Georgia Tech is Confident In Their Transfer Edge Rushers, But Excited For Younger Players to Step Up

One of the big takeaways from the first week of fall camp for Georgia Tech was the confidence they have in their defense turning around. Pick a defensive category, and for the majority of the time over the past three years, the Yellow Jackets have not ranked very highly in much of that side of the ball, aside from a solid 2024 under Tyler Santucci.

One of those areas is rushing the passer. Georgia Tech has not had a player reach double-digit sack numbers in over a decade (Jeremiah Attaochu had 12.5 in 2013) and because they have not been able to get to the quarterback effectively, it has hurt them during stretches of the season, particularly the final five games of 2025, when the entire unit collapsed aside from a solid performance against Georgia.

After defensive coordinator Jason Semore spoke last week about how deep he felt Georgia Tech was at the defensive end position, defensive ends coach Kyle Pope talked yesterday about the depth of this group:

“I mean, of course you got guys that have experience. So for us, makes it different because now you got guys who've done it. You got guys who've experienced it and are not thrown into the fire

They had to sink, and they couldn't swim. So right now it's a situation where this guy's in there that has leadership, this guy's in there that knows what it looks like, that knows how you want it. So when you say this and say that, OK, coach, I got you. I see what you're saying. I see how you want it. And it's on me to go get it done. It's on us to go make it happen.

And I think that's the beautiful part about it. Like when you're dealing with the freshmen, they're going to do everything to get it right. Sometimes it's going to take a little minute for them to get it right. And with these guys, like, OK, coach, we get it. We see the writing on the wall.”

Transfers and new guys

Noah Carter Alabam — Nov 8, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama linebacker Noah Carter (24) celebrates a tackle near the LSU goal line at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated LSU 20-9. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Georgia Tech is going to be relying on transfers such as Jordan Walker, Noah Carter, and Taje McCoy to provide that veteran experience, with Carter providing some untapped upside as a former blue chip recruit and high school receiver. It won't be just those three players though. For Georgia Tech to find some success on the edge this year, Amontrae Bradford, Andre Fuller Jr, Jordan Boyd, and perhaps true freshmen Jordan Woods.

After talking about Carter, Walker, and McCoy after practice yesterday, Pope wanted to mention the first and second -year players making a difference already, including Woods. He also has higher expectations for Boyd and Bradford:

“I think with Amontrae and with Jordan, like Amontrae started multiple games last year. So he has that experience now. Amontrae is the prime example of he needed to get his feet wet, and he did. Right now with Amontrae, he's just like Jordan. When he walks in the room, you can't miss him. But for me, don't just walk in the room to where I can't miss you. Walk in the room to where I've got no choice but to feel you in here. And that's how it is on the field with him right now.

He (Boyd) brings a dynamic of, coach, whether special teams or defense; I can contribute to this team at a high level. And that's what I'm excited about. And those guys have paid their dues every year. Not guys that want to jump and leave like; they are dedicated to Georgia Tech, and they put the work in from their body to their mental to their performance on the field. Those type of guys that helps this program continue to grow. And I'm excited about it because those guys have a role this year that's going to be huge for us and that's going to help us to succeed.”

There is no doubt that these players are going to have hit a different gear for this Georgia Tech defense to do the same.

Walker and McCoy have been solid veterans so far in their career, but can they be something more? Walker had a fantastic spring and has been getting talked about a lot this offseason as a leader for the program and a tone setter on the line.

Carter has the kind of athleticism you want off the edge, but he is light on experience and has not been asked to be an every down type of player.

As Pope said, the younger players got their feet wet and showed flashes but there were plenty of inconsistencies as well. Here is how each of them graded out at Pro Football Focus last season:

Andre Fuller Jr- 60.3 overall grade (265 snaps)
Amontrae Bradford- 60.2 overall grade (258 snaps)
Jordan Boyd- 52.4 overall grade (204 snaps)

What about some other veterans on the team?

A.J. Hoffler and Brayden Manley were the transfer additions on the defensive line last offseason, but Manley had a fairly disappointing season and Hoffler was banged up. What can those guys do in their second season with the program? After being talked about as being an impact edge rusher last offseason, Manley could reach that this season after playing at the FBS level for a full year now.

Whether it is pass rush or run defense on the edge, Georgia Tech needs better play.

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