Georgia Tech offensive lineman Chris Griffin will return for his junior season. Griffin did not participate fully in spring practice as he recovered from an ACL tear suffered in the 2015 offseason, and it was unclear at the end of spring practice if he would be able to continue his playing career.
On Tuesday at the ACC Kickoff media event, coach Paul Johnson confirmed that Griffin will go to preseason camp with the team. Johnson was not sure about fellow offensive lineman Jake Whitley, who was held out of spring practice with recurring headaches.
“I don’t know about him,” Johnson said. “We’ll see.”
If he can remain healthy, Griffin will provide needed depth on the offensive line. He started seven games in 2014 as a redshirt freshman at offensive tackle. Tech’s starting offensive tackles on the depth chart — Eason Fromayan at left tackle and Trey Klock at right tackle — have started a combined four games.
Defensive end Antonio Simmons, who left school for the spring semester, has returned to the team, Johnson said. Simmons played in 11 games last season and started three. He will be a junior.
Johnson said that A-back Nate Cottrell, who suffered a knee injury in the 2015 preseason as a freshman, has been cleared to return.
“He’s running, and we’re excited to see him out there,” Johnson said. “We thought he was pretty good before he got hurt a year ago.”
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