coach Geoff Collins has said he wants his team to be able to run the football at will, and Dontae Smith finds himself playing a key role trying to establish a run game.
Through five games, the Yellow Jackets (2-3, 1-2 ACC) are averaging 184.2 yards per game rushing, and Smith ranks third on the team with 192 yards. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs leads the team with 239 yards. Quarterback Jeff Sims is second, with 200 yards on 26 carries.
Jackets offensive coordinator Dave Patenaude loves the growth of Smith since he’s arrived at Tech.
“For a smaller guy, he’s very tough, elusive, hard to tackle and he bangs off of people,” Patenaude said. “He’s really grown.”
One part of Smith’s growth is his ability to understand his role and different parts of the game.
“The thing I love about his game is that his maturity has grown since he’s got here,” Patenaude said. “He really understands the blocking schemes, how to set runs up, who’s coming up off linebackers, where the fits are and how the defense is trying to plan.”
Patenaude states that Smith would “look lost” at times when he was on the field last season, but said the game has come to him as he’s matured.
“He’s much more natural, especially in pass protection,” Patenaude said. “I’m really happy with his progress.”
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