As the 2024 season approaches, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets released their first depth chart ahead of their opening matchup with the Florida State Seminoles in Dublin.
What are three takeaways from the Georgia Tech depth chart for Week 0?
15 Clear-Cut Starters Played for the Yellow Jackets Last Season, While Some Spots Remain Competitive
Returners Dominate Both Sides of Yellow Jackets’ Initial Depth Chart
Despite the ever-growing popularity of the transfer portal, Georgia Tech’s head coach, Brent Key, will have the luxury of a first unit jam-packed with returning talent.
Eight offensive players and seven defensive ones were listed as sole starters at their respective positions on the Yellow Jackets’ first depth chart ahead of their Week 0 matchup with FSU.
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Offensive returners named starters: QB Haynes King, RB Jamal Haynes, WRs Malik Rutherford, Eric Singleton, and Chase Lane, C Weston Franklin, RT Jordan Williams, and LG Joe Fusile.
Defensive returners named starters: NT Zeek Biggers, DT Markius Scott, DE Sylvain Yondjouen, LB Kyle Efford, SS Clayton Powell-Lee, FS LaMiles Brooks, and CB Ahmari Harvey.
Only 2 Transfers Crack the First Unit
With so many returners taking most of the starting roles, the Yellow Jackets only have two transfers who broke through as initial first-unit players: RG Keylan Rutledge (Middle Tennessee State) and CB Warren Burrell (Tennessee).
Listed at 6’4″, 310 pounds, Rutledge returns to his home state of Georgia after making 17 starts in two seasons (2022-23) for Middle Tennessee. He was named to the CUSA All-Freshman Team in 2022 and All-CUSA First Team in 2023.
Burrell has two years left despite playing five seasons for the Volunteers (2019-23). He made 22 starts in 40 appearances at Tennessee, racking up 91 tackles, nine pass defenses, and a pick.
4 Positions Still Up for Grabs
Four first-unit spots — two on each side of the ball — are still in an open competition going into the Yellowjackets’ season-opener against the Seminoles.
At left tackle, Corey Robinson II and Jordan Brown are battling to be King’s blindside protector, while Avery Boyd and Jackson Hawes are competing for snaps as the first unit tight end.
On defense, Romello Height and Kevin Harris are fighting for the starting rush end spot, while Omar Daniels and Rodney Shelley are competing for the nickel position.
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