Saturday’s matchup with Duke gives Georgia Tech a few names worth tracking closely, and the Yellow Jackets’ most important chances may come from a familiar trio.
Start with Roche Jr, the sophomore tight end who has settled in as TE1 for Georgia Tech in 2026. He’s been one of the offense’s steadiest pieces, especially as a target working the middle of the field.
Roche Jr is tied for the team lead in receptions with 18, and his season line sits at 18 catches for 200 yards, a 11.1-yard average per grab. The big play hasn’t fully arrived yet, but the production has been there week after week.
Against a Duke defense ranked No. 56 against the pass, the matchup points toward more room to operate inside. The expectation here is that this is the game where he finally finds the end zone.
The projected stat line: eight catches for 90 yards and two touchdowns.
Georgia Tech could also get a bigger lift from Maddox after his career performance against Stanford and with Malachi Hosley ruled out for Saturday. That combination should push his role upward, and the veteran back has already shown he can make an impact even in limited snaps.
Injuries have interrupted his career, but he’s still been a reliable playmaker and one of the more versatile options on the roster. He can block, run, catch, and deliver big plays, which makes him a useful answer whenever the Yellow Jackets need a mismatch on the field.
Maddox described the approach to his own growth this way: “Well, you never want to be put in a box or put yourself in a box. So, in the offseason, you go into it and you're like, "Okay, I'm good at catching, but I'm not good at running in the A gap. So, you just look at your weaknesses or the things that you're not as strong at, and you make sure you go in, perfect those, and then become all well-rounded, and that ultimately helps the team with blocking, passing, running, wherever you can help out,” said Maddox.
On defense, Georgia Tech gets a major boost with CB1 returning after missing several games because of a scary head injury. Mbakwe took his time, used the bye week, and comes back ready to help.
His tackling stands out immediately: he owns a 76.7 tackling grade from Pro Football Focus this season, and he’s been especially dependable in open-field and perimeter situations. That matters with Nate Sheppard on the other side.
Mbakwe has also flashed in coverage, adding a pass defensed in limited action this season. Georgia Tech has had issues with tackling and pass defense, so getting him back gives the Yellow Jackets a real lift as they try to make a push for the upset.
In Other News...
Georgia Tech Finally Got The Kind Of Win Fans Needed
Georgia Tech finally had the kind of afternoon its fans have been waiting on, edging Duke 25-21 for its first FBS win since November. It was the sort of game the Yellow Jackets had to survive more than style their way through, with the offense keeping them in range and the defense spending much of the second half trying to find a stop when it mattered most.
Trelain Maddox gave Georgia Tech the spark it needed, and the late scoring drive helped put the Jackets in position to escape with a much-needed victory. Duke still had one last chance to turn the game around, and for a few tense moments in the closing seconds it looked like the result could swing the other way before the final decision in the kicking game settled it. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Tech Finally Got The Win Fans Desperately Needed
Georgia Tech finally got the kind of result it had been chasing, beating Duke 28-25 at Bobby Dodd Stadium to notch its first win over a Power 4 opponent since Nov. 15, 2025. The victory lifted the Yellow Jackets to 2-3 overall and 1-1 in ACC play, a needed step for a team trying to steady itself after an uneven start.
The game came down to the sort of late moments that have defined plenty of close conference matchups for Tech in recent years, with the Yellow Jackets finding just enough offense and defense to hold on. It was the kind of win that can change the mood around a program, and for Georgia Tech, it arrived with the added relief of knowing the breakthrough came against a familiar ACC foe on its home field. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Tech Faces A Dangerous Problem Up Front Against Duke
Georgia Tech heads into the Duke game with a final availability report that gives the Yellow Jackets a better feel for some spots while leaving others unsettled. Jameson Riggs, Kyle Efford, and Vincent Carroll-Jackson are expected back in the lineup, and Jaiven Plummer along with Trae Stevenson Jr. are listed as game-time decisions, giving the staff a little flexibility as it sorts through the late-week roster picture.
Up front, though, the concern is harder to miss. Georgia Tech will be without defensive ends Jordan Walker, Noah Carter and A.J. Hoffler, and left tackle Ethan Mackenny is also out, forcing backups into significant roles on a line that has to hold up against Duke. The availability report at least narrows the mystery before kickoff, but it still leaves the Yellow Jackets carrying real risk where depth is usually tested most. [Read more 🡒]