Brant Mitchell said the game is starting to slow down for him after making two starts at linebacker in Georgia Tech’s past two games.
“Good,” defensive coordinator Ted Roof said. “I hope so. At times it looks like it has and at times it’s not.”
Mitchell had a career-high nine tackles at Virginia, following his five solo tackles against Pittsburgh. The Yellow Jackets (3-6, 1-5 ACC) will host Virginia Tech (4-5, 2-3 ACC) on Nov. 12.
“It has been a great experience being out there in two really big games,” Mitchell, a freshman from Knoxville, said.
Mitchell moved into the starting lineup because Roof said he was producing in practices and games, and because the team switched from a 4-2-5 alignment to a 4-3. Should the Yellow Jackets stick with that, Roof said he will continue to start. If they go back to the 4-2-5, Mitchell will likely move into the rotation at linebacker.
Roof said he wants to see Mitchell improve in everything, but that he has a chance to “be a really, really good football player before he is done here. He’s a guy that’s got leadership ability. He’s got the respect.”
Roof said the toughest part of the transition from playing linebacker in high school to college is learning the coverages. He said Mitchell is working to improve in that area.
Because Mitchell is responsible for the reads and setting the front, Mitchell said he is spending more time in the film room with assistant coach Andy McCollum than he did at the beginning of the year when he was a back-up.
He said he is also leaning on upperclassmen Tyler Marcordes and P.J. Davis to learn more about the position.
“Trying to be like a sponge right now,” he said. “I’m trying to take in everything I can, trying to become the best player I can be.”
Gray out: Defensive back A.J. Gray was not available for interviews after Thursday's practice because he is still not practicing.
Gray suffered an injury in the win over Florida State and didn’t play in last week’s loss at Virginia. Gray, a freshman who was a Parade All-American at Washington County High School, has 20 tackles and an interception in eight games this season.
Shaun Kagawa, a freshman, filled Gray’s role last week. He played 8-10 snaps against Virginia. Roof said he needs to improve his tackling.
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