Georgia Tech’s first fall camp scrimmage gave the Yellow Jackets their clearest look yet at where the roster stands, and the answer on offense was mostly stability. The projected starting lineup did not move much after scrimmage No. 1, with Alberto Mendoza still positioned to lead the way at quarterback and Justice Haynes set at running back.
The offense, at least for now, looks like this: Alberto Mendoza at QB, Justice Haynes at RB, Jordan Allen and Isaiah Fuhrmann at receiver, Gavin Harris and Chris Corbo at tight end, Ethan Mackenny at left tackle, Kevin Peay Jr at left guard, Joseph Ionata at center, Malachi Carney at right guard, and Jameson Riggs at right tackle.
Mendoza has separated himself in fall camp and is expected to be the starter, but the real quarterback question now is the backup job. That battle is still open, and the final week of camp should decide who backs up the Yellow Jackets this season.
Running back remains the deepest spot on the offense. Haynes and Malachi Hosley are the names drawing the most attention, but J.P.
Powell, Trelain Maddox, and Shane Marshall are also in the mix. It continues to look like the strongest unit on that side of the ball.
Receiver still needs sorting out behind the top two. Allen and Fuhrmann should open as the primary options, while Debron Gatling, Dalen Penson, the four freshmen, Jaiven Plummer, and Rahkeem Smith are all competing for snaps. Of that group, Penson appears to have the best shot to become a real factor this season.
Tight end should be a steady part of the offense too. The exact order matters less there because Georgia Tech expects to use all four of its top options - Harris, Corbo, Spencer Mermans, and Kevin Roche Jr - throughout the season.
Up front, the line is still coming together, but a first group is beginning to emerge. Mackenny has drawn praise for his leadership, Peay Jr has locked into the left guard spot, Ionata is at center, and the right side remains a work in progress with Carney and Markell Samuel battling at right guard and Riggs holding down right tackle. The right side is worth watching closely.
Defensively, Georgia Tech’s projected front seven and secondary also came into sharper focus. The expected starters are Noah Carter and Jordan Walker at end, Tawfiq Thomas and Vincent Carroll-Jackson at tackle, Kyle Efford and E.J. Lightsey at linebacker, Jaylen Mbakwe and Jonas Duclona at corner, Kelvin Hill at nickel, Tae Harris at free safety, and Savion Riley at strong safety.
There should be plenty of rotation up front, where Georgia Tech sees real depth. Christian Garrett and Christian Speakman are two interior players to keep an eye on, while Amontrae Bradford, Taje McCoy, and Jordan Boyd are among the edge names to follow.
Freshman Braylon Outlaw has been making noise at linebacker and is playing well in camp, though he is not expected to start in Week 1 against Colorado. He should still be in the rotation mix.
In the secondary, Mbakwe and Duclona look like immediate-impact transfers, and they’ll be paired with a group that brings experience of its own. Zachary Tobe, Daiquan White, Jon Mitchell, and freshman Jaedyn Terry are all names to know.
Safety is less experienced, but there is talent there. Harris has had a strong camp, Riley appears likely to start next to him, and Fenix Felton, Chris Hewitt Jr, and Kealan Jones are all players to watch.
With 19 days left before the opener against Colorado, Georgia Tech is still sorting out several spots. Wide receiver depth, the line of scrimmage, and the secondary all remain areas to watch, and depth across nearly every position is still unsettled.
The Yellow Jackets will return to practice on Monday, and another scrimmage is scheduled for next Saturday before the focus shifts fully to Colorado.
In Other News...
Georgia Tech Freshmen Are Pushing For Real Roles Before Colorado
Georgia Techs receiver room is getting an unusually young look in fall camp, with four true freshmen drawing real attention as the Jackets sort out who can help right away. Darnell Collins, Coi Jean-Noel, J.J. Winston and Kentrell Davis are all being evaluated as potential contributors, and receivers coach Jafar Williams has pointed to the groups progress since camp opened. Returner Debron Gatling has also noticed the work the newcomers are putting in, a sign that this is more than just early practice enthusiasm.
The next few days should tell the staff even more, with the first scrimmage coming up and the season opener against Colorado less than three weeks away. For a team looking to build depth and add playmaking at receiver, the freshmens development has become one of the more intriguing camp storylines, especially with the group getting coaching help along the way from former NFL player DeAndre Hopkins. How much of that progress shows up in live work is the part Georgia Tech is still waiting to learn. [Read more 🡒]
Georgias Biggest Preseason Question Will Sound Familiar To Georgia Tech Fans
Greg McElroys preseason list had Georgia tucked into a familiar spot near the top, but the reasoning behind it sounded a lot like the kind of offseason debate Georgia Tech fans have heard before. He called the Bulldogs the safest team in his top 10, then pointed to the offense as the real question mark, with quarterback Gunner Stockton, backs Nate Frazier and Chauncey Bowens, and a young receiver room carrying much of the load into the fall.
Georgia lost several receivers and added one transfer in Isiah Canion as it tries to sharpen an offense that also needs to keep pace with a defense expected to remain sturdy. The schedule wont give the Bulldogs much time to ease in, either, with Oklahoma, Alabama and Ole Miss all waiting, which only raises the stakes on how quickly the passing game comes together. [Read more 🡒]