Brent Key (HC) – Key picked up as the Yellow Jackets’ interim head coach midway through the 2022 season after Geoff Collins’ disastrous tenure in Atlanta. After an impressive job last season, Tech elected to promote Key to full-time head coach. In his first full season, the Yellow Jackets have seen much improvement, gaining bowl eligibility and securing multiple monumental upsets against Miami and North Carolina. None would be bigger than knocking off the top-ranked Bulldogs, however, and Key will give it his best shot to secure the rivalry victory.
Haynes King (QB #10) – After struggling tremendously at the quarterback position in 2022, Georgia Tech went to the transfer portal to grab former Texas A&M quarterback, Haynes King. After a slow start, the dual-threat quarterback has accounted for 26 touchdowns in the air while adding on seven more on the ground. King has led Georgia Tech to multiple impressive upset wins in 2023 and will be looking to continue that trend against the Bulldogs. King’s default this year has been turning the football over. The quarterback has more interceptions than games played with 15 so far this season. Watch out for King this Saturday trying to get it done both through the air and on the ground against the dominant Dawgs’ defense.
Jamal Haynes (RB #11) – Haynes is the leading rusher on the Yellow Jacket team so far this season, with 141 carries for 850 yards and seven touchdowns. The sophomore from Loganville, Georgia, is an extremely impressive back who can break runs into the second level for explosive plays. The running back is equally impressive catching passes out of the backfield, having the fifth most receptions and receiving yards on the team. Expect Haynes to be a critical part of the Georgia Tech offense that the Bulldog defense will need to be well aware of Saturday night.
Eric Singleton Jr. (WR #13) – Singleton Jr. heads into Saturday’s matchup as Georgia Tech’s leading receiver in 2023, accounting for 43 catches for 610 yards and six touchdowns. Although just a freshman, Singleton Jr. has certainly not played like one. The receiver possesses elite speed, thriving in both catch and run situations, on top of being able to get behind defenders for the deep ball. If Tech is planning on spoiling the Bulldogs’ season, Singleton Jr. will have to make multiple explosive plays.
Jaylon King (DB #14) – Standing at 6’1”, King is a uniquely tall defensive back and has been a stud on the outside for the Yellow Jackets this season. So far through 2023, King has been the most productive corner for the Yellow Jackets, having accumulated 60 tackles along with four interceptions. Entering his fifth and final season for Tech, King will be looking to knock off the Bulldogs for the first time.
Kyle Efford (LB #44) – Efford is just a redshirt freshman, but the linebacker has been one of the most impressive Yellow Jackets so far through the 2023 season. Efford is coming off a strong performance against Syracuse this past weekend, having led the team with 11 tackles. Georgia loves to utilize the middle of the field in their passing game, which will require the young linebacker’s coverage skills to be tested. Efford will be looking to impress in his first edition of “Clean, Old Fashioned Hate.”
Kyle Kennard (DL #9) – The junior from Atlanta, Georgia, is far and away Tech’s most impressive player at getting to the quarterback. Through 11 games, Kennard has compiled six sacks, three and a half more than the next closest Yellow Jacket. As the Georgia offensive line looks to continue to impress, they will have a difficult challenge awaiting them in Kennard. Don’t be surprised if the Dawgs challenge the pass rusher’s ability to stop the run this Saturday.
One of the Yellow Jackets most successful major league baseball players ever is Jason Varitek, who was the catcher for the Boston Red Sox World Series champions of 2004 and 2007.
Mark Price was a standout basketball player on the flats in the 1980’s, who went on to a 13 year NBA career, highlighted by four appearances in the NBA All-Star Game for the Cavs.
Calvin Johnson was a record-setting All-American wide receiver for the Yellow Jackets from 2004 through 2006 who then starred for the Detroit Lions as a six-time Pro Bowl selection.