Georgia State linebacker Joseph Peterson has led the team in tackles each of the past three years. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

Continuing to mix things up, I thought I’d do a look-ahead to Georgia State’s August camp in a different format, A-to-Z:

I’ll continue to post one letter a day on the blog for the next 26 days:

Today is …

P is for Peterson

The bearded one has led the team in tackles each of the past three years from his spot at linebacker and was recently named to the Sun Belt’s preseason all-conference team.

Though slightly undersized in past seasons, Peterson is extremely effective because he has knack for being around the ball. That knack can be traced back to his knowledge of Jesse Minter’s defender.

Peterson is the leader of the defense and a team leader.

It will be interesting to see if Peterson continues to play the number of snaps he has in the past. He missed two games last year because of injury.

The team signed several linebackers, throw in returners Trey Payne and Niemus Bryant, among others, and the battles for those positions and playing time will be interesting.