A.J. Gray stands out in Georgia Tech special teams scrimmage

ATLANTA -- Georgia Tech held a special teams scrimmage Saturday morning that focused on kickoffs, returns, extra points and punts.

“There wasn’t anything that stood out, but that’s why you do it, so you see what you need to work on,” Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson said.

One player Johnson singled out was freshman A.J. Gray, who had a couple of tackles on special teams. The former Washington County standout likely will play as a freshman. In addition to special teams, the 2014 Georgia High School Player of the Year is also competing for time at safety.

WHO WILL REDSHIRT?

The coaching staff is in the process of deciding which members of the incoming freshman class will play and which will receive redshirts. The strong recruiting class is expected to produce many potential contributors, among them Gray, B-back Marcus Marshall, A-back Mikell Lands-Davis, receiver Brad Stewart, offensive lineman Will Bryan, linebacker Victor Alexander and defensive linemen Kyle Cerge-Henderson and Anree Saint-Amour. Georgia Tech played nine true freshmen last season.

GETTING CLOSE

The Yellow Jackets have only seven more practices before the season opener Sept. 3 against Alcorn State. The players will practice Monday through Thursday and get into some “game-type stuff” Thursday. They’ll get next weekend off.

“It’ll be here before you know it,” Johnson said.

This story was originally published August 22, 2015 at 4:39 PM with the headline "A.J. Gray stands out in Georgia Tech special teams scrimmage ."