Blog Article

Georgia Tech Is About To Have Their Breakout Season

Mark Haines on February 27, 2025

Georgia Tech is on the verge of something special.

After back-to-back 7-6 seasons, the Yellow Jackets are positioned for what could be their most successful campaign in years—and I’m going to tell you exactly why. Head coach Brent Key has methodically rebuilt this program piece by piece, and 2025 is when all these pieces finally come together.

Here’s why Georgia Tech is poised to make serious noise in college football this year:

The Numbers Don’t Lie: Georgia Tech Is Loaded With Returning Talent

Georgia Tech ranks 26th nationally and 3rd in the ACC in returning production.

This isn’t just some random statistic—it’s the foundation of championship teams. When you break down the numbers, the Yellow Jackets are bringing back:

64% of their offensive production
65% of their defensive production
Their star quarterback, Haynes King (72.9% completion rate)
Leading rusher Jamal Haynes (944 yards, 9 TDs)
Top receiver Malik Rutherford (62 catches, 702 yards)
All-ACC guard Keylan Rutledge

Most college football teams would kill for this level of continuity. In the transfer portal era, keeping this much talent together is practically a superpower.

“Georgia Tech boasts one of the better quarterback situations in the ACC, with both Haynes King and Aaron Philo returning.”

This quarterback stability—rare in today’s college football landscape—gives the Yellow Jackets a massive advantage heading into 2025.

Let’s Talk About 2024: The Foundation Is Already Built

Last season showed us flashes of greatness that can’t be ignored.

The Yellow Jackets didn’t just compile seven wins—they made statements. They upset Florida State to open the season. They handed Miami its first loss. They pushed Georgia to eight overtimes in one of the most thrilling games of the year.

But what truly matters is how they did it:

They balanced their attack (237.5 passing yards, 187 rushing yards per game)
They developed an identity under offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner
They showed resilience against one of the nation’s toughest schedules
They competed in every game they played

The one glaring weakness? A pass rush that generated just 18 sacks all season (last in the ACC).

The 2025 Schedule: A Path To The ACC Championship

For the first time in years, Georgia Tech has a manageable schedule.

This isn’t just good luck—it’s an opportunity to make a genuine conference title run. The Yellow Jackets could realistically be favored in at least eight games this season, with their most challenging tests being:

Season opener at Colorado (a tricky road environment but a winnable game)
Early-season clash with ACC powerhouse Clemson
Potential trap game at Duke in mid-October
Traditional season-ending rivalry against Georgia

The balanced schedule provides a realistic pathway to nine or even ten wins if things break right.

The X-Factor: New Defensive Coordinator Blake Gideon

Defense wins championships, and Georgia Tech just upgraded.

The hiring of Blake Gideon from Texas represents a critical addition to the coaching staff. While there will be a transition period, Gideon brings SEC-level experience and a reputation for developing defensive backs—an area where Georgia Tech desperately needs improvement after ranking 117th in EPA per dropback last season.

His primary challenge? Fix that anemic pass rush that generated just 18 sacks in 2024.

The Bottom Line: This Is The Year

Georgia Tech will be in the ACC Championship Game in 2025.

This isn’t just a bold prediction—it’s the logical conclusion when you analyze all the evidence. With a third year in Faulkner’s offensive system, a favorable schedule, and returning production that ranks among the nation’s best, the Yellow Jackets have all the ingredients for a special season.

The goals should be clear: