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Georgia Tech Football: Three Reasons for Optimism in 2020

By Dylan Callaghan-Croley

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 12: Head coach Geoff Collins of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets reacts during the first half of their game against the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium on October 12, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 12: Head coach Geoff Collins of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets reacts during the first half of their game against the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium on October 12, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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After going 3-9 in the first year of the Geoff Collins era, the Georgia Tech football program looks to improve that record in 2020.

A new season of football brings both optimism and pessimism of why your favorite team will be improved or worse in the upcoming season. With the season slowly closing in and hopefully starting on time, we give three reasons why Georgia Tech fans should be optimistic in 2020.

1. A Full Year In the New Program

The first reason to have some optimism heading into the 2020 season is the fact that the Yellow Jackets have now had over a full year in the “new program”.  Last year, the Yellow Jackets obviously struggled in their transitions on both sides of the ball from the previous system.

However, returning players are now used to how the program is ran, a better and more complete understanding of the offensive and defensive systems and arguably most importantly, more time in the weight room and in the strength and conditioning program.

This may not seem like much on paper but all it takes sometime for programs to take step forwards is to have that experience of a first year in a new system under your belt. It’s not going to propel the Jackets to the top of the division but it will certainly  make them a more competitive team in 2020.

2. Important Pieces Returning On Both Sides of the Ball

The second reason to be optimistic about the Jackets in 2020 is they have quite a bit of important players returning.

On offense, the Jackets are returning pieces like WR  Ahmarean Brown, WR Jalen Camp, WR Malachi Carter, QB James Graham, RB Jordan Mason, and most of their offensive lien from last season. Player like Brown and Mason will have futures at the next level for sure while Camp, Carter, and Graham all have high upside potential in 2020.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Jackets return players such as S Tariq Carpenter, DT T.K Chimedza, LB David Curry, DB Charlie Thomas, and S Juanyeh Thomas. Carpenter and Juanyeh Thomas give the Yellow Jackets a quality pair of starters at the third level while Curry and Charlie Thomas both have high impact potential. Curry is the most sound  linebackers the Jackets have and their  most reliable tackler, putting up 97 tackles last season. Chimedza, on the other hand, hasn’t shown a ton yet in his career on a The Flats but has the traits to be a big time contributor on the defensive line.

The Jackets have enough returning talent especially at starter in 2020 take to take a step forward but the biggest question remains their depth. Will their depth be good enough to improve on their 3-9 record from last season? That remains to be seen.

3. A Talented 2020 Recruiting Class

The Yellow Jackets brought in a top-30 recruiting class in the 2020 recruiting cycle that also ranked fifth in the ACC. The class was headlined by four-star running back and top-100 prospect Jahmyr Gibbs of course but also brought in four-star quarterback Jeff Sims, four-star corner Miles Brooks, four-star defensive end Jared Ivey, and high three-stars wide receiver Nate McCollum, linebacker Khatavian Franks, and another wide receiver in Ryan King. While only a fraction of the class will make impacts in 2020, the talent level of the class will show for years.

Additionally, on top of the true freshman, the Jackets will also get help in the form of transfers. From this offseason, the Jackets brought in offensive linemen Devin Cochran (Vanderbilt) and Ryan Johnson (Tennessee) while also bringing in former four-star safety Derrik Allen who was formerly at Notre Dame. That doesn’t include of course the fact that former five-star Anntoneous Clayton will also be taking the field for the Jackets this upcoming season.

Overall, the Yellow Jackets bring plenty of talent for the 2020 season and that talent should pay off in some form this season. While there will certainly be bumps in the road, you have to love the improvement to the roster overall but especially when it comes to depth.