Georgia Tech defensive end Roderick Rook-Chungong has a word of warning for those below him on the depth chart.
“My mindset is, I’m not letting anybody take the position away from me,” he said. “This is mine and now I’ve got to keep it. That’s how it is.”
Rook-Chungong’s path to a starting position – for Saturday’s season opener against Wofford, at least – has not been direct. Chungong was redshirted as a freshman in 2012, then didn’t play last year when he tore the lateral meniscus in his right knee while stretching at practice in the week leading up to the Miami game.
The last time he played in a game was Nov. 2011, when he was a senior at Good Counsel High in Maryland. He acknowledged there will be rust to knock off. Rook-Chungong will be starting in the first college game he ever plays.
“I think it’s just getting used to the speed of the game because I’ve heard it’s way faster in college,” Rook-Chungong said. “I just have to see for myself. There’s a little rust, but I’ll get used to it real fast.”
His chances to start improved considerably when Jabari Hunt-Days, who had moved from linebacker to rush defensive end in the spring, was declared academically ineligible. In camp, Rook-Chungong out-battled freshman KeShun Freeman for the right to start against Wofford. After a strong spring practice, Freeman started out working with the first-string defense with Rook-Chungong on the second team, but Rook-Chungong eventually overtook Freeman. The two will rotate in games.
“Rod has been really consistent throughout camp,” defensive coordinator Ted Roof said. “We’re pleased with KeShun, but Rod has had a little bit more production during camp, so he’s earned the start.”
Rook-Chungong has continued to rehabilitate his knee, which he said lost range of motion in the grind of camp. But he said Tuesday he felt good. Being able to play after nearly three years can that for one’s health.
“It’s been a long time coming,” he said. “I’m just ready to play.”
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