Offense
Losing Haynes King and offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner are major hits for this offense. They did so much for this team and will be missed. Indiana transfer Alberto Mendoza will get the keys to the offense. We’ll see what he’s learned while backing up his brother. There are talented, but inexperienced players behind him.
The running back room returns talent in Malachi Hosley, Chad Alexander, and JP Powell. Hosley is very quick and averaged 7.1 yards per carry last season. The addition of Justice Haynes (Michigan) is massive. His physical style of running the ball is fun to watch. He also averaged 7.1 yards per carry last season.
The wide receiver room will rely upon transfers and the return of Jordan Allen. The additions of Jaiven Plummer (California), Isaiah Fuhrmann (Elon), and tight ends Chris Corbo (Dartmouth), Gavin Harris (New Mexico State), and Spencer Mermans (Yale) are massive.
The offensive line room returns experience in Malachi Carney, Ethan Mackenny, and Jameson Riggs. Both Carney and Mackenny should be All-ACC performers. The additions of Joe Ionata (Alabama), Favour Edwin (Auburn), and Markell Samuel (Oklahoma State) are massive for this unit.
Defense
The defensive line room returns experience in Amontrae Bradford, AJ Hoffler, Andre Fuller Jr., and Brayden Manley, among others. The additions of Tim Griffin (Cincinnati), Noah Carter (Alabama), Jordan Walker (Rutgers), Taje McCoy (Oklahoma State), Vincent Carroll-Jackson (UConn), and Tawfiq Thomas (Colorado) are massive.
The linebacker room returns EJ Lightsey and Kyle Efford. Both make plays all over the field and could each earn All-ACC honors. Cayman Spaulding and Melvin Jordan IV each have experience as well. Georgia Tech runs a 4-2-5 scheme and should have two solid linebackers on the field at all times.
The secondary has more questions as four starters graduated. Zach Tobe, Kelvin Hill, Savion Riley, Daiquan White, and Tae Harris have the most experience. The additions of Jaylen Mbakwe (Alabama) and Jonas Duclona (South Florida) are massive for this unit.
Specialists
Kicker Aidan Birr returns. He has made multiple clutch kicks during his career and is one of the best in college football. Punting duties should belong to Rice transfer Alex Bacchetta.
2026 Schedule
9/3 Colorado
9/12 Tennessee
9/19 Mercer
9/26 at Stanford
10/10 Duke
10/17 at Virginia Tech
10/24 Boston College
10/31 at Pittsburgh
11/7 Louisville
11/14 at Clemson
11/21 Wake Forest
11/28 at Georgia
Final Analysis
Brent Key has done a great job building a culture at Georgia Tech. This team is a lot younger. has new coordinators, and the schedule is more difficult. How quickly things come together and gel, will tell us what we need to know about the Yellow Jackets in 2026.
