Georgia Tech’s offense is drawing plenty of attention heading into 2026, and for good reason. Alberto Mendoza is the new quarterback, Justice Haynes is in the backfield, and the coordinators are new too. But the unit that may end up deciding how far the Yellow Jackets go is the one getting the least buzz: the offensive line.
There’s no question the group has talent. Ethan MacKenny, Joseph Ionata, and Malachi Carney give Georgia Tech some pieces to work with.
The problem is that this is basically a fresh start up front, with only two returning starters. That matters.
Offensive lines don’t just show up and click overnight - they have to build timing, trust, and cohesion before they start looking like a real force.
The departures are a big part of the challenge. Georgia Tech lost first-round draft pick Keylan Rutledge, along with Harrison Moore, Tana Alo-Tupuola, and Benjamin Galloway from last season’s line. Rutledge, in particular, is a tough name to replace after being a consensus All-ACC selection a year ago.
Depth is another concern that hangs over the group. Georgia Tech does have Jordan Floyd, Markell Samuel, Will Reed, Andrew Rosinski, Josh Petty, Favour Edwin, Xavier Canales, Courtlin and Courtney Heard in the mix, but the question is whether that collection is ready if injuries hit. Several of those players are still unproven, while others have only limited game experience.
The projected starting five also comes with some real unknowns. Kevin Peay Jr. is set to be a first-year starter at left guard, and while he arrived with a strong high school reputation, there’s still a question about how quickly he can become a reliable piece in his second season.
On the other side, Jameson Riggs is expected to start at right tackle after waiting two seasons for his shot. He’s another player Georgia Tech needs to come through in a hurry.
That uncertainty showed up in the spring game, when the defensive line controlled the action, especially in the first quarter, and the offense struggled to get anything going. Maybe that was a sign the defensive front is just that much better.
Maybe it was a warning that the offensive line still has work to do. Either way, it’s not something that gets answered until the games start counting.
September 3rd against Colorado will be the first real test. Coach Key has built strong offensive lines before, and he spent the offseason talking about adding size and girth to make this group better.
Some of those moves may pay off. But for now, the line still has to prove it can hold up.
So the verdict here is simple: sell for now. Georgia Tech has pieces, but until the regular season starts and the new starters show what they can do, there’s enough uncertainty to keep this group on the cautious side.
In Other News...
Kyle Efford Is Setting The Tone For Georgia Tech's Defense
With summer workouts winding down, Kyle Efford has become one of the steadier voices on Georgia Techs defense as the Yellow Jackets turn toward preseason practice and a Sept. 3 home opener against Colorado. The redshirt senior linebacker is helping set the tone for a group that knows the next step has to come before the games start counting, with Efford and the staff keeping a close eye on how the roster is shaping up physically and how the defense can play with more consistency.
Effords role goes beyond just lining up at linebacker. Georgia Tech wants its front to be bigger and quicker, and there has been noticeable movement there as several linemen have trimmed down and look faster off the ball. For Efford and the linebackers behind them, the emphasis is on filling gaps, running sideline to sideline, communicating cleanly and tightening up every part of the unit before the season opener arrives. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Tech Faces One Huge Quarterback Fear Entering 2026
Georgia Tech heads into 2026 with a fresh face under center and plenty of moving parts around him. Alberto Mendoza, the former Indiana backup, put together a strong spring and now has the job of steering an offense that is also breaking in a new coordinator and three new starters on the offensive line. For a program trying to keep momentum, the challenge is not just whether Mendoza can settle in, but how quickly the rest of the unit can grow up with him.
The bigger worry is what happens if the transition at quarterback gets bumpy. Georgia Tech is thin behind Mendoza, and the other options on the roster have little to no game experience, which makes the position feel even more fragile than usual. After Haynes King gave the Yellow Jackets a high-level standard at the spot, the question entering the fall is not simply who starts, but how steep the drop-off might be if Mendoza needs time to find his footing. [Read more 🡒]