When the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets take on the Vanderbilt Commodores in the Birmingham Bowl on Friday afternoon, the Yellow Jackets will be missing two key pieces on the defensive side of the ball: linebacker Kyle Efford and cornerback Rodney Shelley, as both will be inactive due to injury, according to Yellow Jackets head coach Brent Key.
The injury to Efford is nothing new for Yellow Jackets fans this season, as the junior has missed two games this season, coincidentally both losses for the Yellow Jackets, against the Virginia Tech Hokies and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. With Efford out for the game, Yellow Jacket fans can expect a rotation of young players to fill the void, including EJ Lightsey, Jackson Hamilton, and Trenilyas Tatum, which could give them a look at who could possibly be the duo that the Yellow Jackets run with Efford in 2025.
Shelley will miss action for the eighth time this season, playing in the Yellow Jackets last five games of the regular season before going down in the Yellow Jackets 44-42 loss to the Georgia Bulldogs. In Shelley’s spot, the race is wide open for the Yellow Jackets, as cornerbacks stepping up is something that the position group has become accustomed to. Expect the Yellow Jackets to play cornerbacks Zachary Tobe and Warren Burrell to split time at the position in Shelley’s absence.
Missing both key parts to the defense could provide Yellow Jacket fans with a glimpse into the future, as the opportunity arises for young and unproven guys to step up on the defensive side of the ball.