Before Saturday morning, Georgia Tech guard Chris Griffin’s last full-contact action was in the Yellow Jackets’ Orange Bowl win over Mississippi State in Dec. 2014. Fifteen months later, Griffin was back in full pads and taking on defenders, the end of a long layoff due to a torn ACL last offseason. He missed last spring practice and the 2015 season.
“It felt good,” Griffin said. “A little soreness. Nothing unexpected.”
Griffin is practicing with the first-string offensive line at a new position. As a redshirt freshman in 2014, he started seven games and played 13 at offensive tackle. He was moved inside to guard this spring. Upper-body strength gains should help him handle the rigors of interior line play. His bench-press max is about 400 pounds. During his redshirt-freshman season, he said his max was “only 325. Not much.”
Griffin said that guard is more physical than tackle, but had no complaints.
“Anytime you make a position change, you have a little bit to learn, but for the most part, I’m good,” he said. “I’ve just got to keep picking it up as we go and get there.”
As of Saturday, the first-string line consisted of Will Bryan and Trey Klock at the tackles, Andrew Marshall and Griffin at the guard spots and walk-on Michael Muns at center. Center Freddie Burden, a two-year starter, is sitting out the spring after hand surgery earlier in the offseason.
Griffin suffered the injury playing basketball, landing awkwardly after a layup attempt.
“No more basketball, let’s put it that way,” he said.
About the Author
