This preseason camp is far different than last year’s for Georgia Tech sophomore linebacker Brant Mitchell.
“Last year, I was lost as a ball in high weeds,” Mitchell said Thursday following the Yellow Jackets’ eighth day of preseason practice.
With a full season as a first-year freshman – 12 games and 36 tackles – and spring practice under him, Mitchell feels more comfortable in defensive coordinator Ted Roof’s system.
“This year, I actually have a clue,” Mitchell said. “I think it’s really helping, coming in with the base knowledge to grow upon that and learn the defense better. If you can learn it, you can play faster. That’s my goal.”
Mitchell was a bright spot in Tech’s 3-9 season, showing flashes as a playmaking linebacker. He is competing with Chase Alford for a starting spot.
“He’s a great player,” Mitchell said of Alford. “Competition right now, it’s really healthy. It’s making us push each other. We’re getting better.”
Mitchell is one of a number of players to re-shape his body from last season. Mitchell said he dropped from 241 pounds to 234. He added muscle mass and also dropped 10 pounds of body fat, he said.
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