Brent Key (HC) – Key is wrapping up his second full season as the head coach of his alma mater after being hired in 2022 to take the job. Though their overall record this year is not eye-opening, Key’s team has a knack for beating ranked teams, knocking off Miami a few weeks ago to end their undefeated season. Key knows the significance of this rivalry as much as anyone, and he would love nothing better than to knock off his school’s most hated rival in Athens.
Haynes King (QB #10) and Aaron Philo (QB #12) – The Jackets’ King has battled through injuries this year, prevailing for a successful junior season. Even with 1,607 yards passing and nine touchdowns, he is most dangerous in the run game. Over the past few games, he has become a pivotal part of their rushing attack. Against Miami, he rushed for 93 yards on 20 carries and a touchdown. If he can force the Bulldogs to keep him honest in the pocket, his receivers can find space in the secondary for explosive plays. As for Philo, the freshman from Bogart will be looking to take down the Dawgs in front of many familiar faces. In last week’s win against NC State, he led his offense down the field for a 75-yard touchdown drive, capped off by an 18-yard game-sealing touchdown rush. Philo seems to be the future of Georgia Tech football, and a great game against Georgia could make his name known across the nation.
Malik Rutherford (WR #8) – With 627 receiving yards and three touchdowns, Rutherford leads his offense into a difficult matchup with the Bulldogs. In order to pull off the rivalry upset, he will need to work alongside King in exposing the weak spots of the Georgia defense for an effective offensive attack.
Jamal Haynes (RB #11) – This junior and Georgia native has been a bruiser in the backfield for Tech this season. While he gets an inconsistent workload, he steps up when called upon. A great example of that was his best game this season against North Carolina where he rushed for 170 on 19 carries. Haynes also has significant breakaway speed, with rush attempts of 35 yards or longer in five games.
Kyle Efford (LB #44) – Efford has taken on a huge role for the Jackets’ defense this season. As a sophomore, he leads the team in tackles with 61, including three sacks. He will need to find ways to communicate with his fellow Jackets to slow down Beck and the Bulldogs.
Ahmari Harvey (DB #3) – The junior has been most notable this season for his ability to force turnovers. While his defense doesn’t force that many, he has an interception and fumble recovery on the season, along with 54 tackles. If Harvey can cause Georgia’s offense to turn the ball over, momentum could shift in favor of the visitors.
Romello Height (DL #9) – Height is another Georgia native who has something to prove ahead of his home-state rivalry. He has 34 tackles on the year, along with a team-leading 2.5 sacks. Putting pressure on Beck in the pocket could throw off Bobo’s scheme while getting the Jacket Nation on their feet in the visitor section.
Sharp-shooting All-Atlantic Coast Conference Yellow Jackets basketball standout Dennis Scott, part of Lethal Weapon 3, had his number retired this season when Georgia visited the flats.
Calvin Johnson tops the list of all-time great wide receivers at Tech. Playing his entire nine-year career in Detroit, “Megatron” twice led the NFL in receiving yards and went to six Pro Bowls.
Jason Varitek was an All-American catcher for the Yellow Jackets and went on to a strong 15-year career in Boston, winning two World Series and playing in three All-Star games.