Brent Key and Georgia Tech have created a buzz on the recruiting trail and trend for more top targets

Coming off the program’s first winning campaign since 2018, there is a lot of anticipation around Georgia Tech football heading into Saturday’s week-zero season opener against No. 10 Florida State.

We’re seeing the excitement around the program certainly resonate on the recruiting trail where head coach Brent Key and the Yellow Jackets sit at No. 23 in the On3 Industry Recruiting Rankings. This is the highest the program has sat in the standings in recent memory.

“What gets me most fired up about playing at Georgia Tech, and a big reason why I’m ecstatic to soon be a part the family, is the amazing coaching staff and the culture they have set and continue to build on,” Darien (Conn.) High tight end Kevin Roche said. Roche is a 6-foot-7 traitsy tight end prospect that also shines in lacrosse. 

“It starts with their unwavering commitment to the players and the program,” Roche continued. “Coach Key obviously has a special place in his heart for Tech because of what it has done for him. From the day I met him it was clear that he is incredibly committed to leading, progressing, and succeeding with the Yellow Jackets. Each coach on the staff is held to the highest standard and each of them continue to raise the bar. Most programs care solely about the development of the football player. Coach Key and Georgia Tech not only develop football players, but great men as well. That’s why I couldn’t be more fired up about becoming a part of the family.”

Key and the Yellow Jackets building it on the offensive line

This is a class highlighted by what Key and position coach Geep Wade are doing on the offensive front. A little over a week ago they beat Ohio State and those same Seminoles among many others for the On3 Industry’s No. 2 interior offensive line recruit in Roswell five-star product Josh Petty. Earlier in the month they beat Georgia for long-time Bulldogs lean in On300 offensive tackle Damola Ajidahun. Both are Top100 recruits per On3.

Petty and Ajidahun are part of a six-player offensive line group that also includes On3 Industry four-star Justin Hasenhuetl out of powerhouse Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School, along with Jimmy Bryson, Kevin Peay and Xavier Canales.

Strong in the secondary

The Yellow Jackets are also doing an exciting job in the secondary led by On300 cornerback Dalen Penson and On300 safety Fenix Felton.

“What has me fired up the most is the excitement that the new staff has for the way the program is about to turn around,” Penson said. “Of all the schools I’ve been to, Georgia Tech’s staff has been the only team that has consistently talked about how there program is ascending and that it will continue to be ascending for years to come. Lastly I’m excited about our recruiting class, hopefully we are followed up by an even better class, and how we will help the players that are already on team.”

Yellow Jackets trending for two more

I have a couple On3 RPMs in favor of Georgia Tech for two top targets moving forward.

A pair of defensive linemen.

Bogart (Ga.) Prince Avenue Christian On300 defensive lineman Christian Garrett backed off his verbal to Georgia earlier this month and the Yellow Jackets are trending. The 6-foot-4, 290-pound Garrett ranks as On3’s No. 5 defensive line prospect and No. 62 prospect overall. We think he’ll take his recruitment into the season but Georgia Tech will be hard to beat as it stands now.

Bronx (NY) Cardinal Hayes defensive lineman Blake Belin is another Georgia Tech has emerged for. Belin’s top five also includes Duke, Syracuse, Virginia and Wake Forest.

What another big season could bring

Sixteen of Georgia Tech’s 22 commits are homegrown and they’re looking for more. Garrett would be a big coup. A great season could lead to a flip or two.

The skill position is a major priority as Key and his staff look for a few more difference makers. They certainly feel good about the offensive line class. The quarterback of the future is on the roster in true freshman record setter Aaron Philo. From the same high school as Garrett, Philo’s 13,922 prep passing yards broke the state record Trevor Lawrence previously held.

Georgia Tech is going to hammer the skill position the rest of the cycle and look for a couple more guys that can make plays on the perimeter.