Yellow Jacked Up
Fansided

Georgia Tech Football: Individual grades for the Yellow Jackets defense through seven games

By Dylan Callaghan-Croley

TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 08: Blake Barnett #11 of the South Florida Bulls rushes during a game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Raymond James Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 08: Blake Barnett #11 of the South Florida Bulls rushes during a game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Raymond James Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 22: Travis Etienne #9 of the Clemson Tigers carries the ball against Jalen Johnson #23 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on September 22, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 22: Travis Etienne #9 of the Clemson Tigers carries the ball against Jalen Johnson #23 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on September 22, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Linebackers:

Victor Alexander

It wouldn’t be an understatement to say Alexander has been disappointing this season. After a 60 tackle season a year ago, Alexander has just 17 tackles through six games this season but at the same time, he hasn’t been a liability on the field either, the production just isn’t there. We’d like to see that improve over the nex few weeks.

Grade: C/C+

Charlie Thomas

The true freshman moved to linebacker for the Yellow Jackets and the move seems to be paying off for Nate Woody and the Jackets defense. His development is moving in the right direction and he even made a start so far this season. Thomas has appeared in four games this season and has 19 tackles including half-a-tackle for a loss, add in one pass deflection, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. The production as been there for Thomas and you can even say that he may be the most productive linebacker of the season.

Grade: A

Brant Mitchell

Expected to be the leader of the Jackets’ defense, Mitchell has been decent throughout the season. While he has 30 tackles on the season including two tackles for a loss and one sack, Mitchell has struggled when he drops back into coverage, to say the least. We’d like to see more out of him in pass coverage.

Grade: B

Quez Jackson

The freshman has played in six games and is getting better with each game. We noted this summer that he was developing faster than expected and it’s visible when Jackson is on the field. This season, he has 14 tackles over six games. He’s not seeing a great deal of playing time which makes the 14 tackles over six games a little better but he’s quickly showing that he can be a cornerstone of the defense for the next three years.

Grade: B 

David Curry

Another senior leader on the Jackets defense, Curry was expected to have a quality year and so far the junior linebacker has 23 tackles over seven games. He also has a half-a-sack on the season to go along with one interception and a fumble recovery that he returned for a touchdown. He’ll take over Brant Mitchell’s starting role next season. He still has to improve in coverage and in parts of the run defense but so far so good for Curry.

Grade: B+

Bruce Jordan-Swilling

The former four-star recruit was expected to take a big step forward this year in his second year but is still second on the depth chart which has limited his production. He’s appeared in five games this year, totaling 16 tackles and one fumble recovery. When he’s on the field, you can see the potential he does have but at the same time, he still has plenty of work to do in his development.

Grade: C+/B-

Jalen Johnson

Johnson is having a career year in Nate Woody’s defense and with his next tackle will have a career high. With 20 tackles and one tackle for a loss, Johnson took a step forward in Woody’s defense as he finishes his career off on a strong step. He hasn’t been perfect but he’s had a quality season.

Grade: B

Christian Campbell

The junior has played in a career-high seven games this season and in return has averaged two tackles per game while also contributing two sacks on the season, a quality performance this season to say the least. He’s been a consistent threat in the pass rush and has limited his overall mistakes.

Grade: B+