Georgia Tech could get more players involved vs. Mercer. Here are 8 to watch.

Georgia Tech hasn’t had much opportunity to experiment through the first two games of the season.

The Yellow Jackets couldn’t afford to take their best players off the field against Colorado, when the game remained close throughout. They couldn’t do that against Tennessee, either.

Mercer should be different.

For the first time this season, the Yellow Jackets should have the luxury of looking beyond simply winning the game. They can give some players more meaningful opportunities, see what they can do and begin figuring out which ones might become bigger pieces as the season progresses.

Jackets’ coach Brent Key indicated that’s part of the plan.

“Sometimes you’ve got to walk in the room and say, ‘Hey, these guys are playing,’” he said. “That’s what I can tell you, some of these guys walk in, these guys are playing. Because by game six these guys are going to be better versions of themselves than if they sit on the bench, that’s for sure. That’s what we’re doing this year.”

Key also said some Tech players have played too many snaps through the first two games and that the issue has been addressed.

“That will not happen again,” he said.

So, with Mercer coming to Atlanta on Saturday, here are eight players and a position group that could benefit from Key’s approach, whether they’re young players getting valuable experience or veterans who could carve out larger roles as the season moves along.

Cayman Spaulding

Cayman Spaulding has already established himself as a contributor. The senior linebacker finished sixth on the team last season in tackles and, according to Key, has played roughly 50% of defensive snaps this year.

He has five tackles through two games, and Key said he wants to continue finding ways to get him on the field.

“Cayman can run. He’s explosive,” Key said. “I’ve talked about him since preseason camp, he’s been the best version of himself and it’s showing through the production on the field. We’ve got to continue to put him in those positions.”

Braylon Outlaw

Know who made Tech’s first tackle of the season? It was Braylon Outlaw on Colorado’s kickoff return to begin the opener.

Special teams is one way Key gets freshmen like Outlaw involved.

“There’s a process and a plan to get out on the field,” Key said. “That’s not one of those things you can trump the plan and the path when you’re talking about freshmen.”

The 6-foot-1, 225-pound linebacker from Pike Road, Alabama, emerged during fall camp as a player who could work his way into a meaningful defensive role.

“I’d expect to see him play more this week, more the next and really look at by game five, game six, when you start to get to that midpoint of the season that he’s a major, major contributor for us,” Key said.

Trae Stevenson Jr.

Trae Stevenson Jr. is another true freshman who has stood out on special teams. The 6-foot-1 cornerback blocked a punt in the first half against Tennessee that Tech recovered for a touchdown.

With starter Jaylen Mbakwe sidelined by injury, Stevenson, a former four-star recruit from Quitman, will likely get more opportunities in the secondary.

“Trae is one that started making his impact,” Key said. “I mean blocked the punt Saturday night. Trae is one that’s going to continue to play more and more.”

Trelain Maddox and Chad Alexander

Tech is loaded at running back. This is about diversifying the personnel.

The Jackets will likely give the majority of carries to Justice Haynes and Malachi Hosley as long as they’re healthy this season. But they’ve got options behind the top two.

Trelain Maddox is a redshirt sophomore who was named a permanent team captain. He didn’t have a carry against Colorado and ran four times for 27 yards versus Tennessee.

“Tre has a huge package of things that he does across the board,” Key said. “He’s also a load carrying the football.”

One aspect limiting Tech’s offense thus far is a lack of explosive plays. The Jackets’ longest offensive play of the season was a 42-yard reception by Dalen Penson against Colorado. No play went for longer than 22 yards against Tennessee.

Senior Chad Alexander could be one answer after the former walk-on missed most of last season because of injury.

“Chad is one we’ve talked about that we’ve got to get in the game,” Key said. “Chad is an explosive playmaker. Got to get the ball in his hands.”

Christian Speakman

Christian Speakman has impressed since enrolling in January, according to Tech defensive line coach Jess Simpson.

The lightly recruited 6-foot-4, 325-pound defensive tackle from Ellenwood had five tackles against Tennessee and has become a fixture in the rotation.

“He has a lot to learn, but he has a lot of natural instinct for understanding how to fight blocks, how to play blocks, fight pressure, plays with his hands for his age and his experience level,” Simpson said last month. “I expect big things out of him his freshman year.”

Coi Jean-Noel and Darnell Collins

This is about long-term development.

The Jackets have sophomores Jordan Allen and Dalen Penson who have separated themselves from the pack at wide receiver. The duo caught 21 of the 22 receptions by wideouts in the first two games. Elon transfer Isaiah Fuhrmann caught the other one.

Coi Jean-Noel, at 5-foot-11, and Darnell Collins, at 6-foot-3, are two freshmen with different body types pushing for opportunities.

“Those guys are improving, improving,” Key said. “Coi and Darnell got banged up a little bit during training camp, but they are two receivers that are coming on.”

Offensive linemen

The Jackets’ offensive line could look different Saturday. Starters Ethan Mackenny, Jameson Riggs and Malachi Carney all suffered injuries against Tennessee.