Georgia Tech defensive coordinator Ted Roof said it’s still too early to name a starter at strong safety, middle linebacker and outside linebacker, but the picture is becoming clearer.
Corey Griffin and Lawrence Austin are competing at safety, senior Chase Alford and sophomore Brant Mitchell at middle linebacker and junior Terrell Lewis and redshirt freshman David Curry at outside linebacker.
Coach Paul Johnson said that Mitchell and Lewis are “probably running with the ones,” but that the competition between Lewis and Curry “will go on all year when you have guys like that.”
Roof said that Alford is working at all of the linebacker positions so that he can get on the field.
Johnson said he hopes that, after another year in the system, Mitchell understands the defense better and will have a better season. Mitchell started three games as part of playing in 12. He had 36 tackles. Alford played in 12 games, finishing with 11 tackles.
Lewis played in 12 games last season, with seven tackles. He played mostly on special teams. Lewis suffered an undisclosed injury in camp.
“He’s bounced back and getting into the swing of things,” Roof said.
Roof described the competition between Griffin and Austin as a good battle. Griffin played in 11 games last season, with one start as a free safety against Pittsburgh. Austin played in 12 games with nine starts at nickel back.
“There’s not a lot of separation there right now,” Roof said. “One of those guys has to pry themselves away from the other guy.”
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