Georgia Tech’s offense has been one of the ACC’s most dangerous over the last three seasons, and the Yellow Jackets are still built around the run. But the passing game has done enough to keep defenses honest, and that balance is what they’re trying to preserve heading into 2026.
The problem is that the wide receiver room looks like the biggest question mark on the roster.
Georgia Tech is replacing Malik Rutherford, Eric Rivers, Dean Patterson, Isiah Canion, Bailey Stockton, and Zion Taylor from last year’s team, and the portal only brought in two additions. That leaves a group with very little proven production and a whole lot of uncertainty.
Jordan Allen is the lone returning receiver who caught a pass last season, and he may be ready for a bigger role. He brings speed, versatility, and some real promise after flashing as a freshman. In 2026, he’s expected to be the top target for Alberto Mendoza and a useful weapon for George Godsey.
The Yellow Jackets also made a notable position switch in the spring, moving former Top 100 recruit Dalen Penson from cornerback to wide receiver. His speed should translate well on that side of the ball, and he looks like a player who could matter right away.
Georgia Tech will also lean heavily on Elon transfer Isaiah Fuhrmann, who was one of the best receivers in the FCS last season. He gives the room something it badly needs: size and experience. With so little established depth around him, Fuhrmann may have to be a major piece if the passing game is going to hold up.
Fuhrmann and Allen project as the top two options, while Penson should get every chance to work his way onto the field.
The other transfer in the mix is Jaiven Plummer, who arrives after stops at Cal. The 6'3, 215-pound receiver hasn’t put up much career production, but he’ll have a shot to break through.
There’s also a real chance the freshmen get pushed into action quickly. Darnell Collins, Jeffar Jean-Noel, J.J.
Winston, Kentrell Davis, and Isaac Obrokta all have opportunities to play early. Jean-Noel has the speed to create problems, while Collins and Davis both bring the kind of 6'3 frame Georgia Tech needs on the outside.
Rahkeem Smith didn’t see much of the field after transferring from Bowling Green, but he’s still in the picture.
Then there’s the group of redshirt freshmen and sophomores who could finally get extended run. Evan Haynes, Cal Faulkner, and Debron Gatling didn’t play last season, but they’ll have a chance to change that in 2026. Haynes and Gatling stood out in the spring and appeared to build good chemistry with Mendoza, which gives them a path to meaningful snaps if that carries over.
Alabama transfer Jaylen Mbakwe adds another layer of intrigue. Georgia Tech wants him at cornerback this season, and that’s still the best fit for him, but if the receivers don’t emerge, the staff may have to get creative. Mbakwe’s athleticism and speed could make him a gadget option on offense if needed.
So the Jackets have bodies, speed, and a few intriguing pieces. What they don’t have is certainty.
Can Allen or Fuhrmann become true No. 1 receivers? Will the freshmen be ready?
Those are the questions hanging over the room, and new receivers coach Jaffar Williams has plenty to sort through this fall.
In Other News...
Georgia Tech Needs A Freshman Wideout To Emerge Fast
Georgia Techs 2026 receiver class arrives with a little of everything, which is exactly what the Yellow Jackets need as they keep searching for a freshman who can help sooner rather than later. Darnell Collins brings the kind of frame that can translate quickly if he adds more size, Jeremy Winston offers another developmental option, Kentrell Davis comes in with a reputation for making plays after the catch, and Jeffar Jean-Noel adds the kind of speed that can stress a defense in a hurry.
Collins looks like the best bet to carve out the biggest role in year one, but the path for any of these newcomers will depend on how quickly they adjust once fall camp starts. Jean-Noels fastest route onto the field may come through special teams, where he could help change field position if he wins over the staff, while Davis has the sort of production profile that suggests there is more to his game than just being another young receiver in the room. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Tech Has One Defensive Issue That Could Define 2026
One of the biggest reasons Georgia Techs defense never quite settled in last season was what happened after first and second down. The Yellow Jackets struggled to get off the field, and opponents too often extended drives with third-down conversions, leaving the defense stuck in long stretches and putting extra pressure on the rest of the team. That kind of issue can quietly shape an entire season, especially for a program trying to build consistency on that side of the ball.
There is at least a clearer plan for 2026. New coordinator Jason Semore is expected to bring a more aggressive approach on third down, leaning into added pass-rush depth and a defense that attacks instead of waiting for mistakes. Better tackling will also matter, because even a decent rush plan can unravel if ball carriers keep slipping past the first defender. The new look should also give the cornerbacks more chances to play in space, with Jaylen Mbakwe and Jonas Duclona among the players who could fit that style well. [Read more 🡒]