April 12, 2005
ATLANTA–Georgia Tech defensive tackle Darryl Richard, injured in last Saturday’s scrimmage, likely will miss the 2005 season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
Richard, a rising sophomore from Destrehan, La., was projected to start on the Yellow Jackets’ defensive line. He has not previously been redshirted.
The 6-4, 289-pounder played in all 12 games for the Jackets last fall, starting four. He collected 14 tackles with seven tackles for loss, including four quarterback sacks. His playing time increased as the season progressed, and he finished the season with two sacks, including one for a safety, in Tech’s victory over Syracuse in the Champs Sports Bowl.
Tech’s defensive line had already been thinned with senior starting defensive end Travis Parker (shoulder) and redshirt freshman backup defensive tackle David Brown (mononucleosis) both missing spring practice.
Richard’s injury should mean more playing time for redshirt freshman Elris Anyaibe. Tech also returns two-time all-ACC defensive end Eric Henderson and starting defensive tackle Joe Anoai, as well as sophomore defensive end Adamm Oliver, who has worked with the starting unit in Parker’s absence. Another promising young player is sophomore defensive end Darrell Robertson.
“Elris Anyaibe is the guy that will fill that spot right now, but we’ll have to see,” said Tech head coach Chan Gailey. “He’s quick. Obviously he doesn’t have the experience and he’s not nearly strong as he’s going to be, but he has excellent quickness and he’s a good athlete.”
In their final week of spring drills, the Yellow Jackets held their 12th practice Tuesday. Tech will conclude spring practice with workouts scheduled for Thursday and Friday, followed by Saturday’s scrimmage at 10:30 a.m. at Bobby Dodd Stadium/Grant Field, part of Georgia Tech Sports Day.
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