Ga Tech Has The Tools; Can They Bring It All Together

The Yellow Jacket football team of Georgia Tech made big strides last season under new Head Caoch Brent Key, and this year they are hoping to continue on that upward trajectory. They are returning a lot of talent on the offense side of the ball, but are going to have to shore up the defense if they don't want to end up in the middle of the pack in the ACC again this year.

They made their first bowl game last year since 2018 and won their first bowl game since 2016. They are on the rise, but will have to face a tough ACC schedule, including opening the season in Dublin, Ireland, against Florida State.

On the offensive side of the ball, they are bringing back four of five on the offensive line to give them good experience up front. They will bring back Ethan Mackenny, Joe Fusile, center Weston Franklin, and Jordan Williams. They are also bringing in transfer Keylan Rutledge, who was an All-Conference guard for Middle Tennessee last season.

The quarterback, Haynes King, will be back to lead to offense. He threw for 2,842 yards, and 737 rushing yards last season with 37 touchdowns. But he threw 16 interceptions on the season, and he is going to have to make a few better decisions if they are wanting to compete for the conference championship.

They will also get back 1,000 yard rusher Jamal Haynes, and leading receivers Eric Singleton, Malik Rutherford, and Brett Seither. Running back Trey Cooley is a fast back that will also be a factor in the passing game for the Jackets.

The defensive front will be anchored by veterans Makius Scott, Kevin Harris and Zeek Biggers. Leading tackler Kyle Efford and Trenilyas Tatum both return at linebacker, and the secondary features safeties LaMiles Brooks and Clayton Powell-Lee and cornerback Ahmari Harvey.

But with that said, that group is going to have to be better than they were last year if they are wanting to make an impact in the ACC. They lost two big pass rushers in Kyle Kennard and D'Quan Douse, and they are going to have to find players to step up.

Biggers and Scott are both nearly 300 lbs. up on the line, and they are going to have to find ways to get in the backfield along with stopping the run. Harris is going to have to come off the end and be a bigger presence for the Jackets this season. He has the size and quickness, but has to find a way to make more plays. They also picked up Romella Height from USC, who they are hoping can be a factor in the pass rush.

At linebacker, Efford and Tatum will lead the way and both made lots of tackles last season. They are also bringing in Jackson Hamilton from Louisville and EJ Lightsey from Georgia that should be in the mix for Tech.

At cornerback, they are looking to Ahmari Harvey to continue to grow, but they are trying to fill a spot on the other side of the defense in that position. They do have two talented safeties in Clayton Powell-Lee and LaMiles Brooks, who will be keys to the Tech defense.

Tech has the run game, they can throw the ball now, but they are going to have to limit turnovers and get better on defense this season if they want to be back in a bowl game. They will have a very tough schedule this year, but if a few things go their way, they could have one of their best seasons in years.

Photo by Pix Photography

VHS Cheerleaders – (L to R, Front): Braylie Davis, Hadleigh Lariscey, Emily Coleman, Rori Johnson, Ava NeeSmith, Ivy Berry, Laina Williams, Nylah Harvey; (Middle): Hillaree Hankerson, Kyndall Dunford, Remi Spell, AnnaBeth Martin, Taylor Cox, Madisyn Corbett, Maleiya Ricks, Haidyn Zachary; (Back): Madisyn Durrance, Myra Mead, Emily Kicklighter, Reagan Burton, Hailey Burton, Addy Lamb, Rayley Brantley, and Kalli Jo Roberson.Photo by Pix Photography