What You Need to Know About the Georgia Tech Defense
While Georgia Tech Head Coach Brent Key has engineered an immediate turnaround on the Flats, returning the Yellow Jackets to the postseason for the first time since 2018 in just his first full year on the job, it has largely been despite a defense that ranks among the nation's worst in a multitude of statistical measures. Surrendering 438 yards per game, Georgia Tech ranks last in the ACC and 119th nationally in total defense. The Yellow Jackets also rank 13th or worse in the ACC in scoring defense (30.5 points per game), rushing defense (222 yards per game), and yards per play allowed (6.2 yards per play). Under Defensive Coordinator Kevin Sherrer, Georgia Tech has surrendered 400 or more yards of offense in all but three of its 11 games and has allowed 500 or more yards on three separate occasions. Against the only top-20 offense that it has faced to date, the Georgia Tech defense surrendered a season-high 577 yards of total offense to North Carolina on Oct. 28. Georgia will bring the nation's No. 4 offense to Atlanta on Saturday night.
The Georgia Tech defense has struggled in a variety of areas, but its most glaring weakness has been its run defense. The Yellow Jackets allow 222 yards per game, ranking them last in the ACC and 131st nationally in rushing defense. They have surrendered 200 or more yards rushing in seven games and are allowing a staggering 5.29 yards per rush. The issue for the Yellow Jackets is largely personnel-based. In Key's first full year at the head of the Georgia Tech program, he simply has not had time to amass enough of the type of talent necessary to compete at a high level against Power 5 competition.
Nov 18, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets head coach Brent Key on the sideline against the Syracuse Orange in the second half at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Yet, while the Yellow Jackets are largely devoid of high-level talent in their front six, they do have a few nice building blocks for the future. Junior defensive lineman Zeek Biggers has trouble staying on the field for extended periods, but he has flashed elite playmaking ability from the interior of the Georgia Tech defensive line. At 6-foot-6, 330 pounds, Biggers possesses a rare blend of size and athleticism that gives him the ability to blow up plays before they get started. On the edge, junior outside linebacker Kyle Kennard leads the team with 6 sacks and gives Georgia Tech a legitimate pass-rush threat. At 6-foot-5, 238 pounds, Kennard is more of a speed rusher at this stage in his career, but he can use his athleticism to consistently pressure the quarterback.
While Kennard ranks 8th in the ACC in sacks himself, the Georgia Tech defense has struggled to rush the passer as a whole, making the job of its secondary even more difficult. The Yellow Jackets rank 12th in the ACC and 108th nationally with just 18 sacks on the season. Similarly, Georgia Tech ranks 12th in the ACC and 111th nationally in tackles for loss, making it one of the least disruptive defensive units in the country.
Given the issues that Georgia Tech has had stopping the run all season, opposing offenses have, naturally, leaned on the run against the Yellow Jackets. Opposing offenses have combined to only throw the ball on 40% of the Yellow Jackets' defensive snaps, but when they have been tested, Georgia Tech's secondary has fared better than its front six has against the run. The Yellow Jackets allow 215 yards per game through the air, ranking them 8th in the ACC And 51st nationally in passing defense. They have, however, been prone to allowing explosive plays through the air, as they have surrendered 38 passing plays of 20 or more yards, ranking them 13th in the ACC.
Georgia Tech boasts a veteran group of defenders in its secondary with all five starters in at least their third collegiate season. Redshirt senior safety Jaylon King is the clear leader in the Georgia Tech secondary and ranks second in the ACC with 4 interceptions. Ahmari Harvey and Myles Sims give the Yellow Jackets a solid veteran duo at cornerback while redshirt junior K.J. Wallace gives Georgia Tech a solid option at the nickel corner position.
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