Georgia Tech is closing in on fall camp, and August should give Yellow Jackets fans a clearer picture of what this team can become. There are plenty of spots worth watching, but a handful of names stand out as the ones most likely to make noise once camp opens.
Start with Mendoza, who looks like the kind of quarterback Georgia Tech can build around. He has been described as underrated not only in college football, but in the ACC as well, and the work ethic is part of what makes him stand out.
He has been coming in early, staying late, and bringing an edge that spreads through the roster. The expectation here is that he raises his level in fall camp and shows why he is a franchise quarterback for the Yellow Jackets.
If the spring is any clue, August should be another chance for him to prove it.
The offensive line is another group that should draw plenty of attention, especially after some uneven moments in the spring game. Even so, the feeling is that Georgia Tech will come out of camp with answers there.
Courtlin Heard, Courtney Heard, Markell Samuel, Favour Edwin, Jordan Floyd, and Will Reed give the Yellow Jackets a group with depth, and that matters if injuries hit or if certain packages call for different personnel. The key areas are pass protection and creating more push in the run game.
If those pieces come together, Georgia Tech fans should feel better about what they’re seeing up front.
At wide receiver, the opportunity is wide open enough for someone unexpected to break through. Evan Haynes, Debron Gatling, Jeffar Jean-Noel, Darnell Collins, Chris Elko, Kentrell Davis, Cal Faulkner, Jaiven Plummer and Rahkeem Smith are all names to keep in mind.
Dalen Penson and Isaiah Fuhrmann are expected to contribute, but the bigger storyline may be which unsung player grabs a bigger role. With a likely rotation at the position, there should be chances for someone to step up once the starters come off the field.
Tight end could end up being one of the more dangerous rooms on the roster. Gavin Harris, Kevin Roche Jr, Spencer Mermans, and Chris Corbo all have a chance to make their presence felt, and the group has the kind of combination that can cause problems.
Roche Jr. and Harris already showed what they can do in the spring game and in practice. Corbo and Mermans missed time because of injuries, but they should be healthy for fall camp and ready to show more.
That quartet gives Georgia Tech a real chance to make things uncomfortable for opposing defenses.
One of the more intriguing defensive names is Outlaw, who has already caught the staff’s attention. He looked good in the spring and is expected to be fully available for fall camp.
That doesn’t guarantee a starting job, but it does suggest he could earn reps and work his way into the rotation. Even with a veteran-heavy linebacker room, adding young and athletic players like Outlaw could end up paying off.
J.P Powell is another player who deserves a close look. The running back flashed in the spring with three carries for 68 yards and a touchdown, including a 54-yard score.
Hosley said at ACC media days that the Yellow Jackets would use two running backs in formations this season, and that setup could create more chances for Powell. His explosiveness makes him a threat on the ground, and he also brings value as a pass catcher.
That kind of versatility could make him a real factor.
In the secondary, the sophomore defensive back to watch is Harris. He already showed as a freshman that he can play, and his move toward learning the nickel position only adds to what he can do.
The versatility is the big selling point. Georgia Tech can use him near the line of scrimmage, in short-yardage situations, or chasing plays down in the backfield.
That kind of safety is a difference-maker, and the Yellow Jackets have not had many players with that skill set in a long time.
The freshman cornerback group also has some buzz, especially with Jaedyn Terry and Traeviss Stevenson entering as blue-chip prospects. There are already veterans and two transfer additions in the room, but both freshmen are expected to push for attention in camp. Their talent gives them a chance to carve out roles this season, even if the exact path is still unclear.
On the defensive line, the name that could rise above the rest is Derry Norris Jr. While much of the attention has gone to Tawfiq Thomas, Christian Garrett, and Christian Speakman, Norris may be the one who ends up making the clearest impact.
At 6’4 and 300 pounds, he has the size to help in the run game, which is an important area for Georgia Tech after last season’s struggles against the run. If he can rotate in and hold his own in camp, he could become a real piece for 2026.
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Receiver and the secondary look especially unsettled, with a handful of transfers, returners and freshmen all in the mix as Tech tries to rebuild both playmaking and leadership. The same goes for the offensive line, where several jobs are open enough to keep the competition lively, and for a defense that must replace proven cornerbacks while also figuring out which safeties can seize the moment before the season starts. [Read more 🡒]
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Georgia has stayed involved throughout the process, adding an offer in September and bringing him back for a recent visit in May, while Texas has remained a persistent presence thanks to long-standing ties and repeated trips. For Georgia Tech, the bigger takeaway is how quickly a supposed early win can turn into a crowded chase when a player with Rhodes profile decides to keep his options open. [Read more 🡒]