Georgia Tech Football Spring Position Previews: Cornerbacks

Georgia Tech’s secondary last season started three seniors at their three corner positions and now must look for three brand new starters.

Position Previews:

• Quarterback
• A-Backs:
• B-Backs:
• Offensive Line:
• Wide Receiver:
• Defensive Line:
• Linebackers (Starters Only):
• Cornerbacks (Today)
• Safeties (4/18):
• Special Teams (4/19)

Last season, you saw Georgia Tech run out two cornerbacks, two safties, and at times a third corner in a nickle cornerback. With new defensive coordinator, Nate Woody, the Yellow Jackets will be using two cornerbacks and two safties.

Projected Starters:

Lamont Simmons – RS SR:

Last season, Lamont Simmons appeared in all of the Jackets 11-games but did not see any time as a starter. That being said, Simmons did not have the junior year he was looking for after having a 19-tackle sophomore season. Last year, the redshirt senior had just nine tackles and one pass deflection.

The former USC Trojan will be looked at to be one of the leaders of the Jackets secondary that is lacking leadership after losing four of five starters. Simmons has the skill set to be a quality corner in the ACC and will have a ton of pressure on him this fall to perform at a high level.

Ajani Kerr – RS SO:

Kerr last season played in all eleven games with the Yellow Jackets and recorded 10 total tackles over the course of the season. Kerr took a step forward last year and it was evident in his ability when on the field.

More from Football

• Georgia Tech Football: What the new ACC scheduling format means for the Yellow Jackets
• Georgia Tech gets six new commits to 2023 class after official visits
• Georgia Tech hosts a plethora of 2023 recruits this weekend
• Dontae Smith slated for big season in 2022
• Why Georgia Tech must move on from Andrew Thacker

For Kerr, getting a chance to be a full-time starter and see consistent playing time may not be the only thing he needs to become a star player on the Jackets defense. A look back at his high school film and you can see the potential in Kerr’s abilities. Despite not being a highly recruited prospect, Kerr has all the tools to be a special player for the Yellow Jackets and is still developing.

The Jackets have struggled with having playmakers on the defense in recent years and if Kerr can be that player, it would take the Yellow Jackets to the next level on defense.

Backups/Names to Watch:

With plenty of corner backs on the roster, we are only going to go over a few in our backups and names to watch.

Jalen Johnson – RS JR: 

Johnson last season was the Jackets back up at the nickle so it will be interesting to see where they put him this season. Johnson could very well compete for a starting spot but for now we’ll slid him into a back up spot.

Jaytlin Askew – SO:

Askew for a while was second on the Yellow Jackets depth chart at conerback and dressed for all 11 games of the season. He did not record any stats however. For Askew, the coaching staff had to have trust in him to play as a true freshman if needed. Carpenter should earn a back up spot coming out of spring and could battle for a starting spot come this summer.

Tariq Carpenter – SO:

Carpenter saw time last season as a true freshman playing in six games last season including each of their last four. While he’s not polished, he does present a useful skill set and could develop into a quality player for the Jackets.

Next: Villanova is the perfect blueprint for Georgia Tech

Tre Swilling – RS FR:

Brother of Bruce Jordan-Swilling, Tre didn’t get to see time in the field last year but could this year if he takes steps forward in his development.