Three Key Duos Georgia Tech Football Will Rely on in 2026

Which duos will be most important for Georgia Tech this season?

Dec 27, 2025; Orlando, FL, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets running back Malachi Hosley (0) runs the ball against the BYU Cougars in the third quarter during the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Fall camp is coming to a close for Georgia Tech, and the Yellow Jackets are 13 days away from their season-opening game against Colorado.

Over the past three weeks, the Yellow Jackets have been figuring out the top position battles on the team and a number of key duos have emerged for the team heading into the year.

Let's break down the three biggest duos that will shape the season for Georgia Tech.

1. RB Justice Haynes and Malachi Hosley

Nov 15, 2025; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets running back Malachi Hosley (0) runs the ball for a touchdown during the first half against the Boston College Eagles at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

This one is pretty easy to point out.

The duo of Justice Haynes and Malachi Hosley is one of the best in the entire country, and they are going to be the focal point of Georgia Tech's offense.

The Yellow Jackets have been a run first team under the leadership of Brent Key and that might even kick up a notch with this duo.

If Haynes had not gotten injured at Michigan last season, he may have led the country in rushing. He averaged 7.1 yards per carry and ran for 857 yards, averaging 122 yards per game. Hosley did not even have 100 carries last season and totaled over seven yards per carry and being second in the team in rushing behind quarterback Haynes King.

It is not out of line to say that the success of this duo might determine the success of Georgia Tech's season.

2. WR Jordan Allen and Isaiah Fuhrmann

Oct 25, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets wide receiver Jordan Allen (85) runs after a catch against the Syracuse Orange in the first quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Georgia Tech's wide receiver group is one of the most inexperienced at the power-four level, and of the players in the room, only Jordan Allen has caught a pass at the power-four level. Allen is expected to be one of the top targets for quarterback Alberto Mendoza, and he is a player who can be used in a variety of ways, even in the run game and on special teams.

Fuhrmann has had a very good fall camp and should be one of the breakout receivers in the ACC. He will have to show he can play at the level of the ACC, but he has exciting potential.

Given the inexperience of this group, Georgia Tech needs this duo to succeed.

3. CB Jonas Duclona and Jaylen Mbakwe

Oct 25, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; South Florida Bulls defensive back Jonas Duclona (3) reacts after a defensive stop against the Memphis Tigers during the second quarter at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wesley Hale-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Georgia Tech is losing its top three cornerbacks from last season's team, but they return the majority of their depth with Daiquan White, Zachary Tobe, Jon Mitchell, Kelvin Hill, and Elgin Sessions returning, but Georgia Tech went out and got two intriguing transfer cornerbacks this offseason in Jonas Duclona and Jaylen Mbakwe.

Mbakwe is a former five-star recruit and a phenomenal athlete. He is moving from receiver to cornerback, where most scouts and recruiting analysts thought he should play, and he has a very high ceiling and can really move the needle in the back end for Georgia Tech.

Duclona has been moved around a lot during the fall, playing nickel and outside corner, and he should be an intriguing chess piece for defensive coordinator Jason Semore.

This duo has a lot of talent and Georgia Tech needs its pass defense to improve.