Fall camp is here for Georgia Tech, and with it comes the first real look at what the Yellow Jackets might become before they open the season against Colorado in one month. There’s still plenty to sort out, but a few offensive names already stand out as breakout candidates worth tracking.
At quarterback, Mendoza is the most obvious swing piece. He’s set to get his first chance to start at the collegiate level, and the early signs point to real upside.
His limited work with Indiana last season was brief, but it was productive: he completed 18-24 passes and showed both mobility and accuracy. He also appeared to pick up George Godsey’s offense quickly during the spring, with a clear comfort level throwing to the tight ends.
There are still questions, but he looks like a player who could turn into a major difference maker for Georgia Tech.
The backfield has its own interesting name in J.P. Powell.
With Justice Haynes and Malachi Hosley ahead of him, there’s no easy path to a starting job. Still, Powell flashed enough in the spring to suggest he can carve out a role.
His speed gives him value as a running back, a returner on special teams, and possibly even as a receiver. His 80-yard touchdown was one of the spring’s biggest highlights, and even if he’s not the starter, he should be part of the rotation.
Another player with a real chance to force the issue is Penson. He arrived as one of the best athletes on the roster and was a Top 100 prospect in the 2025 recruiting class.
Georgia Tech has moved him from cornerback to receiver, and that switch could pay off quickly. There’s a path for him to start alongside Jordan Allen and Isaiah Fuhrmann, especially with the position group still lacking experience.
His speed gives him a real edge, and the move to offense signals how much the staff believes in his potential.
At tight end, Roche Jr gives Georgia Tech a different kind of weapon. He’s one of two returners at the position despite the Yellow Jackets bringing in three new transfers, and his size jumps off the page at 6'9 265 LBS. He was a favorite target for Mendoza in the spring, and while huge numbers may not be in the cards, he should be a steady part of the tight end rotation and play in every game.
Up front, Ionata may end up being one of the most important players on the offense. He’s one of three transfers from Alabama and is expected to step in as the starter in the middle of the offensive line.
That job matters even more with Georgia Tech needing to replace three starters and one key rotation piece from last season’s line, including the top two players at center. Ionata’s value could come most clearly as a run blocker, where he has a chance to make a real impact right away.
In Other News...
Georgia Tech Fans Just Got A New Way To Wear Team Pride
Georgia Tech fans looking for a new way to show their colors now have another option on the shelf. Nike has rolled out a limited-edition version of its Vomero 18 running shoe as part of a college football-inspired collection, blending the shoes performance build with school-specific designs and logos.
The release, which went on sale Aug. 1 for $165, spans a wide range of programs and is built to appeal to fans who want something usable rather than just decorative. For Yellow Jackets supporters, it adds a fresh piece of gear to the game-day rotation, with the school branding woven into a model that still carries the Vomero 18s running-shoe features. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Tech Faces Three Huge Camp Questions Before Colorado
Fall camp is underway at Georgia Tech, and it arrives with a roster that looks very different from the one the Yellow Jackets carried through last season. There are new starters to sort out all over the field, plus two new coordinators helping steer the process, which makes these first weeks in camp especially important as the team starts building toward the opener against Colorado.
The biggest questions are concentrated in places where departures hit hardest, especially at quarterback, receiver and safety. With key veterans gone, Georgia Tech has to identify who can settle those jobs quickly and give the offense and defense some stability before the season starts to tighten up. Camp has only just begun, but for a team with this much change, every practice rep matters a little more than usual. [Read more 🡒]