Claytor big part of underclassmen surge for Tech

ATLANTA -- The plan for Nick Claytor coming into the 2008 Georgia Tech football season was for the former Gainesville High School standout to gain experience as the backup to one of the best offensive linemen in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

And that plan seemed to be well on its way midway through the season, as Yellow Jacket left tackle Andrew Gardner was well on his way to a second straight All-ACC season. That plan took a drastic detour, however, after Tech's Nov. 1 game against Florida State, when Gardner opted for season-ending shoulder surgery.

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