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Why Georgia Tech Could Be the ACC's Dark Horse in 2025
Why Georgia Tech Could Be the ACC's Dark Horse in 2025 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Georgia Tech fans have been waiting for a season like this. One full of hope, momentum, and belief. But it's not just Yellow Jackets faithful who are sensing a shift on The Flats. Advertisement According to Athlon Sports' College Football 2025 Previewed, several anonymous ACC coaches have singled out Georgia Tech as a team to watch this fall. And one coach, in particular, pulled no punches: 'They've got two really bright, really promising coordinators who will be head coaches one day,' the coach said. 'Faulkner really worked some magic with [Haynes] King, and later in the season they really figured it out in the run game.' It's high praise for a program that only recently clawed out of a five-year bowl drought. Under third-year head coach Brent Key, Georgia Tech finished the 2024 season 7-6, their first winning record since 2018. But the buzz this offseason is about more than wins and losses. It's about culture and coaching. OC Buster Faulkner enters Year 2 after transforming Texas A&M transfer Haynes King into one of the ACC's most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks. King threw for 2,114 yards and 14 touchdowns while adding 587 yards and 11 scores on the ground, a total of 2,701 yards and 25 TDs. Advertisement His development down the stretch was noticeable. Georgia Tech averaged 33.5 points over its final four games, a far cry from the offensive struggles of past seasons. Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key looks on against Florida State at Aviva Stadium.© Tom Maher/INPHO via USA TODAY Sports Faulkner's ability to tailor schemes around King's strengths, and lean into a physical ground game drew specific praise from ACC insiders. While Faulkner's rise is no secret, new DC Blake Gideon might be the more intriguing addition. After four years coaching safeties at Texas and earning a promotion to associate head coach in 2024, Gideon joins Georgia Tech with big expectations, despite never calling a defense at the collegiate level. Advertisement 'Gideon is a really big hire for them,' said another ACC coach. 'They're decent, probably best on the defensive line, so how they adjust to a new system will be the thing to watch.' Key tapped into his Alabama coaching tree to lure Gideon from Steve Sarkisian's staff, a move that speaks volumes about the program's rising clout and Key's growing influence. More than anything, the 2025 Yellow Jackets reflect their head coach's no-nonsense, offensive line-driven personality. 'This is an O-lineman's culture, and they really embrace contact and physicality,' another anonymous coach told Athlon. Added a fourth coach: 'This is Key's team now, and they're hard-nosed and mean.' Advertisement For Georgia Tech fans, that's music to their ears. With a potent offense, a revamped defense, and a head coach who's reshaping the culture, Georgia Tech isn't just trying to compete, they're aiming to contend. The ACC better be ready. Related: Georgia Tech Lands Twin OL Commits in 2026 Recruiting Win Related: Georgia Tech Football's CFP Odds Leaves Fans in Disbelief This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
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2 days ago
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Georgia Tech Leaps Into ESPN's Future College Football Power Rankings
Georgia Tech Leaps Into ESPN's Future College Football Power Rankings originally appeared on Athlon Sports. A sleeping giant may be stirring on North Avenue. For the first time in recent memory, Georgia Tech has cracked ESPN's College Football Future Power Rankings, coming in at No. 31, a remarkable leap for a program left off the list entirely in past years. Advertisement While they're not yet among the sport's elite, this appearance marks a pivotal turning point for the Yellow Jackets as they gear up for 2025 and 2026 with rising optimism, a strengthened roster, and growing national respect. It starts under center. Haynes King, returning for his final year, has been the program's steadying force, quietly becoming one of the ACC's most efficient signal callers. In 2024, King completed 72.9% of his passes for 2,114 yards with just two interceptions in 269 attempts, a stunning turnaround from his earlier years. While ESPN flags the long-term quarterback situation as uncertain beyond King, there's quiet confidence in redshirt freshman Aaron Philo, who could emerge with development. Head coach Brent Key, a former Tech offensive lineman, has engineered this turnaround the way linemen do, with grit in the trenches. The Jackets return one of the nation's top guard duos in Keylan Rutledge (2024 first-team All-ACC) and Joe Fusile, and boast Ethan Mackenny, a rising star who started eight games at left tackle as a true freshman. Advertisement On the defensive front, Jordan van den Berg leads a revamped line bolstered by transfers Brayden Manley (Mercer) and Akelo Stone (Ole Miss). Roster management remains a point of strength under Key. Despite losing playmaker Eric Singleton Jr. and linebacker Romello Height, Tech held firm to its offensive nucleus: King, Jamal Haynes, Malik Rutherford, and others who powered the team to wins over ranked competition in 2024. Key's recruiting footprint is growing fast. Georgia Tech's 2025 class is ranked No. 19 nationally, up from No. 34 in 2024, showcasing momentum that fans haven't seen in years. With Buster Faulkner returning as offensive coordinator, widely praised for his creativity, Tech's offense is poised to take another step. On defense, Blake Gideon steps into his first coordinator role, a high-stakes move that could define the Jackets' ability to sustain success. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets head coach Brent Key on the sideline against the Louisville Cardinals in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports Landing at No. 31 may not make headlines in Tuscaloosa or Columbus, but for Georgia Tech fans, it means something real is building. A modern offense. A homegrown coach. A rising recruiting profile. And finally, national recognition from ESPN. Advertisement It's not just a ranking. It's validation. And it's only the beginning. Related: Why Georgia Tech Could Be the ACC's Dark Horse in 2025 Related: Georgia Tech Football's CFP Odds Leaves Fans in Disbelief This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
