Georgia Tech is preparing for a road trip on Saturday as they head to the Carrier Dome to take on Syracuse in an ACC matchup starting at noon. A clearer picture of which players would be available and asked to make an impact became available on Friday morning as the weekly “ATL” (Above The Line) Chart was released.
Here are some quick takeaways from Friday’s chart that should be kept in mind going into Saturday’s matchup:
Defense still playing shorthanded
The Georgia Tech defense has been without several of their top players in the first two weeks of the season, and that trend will continue on Saturday with multiple names noticeably absent on Friday’s ATL Chart.
Antonneous Clayton (DL), Tre Swilling (CB) and Antwan Owens (DL) are still not a part of the ATL Chart as they are still recovering from apparent injuries to go along with TK Chimedza who is already lost for the season due to injury. Add to that list Curtis Ryans who doesn’t appear on this week’s chart after missing last week’s game vs. UCF due to undisclosed reasons as well as Justice Dingle who isn’t on this week’s chart either.
The defense’s depth will once again be tested against the Orange with those players not suiting up. A bye week following the game could be the perfect opportunity to get those guys healthy and hopefully back on the ATL Chart for the Louisville game on Oct. 9.
The #GaTech ATL chart for Saturday. Depth getting tested at DE right now. pic.twitter.com/U7Dc1ca0PS
— Kelly Quinlan (@Kelly_Quinlan) September 25, 2020
Mason off list, Jordan-Swilling on list at RB
Georgia Tech’s returning leading rusher and preseason All-ACC pick Jordan Mason did not play in the loss to UCF, and it is unknown when he will return from a rumored injury as he is not on this week’s ATL Chart.
The running back group still features four names with Jahmyr Gibbs, Jamious Griffin and Dontae Smith returning to their usual spots, but there is one new name that has been added to the complete the quartet with that being Bruce Jordan-Swilling. The senior Jordan-Swilling, a former four-star recruit, made the switch from linebacker to running back in the offseason and could get his first shot at reps on Saturday at Syracuse.
Two Dylans once again out at tight end
Dylan Deveney and Dylan Leonard, known to Georgia Tech coaches and fans as “The Two Dylans,” were both out due to undisclosed reasons for last week’s game against UCF, and with their names not on this week’s chart, it appears the most experienced players at tight end will once again be missing on Saturday.
The duo of Jack Coco (also one of Tech’s two long-snappers) and Billy Ward (a true freshman) will once again be asked to fill that role as they did last week.
Former starting quarterback absent from chart
Redshirt-sophomore quarterback James Graham, who played in 11 games and started eight last season for the Jackets, does not appear on the ATL Chart this week.
It is unknown why his name isn’t on the list this week, but that leaves Tech with three “ATL” QBs available in Jeff Sims, Tucker Gleason and Jordan Yates. Sims has taken all the quarterback reps so far in the first two games as the true freshman has thrown for 500-plus yards and a pair of scores and run for 140-plus yards and one touchdown.
Ivey joins true freshmen “Above The Line”
Georgia Tech has been a young team on the field so far in 2020, and they will further that youth this week as a seventh true freshman (non-kicker) is now officially Above The Line.
Defensive end Jared Ivey, who saw action in last week’s game against Central Florida, makes an appearance on the ATL Chart this week for the first time, joining fellow 2020 recruiting class signees Jeff Sims, Tucker Gleason, Jahmyr Gibbs, Jordan Williams, Billy Ward and fellow defensive end Emmanuel Johnson.
Ivey, who played his high school ball at North Gwinnett, was a four-star recruit according to 247 Sports and a three-star according to Rivals and chose Tech over offers from Colorado, Nebraska, Arizona State and others.