Georgia Tech linebackers Chase Alford and Brant Mitchell’s competition for the starting middle linebacker spot continues to stay close.
“They’re both rotating reps right there,” defensive coordinator Ted Roof said. “One day, it’s Brant. The next day it’s Chase. It’s a good battle.”
Mitchell showed promise as a freshman last season, totaling 36 tackles and two interceptions. Alford, a former walk-on, had 11 tackles, mostly playing on special teams. He was named the team’s special-teams player of the year.
“I want just consistent production, and that’s how we grade it,” Roof said. “They’ve been about the same. It’s been good. It’s been competitive and, like I said, that makes both of them better, which in turn makes everybody better.”
Alford said he has dropped weight and improved his sideline-to-sideline speed.
“I feel like I’ve come a long way, but I’ve still got some improving to do,” Alford said. “We’ve still got 2 1/2 weeks to the (opening) game, so I still make minor mistakes in practice. I’ve got to get all those corrected, for sure.”
David Curry and Terrell Lewis also continue to compete for the starting outside linebacker job in the 4-3 defense. Curry is a redshirt freshman, Lewis mostly played special teams last season as a sophomore. Lewis has missed time with an undisclosed injury.
