Tillman Feels Good About Tech's Defensive Backfield in 2022

Travares Tillman is one of several new members of Georgia Tech’s coaching staff for 2022. He is in charge of the Yellow Jackets defensive backs. As he spoke at a mid-August Tuesday morning preseason press conference, Tillman was gazing out onto the same field on which he starred for the Yellow Jackets a generation ago. He was a 3-year starter, and an all-ACC performer who was team captain his senior year in 1999.

Among his  outstanding qualities was Tillman’s ability to play–and play well–at any position in Tech’s secondary. When asked if he has seen anyone among his current troops who reminded him of himself, Tillman smiled and demurred. “I’m not going to answer that right now,” he said with a quick laugh. But he followed that up by saying that he’s always looking for versatility and “I do have some guys who can play multiple positions back there and that’s what i look for”.

Tillman went on to say that he is encouraged by the group’s competitiveness and work ethic. He also made it clear that the roles and the pecking order in his secondary are yet to be decided. ” I’m still evaluating each position”, he said, while praising the work habits of the group at large.

Tech’s pass defense must improve if the team is to win more games in 2022. Last year’s statistics bear out what the fans saw too often– coverage breakdowns, with big plays given up with regularity. Tech allowed opponents a 65% completion percentage, giving up nearly 10 yards per attempt and coming up with only 3 interceptions in 12 games. These lackluster results were pinned on issues with communication within the secondary, something players and coaches say will be better this year with Tillman overseeing both corners and safeties.

One way or the other, the deep group must perform better if Tech is to begin to climb back toward the type of success Tillman and teammates enjoyed under George O’Leary in the late ’90s. He finished his time at Tech with three successive winning seasons before entering the NFL in 2000, being drafted by Buffalo in the 2nd round.

Patrick Conarro

RamblinSports.com