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Georgia Tech Football: Analyzing the Yellow Jackets week one performance

By Mitchell Green

ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 1: Defensive back Jaytlin Askew #33 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets looks to tackle running back P.J. Simmons #4 of the Alcorn State Braves at Bobby Dodd Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 1: Defensive back Jaytlin Askew #33 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets looks to tackle running back P.J. Simmons #4 of the Alcorn State Braves at Bobby Dodd Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 1: Tight end Nigel Wood #8 of the Alcorn State Braves catches a pass in front of defensive back Tre Swilling #3 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 1: Tight end Nigel Wood #8 of the Alcorn State Braves catches a pass in front of defensive back Tre Swilling #3 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images) /

Secondary Breakdown

Starters

  • CB – Tre Swilling
  • CB – Jaitlyn Askew
  • FS – Malik Rivera
  • SS – Tariq Carpenter

Main Rotation

  • CB – Ajani Kerr
  • CB – Zamari Walton
  • SS – Kaleb Oliver

Review

This is a highly talented but inexperienced group that performed well today in most areas, but still has a lot of unknowns. We got to see a lot of new faces in this crew, with only one upperclassman playing (Malik Rivera).

As a whole, they overall did a nice job in coverage and tackling in space. It also helped that whenever there was a missed tackle, the defense did a great job of swarming to the ball to prevent a big play. There were a few occasions when receivers were open on what would have likely been a first down if it weren’t for an errant throw. However, the most positive takeaway for a crew this young is that they did not blow any coverages.

Next. Georgia Tech Football vs Alcorn State: Position Grades for the Jackets 41-0 victory. dark

Standout Performer

Kaleb Oliver – Oliver was my standout player for the secondary, as well as for the entire defense. He had the interception and four tackles on the day, which is impressive in itself. But what stood out to me were the countless other plays where he was right on whoever had the ball as they got to the line of scrimmage. I counted at least two occasions where the quarterback left the pocket to scramble, and Oliver was right there forcing the player to step out of bounds. He appears to have a closing speed we have not seen on this defense in a while, and I expect him to make multiple big-time plays throughout the year.