Georgia Tech wrapped up a resurgent 9-3 season with some serious hardware to show for it - several Yellow Jackets earned All-ACC honors, a testament to the program’s turnaround under Brent Key. From dynamic quarterback play to trench dominance and clutch special teams, Georgia Tech had standouts across the board. Let’s break down the key players who powered this impressive campaign.
First-Team All-ACC Selections: Haynes King, Keylan Rutledge, Jordan Van Den Berg, Aidan Birr
Haynes King - Quarterback
At one point this fall, Haynes King had folks whispering “Heisman” around the Flats - and it wasn’t just wishful thinking.
He led Georgia Tech to an 8-0 start, showcasing a dual-threat ability that gave defenses fits week after week. King finished the season with 922 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns - the most in the ACC - while also throwing for 2,697 yards and 12 touchdowns on an efficient 71.7% completion rate.
King’s impact goes beyond the box score. He was the engine of an offense that evolved into one of the most dangerous units in the conference.
His leadership was a driving force in Georgia Tech’s leap from three wins to nine. Wins over North Carolina, Miami, and Clemson - some of the ACC’s traditional heavyweights - are now part of his legacy.
King leaves behind a program that’s trending up, and his role in that transformation will be remembered as a cornerstone of the Brent Key era.
Keylan Rutledge - Offensive Line
If King was the engine, Rutledge was the frame that held it all together.
A transfer from Middle Tennessee State, Rutledge became the anchor of Georgia Tech’s offensive line, earning first-team All-ACC honors for the second straight year. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), he graded above 75 in overall offense, pass protection, and run blocking - a rare trifecta that speaks to his consistency and versatility.
Rutledge brought a physical, no-nonsense attitude to the trenches. His development each season - dating back to his freshman year - is a blueprint for how to grow into a dominant lineman. For a team that prided itself on toughness and grit, Rutledge was the embodiment of that identity.
Jordan Van Den Berg - Defensive Line
Van Den Berg didn’t just lead Georgia Tech’s defense - he was the defense at times. The former Penn State transfer led the Yellow Jackets with three sacks and added 40 tackles, earning the highest run defense grade on the team (81.4) and the second-highest overall defensive grade (77.0) per PFF.
His performance against Duke was a clinic in disruption - blowing up drives, clogging lanes, and shutting down red zone chances. Van Den Berg was often unblockable, and his relentless motor made him a nightmare for offensive lines across the ACC. For the second year in a row, he was Georgia Tech’s defensive MVP.
Aidan Birr - Kicker
Birr bounced back in a big way this season, delivering one of the best performances by a kicker in the country.
He went 25-for-28 on field goals, was automatic inside 40 yards, and racked up 117 points on the year. He also set a program record with 24 made field goals - a milestone he hit early in the rivalry game against Georgia.
But it wasn’t just the volume - it was the timing. Birr drilled game-winners against Clemson and Boston College, proving he was as clutch as they come. In a season where every point mattered, Birr was money when it counted.
Other Standouts Who Made Their Mark
David Shanahan Nichols - Punter
Returning home for his final season after transferring from UNLV, Nichols quietly became a difference-maker on special teams.
He averaged 47.2 yards per punt and pinned opponents inside the 20 on 13 occasions. Even more impressive?
First Team All-ACC 🏆
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He cut his touchback percentage nearly in half, from 18.52% to 9.68%. His 43.1 net average was the best of his career.
Nichols helped flip field position all year, giving Georgia Tech’s defense a leg up.
Trey Hosley - Running Back
Hosley arrived from UPenn and quickly earned the RB1 role as the season progressed.
He finished with 634 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, bringing a physical edge and explosive burst to the backfield. His breakout game came against Gardner-Webb, where he racked up 100 yards and two scores on just nine carries.
Hosley became a reliable weapon down the stretch, and heading into next season, he’s poised to be the feature back - a role he’s more than earned.
Malachi Carney - Offensive Line
Carney transferred in from South Alabama and won the starting job at right tackle during fall camp.
In his first taste of Power 4 football, he didn’t just hold his own - he thrived. Carney earned a 72.8 pass-blocking grade on 348 snaps, making him the fourth-best pass protector on the team per PFF.
He may not have grabbed headlines, but Carney was one of the most underrated transfer pickups in the ACC this year. His steady presence helped solidify a line that kept the offense humming.
Ethan MacKenny - Offensive Line
After waiting his turn behind veterans in 2024, MacKenny stepped into a starting role and made the most of it.
Third Team All-ACC 🏅
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The redshirt sophomore graded out best in pass protection, earning a strong 77.0 mark from PFF. He’s shown flashes of high-level potential, and with more reps, he could become a mainstay on the left side of the line for years to come.
Kyle Efford - Linebacker
Efford has been a known quantity for Georgia Tech’s defense, and in 2025, he once again led the team in tackles with 72. He added 1.5 sacks, two passes defensed, and a forced fumble, earning All-ACC honorable mention honors.
Efford’s consistency and leadership have been invaluable. He’s the kind of player who always seems to be around the ball and rarely misses an assignment. For a defense still building its identity, Efford was the glue.
The Bigger Picture
This season wasn’t just about individual accolades - it was about a program finding its footing again. Georgia Tech made a leap from three wins to nine, and it wasn’t by accident. The roster was built through smart transfers, player development, and a culture shift under Brent Key.
Honorable Mention All-ACC 🦾
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From Haynes King’s electric playmaking to the toughness in the trenches, this team had an identity - and it showed every Saturday. With several key pieces returning and a foundation firmly in place, the Yellow Jackets look like a team ready to keep climbing.
Georgia Tech football isn’t just back - it’s building something.