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Georgia Tech Football: Roster for 2021 Begins to Take Shape

By Dylan Callaghan-Croley

Oct 19, 2019; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defensive back Tariq Carpenter (2) tackles Miami Hurricanes running back Cam'Ron Harris (23) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2019; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defensive back Tariq Carpenter (2) tackles Miami Hurricanes running back Cam'Ron Harris (23) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Monday was a busy day for the Georgia Tech football program in terms of the roster heading into 2021.

Georgia Tech fans received news regarding four Georgia Tech football players and the next steps in their career. On Monday, four players announced their intentions heading into the offseason, with two players making departures and a key player announcing he’s returning for one more season.

OL Ryan Johnson:
Johnson had the opportunity following this season to make his departure but will use the extra year of eligibility he has for 2021 thanks to the NCAA’s eligibility rule changes for this season. The former Tennessee Volunteer was a huge part of the success the Jackets did have on the offensive line in 2020, starting all 10-games for the Jackets. Johnson in 2021 will be one of the anchors of the Jackets offensive line and will be one of the leaders of the offense.

DB Tariq Carpenter

Carpenter will also return for another season on The Flats taking advantage of the eligibility rule to get an additional year despite being a senior this season. Carpenter played in all 10 games for the Yellow Jackets in 2020, totaling 37 tackles including 27 solo tackles. He also had two tackles for a loss and one interception in the process. Carpenter has played in 40 games over his career so far on The Flats and has 156 career tackles including 5.5 tackles to go along with four career interceptions and two forced fumbles. Carpenter will likely once again be a starter in 2021 and will be looked upon to be a leader on the defense again.

https://twitter.com/STG_Riq2/status/1338584283259219970

QB Tucker Gleason

Freshman quarterback Tucker Gleason will not be returning for another season on The Flats, Gleason has entered the transfer portal after not appearing in a game for the Jackets in 2020. With Jeff Sims’s starting job seeming pretty secure heading into 2021 and with a spot on the depth chart likely locked into second or third over the next few years, the writing was on the wall for Gleason. In terms of where Gleason could be playing next, look towards Toledo. Gleason’s former high school football coach Robert Weiner, is the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Rockets.

DE Chico Bennett Jr:

Bennett announced his departure on Twitter on Monday afternoon and entrance into the transfer portal. The former three-star prospect was a member of the Jackets 2019 recruiting and had just finished up his sophomore season with the program. According to his Georgia Tech profile, Bennett played in eight games for the Jackets this season, recording 13 tackles including 1.5 tackles for a loss. He finishes his Tech career, recording 30 tackles and two tackles for a loss over 15 games. The Tennessee native is likely to end up at the Group of Five or FCS level once he finds his new home.

https://twitter.com/Chico_Bennett24/status/1338555836914782209

For the Yellow Jackets, Johnson and Carpenter returning are huge for the potential of the 2021 season for the program while the losses of Gleason and Bennett Jr hurt from a depth standpoint, both have quality potential. Especially with Gleason, seeing that the Jackets already had James Graham transfer earlier this fall, he has since ended up with Georgia Southern.