Georgia Tech Spring Football Depth Chart Projections: Linebacker
Georgia Tech had one of the best linebacker duos in the ACC and the country last season with Charlie Thomas and Ace Eley, but both guys are off to the NFL. Both of these players were also named All-Conference by the ACC. Not only are they gone, but Demetrius Knight II transferred to Charlotte
Both Eley and Thomas had over 100 tackles for the Yellow Jackets. Eley had a season for the ages by totaling 118 tackles, 3.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and three pass deflections. Eley put together a great final season for the program.
Thomas had just as good of a season as Eley and he did it while having to miss time due to targeting penalties. For the season, Thomas had 112 tackles, two sacks, two pass deflections, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles.
Both players helped lead the Yellow Jackets to defensive improvement and replacing both players is going to be hard to do, but new head coach Brent Key is going to have to find a way.
This is also going to be a group that is led by a new position coach, Kevin Sherrer, who is also the co-defensive coordinator.
Braelen Oliver is one of three linebacker transfers Georgia Tech landed this offseason
This was one of the key positions that the coaching staff was going to target this offseason in recruiting and through the transfer and the Yellow Jackets have done a solid job of doing just that so far.
In the high school ranks, Georgia Tech brought in three prospects in the 2023 recruiting class. Ashton Heflin, Nacari Ashley, and Jacob Cruz are going to have a chance to be the future at the position, but with the veteran transfer additions, I think it is likely they could redshirt this season, but any freshmen could surprise and they are guys to keep an eye on during the season. Heflin is an early enrollee and will be participating this spring, while Cruz and Ashley will be arriving later.
One of the three additions to the linebacker room is Braelen Oliver, who is coming over from Minnesota. Oliver is originally from Georgia and played at Douglas County High School and is returning to his home state to try and help Georgia Tech return to having winning seasons. For his career, Oliver has amassed 79 tackles, three pass deflections, 3.5 sacks, and one forced fumble. I fully expect Oliver to challenge for one of the starting spots that have been vacated by Eley and Thomas.
Andre White Jr is one of three transfers Georgia Tech landed from Texas A&M and he has a chance to be one of the most impactful transfers that the Yellow Jackets signed this offseason. White tallied up 61 tackles, six pass deflections, one forced fumble, and an interception. He was a four-star recruit in the 2019 class.
Can transfer Austin Dean compete for a starting job at Georgia Tech?
Austin Dean is coming over to Atlanta from Rutgers and I think he will also compete for a starting job. Last season, Dean (6'2, 225 LBS) registered 18 tackles. He is a former three-star recruit in the 2020 class and played his high school football at Berkeley Prep in Tampa, FL.
So what about the guys that were already on the roster?
Trenilyas Tatum is likely to be heavily involved in the rotation and was one of the main backups for the Yellow Jackets last season. Tatum is a talented player and I think one of the top guys to watch this spring. Last season, he totaled 31 tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble.
Kyle Efford was the lone linebacker recruit in the 2022 class and I think he will have a chance to compete as well. Taylor McCawley served as a backup last season and totaled four tackles last season. Khatavian Franks and Tyson Meiguez have been with the program and were both a part of the 2020 class for the Yellow Jackets and they might be ready to compete.
Projected Georgia Tech Linebacker Depth Chart For Spring
Linebacker
1. Braelen Oliver (Starter)
2. Andre White Jr (Starter)
3. Trenilyas Tatum (Backup)
4. Austin Dean (Backup)
The top two spots I think will be taken by Oliver and White, but Tatum is going to factor in heavily to this position. The battle for the backup spots is going to be the most interesting in my opinion. There are talented freshmen and veteran players that will be factoring in and competing for playing time and should earn a role on special teams. Replacing Thomas and Eley won't be easy and there is going to be a lot of competition this spring to see who gets the opportunity to be the starters at linebacker.
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