SPRING CLEANING: GEORGIA TECH

Given the extreme transition from the triple-option, Geoff Collins was expected to have a bit longer leash than most. Now headed into year 4, Georgia Tech is 9-25 under Collins while not reaching 4 wins in any season and it appears Collins is finally going to be on the hot seat this year. The massive amount of transfers leaving the program this past offseason will also not help his case. Which includes losing Jahmyr Gibbs to Alabama, who was probably the best player on the team.

OFFENSIVE NOTES

+ POTENTIAL BATTLE AT QUARTERBACK?

Jeff Sims has been the Jacket's starter since the first day he stepped on campus 2 years ago. Sims still has great potential and talent but the consistency just has not been there so far over the last 2 seasons along with battling injury issues last year. However, over the last 2 years, there has not been much competition in the QB room with Sims. That has now changed with the addition of Zach Gibson from Akron. In 7 games last season for the Zips, Gibson threw for over 1000 yards with 10 TDs while throwing no interceptions. With that being said, Sims is still fully expected to be the Jacket's starter week one against Clemson, but the added competition and added pressure of Geoff Collins' hot seat will make this position battle something to keep in mind. Overall, Georgia Tech is not in a terrible spot at quarterback, with both being more than serviceable.

+ REPLACING JAHMYR GIBBS

Two years ago when the duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and Jeff Sims decided to come to Georgia Tech, they both started immediately and had GT fans optimistic for a quick turnaround from the option era. Now with Gibbs on his way to Alabama (as the possible starter), the Jackets will have to replace his talent at running back. Dontae Smith is the only guy returning with any production for Georgia Tech. Smith finished last year just shy of 70 carries with 378 yards and 4 TD. Expect Smith to be the primary back for the Jackets in 2022. Georgia Tech also added Hassan Hall from Louisville through the portal. Hall is an electric athlete that took care of a lot of the kick/punt return duties for the Cardinals for the last few years. The combo of Hall and Smith should mesh well and be enough to replace Gibbs's talent at running back.

+ QUESTIONS ALONG THE OFFENSIVE LINE

Outside of Jordan Williams at right tackle, this offensive line unit comes into 2022 with 0 career starts. Georgia Tech tried to address that through the portal with the addition of Pierce Quick and Paul Tchio from Alabama and Clemson respectively, both highly touted recruits. Tchio is currently out with a lower leg injury, but Quick looks to be slotting in as the starting right guard.

DEFENSIVE NOTES

+ ADDRESSING QB PRESSURES

Georgia Tech finished 2021 with 20 sacks on the year. Their team leader in sacks was Jordan Domineck with just 3.5 sacks, Jordan is currently in the transfer portal. They return just 8.5 sacks from a year ago with LB, Charlie Thomas, being the returning team leader with 3 (2.5 were in one game against UNC). The defensive line was not addressed through the portal so it will interesting to see where an increase in disruption comes from, a point of focus this spring for sure.

+ REPLACING PRODUCTION IN THE SECONDARY

The Jackets will be heading into 2022 with just 1 returning starter from the secondary, Zamari Walton at CB. However, there is still a solid amount of returning production throughout the unit. Myles Sims will likely start across from Walton, Sims played in 10 games a year ago. The 6'3" corner has real solid potential and Tech will be expecting him to be a solid replacement for Tre Swilling. Safety may be the more worrisome position in the secondary. The loss of Juanyeh Thomas and Tariq Carpenter combined for over 130 tackles with both of them being top5 tacklers on the team in 2021. It will likely be Jaylen King and former Notre Dame transfer Derrik Allen replacing the two of them.

SPRING GAME NOTES

Georgia Tech held its spring game on March 17th. (ESPN LINK)

+QUARTERBACK BATTLE

The concern coming into 2022 for Jeff Sims was the lack of consistency. Even though the spring game was nothing more than a glorified scrimmage, Sims did nothing to help those concerns. There was still a good amount of missed "easy" throws, like screens for example.

Conversely, the competitor Zach Gibson had his fair share of simple mistakes, making it safe to say Sims is still the safe bet to start the 2022 season under center for the Jackets.

+ PEJE' HARRIS

Harris will be moving to Tight End in 2022. He will likely still be behind Dylan Leonard and Syracuse transfer, Luke Benson, but Harris emerged as an athletic weapon at tight end during the spring game hauling in a nice touchdown grab from Zach Gibson. Harris played wide receiver for the Jackets in 2021, catching just 5 balls for 30 yards.

+ PROJECTED OFFENSIVE LINE

For the most part of the scrimmage portion of the spring game, there were 2 consistent units along the offensive line. Paul Tchio was injured for the spring game and was noted he may slot into the starting LG spot as well.

STARTERS

LT Jakiah Leftwich

LG Paulu Vaipulu

C Weston Franklin

RG Pierce Quick (Transfer from Alabama)

RT Jordan Williams (Only returning starting)

2nd UNIT

LT Joe Fusile

LG Cade Kootsouradis

C William Lay III

RG Michael Maye

RT Wing Green

+STRONG LINEBACKER PLAY

A constant standout during the spring game scrimmage was the strong, fast play of both the starting linebackers and their backups. Charlie Thomas and Ayinde Eley both return as starters and are rated 78 and 80 by Finnelytics respectively. Likely backups Demetrius Knight and Trenilyas Tatum were both all over the field and will likely be one of the best backup LB units in the conference.