Georgia Tech’s Defensive Stars NC State Must Prepare For

While offense has been the calling card of the Yellow Jackets, the team still has some talented defenders.

Oct 25, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defensive lineman Jason Moore (95) forces Syracuse Orange quarterback Rickie Collins (10) to fumble in the third quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

RALEIGH — NC State will face its most difficult challenge to date, as No. 8 Georgia Tech is set to arrive at Carter-Finley Stadium for a Saturday night showdown during the Wolfpack's Homecoming celebration.

While Georgia Tech has been led by its talented offense and quarterback Haynes King, a bend-don't-break defensive philosophy also helped the Yellow Jackets get out to an 8-0 start.

Head coach Brent Key deploys a variety of versatile defenders who could spell trouble for a sputtering NC State offense that lacked consistency and stability in its back-to-back losses to Notre Dame and Pitt.

---

Georgia Tech Defenders To Watch Out For

Oct 25, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets athletic director Ryan Alpert and head coach Brent Key celebrate after a victory over the Syracuse Orange at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Amontrae Bradford

The Yellow Jackets boast a robust group of defensive linemen, including Bradford. In his sophomore season, Bradford has taken an enormous leap and become one of Georgia Tech's top edge rushers.

He has three sacks and 12 pressures through the first eight games of the season. He proved to be a game wrecker against weaker competition, finishing the Gardner-Webb game with two sacks, four pressures and a 92.3 PFF defensive grade.

---

Jordan van den Berg

Sep 20, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defensive lineman Jordan van den Berg (99) rushes the passer against the Temple Owls in the second quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The South African defensive tackle made a great decision leaving Penn State. He's quietly become one of the most effective defensive linemen in the country since joining the Yellow Jackets before the 2024 season. He earned second-team All-ACC honors after his first year and looks to be on his way to more accolades in 2025.

Through the first eight games, van den Berg racked up 25 tackles, six tackles for loss and a pair of sacks, despite working from the inside most of the time. With Spike Sowells out at right guard for the second straight week, the Wolfpack reserves will have their hands full trying to stop van den Berg.

---

Kyle Efford

Sep 20, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets linebacker Kyle Efford (44) rushes the passer against the Temple Owls in the second quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Every elite program needs an elite option in the middle of the defense. Efford more than fills that void for the Yellow Jackets. The junior hasn't been as effective in getting to the quarterback as he was in his sophomore season, but he still has two sacks.

Efford leads Georgia Tech with 51 total tackles and added a pair of pass breakups in the first eight games of the season.

---

Want more NC State football content during the 2025 season? Follow on X (Twitter) @WolfpackOnSI and @SennettTucker and never miss another breaking news story again. Want to reach out with questions about the Wolfpack? Send an email to wolfpackonsi@gmail.com to potentially be featured on mailbag stories in the future. 

Please let us know your thoughts when you like our Facebook page WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE.