November may still feel distant, but Georgia Tech already has a few big-picture possibilities worth circling. If things break the right way, the Yellow Jackets could be looking at a season that ends with postseason football and a lot more buzz than the outside projections suggest.
At the center of that push is Mendoza, who has the keys to the offense and the kind of profile that can carry him into All-ACC territory. His game is built on sound decisions and real upside, and the work behind the scenes has been part of the appeal. He has been showing up early, staying late and continuing to build chemistry with the wide receivers throughout the offseason.
That matters because Georgia Tech should have a quarterback who can steer the offense into the right calls and create explosive plays when the moment is there. The play-action game could be the real accelerator.
Defenses are likely to commit to stopping the run, and that should open space for Mendoza to attack downfield. With his arm and his extreme accuracy, he has the tools to make life miserable for ACC defenses.
On the other side of the ball, Harris looks like a player who could take a major step forward. After a strong freshman season, his role kept growing, and he made the most of every chance he got. He enters year two as the expected starter and does so in a system that should suit him better, especially with its aggressive style.
His high school film already hinted at what he can do: cover, hit and anticipate. Now he gets the chance to show that again on a bigger stage.
The added work at both safety and nickel could be the difference-maker, giving defensive coordinator Jason Semore a versatile piece who can move around the field depending on the situation. Georgia Tech hasn’t had that kind of flexibility, and it could pay off in a big way.
None of this comes without skepticism. The offseason projections have been modest, and the schedule is no joke, with 11 Power 4 opponents and two games against SEC teams.
Still, the belief here is that it won’t matter. Coach Key is positioned for a breakthrough, and the expectation is that he can guide Georgia Tech to its first playoff appearance in program history.
He has already shown he can win big games, recruit at a high level and assemble the right staff. What could separate this season is experience - knowing how to handle late-game situations and putting the best players on the field when it matters most. If that all comes together, the Yellow Jackets could end up exactly where they want to be.