What to know about the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in 2025
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets will visit Folsom Field Aug. 29 for the first time in the program's 133-year history. The home-and-home matchup was announced in 2016 with both programs hoping to rekindle their 1990 national championship split.
Both programs have experienced numerous ebbs and flows since their glory days, but without a doubt, Georgia Tech is a formidable opponent to face in week one.
Here's a look at Georgia Tech as the 2025 season opener draws closer.
2024 in review
Most college football fans will remember Georgia Tech's 2024 season as a drama-filled one. The Yellow Jackets opened the year with a win over Florida State in Dublin, Ireland. Georgia Tech's biggest win of the year came against then-No. 4 Miami Hurricanes in November. Perhaps the most notable game of the college football season was Georgia Tech's eight-overtime battle against Georgia that eventually saw the Yellow Jackets fall to the Bulldogs.
The Yellow Jackets finished the year with a 7-6 record and lost to Vanderbilt in the Birmingham Bowl, 35-24.
Head coach profile
Brent Key enters his third season as Georgia Tech's head coach after he spent the 2022 season with the interim tag. Key has been with the Yellow Jackets since 2019. He has elevated Georgia Tech from 3-9 in 2021 to back-to-back bowl appearances the past two seasons. His team plays a disciplined, physical brand of football and continues to ascend.
Top offensive players
The Yellow Jackets have three-star offensive players who Colorado should know. Haynes King is first up. The dual-threat quarterback threw for 2,114 yards and 14 touchdowns last season to go along with 587 yards and 11 scores on the ground. King completed 73% of his passes and only threw two interceptions. His legs can be a back breaker for defenses, and King is a master at moving the chains. He seems poised for even bigger production in 2025.
Georgia Tech's other Haynes, running back Jamal Haynes, is arguably a top-five running back in the country. He is coming off a season in which he rushed for 944 yards and nine touchdowns, while also catching 28 passes for 166 yards. The Haynes to Haynes connection will be one to watch for in Week 1.
Top defensive player
Efford is Georgia Tech's do-it-all middle linebacker and one of college football's best tacklers. In 2024, he racked up 64 total tackles, six tackles for loss, three sacks and one pass breakup. Efford will lead a new look defense under new defensive coordinator Blake Gideon, who comes over from Texas.
2025 schedule
Way-too-early Colorado matchup preview
The Yellow Jackets open the year in Boulder against a retooled Colorado Buffaloes squad. No Shedeur Sanders and no Travis Hunter means several new faces will have to step up. The new programs have never faced each other, but share a significant piece of college football history as both schools were named 1990 National Champions.
On the field, Colorado will need to slow down Haynes King and Jamal Haynes. Offensively, the Buffs should be able to move the ball against a Yellow Jackets defense that is playing its first game together.
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