Georgia Tech’s 2027 class got its senior year underway over the weekend, and the early returns were encouraging for the Yellow Jackets. With the high school season now rolling, four commits showed why that group sits among the best in the ACC.
Antwan Lockett wasted no time making his presence felt, even in a tough road loss to defending state champion Thomas County Central. The offense looked sharper when the ball went his way, and one third-quarter sequence made that clear.
On a drive where the Packets kept feeding Lockett, he was targeted on three straight plays and helped push the offense into opponent territory before capping it with a touchdown catch. He was a problem on the perimeter all night, using his speed, quickness and route running to stress the defense.
Joshua Sam-Epelle also helped power a productive offense, even though Douglas County came up short in double overtime against Newton on Saturday night. The Tigers still posted 303 yards of total offense and rushed for 157 yards at 6.8 yards per carry.
Justin Spivey led the ground game with five carries for 74 yards, and Sam-Epelle played a major role in creating those lanes. He brings a physical presence up front, and that strength showed in how the run game was able to operate.
Justin Weeks spent his night working against one of the nation’s most dangerous backs and held up well in the trenches. Kevin Hartsfield, the consensus No. 1 running back in the 2028 class, still finished with 200 rushing yards, but Douglas County forced a fumble and limited him in the first half.
Weeks did his part by staying disciplined in his gaps and helping force runs back inside. The three-star pass rusher should keep climbing as the season develops.
Cole Crawford turned in the cleanest stat line of the bunch in a 48-0 win over Hiram. The linebacker finished with seven tackles, three QB hurries and a tackle for loss, giving Georgia Tech fans another strong opening-week look at a player who is always around the football. Crawford’s ability to line up in different spots and still make plays stands out, and his feel for the game, combined with the way he strikes and drives downhill, makes him a tough player to handle.
In Other News...
Georgia Tech Could Catch Tennessee In A Risky Early QB Spot
Tennessee has made its call at quarterback, naming freshman Faizon Brandon the starter for the season opener against Furman after he beat out sophomore George MacIntyre. Brandon arrived with plenty of buzz as a highly rated recruit, and his strong offseason scrimmage work was enough to push him to the front of the line as the Volunteers prepare for a schedule that gets tougher fast once SEC play arrives.
For Georgia Tech, the interesting part is not just who Tennessee chose, but how much is now riding on a young quarterback stepping into a demanding spot right away. The Volunteers do bring back experienced help around him on the offensive line and at the skill positions, which should ease the transition, but early-season quarterback situations can still be volatile in a hurry. If Brandon settles in quickly, Tennessees offense may have found its path, and if not, this is the sort of opening that can create ripple effects later in the year. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Tech's Tight End Pecking Order Just Took An Interesting Turn
Fall camp is in the books for Georgia Tech, and the Yellow Jackets head into the Colorado opener with a tighter feel around one of the offenses most important position groups. Among the tight ends, Chris Corbo has become a notable presence after working back from a spring injury, and his return has added both stability and experience to a room that also includes Kevin Roche Jr. and Gavin Harris.
Corbos emergence matters because Georgia Tech has been looking for reliable production and leadership at tight end, and he has started to provide both as camp wrapped up. With the season about to begin, his role should carry real weight in an offense that will lean on its tight ends for more than just blocking, even as the rest of the pecking order continues to settle. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Tech May Be Getting A Bigger Tight End Boost Than Expected
Kevin Roche arrived at Georgia Tech last season as a freshman tight end and saw only limited action, but the spring and offseason gave him a chance to make a quieter kind of leap. Working with tight ends coach Nathan Brock and offensive coordinator George Godsey, Roche focused on the parts of the position that often decide whether a young player stays on the field: blocking technique, footwork and strength.
The early signs are encouraging because Roche did not have to go through the adjustment alone. Senior teammates helped bring him along, and the extra work has left him more confident heading into his second season. For a Georgia Tech offense that values tight end contribution in more than just name value, Roche now looks like a player who could offer more than expected. [Read more 🡒]