Saturday’s matchup with Stanford gives Georgia Tech a few names worth tracking, and the Yellow Jackets may need all three to keep building momentum.
Start with true freshman linebacker Outlaw, who has already shown plenty in limited chances. His seven tackles only scratch the surface of what he’s brought to the field.
The film shows a player who fits gaps well, attacks downhill, and moves with the kind of athleticism that can matter right away. Pro Football Focus has rewarded that early impact with a 72.4 defensive grade this season and a 71.6 coverage grade.
Most of those numbers came against Mercer, but that kind of production in your first college reps still says plenty. With Georgia Tech’s linebacker group banged up and Kyle Efford listed as questionable on the ACC injury report, Outlaw could be in line for more snaps and a bigger chance to raise his profile.
On offense, Penson looks like a player on the edge of a breakthrough. He has flashed open-field juice already, and Saturday could be the day he finally lands his first career touchdown catch.
He had two 20-yard receptions last week against Mercer, and the expectation is that he’ll keep getting more touches as the offense leans into what he can do. His timing with Alberto Mendoza has become a real factor.
Whenever Georgia Tech needs a spark, Mendoza seems to find Penson. That pairing gets a favorable setup against a Stanford pass defense ranked No.
“Me and Alberto’s connection definitely has grown since I moved over in the winter. You know, we always talking to each other, sending each other texts, you know, trying to figure out different ways on how we can be the most productive as far as us two go and as far as the offense goes as well.
You know, we're always trying to figure out ways after practice to try to clean up some things that maybe we didn't like in practice or some things in the game that we didn't like. Alberto is always texting me things and giving me tips.
Obviously, with me not having as much receiver experience and him being on a national championship team, he knows what it takes to be a championship team. And so, Albert's definitely doing a great job at helping me out as far as helping the rest of the offense out,” said Penson.
Then there’s McCoy, who may be the closest thing Georgia Tech has had to a true game wrecker in the Brent Key era. The Yellow Jackets have had solid defensive linemen like Jordan Van Den Berg, Akelo Stone, and Romello Height, but McCoy brings a different level of disruption.
He turned in one of his best performances last week against Mercer and earned Player of the Week honors for it. With Stanford’s offensive line vulnerable to sacks, he gets another chance Saturday to make his presence felt.
“Taje McCoy, what a pleasant surprise he's been for us as far as productive. The way he plays, the buy-in he has to the football team.
It's crazy when you go out and win a game, how different it is at practice. He's one of those guys that's contagious, the way he plays, and people see it.
They see the positive and the smile he has on his face all the time and how he goes about his business. Guys like that are really starting to rub off and affect others.
It's crazy.
You see that separation: the guys doing things right and the ones that are just going through the motions. Well, now there becomes a gap.
Now they don't have a choice. They either close the gap or get left behind.
But, you know, two TFLs, a sack, the forced fumble. I thought he played really well in the first three games.
He's played very solid for the first three football games. He's been one of the bright spots that I can point out on that side,” said Key.
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