Georgia Tech offensive lineman Jake Whitley has been placed on medical scholarship, meaning his playing career has ended. Fellow offensive lineman Chris Griffin took part in the team’s first day of practice Thursday, a first step in trying to play after an ACL tear in the 2015 offseason.
Coach Paul Johnson said in the spring that Whitley was suffering from headaches. At the ACC Kickoff in Charlotte, N.C., in July, Johnson was not sure about Whitley’s playing future. On Thursday, Johnson provided the answer, saying Whitley was going to be given a medical scholarship. He will not count against the team’s 85-scholarship limit.
Whitley arrived as a freshman in 2014 and played in one game, in 2015, as a redshirt freshman. Griffin tried to come back in the spring from his ACL injury after sitting out the 2015 season, but ultimately was held out.
“We’re in shorts and helmets (Thursday), but he got through practice,” Johnson said of Griffin. “Chris is a tough guy, he’s trying to push through. It’s going to be a process for him because he’s been out for a while. So we’ll see how he does in a day or two. That’s going to be the big question.”
Griffin, who started seven games in 2014 as a redshirt freshman, could provide needed depth and competition at offensive tackle. The first-string tackles, Trey Klock and Eason Fromayan, have a combined four starts.
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