Unlike last offseason, the Georgia Tech defensive line suffered no unexpected attrition this summer, and even gained two players who were ineligible last season. It’s given line coach Mike Pelton depth that he isn’t accustomed to handling.
In preseason practices, Pelton has assembled the line into four strings.
“I never had that here,” said Pelton, beginning his third season with the Yellow Jackets. “We struggled to have two last year.”
The number of players competing for playing time has added a new dynamic for the Jackets, who completed their fourth day of practice Tuesday. After returning starters KeShun Freeman and Adam Gotsis at rush end and defensive tackle, respectively, and then expected regulars Patrick Gamble, Jabari Hunt-Days and Rod Rook-Chungong, returnees like Tyler Stargel, Francis Kallon, Antonio Simmons and Tyler Merriweather are hunting for practice repetitions and playing time. That does not include transfer Kenderius Whitehead and freshmen Anree Saint-Amour, Brentavious Glanton and Trent Sellers.
“We’ve got competition,” Pelton said. “They’re eager to learn.”
Stargel said Tuesday that he is in the best shape of his life. Pelton has high expectations for Kallon to be productive enough to join the tackle rotation.
“Still a long way to go,” Pelton said of the group. “But they’re putting in work. That’s all you can ask.”
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