Freshman Gray likely to see playing time at defensive back

ATLANTA -- There's a pretty good chance that freshman A.J. Gray, the 2014 Georgia High School Player of the Year, won't have his playing time restricted to the Georgia Tech special teams.

The Sandersville product has already distinguished himself on return teams. Now he's starting to get some attention at safety.

"I think he could work himself into some defensive reps," defensive coordinator Ted Roof said. "He runs pretty good for a freshman and he's a good tackler, which I like."

Gray had 10 interceptions and returned four for touchdowns his senior year at Washington County.

"He's still got a long way to go in a short period of time to be ready to play. But he's very conscientious and he works at it and I'm sure he's going to continue to make strides."

The two starting safety spots are set with senior Jamal Golden at free safety and senior Demond Smith at strong safety. Sophomore Lawrence Austin, who played in all 14 games last year, will also have a significant role either at safety or at the nickel.

The first depth chart of the season was released on Friday. At the nickel position it lists Lynn Griffin or Lawrence Austin all square as the starter, with freshman David Curry just behind them. Curry is also listed as No. 2 at linebacker behind Chase Alford, a former walkon who earned a scholarship.

Roof said, "(Curry has) done some good things. He's working at it. I expect him to continue to get better."

That means Gray and sophomores Shawn Kagawa, Corey Griffin and John Marvin are getting extensive looks at safety. Roof is rolling players between both safety positions, making them better able to fill in at either spot.

Kagawa, from Hilo, Hawaii, played in all 14 games last year on special teams. He made big strides in the spring and had three tackles and in interception in the spring game.

Griffin, from Tyrone, played 14 games in 2014 as a redshirt and made one start. He had three tackles in both the Orange Bowl and the ACC Championship game.

Marvin, from Fort Walton Beach, Fla., played in the first eight games of the 2014 season, mostly on special teams, and did not record any stats.

The two cornerback spots are held down by seniors Chris Milton and D.J. White, with Lynn Griffin, Step Durham and Lance Austin as the established backups. But three true freshmen are in the mix there for playing time: Dorian Walker from Kennesaw, Meiko Dotson from Daytona Beach, Fla., and Dante Wigley from Carrollton. Dotson appears to be ahead of the other two.

"They're still deep in the learning process," Roof said. "I don't think any of them are comfortable yet with the techniques and the calls and the speed of the game, but I think they all have a chance to be good players at this level."

Notes: The Yellow Jackets had their final scrimmage of the preseason on Thursday. Coach Paul Johnson said it was primarily used as a rehearsal, "as much for the coaches and new kids, where to line up, game management, where they stand, where they're at. We've got so many guys who haven't played." .

Georgia Tech took Friday and Saturday off. They will return today and begin to work on game preparations for Alcorn State. "I think everybody's ready to play a game," Johnson said.

This story was originally published August 29, 2015 at 5:58 PM with the headline "Freshman Gray likely to see playing time at defensive back ."