In one week, Georgia Tech begins the 2024 season in Dublin, Ireland against Florida State. This will be the first opportunity to see the Yellow Jackets in action. Georgia Tech returns most of its starting offense from last year and has several new contributors on defense that they hope will shake up that side of the ball.

While Georgia Tech has most of its regular offensive linemen back, could there be some freshmen contributing to the offense? Last year, wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr. and offensive lineman Ethan Mackenny played important roles as freshmen for Georgia Tech, which had one of the best offenses in the ACC. On defense, Georgia Tech didn’t have as many contributors, but there could be some this year.

So, which guys should you know?

1. Running back Anthony Carrie

Georgia Tech is trying to improve its running back position, and freshman running back Anthony Carrie is one of the guys trying to earn playing time. Brent Key has often complimented him on how hard he handles the ball in practice games, and he could add an exciting element to a Yellow Jackets backfield that already has Jamal Haynes.

2. TE Luke Harpring

Harpring was one of the most talented players in Georgia Tech’s 2024 recruiting class and could find a way onto the field due to his athleticism and ability to make difficult catches. Georgia Tech has Brett Seither, Jackson Hawes, Josh Beetham and Ryland Goede at tight end, but Harpring is so talented that I think he’ll be a guy to watch as the year progresses.

3. DE Jordan Boyd

The Yellow Jackets are confident the new additions to their defensive line will help them turn that unit around. That includes freshman defensive end Jordan Boyd. Boyd was an underrated part of Georgia Tech’s recruiting class and has the athleticism to make an impact quickly. Keep an eye on him this year.

4. DE Amontrae Bradford

Like Boyd, Bradford is a guy who has been mentioned by coaches as someone who looked good in practice games and could potentially help the Yellow Jackets on defense. Bradford is 6’5″ and 250 pounds and could provide Georgia Tech depth from the start and continue to see action as the year progresses.

5. LB Tah’j Butler

Georgia Tech is looking to sign players at linebacker and Butler is someone they care about a lot. Key spoke about him and Georgia transfer EJ Lightsey after last week’s practice game:

“Yeah, you know, both of them, you can tell both of them, it was their first time in a new defense in the spring, they were learning a new defense. Tuch has very high expectations of these guys. He has very high standards for them. I don’t think if you ask him, he’ll ever say he’s happy with the work they do day in and day out. But that doesn’t mean he treats them poorly. It’s just the standard that he sets for everybody, and that’s what I love about the guys on the team. I mean, that’s why he’s been such a good fit here from the beginning. I mean, his standard is the same as mine, it’s the same as the offensive coaches. It’s the same everywhere, and he expects perfection, right? He expects the guys out there to be perfect. We all know that’s not going to happen, but as the saying goes? I mean, if you strive for perfection, you’re going to get excellence in most cases. Time, and that’s what we’re trying to achieve, and that’s the standard that he’s putting on those guys. They’re going to be good football players. I’m excited to watch the film tonight and see those guys. That was one of the position groups. We mixed and matched some of the guys with the twos with the ones, the threes with threes, twos, and I’m excited to see what those guys did. You know, some runs through the middle that I think we probably should have put a hat on. So we’re going to look at the gaps and how they fill the gaps from the side of the ball where they come in and pull the double coverages off the line of scrimmage. There was also enough that were flat-walled at the line of scrimmage where those guys were making plays in the box but also had the range to make plays in space. So an improvement over those guys from the week before. But until we look at the tape and really be able to put those guys in the right spots, I’m happy with the development of those guys.”