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Georgia Tech Football: A Look Back at the Highest Rated Georgia Tech Recruits Since 2000

By Dylan Callaghan-Croley

Oct 17, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets cheerleaders ride the Ramblin Wreck car before a game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets cheerleaders ride the Ramblin Wreck car before a game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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4* RB Jonathan Dwyer – 2007

Coming out of Marrietta, Georgia,  Dwyer was considered the 65th best player in the nation and the eight best running back in the 2007 recruiting class. He was also a Parade High School All-American coming out of high school in 2007.

Dwyer was expected to come into the program and be a game changer on the offense, an offense looking to make up for the loss of Calvin Johnson.

Dwyer made an immediate impact in his freshman season. That year he played in all 13 games, rushing for 436-yards on 82 attmpts and collected nine touchdowns. That season allowed him to collect ACC All-Freshman honors.

Heading into the 2008 season, Dwyer was considered a preseason candidate for the Doak Walker Award. While he didn’t win the Doak Walker that season, Dwyer finished the season with 1,395 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on 200 attempts. An outstanding seven yards per carry. Following his sophomore season, Dwyer received numerous accolades including ACC Player of the Year, Pro Football Weekly first team All-American selection and a consensus first-team All-ACC.

A preseason All-American heading into his junior season, Dwyer looked to make a huge impact hoping to improve his draft stock. His junior season was a near replicate of his sophomore season rushing for 1,395-yards and 14 touchdowns on 235 carries.

Following his junior season, Dwyer announced his intention to enter the NFL Draft and was initially considered a top prospect and a top three running back in the draft. However, due to concerns about if he can fit in a pro style offense, as well as his overall physical abilities his draft stock fell. He would eventually be drafted in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Hit or Miss: Dwyer finished his career at Georgia Tech as the sixth all-time leading rusher in Yellow Jackets history with 3,226 yards. He also holds two of the top five best rushing seasons in school history, with 1,395-yards in both 2008 and 2009. His 35-career rushing touchdowns are good enough to be tied for third in program history. Overall, Dwyer was a tremendous player for the Yellow Jackets and was a sure fire HIT.