Scouting Report | Georgia Tech
Head coach Brent Key has been a breath of fresh air for the Georgia Tech football program. He didn’t inherit a great situation, but managed to go 4-4 as an interim coach to help get elevated to the full-time gig before last season.
The Yellowjackets ended up qualifying for a bowl in 2023 and are 5-2 to start this season.
A former offensive lineman at Georgia Tech and a former offensive line coach at Alabama, he’s built an identity for the program that’s rooted in being physical and running the football. That’s a big reason why they’ve managed to go 8-4 in one score games with him as head coach.
Ranked 45th in F+ (combined FEI and SP+ rankings), GT is a good, but flawed team. That 24-21 win against Florida State to open the season doesn’t look nearly as impressive today as it did then. They also lost to a Syracuse team that lost at home to Stanford. They lost to Louisville as well and barely squeaked by a North Carolina team that was playing their third string quarterback.
The offense has been very good and has carried them to their five wins. Though Notre Dame is dealing with injuries of their own, Georgia Tech may be without their star quarterback and the offense could look a lot different than what we’ve seen if Haynes King is either out or limited.
Offense
Offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner took an offense that finished 114th in OF+ to 40th in his first season at Georgia Tech. They have climbed all the way up to 15th in OF+ heading into this game.
He’s tweaked some things to help his quarterback this season with their passing game by emphasizing the short passing game while having the zone run game be the main cog that drives them. That’s led to less mistakes, less negative plays, and a more efficient offense.
They will still take shots down the field off of play-action, but those shots are far less frequent than they were last season. They’re 22nd in points per drive and they’ll present some difficult challenges for Notre Dame’s defense.
Expected Strengths
It’s been an explosive offense. They are eighth in 20+ yard plays from scrimmage and have 17 runs of 20+ yards (sixth).
This is the best running game the Irish will have faced this season because King's ability to do damage with his legs forces defenses to account for him. They also have a good one-two punch at the running back position and the offensive line blocks well together as a unit.
They are 15th in Havoc rate allowed and while some of that is scheme related, a lot of it has to do with how well the offense executes in the run game.
Georgia Tech does a great job of staying on schedule, which gives them manageable down and distances. That has helped them be 24th in 3rd/4th down EPA (expected points added). They’ve been awesome at converting on 4th down (10 of 13).
The reason why they’ve taken a leap as an offense this season from good to very good is the passing game. King has improved immensely and they are 15th in EPA per dropback. And when they get into the red zone, they end with six most of the time. They’re 11th in red zone touchdown percentage.
They are second in the country in sack rate. King has been only sacked once this season. Some of that is his ability to escape or get rid of the football. Some of that is them not being in a position where they are forced into standard drop backs. The offensive line only has had to block 5.6 true pass sets per game this season.
Potential Weaknesses
Notre Dame is by far the best defense they will have faced this season and they managed to only score 19, 24, and 24 against the three top-40 defenses they have faced up to this point of this eason.
Louisville was one of them and they had no success running the football that day. They averaged -0.38 EPA per rush (5th percentile) and only 105 yards.
Against Duke, the only top-25 ranked defense in DF+ they’ve gone against, passing was the biggest issue. The average depth of target for that game was only 2.7 yards. That was a response to the pressure Duke coach Manny Diaz was bringing. Duke blitzed on 48.8% of dropbacks and while King completed 73.3% of his passes, he averaged only 4.9 yards per attempt.
King’s health was a problem in the UNC game. He had his shoulder hanging after the first series and had his worst day passing of the season with only 50% completions. He eventually was taken out later in the game. If he’s limited passing because of his shoulder or can’t run as much because of his shoulder, they’re a different offense. If he misses the game, that’s a very difficult player to replace.
Zach Pyron is the backup and he has been used in short yardage, but he hasn’t started a game since 2022. They are also very thin at tight end and since they run a good amount of 12 personnel, that is something to monitor in this game as well.
Personnel notes
#10 QB Haynes King
- 6-2 207
- started out at Texas A&M
- 16 interceptions in ‘23, credited with only 1 turnover worthy play this season
- very good at escaping the rush
- only sacked once this season
- 7 rushes of 20+ yards, 11th in the country overall
- injured on 1st series vs UNC, played through it, but missed end of the game
- “day to day”
- 15th in QBR, 11th best PFF grade for Power 4 QBs
- 70.8% completions, 8.1 YPA, 8 TDs vs 1 INT
- ADOT is 6.9 compared to 9.5 last season
- gets rid of the football quickly, 2.36 seconds average
- 5.5 YPC, 6 TDs on 62 runs
- ADOT is 9.6 on play-action, 5.8 when it’s not
- only pressured on 16.8% of attempts
- massive drop in YPA the last two weeks, 5.4 and 5.8
- struggled after injuring shoulder vs UNC, 50% completions
- 4.5 40, 4.02 short shuttle, 36.9 vert in HS
#5 QB Zach Pyron
- 6-3 220
- mostly used as short yardage runner this season
- scored short yardage TDs vs FSU and Duke
- inserted vs UNC when King was injured, 1 for 1 7 yards on screen play
- only 15 passes attempted since 2022
- last start was when Drew Pyne was still ND’s QB
- 3 TDs vs 3 INTs vs Miami, VT, and FSU in ‘22
- rushed 7 for 67 vs Miami, 16 for 89 vs VT
- 17 carries for 60 yards this season
#12 QB Aaron Philo
- 6-2 215
- 3rd string QB, freshman
- only action vs VMI, 3 for 5 for 49 yards
- put up huge throwing numbers at lower level HS in GA
- broke Trevor Lawrence’s HS record for career passing yards
- can run
#11 RB Jamal Haynes
- 5-9 190
- converted WR
- 6.1 YPC, over 1,000 yards in ‘23
- averaged 5.8 YPC vs stacked boxes last season
- 5 rushes of 30+ yards is tied for 4th in the country
- reliable check down target as receiver, 15 catches
- 7 missed tackles forced after the catch
- 5.6 YPC, 7 TDs this season
- broke 68-yard run in final minute to beat UNC
- compact, runs tough
#27 RB Chad Alexander
- 5-9 185
- 5.6 YPC, 9 missed tackles forced on 36 carries
- had explosive runs vs Duke and UNC
#8 Slot Malik Rutherford
- 5-9 170
- 7.4 YAC per reception in ‘23
- 5 catches of 30+ yards this season
- 20.5mph on vs FSU
- 40 for 509 this season
- 8.7 YAC per reception
- 7 for 113 vs Louisville
- jet sweeps, 6 for 34
- 48% of his targets behind the LOS
- 4.37 short shuttle, 11.15 100m at 135 pounds in HS
#2 WR Eric Singleton Jr
- 5-11 190
- Freshman AA in ‘23
- 714, 14.9 per catch in ‘23
- 35.1% deep targets in ‘23, 22.7% this season
- 3 40+ yard receptions this season
- 30 for 399
- struggled on contested targets, only 4 of 16 last 2 years
- 8 for 87 as a runner, long of 35 vs GA state
- 10.69 100m in HS
#9 TE Avery Boyd
- 6-3 240
- former WR
- 14 for 180 this season
- caught a seam ball for 28 yards vs Louisville
- got juice after the catch
- injuries forced him into highest snap count of season vs UNC
- below average blocker
- 4.37 40 in HS at 195
#7 WR Chase Lane
- 6-0 195
- previously at TAMU
- 3rd receiver, only 18 targets
- 13 for 189
#1 WR Leo Blackburn
- 6-5 220
- only 3 targets
- over ⅔ of snaps are run blocking
#14 WR Abdul Janneh
- 6-3 195
- 78% of his snaps he’s used as a run blocker
#85 TE Jackson Hawes
- 6-5 260
- Yale transfer
- 2nd team All-Ivy league in ‘23
- had 33 yard reception down the seam vs Louisville
- 6 for 77
- only 2 snaps vs Duke, missed UNC game with injury
#86 TE Ryland Goede
- 6-6 265
- Miss St transfer
- injured early in UNC game
- 4 for 43 on the season
- 4.87 40, 4.20 short shuttle, 29.1 vert in HS
#17 TE Josh Beetham
- 6-5 250
- Michigan transfer
- missed last two games, only 1 target this season
#15 TE Luke Harpring
- 6-3 225
- talented athlete
- 2 catches for 36 vs UNC
- Dad is former GT basketball star Matt Harpring
#71 LT Jordan Brown
- 6-5 315
- Charlotte transfer
- was splitting with Robinson, benched
- turnstile vs Louisville, couldn’t handle either of their edges
- gave up 6 pressures
#55 LT Corey Robinson
- 6-5 305
- originally at Kansas
- started vs Duke and UNC
- split the first 5 games
- was solid in pass pro, but inconsistent reaching edges on zone runs
#54 RT Jordan Williams
- 6-6 315
- 5-year starter
- Senior Bowl watchlist
- consistent, move people in the run game
- beat on speed rushes vs Louisville
#77 RG Keylan Rutledge
- 6-4 310
- Middle Tennessee transfer
-1st team All C-USA in ‘23
- been solid overall, but had a tougher time vs FSU DTs
- not great when asked to protect on obvious passing downs
#67 LG Joe Fusile
- 6-6 315
- just a guy, not a great athlete
- had trouble vs the blitz against Syracuse
#52 OL Harrison Moore
- 6-5 290
- 13 snaps as in-line TE vs Duke, 19 vs UNC
- injuries at TE forced him into the role
- run 90% of the time when he’s in that role
#72 C Weston Franklin
- 6-4 310
- Senior Bowl watchlist
- good player, one of the better centers in the ACC
- only allowed 1 pressure all season
Key for Notre Dame
Make them throw the football
If GT can run lean on the run, they can control the game. If an injured King has to beat them as a passer, that’s advantage Notre Dame even without Ben Morrison.
GT will want to run the football and even run plenty of times when they should be passing because that’s who they are. If Notre Dame can make them get away from that, I don’t see GT having much success.
Defense
This was a really bad defense last season and they badly needed to make a coaching change. Bringing in former Duke defensive coordinator Tyler Santucci was a move that has made them a lot better, even if they don’t have the talent to be better than average.
They’re 71st in DF+ and 74th in points per drive, but being good at one thing has helped them tremendously.
Expected Strengths
That one thing is defending the run. They are 22nd in EPA per rush and have only allowed 3.63 per rush on designed runs (14th). They don’t have a defensive line that is anywhere close to Texas A&M’s or Louisville’s, but how they play the run as a unit is close to those groups.
Santucci has made the biggest impact with their 3rd down defense. They are 28th in that category after being 108th last season. He does a great job of simulating pressure and creating confusion with different looks when teams have to throw the football against them.
Potential Weaknesses
The credit definitely has to go to Santucci there because they simply don’t have enough talent at defensive back or on the defensive line. The pass defense has been bad because of that. They are 117th EPA per dropback, 117th in Passing success rate, and 94th in opponent passer rating vs FBS competition.
They are 107th in explosive passing plays against (20+ yards). The safeties have really struggled and they aren’t athletic enough with the back end of their defense in general.
The pass rush has been anemic. They have only six sacks in six games vs FBS opponents, They’re 123rd in sack rate, 132nd in PFF’s pass rush grading. They don’t have the “dudes” who can win without bringing additional rushers and they don’t have the athletes to cover when they do bring additional rushers.
Teams have converted 11 of 16 on 4th down against them. When they need a play, they don’t have enough guys who can make them.
UNC QB Jacolby Criswell hurt them frequently on scrambles. Santucci will definitely have a spy on Leonard most of the time, but it’s something to monitor.
Personnel notes
#9 Edge Romello Height
- 6-3 240
- USC transfer, started out at Auburn
- 4 TFLS
- leads the team in pressures, good get off
- 17.9% win rate vs true pass sets
#27 Edge Joshua Robinson
- 6-6 265
- plus player vs the run, but hasn’t offered much as pass rusher
#11 Edge Kevin Harris
- 6-4 250
- originally at Alabama
- Senior Bowl watchlist
- good traits, but just doesn’t pop
- 4.76 40, 4.13 short shuttle, 36.4 vert in HS
#32 Edge Sylvain Yondjuen
- 6-4 260
- 6th year
- missed the ‘23 season with an injury
- 20 pressures in ‘22
- Senior Bowl watchlist
- 5.5 havoc plays, 2 passes batted down
- played well vs UNC, 3 total pressure
- 22.2% win rate vs true pass sets
#90 Edge Jordan Boyd
- 6-3 260
- Freshman, played last 3 games
- 11.4 100m in HS, added a lot of weight since then
#8 DT Makius Scott
- 6-4 290
- below average rotation player, lost starting job
#88 NT Zeek Biggers
- 6-6 333
- Senior Bowl watchlist
- 2 passes batted down, 3 last season
- a big body vs the run that eats space
#99 DT Jordan van den Burg
- 6-3 304
- Penn St transfer
- rugby player in South Africa
- 4.55 short shuttle, 4.7 40, 690 squat
- 4 TFLS
- rotation player, now a starter
- active, can push the pocket
#59 DT Thomas Gore
- 6-2 290
- Miami transfer
- before that was All-Sun Belt at Ga State
- high motor player, but average traits
- state champion wrestler
#44 LB Kyle Efford
- 6-2 230
- led the team in tackles in ‘23, leads again in ‘24
- instinctive, sure tackler
- old school neck roll
- better football player than athlete, meh blitzer
# 0 LB Trenilyas Tatum
- 6-2 225
- 7 havoc plays, leads team in TFLs
- missed 3 tackles vs UNC
- struggled in coverage, 133.7 NFL passer rating against
- 4.6 40 in HS
#17 LB Jackson Hamilton
- 6-0 230
- Louisville transfer
- a drop off when he’s in the game
#5 S Clayton Powell-Lee
- 6-2 195
- 3 games with multiple missed tackles
- aggressive, good box defender
#21 S Omar Daniels
- 6-0 190
- previously at K-State
- 126.3 NFL passer rating against
- can get after him if isolated
#7 S Taye Semore
- 5-11 205 -
4.5 havoc plays
- RS frosh, started last 4 games
- been their best safety since then
- 10.74 100m in HS
#1 S LaMiles Brooks
- 6-2 200
- 135 NFL passer rating when targeted last season
- former starter, liability in coverage
- good blitzer
- 4.52 40, 4.41 short shuttle, 35.3 vert in HS
#3 CB Ahmari Harvey
- 6-0 190
- started out at Auburn
- 3 INTs in ‘23, only player with INT this season
- 4.5 havoc plays
- their best cover guy
- good ball skills
- better when he keeps stuff in front of him
- 4.7 40, 4.34 short shuttle, 11.39 100m in HS
#4 CB Warren Burrell
- 6-0 195
- Tennessee transfer
- injury issues, but 22 career starts at Tennessee
- struggled tackling, 27.3% missed tackles on opportunities
- 4.72 40, 4.58 short shuttle, 36.9 vert in HS
#16 nickel Syeed Gibbs
- 6-0 190
- Rhode Island transfer
- FCS All-American last season
- 3 TFLs, but zero passes defended
- played most snaps vs UNC
- three penalties in last 3 games
- adjusting to the slot, played outside CB at RIU
- had a sack on 3rd down pressure vs UNC
#6 Nickel Rodney Shelley
- 5-11 180
- 5 havoc plays
- given up 20+ yard receptions in 4 games
- size is an issue as a tackler
- only 17 snaps vs UNC
Key for Notre Dame
Have a similar approach to last week
Georgia Tech and Stanford are different defenses, but their strengths and weaknesses are similar. They prioritize stopping the run and have limitations with their secondary.
Notre Dame can attack this secondary on early downs and be patient running the football like they were against Stanford. That should be a recipe for success against this defense.
Special Teams
They are 117th in SF+. Special teams have been a weak point for them despite some blocked field goals. They haven’t been dynamic in the return game and their kicker, Aidan Birr, is having a rough season.
Rodney Shelley is the main punt returner and he’s averaging 7.2 yards on 10 returns. They’ve auditioned several players returning kicks. Singleton was back there against Duke and was a bright spot with a 40-yard return.
#33 K Aidan Birr
- 6-1 200
- 6 of 11 on the season
- 1 for 6 from 40+ yards
- made 89.5% of his FGs last season
- has a big leg, 73% of kickoffs have been touchbacks
#43 P David Shanahan
- 6-2 195
- 43.7 per punt
- 97th in net punting average
- 45.8% of his punts have been returned, 8th highest percentage
- near the bottom of the country in hang time
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