Georgia Tech’s starters at inside linebacker likely will be Brant Mitchell and David Curry, with freshman Quez Jackson and sophomore Bruce Jordan-Swilling backing them up. Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson seems to be good with the four, but acknowledged that “there’s just not a lot of depth” beyond that.
Johnson praised Mitchell for his play this preseason and noted that he fits the defensive scheme of new defensive coordinator Nate Woody because of his ability to play a physical style in a “downhill” mode.
“And he’s kind of taken the leadership role and taken the bull by the horns,” Johnson said of Mitchell, voted a captain with quarterback TaQuon Marshall in January. “I expect that he’ll have a good year.”
Curry, who has been competing with Jordan-Swilling at the weakside linebacker position, also had a good camp, Johnson said.
“He’s done some good things,” Johnson said. “JaQuez has done some good things. You’ve got Bruce in there, who’s a good athlete. He needs to be consistent.”
Jordan-Swilling is still learning the position after playing running back in high school. Johnson said he is “tentative at times.”