Tech’s Griffin vows to be ready for Chick-fil-A Bowl

One of Georgia Tech’s best run-stoppers vowed Friday that he’ll be back for the Chick-fil-A Bowl.

Outside linebacker Sedric Griffin, who sprained a left knee ligament on Nov. 20 against Miami, is going through full practices this week. Griffin, a junior, is listed as probable and said he expects to start.

“It’s feeling pretty good now; I’m just trying to get my legs back strong,” said Griffin, who ranks fourth on the team with 51 tackles. “I’m not 100 percent, but I’m game ready.”

Griffin (5-11, 239) collided with cornerback Rashaad Reid on a blitz in the first half during the 41-23 victory against Miami. He did not return and also missed the regular-season finale against Georgia.

The injury has slowed Griffin’s explosiveness, but he’s improving daily. Coaches have said Griffin is Tech’s most consistent linebacker.

Griffin’s return would help the Jackets as they try to stop LSU’s Charles Scott, who has run for 15 touchdowns. Scott ranks third in the SEC with 1,109 rushing yards and averages 5.5 yards a carry.

“He’s a powerful, downhill runner,” Griffin said of Scott, a 5-11, 233-pound junior. “If you try to arm tackle him, he’ll run through you. My objective is to make him more lateral, get him out of his comfort zone and to the sideline. If you get him downhill, his pads square to the line, he’s pretty tough to take down.”

Team’s GPA improves from ‘07

The football team’s grade-point average has improved from 2.52 a year ago to 2.68, with 40 percent of the Jackets earning a 3.0 GPA or higher.

“This speaks well of our players and coaching staff,” coach Paul Johnson said. “We have stressed academics from the beginning, and we think we can see those numbers go higher in the future.”

Center Dan Voss and defensive tackle Vance Walker said a change in policy under Johnson likely has helped. Johnson has made class attendance mandatory for all players. Previously, full attendance was mandatory only for players under a certain GPA.

Overall, Georgia Tech athletes posted a GPA of 2.89 for the fall semester, and 31 athletes earned degrees last weekend. Among them were 13 current or former football players, including defensive tackle Darryl Richard, who got his MBA.

The others were Jonathan Cox, Tyler Davis, David Folkner, Andrew Gardner, Andrew Gause, James Liipfert, Jacob Lonowski, Avery Roberson, Andrew Smith, Austin Smith, Levi Walls and Bret White.

One more practice before the break

The Jackets will practice Saturday morning before leaving for Christmas break. They’ll return to practice Dec. 26, then check into the Atlanta Marriott Marquis in advance of the Dec. 31 Chick-fil-A Bowl.

— Staff writer Ken Sugiura contributed to this report.