A Georgia Tech player who bears watching in spring practice is linebacker Terrell Lewis, who played 11 games last season, mostly in a special-teams role. Lewis, a sophomore, is a backup at outside linebacker.

Lewis said his goals for the spring are to become a more physical player and become more confident and knowledgeable in the Tech defense.

“Being physical and knowing the defense kind of goes hand in hand for me,” he said, “because I’m a little hesitant when I don’t know what I’m doing. So when I know what I’m doing, that’ll help me become more physical, help me become a better overall player.”

Former Tech linebacker Quyshawn Nealy picked him out as a young player who could take steps forward this spring.

“He can run, he’s a physical player and he has good instincts,” Nealy said.

Arriving last summer, Lewis didn’t have much opportunity to learn the defense, as he played on the scout team during the season. Going through his first spring is giving him the chance to learn the defense from the ground up again.

“He’s got some ability, but he’s got to show that he can learn what to do and be accountable and be reliable and be physical and be aggressive with it,” defensive coordinator Ted Roof said. “He’ll certainly have his chances this spring.”

Information that may not be terribly important: Lewis wants to trade out of his No. 52 jersey.

Said Lewis, "I'd love to get 7, but I'm probably not going to get it. We'll see at the end of spring ball."