By Luke Fletcher ｜ Atlanta, Georgia

The evaluation phase of Georgia Tech’s preseason is pretty much wrapped up. After the last big scrimmage on Saturday, Brent Key and the Yellow Jackets are shifting their focus to Colorado for the season opener on September 3 at Bobby Dodd Stadium. This fall camp was never going to be typical for Georgia Tech. With Haynes King and several key veteran players who contributed to a strong ACC offense now gone, the team is facing significant changes. George Godsey is bringing in a new offensive scheme, the offensive line has been revamped, and the receiving group is mostly untested. On the defensive side, coordinator Jason Semore is working to create a unit that can avoid the late-season struggles that affected Tech in 2025. However, after weeks of practice and two major scrimmages, things are starting to come into focus.

Here are ten insights gained from Georgia Tech’s 2026 fall camp.

1. Alberto Mendoza is QB1 — and this is now his offense
The quarterback battle at Georgia Tech turned out to be pretty straightforward. Alberto Mendoza came into camp as the frontrunner and has solidified his role as the leader of the offense. Coaches have been particularly impressed not just with his throwing ability, but also with how well he understands George Godsey’s system, his knack for reading defenses, and his readiness to make changes at the line. This is crucial for the team’s success. Unlike Haynes King, who could often save plays with his mobility, Mendoza will need to approach the game differently. His focus will be on distributing the ball effectively, maintaining possession, and setting up a talented group of running backs and rising stars for success.

2. Running back may be Georgia Tech’s deepest offensive position. Justice Haynes and Malachi Hosley were already set to create a compelling running-back duo in the ACC, but then Trelain Maddox had a standout camp. Maddox adds a unique element to the mix with his physical running style, which allows him to grind out tough yards between the tackles, perfectly balancing the speed and explosiveness of Haynes and Hosley. This variety gives offensive coordinator Godsey some great options. With this depth, Georgia Tech won’t have to rely solely on Mendoza as their main rushing threat; instead, they can rotate their backs, keeping them fresh and challenging defenses to tackle skilled runners throughout the entire game.

3. Dalen Penson may have solved one of Tech’s biggest problems. The wide receiver position was a big question mark heading into camp. Jordan Allen was the most experienced returning player, and Elon transfer Isaiah Fuhrmann had the chance to make an immediate impact. However, Georgia Tech was still on the lookout for another receiver to step up. Enter Dalen Penson, who seems to have taken on that role. After switching from defense to receiver in the spring, his speed and athleticism have helped him quickly rise in the depth chart. If Penson can effectively stretch the field, it could be a game-changer for an offense that primarily focuses on the running game.

4. Kevin Roche Jr. could become Mendoza’s security blanket It’s hard to miss a 6-foot-9 tight end, and Georgia Tech’s coaches are definitely taking notice of Kevin Roche Jr.’s impressive performance. After turning heads in spring practice, he’s kept that energy going into August. With his size and impressive catch radius, he’s a clear red-zone threat, but his potential goes well beyond that. Reports suggest he’s become one of Mendoza’s go-to targets during camp. If Roche keeps honing his blocking skills, Godsey might have a versatile player on his hands who can contribute in various formations instead of just being a situational receiving tight end.

5. The starting offensive line is taking shape Georgia Tech kicked off August with the challenge of filling some key spots on the offensive line. The starting lineup is starting to take shape, featuring left tackle Ethan Mackenny, left guard Kevin Peay Jr., center Joseph Ionata, right guard Malachi Carney, and right tackle Jameson Riggs. Mackenny has stepped up as a leader, and Ionata, who transferred from Alabama, brings valuable experience to the center position. Peay, despite being a newcomer without any college starts, has shown promise by adapting to various roles and seems ready to claim the left guard spot. However, the real worry lies not with the starting five but with the depth of the roster; injuries could push Georgia Tech to rely on less experienced players, which could be a concern.

6. Christian Garrett may have played himself into the starting lineup Christian Garrett has emerged as one of the standout defensive players of August. Now back to full health, he’s shown he can play multiple positions on the defensive line. His impressive performance has earned him a spot in the projected starting lineup alongside Noah Carter, Tawfiq Thomas, and Jordan Walker. With Georgia Tech in dire need of a stronger defensive line, Garrett’s rise could be a significant boost for the team, potentially providing a key asset from within the program rather than seeking external help.

7. Don’t forget about Amontrae Bradford. Georgia Tech has significantly strengthened its defensive front by bringing in new talent through the transfer portal. While this influx could have sidelined some younger players, Amontrae Bradford seems to have risen to the challenge. As a third-year edge defender, he has shown impressive growth and is likely to contribute to what could be a much more robust rotation at defensive end. This is crucial because the Jackets don’t rely on a single player to log 70 snaps and rack up 12 sacks; instead, they need a steady stream of effective pass rushers. Bradford’s progress provides Semore with another solid option to help create that depth.

8. Braylon Outlaw is making it difficult to keep him off the field Kyle Efford and E.J. Lightsey are still the top dogs at linebacker, but Braylon Outlaw has emerged as a standout during camp. After a solid spring, he’s continued to impress in August, making a strong case for a spot in the defensive lineup. This situation presents a nice dilemma for Semore, who now has to strategize on how to incorporate Outlaw into the game plan without cutting too much time from his seasoned veterans. It wouldn’t be shocking to see Georgia Tech create specific packages that utilize all three linebackers effectively.

9. Tae Harris could become one of the defense’s most important players. The offseason brought a lot of uncertainty for the secondary, but Tae Harris has stepped up to address some of those concerns. After showing his potential as a young talent, Harris seems poised to take on a bigger role. His versatility to play close to the line, cover effectively, and shift around the secondary gives Semore some much-needed flexibility. The revamped secondary now features exciting players like Harris, Savion Riley, Jaylen Mbakwe, Jonas Duclona, and Daiquan White. While there are still some questions about depth, the overall outlook for the top of the secondary is looking much brighter than it did just a few months ago.

10. Georgia Tech appears deeper — and that may determine the season The biggest takeaway from fall camp might just be the need for consistency. Last season, Georgia Tech kicked off with an impressive 8-0 record but faltered as the season progressed. For Brent Key, the task now goes beyond just proving that the team can compete against strong opponents; it’s about creating a roster that can sustain high performance throughout the entire season. There are some promising developments, like the ability to rotate several running backs and a solid group of tight ends. The defensive line seems to have more depth, and the addition of Outlaw bolsters the linebacker corps, while White and other defensive backs have enhanced the secondary. Players like Garrett, Bradford, Maddox, Penson, Roche, and Peay have stepped up, reducing the team’s reliance on veteran transfers, which is exactly what Georgia Tech needed from this camp. However, the real challenge lies ahead, as the optimism from fall camp won’t translate into wins. The upcoming games against Colorado and Tennessee will be crucial tests to see if these players can maintain their momentum when it really counts.

Also, the Colorado opener is Thursday, September 3, so Georgia Tech now has less than two weeks to move from evaluation into opponent-specific preparation. Go Jackets!