Georgia Tech defensive back Domonique Noble made good use of the Yellow Jackets’ 2 ½ weeks of camp. Safety Isaiah Johnson singled him out for having made significant improvement as he challenges for playing time in the secondary.
“He’s really impressed everyone on defense, everyone on the team,” Johnson said following the team’s scrimmage Saturday. “He’s coming up and making plays. He’s still got some work to do, but he’s really impressed everyone.”
Noble, a junior, can give defensive coordinator Ted Roof some versatility with the ability to play safety and nickel back and cornerback. With Johnson and Jamal Golden out last season, Noble made four starts as a sophomore at safety. He was listed behind Demond Smith at the fifth defensive back spot going into camp. He actually was not listed at any spot on the two deep chart released last week.
“Much more sudden (in his tackling), much more physical,” Roof said. “I think he’s committed. Part of it’s just growing up as a player. It happens at different times for different people, but I’ve been real proud of him and the way that he’s worked, the way that he’s gotten better and the way he approaches practice.”
Wide receiver Qua Searcy and linebacker Beau Hankins caught the attention of B-back Zach Laskey. Searcy, a true freshman, has “gone out and made a lot of big plays this camp,” Laskey said. Searcy is in the mix for playing time behind likely starters DeAndre Smelter and Micheal Summers. A spot on special teams seems likely.
Hankins, Laskey said, “has had a really great camp. (Saturday), he was flying around making plays.”
Hankins, who was named the defensive scout team player of the year last season, was listed behind Paul "P.J." Davis on last week's depth chart at weakside linebacker.
