Georgia Tech 2023 Position Review: Offensive Line
Prior to being named the Jackets' head coach, Brent Key came up through his work on the offensive line. A four-year starter at guard for the Jackets, he translated his experience as a player into coaching offensive lines at UCF, Alabama, and Georgia Tech. His expertise, coupled with twenty years of offensive line coaching experience from first-year offensive line coach Geep Wade, played a key role in re-vitalizing a unit that struggled in 2022 into a reliable part of the program's 2023 success.
In 2022, per PFF, the unit graded out with an abysmal 42.8 pass-blocking grade and a run-blocking grade of 50.8. The grades matched up with the on-field results.
The 2022 Jackets ranked in the bottom four of the ACC in passing yards, yards per game, passing yards per play, passing TDs, and offensive efficiency. On the ground, they were in the middle of the ACC in yards per carry and rushing yards per game. The combination of a struggling passing offensive and mediocre rushing offense resulted in an offense that struggled to get first downs and could not convert third downs. In short, the struggles of the offensive line were central to many of the Jackets' 2022 offensive woes.
The starting five - left tackle Ethan Mackenny, left guard Joe Fusile, center Weston Franklin, right guard Connor Scaglione, and right tackle Jordan Williams - changed the narrative in 2023. Per PFF, their 64.0 pass-blocking grade and 59.4 run-blocking grade denoted them as an average unit with a reliable baseline.
On the ground, they opened running lanes that helped the Jackets lead the ACC in rushing offense with 197.1 yards per game. Starting running back Jamal Haynes was top-five in the ACC for both yards and yards per carry. Their performance in the ground game was one of the most consistent aspects of the season for the Yellow Jackets. Even against Georgia's defensive line, they were able to open up holes and keep the backs clean. Haynes had 5.4 yards per carry in the game and based on their 2023 performance, the Jackets should be able to run against any defensive line they encounter.
When quarterback Haynes King dropped back to pass, the line was able to keep him relatively clean. Their 1.25 sacks conceded per game was second in the ACC and 20th nationally. They allowed King to throw for the second-most passing touchdowns (26) and fourth-most passing yards (2755) while racking up the second-most offensive yardage (3403) in Georgia Tech history. However, this unit was much more of a mixed bag in pass protection. King had to use his legs quite a bit to escape from pressure and the youth of the left side definitely showed at times.
While the results as a unit are significantly improved, it is worth exploring the contributions of each lineman in 2023 and what can be expected from them in 2024.
Left Tackle - Ethan Mackenny and Corey Robinson
Ethan Mackenny - 10 games, 8 starts,
In his true freshman season, Mackenny established himself as a building block for the offensive line after replacing Robinson in the season opener against Louisville. Across 526 snaps and nine games as a starter, he earned below-average PFF pass-blocking and run-blocking grades of 49.5 and 53.5 respectively. However, he only gave up one sack all year, indicating that his pass-blocking grade was a result of conceding pressures rather than sacks. He also had signature games against SC State and Virginia where he was absolutely dominant in pass protection with elite 80+ pass-blocking grades in both matchups. The young tackle's performance earned him a nod as a Freshman All-American by On3 Sports. Considering his youth, Mackenney had a solid season. He should challenge for the starting spot at left tackle in 2024.
Ethan Mackenny lines up at tackle against Ole Miss
Corey Robinson II - 8 games, 4 starts
Although he was replaced by Mackenny in the season opener against Louisville, the redshirt sophomore tackle returned to the lineup for the last two games of the season. He was particularly effective in the Syracuse game, garnering an overall PFF grade of 76.1 for the game. In his 307 snaps, he impressed as a pass-blocker, earning elite 80+ grades in both the Georgia and Syracuse games. His run-blocking was consistently solid. Overall, Robinson showed definite signs of growth from last season. Without a bigger sample size, though, it is difficult to say that he established himself as a definitively better option at left tackle than Mackenny. He should be in the mix for the starting left tackle spot in 2024.
Left Guard - Joe Fusile, 12 games, 12 starts
The former walk-on took a major step forward in his redshirt sophomore season, starting all twelve games and playing 819 snaps. He earned the offensive line's highest PFF grade (71.3), denoting him as an above-average starter at left guard. His work as a pass-blocker was especially notable - he earned an elite pass-blocking grade of 80+ against Louisville, South Carolina State, and Georgia. Furthermore, he was named a captain for the 2023 season and a Burlsworth Trophy nominee for the second straight year. The Burlsworth Trophy is given to acknowledge the most outstanding player in college football who started their career as a walk-on. He is a leader on the offense and enters 2024 as the expected starter.
Joe Fusile protecting former Georgia Tech quarterback Jeff Sims in a 2022 matchup.
Center - Weston Franklin, 12 games, 12 starts
Franklin showed growth both on and off the field following an up-and-down 2022 season. Across his twelve starts and 817 snaps in 2023, he accrued solid grades in both pass and run blocking, with 71.5 and 62.4 respectively. His leadership also played a key role in the line's cohesiveness. In the offseason, he mentioned that he was looking to be a source of veteran leadership:
"It is more of a mentality change for me. I knew going into this year that I would still be a young guy, but still a vet at the same time so I know those guys look up to me at the same time so I am stepping into that role and trying to be the best leader of the team."
His role in reducing miscommunication as the starting center definitely showed up throughout the year. His performance against North Carolina was especially impressive - he sprung two critical blocks that cleared the way for a 70-yard touchdown run from Dontae Smith and a 52-yard scramble from Haynes King that helped seal the win over UNC. While he struggled against Boston College (season-low 44.8 overall grade), the rest of his games proved that he should be considered the starter at center in 2024.
Weston Franklin (#72) hustles after making a big block for QB Haynes King against Syracuse
Right Guard - Connor Scaglione, 12 games, 11 starts
After transferring from Princeton, Scaglione's experience as a three-year starter at right tackle for the Tigers made him an ideal candidate to start at right guard or tackle in his senior season. Once Jordan Williams moved from starting right guard to starting right tackle, Scaglione slid into his position at right guard and held it down. A consistent presence on the line, he graded out as an average to below-average pass and run blocker with PFF grades of 63.3 and 60.2 respectively in his 804 snaps. His experience and consistent play gave the Jackets a reliable presence at right guard, but his play definitely lacked the highs that some of his fellow linemen displayed. Still, his departure due to running out of eligibility will be a hole that Key and Wade will have to fill. Middle Tennesee State transfer addition Keylan Rutledge, who started at right guard for the Blue Raiders over the past two seasons, and backup guard Benjamin Galloway will both factor into the competition to replace Scaglione in 2024.
Connor Scaglione (#65) and Weston Franklin (#72) drop back into pass protection against Wake Forest)
Right Tackle - Jordan Williams and Jakiah Leftwich
Jordan Williams (10 games, 8 starts at RT, 1 start at RG)
Although Williams started the season at right guard, he slid over to right tackle to accommodate Scaglione as the right guard. He graded out about the same at both guard and tackle - an overall average pass blocker (68.6) and solid run-blocker (60.3). He did allow a team-high 3 sacks, but only eight pressures. It's likely those numbers would have looked better if not for struggles against North Carolina. Considering the rest of the regular starters gave up 18-20 pressures, Williams was highly serviceable at the right tackle spot. His season could have been even stronger if not for an injury during the Wake Forest game that kept him sidelined for three weeks. He made an impressive return in the Boston College game, posting a season 80+ pass-blocking grade against the Eagles and holding on to the spot until the end of the season. For 2024, he could factor into the right guard competition as a replacement for Scaglione. Ultimately, though, his performance should warrant him to continue as the Jackets' starting right tackle in 2024.
Jordan Williams (#54) lines up against Boston College.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution- Credit: Danny Karnik, Georgia Tech Athletics
Jakiah Leftwich (8 games, 4 starts)
Leftwich started the season opener against Louisville at right tackle, but took on a backup role as Scaglione and Williams cemented themselves as starters at both right tackle and guard. However, Leftwich's combinations this season should not be minimized. While his 59.8 pass-blocking grade and 48.1 run-blocking grade could use improvement, he played well in relief of Williams in the Wake Forest game and did well in pass protection throughout the Boston College game. He figures to be a reliable back-up tackle in 2024, but could develop into a challenger for the starting right tackle role with off-season development.
Other Names
Both Brandon Best and Gabe Fortson played limited snaps in 2023, but offer upside as an interior OL backup should anything happen to Franklin, Fusile, or the 2024 starter at right guard. Benjamin Galloway should also see some snaps as a backup tackle in 2024. The offensive line depth took a hit with the departures of Wing Green and Tyler Gibson to the transfer portal. It will also be interesting to see if Key and Wade add more linemen in the transfer portal following Rutledge's addition to the program.
While the offensive line was not a dominant unit in 2023, the consistent baseline it established proved essential for the success of the Jackets' rushing and passing offense. Development from Mackenny and repeat performances from Fusile and Franklin could make this line the strongest unit on the team next season. However, the biggest question is how Scaglione's spot at right guard is filled. Key and Wade will need to find an effective replacement, but the work they have done so far with the unit suggests further progress in 2024.
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