2021 CFP SEASON PREVIEW AUTUMN 11

GEORGIA TECH
#11 ACC: CONF 3-6, HOME 2-3, AWAY 1-3
Head Coach: Geoff Collins (3) OC: Dave Patenaude (3)
DC: Andrew Thacker (3) / Nathan Burton (3)
OFFENSE:
QB: Returns starter 6’3 Jeff Sims (1881 YDS, 13 TD, 13 INT passing, 492 YDS, 6 TD rushing) who threw the third
most picks in the FBS. Simms led the team in rushing yards. Also returns redshirt freshman backup Jordan Yates (16
YDS). QB/WR James Graham (85 YDS) transferred to Georgia Southern.
RB: Returns Jahmyr Gibbs (460 YDS, 4 TD rushing, 303 YDS, 3 TD receiving) who is one of the most promising young
players in the country. Also returns Jordan Mason (352 YDS, 2 TD rushing, 72 YDS receiving), Dontae Smith (296
YDS, 3 TD rushing, 52 YDS receiving), Jamious Griffin (229 YDS, 2 TD) and 220lb senior Bruce Jordan-Swilling.
WR: Lost Jalen Camp (439 YDS, 4 TD) to the NFL. Ahmarean Brown (579 YDS, 8 TD in 2 years) transferred to South
Carolina. Returns 6’3 Malachi Carter (290 YDS, 3 TD), Adonicas Sanders (223 YDS, 1 TD), 6’3 Peje Harris (138 YDS, 1
TD), 6’2 Marquez Ezzard (124 YDS) and Nate McCollum (15 YDS). Kyric McGowan (366 YDS receiving, 141 YDS, 1 TD
rushing) transferred in from Northwestern. 6’3 Bryce Gowdy is a 4-star freshman.
TE: Returns 6’6 Dylan Deveney (38 YDS, 1 TD) and 6’5 Dylan Leonard (23 YDS).
OL: Starting LG Jack Defoor moved on. Starting LT Zach Quinney also left. Returning lineman that have started and
played significant time are 330lb Jordan Williams, 300lb Mikey Minihan, 305lb Ryan Johnson (RG), 325lb Kenny
Cooper (C/LG), 310lb William Lay (C). Austin Smith could start at LG or Center. OT Kenneth Kirby, a two-time All-
MEAC player at Norfolk State and three-year Vanderbilt starter OT Devin Cochran both transferred in.
DEFENSE:
DL: Returns Jordan Domineck (35 TOT, 4 sacks), Djimon Brooks (30 TOT, 1 sack), Ja’Quon Griffin (20 TOT, 2 sacks),
300lb Mike Lockhart (17 TOT), Antonneous Clayton (9 TOT, 2 sacks) and Jared Ivey (8 TOT). DE Chico Bennett (13
TOT) transferred to Virginia. Curtis Ryans (12 TOT, 2 sacks) entered the transfer portal. DE Keion White (62 TOT, 3.5
sacks) transferred in from ODU with two seasons of eligibility.
LB: Lost leading tackler David Curry (84 TOT, 1.5 sacks). Returns Quez Jackson (80 TOT, 1 sack, 2 INT) and Charlie
Thomas (18 TOT, 2 sacks). Ayinde Eley (19 TOT) transferred in from Maryland.
SF: Avery Showell (24 TOT) transferred out. Returns Juanyeh Thomas (59 TOT, 1 INT), Tariq Carpenter (39 TOT, 1
INT), Derrik Allen (13 TOT) and Jaylon King (11 TOT).
CB: Kaleb Oliver (31 TOT, 2 sacks) grad transferred out. Returns Wesley Walker (48 TOT), Zamari Walton (36 TOT, 2
INT), Tre Swilling (20 TOT), Myles Sims (15 TOT), Kenan Johnson (13 TOT) and Tobias Oliver (10 TOT). Picked up 4-
star transfer Kenyatta Watson II from Texas.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
KR: Returns Gavin Stewart (22/24 PAT, 2/3 FG) and Jude Kelley (4/5 PAT, 1/5 FG). Brent Cimaglia (19/20 PAT, 5/9
FG) transferred in from Tennessee. Austin Kent is back to kick off again.
PR: Lost Punter Pressley Harvin to the NFL. Freshman David Shanahan will probably start.
SPIN
Atlanta, GA – Georgia Tech played five teams that finished ranked in the Top 25, which
tied with five other teams for the most. Returning their quarterback and running back
who both started last season as true freshman. Sims will have to improve his 1:1 TD to
INT ratio. The defense allowed 270.1 passing YDS/G (17 th most in FBS) and 36.8 PPG
(19 th most). This is one of the toughest schedules in the country thanks to five potential
playoff teams- Clemson, Notre Dame, Georgia, UNC and Miami. Crossover games vs the
Atlantic Division are Clemson and Boston College. Making a bowl game will be tough.
Former GT player Tashard Choice is the running backs coach.
Twitter @Autumn_Eleven