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* Jonathan Dwyer Conference Call - Transcript -**Audio**
Jonathan Dwyer
Running Back
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
5:11.0-229
Marietta, Georgia
Kell High School
6th Round – 188th Overall
OVERVIEW
In just three seasons at Georgia Tech, Dwyer left the former owner of jersey #21, Calvin Johnson (Detroit Lions) proud that the Yellow Jackets "dusted off" that number for one more season. Much like Johnson did while playing at the University, Dwyer concluded his career with his name etched in the school's record books. He just started 27-of-40 games during his collegiate career, but he made a lasting impression on professional scouts with his performances the last two seasons, as he recorded 1,395 yard rushing seasons in both, which rank fourth on the school season-record list. The Atlantic Coast Conference's second-leading active rusher, Dwyer's 3,226 yards on the ground placed fourth in school annals. In 27 starting assignments, he managed to rush for over 100 yards 17 times, the third-best total in Tech annals. Power is the name of his game, evident by Dwyer's success at moving the chains approaching the end zone. As a junior, he had 45 positive runs inside the red zone, including 21 on goal-line snaps. His 35 career touchdown runs rank second and his 218 points scored rank fifth on Tech's all-time record charts. With his ability as a short-area receiver and handling kickoff return chores earlier in his career, he amassed 3,966 all-purpose yards, the sixth-best career total by a Yellow Jacket.
At Kell High School, Dwyer was regarded as one of the elite prospects in the nation, as he was ranked as the state of Georgia's fifth-best prospect by Scout.com and eighth by Rivals.com. He was a member of Scout.com's Hot 100, Prep Star's Top 100 and Super Prep's Top 100 (rated 144th among running backs) squads, in addition to receiving Parade All-American recognition. The Class AAAAA Offensive Player of the Year and Super Southern 100 pick by the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Dwyer was also a Top 50 in Georgia honoree by the Macon Telegraph, Mobile Press-Register Super Southeast 120 and Orlando Sentinel All-Southern team choice. He received all-state first-team accolades as a senior and was honorable mention during his junior season. In his final campaign, Dwyer rushed for 1,802 yards and 21 touchdowns, as he recorded five games with over 200 yards on the ground, including a career-best 307 vs. Centennial. He also had 23 receptions for 220 yards and three touchdowns, scoring 25 times, including on a 99-yard kickoff return. As a junior, he collected 1,863 yards rushing and 24 touchdowns, adding 22 catches for 202 yards and two scores. The four-star prospect finished his career as the holder of the Cobb County records with 5,565 rushing yards and 71 touchdowns. He also competed on the school's track team, as he finished second in the state in the Class AAAAA 100 meters as a junior. Dwyer was the prized recruit coming out of Georgia Tech's 2007 class. He played in 13 games behind Tashard Choice (Dallas Cowboys) as a true freshman, finishing second on the squad with 436 yards and nine touchdowns on 82 carries (5.32 ypc). He made a pair of catches for 17 yards and spent the bulk of his time returning 14 kickoffs for a 21.86-yard average. His best performance was a 138-yard rushing effort in the Samford clash. With Tashard Choice having graduated, Dwyer literally took the ball and ran with it, all the way to earning All-Atlantic Coast Conference first-team and ACC Offensive Player of the Year honors. He started all 13 games, leading the team with 1,395 yards rushing, the fourth-best season total in school history.
Dwyer ran for 12 touchdowns on 200 chances (6.98 ypc.) as he led the league and finished 21st in the nation with an average of 107.31 yards per game on the ground. He also totaled 209 yards with a score on eight catches (26.13 ypc.) and returned eight kickoffs for 171 yards, as his average of 136.54 all-purpose yards per game was the second-best figure in the conference. As a junior, Dwyer garnered All-American honorable mention and All-ACC first-team honors. The Doak Walker Award semi-finalist was limited early in the season by a shoulder stinger suffered in the Miami clash, but matched his 2008 total of 1,395 yards rushing, ranking third in the conference with an average of 99.64 yards per game on the ground. On 235 carries, he scored 14 times, a total that tied for third on the school season-record list. He finished with 84 points and
102.29 all-purpose yards per game. One of three players in school history to earn Atlantic Coast Player of the Year honors (joined receiver Calvin Johnson in 2006 and quarterback Joe Hamilton in 1999), Dwyer ended his Tech career boasting a rushing average of 6.24 yards. The scoring machine produced at least two touchdowns in 11 games and went over 100 yards rushing 17 times for the Yellow Jackets.
CAREER NOTES
Dwyer played in 40 games at Georgia Tech, starting his last 27 games at the B-Back position…carried 517 times for 3,226 yards (6.24 ypc) and 35 touchdowns, adding 263 yards and a score on 15 receptions (17.53 ypc) and 477 yards on 22 kickoff returns (21.68 avg)…scored 218 points and generated 3,966 all-purpose yards, an average of 99.15 yards per game…ranks 26th in Atlantic Coast Conference history and sixth in Georgia Tech annals with 3,226 yards rushing…his 1,395 yards rushing in both 2008 and 2009 placed fourth on the Tech season-record chart…Dwyer and quarterback Josh Nesbitt (1,037) formed the top rushing tandem in ACC history in 2009, as their total of 2,431 yards topped the previous conference season-record of 2,282 yards by North Carolina's Don McCauley (1,720) and Ike Oglesby (562) in 1970…ran for over 100 yards 17 times during his career…had seven 100-yard rushing performances in 2009, which ranks fifth on the Tech season record list, as his nine 100-yard efforts in 2008 tied Tashard Choice's school season-record that was first set in 2006…ranks eighth on the Yellow Jackets' career-record list with 517 rushing attempts…ran for 35 touchdowns at Tech, ranking behind Robert Lavette (46, 1981-84) in school annals…his 218 points scored placed fifth on Tech's all-time record chart…his 14 touchdown runs in 2009 tied Robert Lavette (1984) and Joe Burns (2001) for fourth on the school season-record list…amassed 3,966 all-purpose yards, the sixth-highest total by a Yellow Jacket.
2009 SEASON
Third-team All-American selection by The NFL Draft Report, adding honorable mention from Sports Illustrated…named All-Atlantic Coast Conference first-team for the second-straight season, as the Doak Walker Award semi-finalist ranked third in the ACC and 24th in the nation with an average of 99.64 yards per game rushing…totaled 102.69 all-purpose yards per game, the sixth-best average in the conference…started all 14 games at the B-Back position…led the team, as he matched his career high from the 2008 season with 1,395 yards on 235 carries, the fourth-best rushing yardage total in a campaign by a Yellow Jacket…his 14 touchdown runs tied for third on the school season-record list…produced 68 first-downs on his 235 attempts, converting 17-of-31 third-down plays (35.42%), as he ran for at least 10 yards on 30 carries, including 14 for 20 yards or longer…gained positive yardage on 45 carries inside the red zone, including 21 on goal-line plays…had key rushing attempts that led to 25 Tech touchdowns and on three other possessions that ended with field goals…it took more than one defender to bring him down on 89 of his rushing attempts, as Dwyer was tackled for a loss on 15 carries and stopped for no gain nine times…rushed for 100 yards seven times in 2009, including five of the last seven contests…Dwyer is the third player in Jacket history, joining Tashard Choice and Robert Lavette, to rush for 1,000 yards in a season two times…added 37 yards on five receptions (7.4 ypc)…gained 1,432 all-purpose yards (102.29 ypg).
2008 SEASON
Dwyer earned All-Atlantic Coast Conference first-team honors and was selected the ACC's Offensive Player of the Year…added All-American first-team honors from Pro Football Weekly…named ACC Player of the Week vs. Boston College by Rivals.com and co-Offensive Back of the Week vs. Miami by the league's coaches…led the team with 1,395 yards on 200 carries, the fourth-best season total by a Yellow Jacket…averaged 6.98 yards per rushing attempt, scoring 12 times on the ground, the seventh-best season total in school annals…his average of 107.31 yards per game on the ground was the seventh-best average in a season by a Tech player and led the ACC while placing 21st in the nation…caught eight passes for 209 yards (26.13 ypc) and a 79-yard touchdown…had eight kickoff returns for 171 yards (21.38 avg)…Amassed 1,775 all-purpose yards, ranking second in the conference with an average of 136.54 yards per game…ran for over 100 yards nine times and had at least one touchdown run in eight contests…turned the ball over three times on fumbles – one vs. Jacksonville State and two vs. Clemson…had 19 rushing attempts for 20 yards or longer and four receptions that gained at least 20 yards.
2007 SEASON
Dwyer played in all 13 games behind Tashard Choice at tailback, earning Freshman All-ACC honors…selected ACC Rookie of the Week vs. Samford…despite not starting any games, he finished second on the team with 436 yards on 82 carries (5.32 ypc), scoring 54 points behind nine touchdown runs…caught two passes for 17 yards and had 14 kickoff returns for 306 yards (21.86 avg)…Ran for over 100 yards in the Samford clash.
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Kell (Marietta, Ga.) High School…ranked as the state of Georgia's fifth-best prospect by Scout.com and eighth by Rivals.com…member of Scout.com's Hot 100, Prep Star's Top 100 and Super Prep's Top 100 (rated 144th among running backs) squads, in addition to receiving Parade All-American recognition…Class AAAAA Offensive Player of the Year and Super Southern 100 pick by the Atlanta Journal Constitution…Top 50 in Georgia honoree by the Macon Telegraph, Mobile Press-Register *Super Southeast 120 and *Orlando Sentinel All-Southern team choice…received all-state first-team accolades as a senior and was honorable mention during his junior season…in his final campaign, Dwyer rushed for 1,802 yards and 21 touchdowns, as he recorded five games with over 200 yards on the ground, including a career-best 307 vs. Centennial…also had 23 receptions for 220 yards and three touchdowns, scoring 25 times, including on a 99-yard kickoff return…as a junior, he ran for 1,863 yards and 24 touchdowns, adding 22 catches for 202 yards and two scores.
PERSONAL
Management major…son of Keely and Tony Dwyer…born Jonathan Avery Dwyer on 7/26/89…resides in Marietta, Georgia.
