1. New style defense
When the dust settled on the 2023 college football season, Tech ranked 128th nationally in rushing defense, 120th in total defense and 94th in scoring defense. The Jackets currently rank below 85th in the nation in total defense for the fifth straight year.
So when the Keys hired Tyler Santucci in January, they once again tried to shake things up on that side of the ball by naming their third defensive coordinator in less than six months. Santucci spent three seasons at Texas A&M before spending 23 years at Duke.
Santucci, who replaced Andrew Tucker with Kevin Scherer, is charged with turning around the fortunes of Tech's defense, a process that begins in spring practice. How quickly the Jackets can adapt to Santucci's plan, and how well Santucci can utilize the personnel he has within that plan, will be critical to a healthy start to the 2024 season in August. .
2. Next steps for offense
The technology returns nearly every part of a balanced, exciting and productive attack. What's the next step?
Co-offensive coordinators Chris Weinke and Buster Faulkner have the somewhat unenviable task of making the Tech offense not just the same as it was in 2023, but even better. The Jackets finished 13th in rushing offense with 203.77 yards per game (best in the ACC) and scored over 400 points for the first time since 2018.
With the return of quarterback Haynes King, running back Jamal Haynes, wide receivers Malik Rutherford and Eric Singleton (among others), and four of the five starting offensive linemen, Tech's offensive unit There's no reason why you can't take another step forward. How exactly they do that should start to become clear this spring.
3. Transfer tracker
Key signed 10 transfers in the offseason (that number also included former Kennesaw State long snapper Ronnie Thomas), helping to build depth and fill holes on the roster. . Six of the remaining nine rookies play defense.
Defensive backs Warren Burrell (Tennessee) and Saeed Gibbs (Rhode Island), linebackers EJ Lightsey and Jackson Hamilton (Louisville), and defensive linemen Ayo Tifase and Jack Burton (Furman) all. He will be expected to contribute immediately. Depending on where they land on the spring depth map, we can get an early indication of how much of an impact they will have in the fall.
4. Defensive personnel
In addition to the transfers mentioned above, Tech's defensive depth is littered with names that aren't necessarily familiar, but will include names that weren't often heard this past season.
The Jackets are defensive backs LaMyles Brooks, Clayton Powell-Lee and Ahhmari Harvey, linebackers Trenillias Tatum and Kyle Efford, and linemen Macius Scott, Kevin Harris, Eddie Kelly and Zeke Biggers. Santucci and his staff returned, although Santucci and his staff returned due to injury. We need to find out who is ready to step into the overall starting and backup roles.
Tech lost linebacker Paul Moala, safety Jaylon King and defensive back Myles Sims to graduation. Defensive backs Kenan Johnson and KJ Wallace and defensive linemen Zeke Biggers, Kyle Kennard and D'Quan Does were among the Jackets who made offseason moves, leaving plenty of holes to fill heading into 2024.
5. The fifth member of the band
A major reason for Tech's offensive success in 2023, especially late in the season, was due to the play of the team's offensive line. And the unit's only starter, right guard Connor Scaglione, left in the offseason.
Left tackle Ethan McKenney (6-4, 311), left guard Joe Fusiel (6-6, 302), center Weston Franklin (6-4, 311), right tackle Jordan Williams (6-6, 304 minutes) is all back. Front Tech offensive. Backup tackle Corey Robinson (6-5, 305 points), who played 374 snaps in 2023, also returns.
The battle to determine who will be the fifth member of Tech's starting offense will begin in the spring. Key frequently praised Patrick Screws (6-5, 319) and Brandon Best (6-4, 295) as reserve players who are ready to play on the wing in 2023. Former Middle Tennessee lineman Keelan Rutledge transferred to the program in the offseason, adding further depth to a unit that should be one of the best teams in the ACC in 2024.
