Georgia Tech isn’t living in the transfer portal the way some programs do, but when the Yellow Jackets go shopping, they’re looking for players who can step in fast. That’s the situation this fall, with a wave of departures from last year’s roster leaving several spots open and a handful of newcomers positioned to matter right away.
At quarterback, Mendoza emerged from the spring as the clear winner and is set to be Georgia Tech’s starter in 2026. He arrives with only limited game action behind him, having served as the backup for national champion Indiana last season.
Even in those brief garbage-time snaps, he flashed the accuracy and judgment that stood out again in spring work. He also brings some mobility, though the expectation is not that he’ll mirror Haynes King.
The biggest offensive addition may be Haynes, and that matters because Georgia Tech has long leaned into the run. The Yellow Jackets don’t treat running back like an afterthought, and Haynes gives them a chance at a true impact player in that role.
He should also make life easier for Mendoza as he takes over the huddle. If he stays healthy, Haynes looks like a strong bet to push for first-team All-ACC honors.
Georgia Tech also has to replace a lot of production at receiver, but only two wideouts came in through the portal. Fuhrmann, who was one of the most productive FCS receivers in the country at Elon last season, looks like the safest bet to help immediately on the outside. He caught 46 passes for 907 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging more than 19 yards per grab, and he should be one of Mendoza’s most trusted targets from the jump.
Tight end could be another area where the transfers show up quickly. The Jackets added three portal tight ends, and New Mexico State transfer Gavin Harris appears to have the best shot to make an early mark.
He was one of the top receiving tight ends in the FBS last season, and even though this will be his first year at the power-four level, he seemed to click with Mendoza in spring. He also made some downfield plays in the spring game, which only strengthens the case that he could become a real part of the passing game.
Up front, Ionata is expected to settle in as the starting center after spending the last couple of seasons at Alabama. Georgia Tech cycled between Harrison Moore and Tana Alo-Tupuola there last season, but Ionata now looks like the answer in the middle of the line, a spot that carries major weight for the offense.
The defensive front is where Georgia Tech is hoping the portal haul can change the tone of the season. Carter, another Alabama transfer, is trying to develop into both a pass rusher and run defender after not fully putting it together with the Crimson Tide. He came into spring with the kind of pedigree that gets attention, and by the end of it he had put together a strong enough showing to look like a possible difference-maker.
Walker may not have Carter’s ceiling, but he brings more experience and has already proven himself as a solid edge player at Rutgers. After a productive spring, he’s in the mix to start as part of a rebuilt front.
Thomas is another defensive line addition Georgia Tech will lean on as it tries to get better against the run. He gives the Jackets a big body inside, and that’s an area they’ve emphasized without getting the results they want over the last three seasons. The question now is whether Thomas can help change that.
Mbakwe is making a bigger switch than most of the newcomers. He played wide receiver in his first two college seasons at Alabama, but Georgia Tech is moving the former five-star prospect to defense. Evaluators have long believed he fits better in the secondary, and his speed and playmaking ability already make him one of the most athletic players on the roster.
In the back end, Duclona is also in the running for a starting job after Georgia Tech lost Ahmari Harvey, Rodney Shelley, and Jy Gilmore. He brings experience to the defense’s back seven and arrives after being one of the best cornerbacks at the group of five level last season at South Florida.
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Georgia Techs Biggest Fall Camp Question Starts Up Front
Since Brent Key arrived in 2023, Georgia Tech has made its identity up front a priority, and that focus is about to be tested again as fall camp opens. The Yellow Jackets are still expected to have a sturdy offensive line, even with some turnover, because the room returns enough experience to keep competition lively and the standard high.
Ethan Mackenny and Malachi Carney are among the veterans back in the mix, while Joseph Ionata and a wave of freshmen and transfers give the staff options at several spots. The most interesting part of camp may not be whether Georgia Tech has answers, but how quickly the new pieces settle in and which linemen separate themselves before the season starts. [Read more 🡒]