An injury to Georgia Tech slot receiver Kyric McGowan became an opportunity for freshman Nate McCollum, who seized the opportunity Saturday in the Yellow Jackets’ loss to Pittsburgh.
McCollum, a second-year freshman from Dutchtown High, made his first career start and caught three passes for 49 yards (both career highs), including his first touchdown reception. He benefited from having McGowan as a resource.
“He knows the ins and outs,” McCollum said. “Every time I come on the sideline, I’m asking Kyric, ‘What can I do better? Hey, what about this look? What about that look?’ And he helps me all the way through.”
The touchdown catch was a highlight-reel grab as he ran under an arcing pass from quarterback Jeff Sims and left his feet to make an over-the-shoulder catch, a 44-yarder.
“With a little bit of the sun that was out there, I actually lost it in the sun, and I found it when it was coming down,” McCollum said.
Freshman slot receiver Malik Rutherford also shined. In his second career game, Rutherford caught five passes for 62 yards.
“Those two young guys really filled in very, very well for Kyric,” offensive coordinator Dave Patenaude said. “Went out and made plays.”
McCollum also contributed on special teams, making a tackle on punt coverage and earning the team’s designation as special-teams player of the week.
“Nate McCollum’s a really good player in our program,” coach Geoff Collins said.
He may be a really good player in baseball coach Danny Hall’s program, as well. McCollum, a two-sport star at Dutchtown, came to Tech planning to play baseball, too, but did not play this past spring to focus on football and school. He said he has spoken with Hall and plans to play in the spring.
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