Georgia Tech had a promising season in 2024, pulling off two upsets against top 10 teams and nearly swinging another at Georgia in the final week of the season.
Part of that success can be attributed to star running back Jamal Haynes, who made the switch from wide receiver heading into the 2023 season.
Jamal Haynes Among College Football’s Best Running Backs
Haynes’ two years at the running back position have been so successful that they caught the eye of ESPN’s Greg McElroy who gave him huge props on “Always College Football,” ranking him as the sixth best running back in college football.
“Now, the first thing that jumps out anytime you watch Georgia Tech, almost regardless of the position, is just speed. They have so much speed at so many different positions, whether it’s Eric Singleton at wide receiver, (Malik) Rutherford at wide receiver, Jamal Haynes at running back, Haynes King at quarterback.”
“They can run and they create a lot of problems for the opposing defense because every single one of those aforementioned guys has home run-hitting potential,” McElroy said. “Now, Singleton is no longer there but Haynes, King, and Rutherford are all still rocking and rolling for the Wrambling Wreck.”
“It’s been highly, highly impressive to see exactly how this offense has been built around their playmakers at running back, quarterback, and at wide receiver.”
Haynes has led the Yellow Jackets in rushing the past two years, totaling 2,003 yards and 16 touchdowns on 343 carries, adding 48 receptions for 317 yards and four touchdowns through the air.
“You also look too at how often this offense creates space for the running backs? And now, wow, hey, yards before contact as a runner is highly advantageous, right. But, when you combine the yards before contact with the top-end speed and, by the time Haynes gets touched for the first time, he’s already at full speed? That’s a pretty great place to be in,” McElroy said.
“Haynes, I think, and his offensive line and the system they use? They really put Haynes in position to be very, very successful.”
“I also think too, his ability to accelerate? I mean, the guy is through the hole in an instant. Just in an instant.”
And despite injuries last year, Haynes will be one of — if not the best — running back in the ACC if he’s healthy, McElroy said.
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“He was a little banged up from time to time last year but he certainly has the juice to be among the best backs in the ACC when he’s at 100%,” McElroy said.
“He can always be a threat to take it the distance. From the one-yard line to the plus-one yard line, he can get the job done. And, if you give him just a seam, just a tiny seam and he hits it with speed, he could always be out the gates.”
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