2024 Coming Up...
Georgia Tech Looks To Continue The Improvement Seen In 2023.
Part One--The Offense
Brent Key brought his Yellow Jackets back to respectability in 2023, his first full season at the helm. Tech made it back to a bowl game for the first time since 2018, beating Central Florida 30-17 to cap a 7-6 season. That winning mark was also the first since 2018, Paul Johnson's finale on the Flats.
Key and Tech begin summer prep for the 2024 campaign with good reason for higher expectations. Namely, the return of almost the entire offense ( 9 of 11 starters). This was an offense that grew steadily in production and consistency last year. The victory over UCF included a string of 23 straight running plays in the final quarter as Tech salted away the win. With the game on the line, and the Jackets' strategy apparent to all, UCF simply could not stop Tech's ground game. That's a powerful statement.
Look for more of that recipe in 2024. This time a year ago, Tech was quite unsettled on their lineup-to-be. Haynes King was battling Zack Pyron for the QB job, and Jamal Haynes was somewhere on the depth chart as a wideout. Just four months later, King had guided his team to a 7-6 record with over 2800 yards passing and over 800 more on the ground. Haynes found a fine home at RB and became Tech's first 1000 yard rusher since 2018. He capped off his season as MVP of the 2023 Gasparilla Bowl.
Such is the unpredictable world of college football these days. But with 9 of 11 starters returning, the offense looks to be a strength. All but one of the O- line are back. Under Offensive Line coach Geep Wade, this unit led the ACC with over 200 yards / game on the ground. As the season progressed, Tech secured their identity as a run- first , productive offense that could also control the clock.
King's biggest issue in 2023 was his proclivity to toss the ball to the other guys– he produced 16 interceptions. But things got better as the run game grew stronger and King better learned his receiver corps . He also showed a knack for knowing when to pull it down and run, causing another headache for opposing defenses.
The receiver group looks strong entering 2024. Christian Leary and Malik Rutherford are back, as is the spectacular Eric Singleton who led the group with over 700 yards and six scores as a freshman last year. The Jackets have to replace tight ends Benson and Leonard and will be counting on transfer Jackson Hawes to help plug that gap.
Under OC Buster Faulkner last year, Tech jumped to 31 points per game, up from a mere 17 the year prior . There is nothing in sight that portends a backslide for Tech on offense this year. If anything, barring significant injury, the Jackets could be even more productive. If Haynes King can avoid the turnovers, Georgia Tech's offense will be among the very best in the ACC in 2024.
Patrick Conarro
RamblinSports.com