With Georgia Tech’s spring practice beginning Monday, we’ll take a look at each position group and how the depth stacks up for the Yellow Jackets. Players will be rated as starting, competing or depth.
With Patrick Gamble, Rod Rook-Chungong and Francis Kallon graduating, there’s openings for younger players to move into on the line. Three of the four spots appear unsettled as spring practice opens.
KeShun Freeman: Starting
A starter since he was a freshman, Freeman goes into his senior season as a player whose effort is unquestioned and has done well in run support, but has yet to become a dynamic pass rusher (1/2 sack in 13 starts last season). If he can use the spring to develop as an edge rusher, it would be a big boost for Ted Roof’s defense.
Brandon Adams: Competing
He played as a freshman and, with his size, could be a tough run-stuffing tackle, but he’ll have to improve his conditioning to stay on the field.
Desmond Branch: Competing
Branch figures to compete at tackle, where he earned increasing playing time at the end of the season.
Kyle Cerge-Henderson: Competing
He’s in position to earn a starting job at tackle after starting six games there last season and playing in the rotation.
Brentavious Glanton: Competing
With Patrick Gamble and Francis Kallon graduated, Glanton has the opportunity to grab a role at defensive tackle. He played in six games last season.
Anree Saint-Amour: Competing
Saint-Amour continued to improve at end as a sophomore, finishing second on the team in sacks with four, mostly playing as a pass-rush specialist.
Antonio Simmons: Competing
Simmons had a big season as a pass-rush threat off the edge, leading the team with 12 hurries. If he can develop as a run-stopper, he could be a star.
Chris Martin: Depth
After redshirting last season, Martin will have to start working his way up the tackle depth chart. As is the case across the depth chart, he’ll have more competition come summer.
Tyler Merriweather: Depth
He’s down on the depth chart — he played in four games last season — but he has a chance to push for playing time at end.
Jordan Woods: Depth
A highly touted signee at end in 2016, he redshirted after a shoulder injury required surgery. His status for spring is unclear.
Incoming freshmen: Cortez Alston, Kelton Dawson, Antwan Owens.
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