BEST OF THE YELLOW JACKETS

2. Joe Hamilton (1996-99)

On his way to a runner-up finish for the Heisman Trophy in ’99, when he was consensus first team All-American, he was magic. “Joe Ham” had remarkable awareness in the pocket and was brilliant in escaping when necessary. He left Tech as the ACC’s all-time total-offense leader (10,640 yards). Hamilton passed for 8,882 career yards and rushed for 1,758. He threw for 65 touchdowns and ran for 18.

3. Billy Lothridge (1961-63)

Lothridge was Tech’s quarterback, kicker and punter in ’63, when he finished runner-up in Heisman Trophy voting. He guided coach Bobby Dodd’s squad to a 7-6 upset of No. 1 Alabama in ‘62, when he finished eighth in Heisman voting after leading the SEC in completed passes and was second in rushing. Lothridge was a punter on the 1972 Miami Dolphins squad that was undefeated.

4. Clint Castleberry (1942)

He played only one season (because he died during World War II), but Castleberry was so good in ’42 that his number is the only one Tech retired. Easily the greatest pound-for-pound Yellow Jacket. The 5-foot-9, 155-pound whirling runner was slowed by a knee injury, yet finished third in Heisman voting after leading Tech as a runner and passer. He also was a fine defensive back, and keyed a 7-0 victory against Alabama.

5. Ken Swilling (1988-91)

One of two unanimous All-American players (’90) in school history, the big defensive back (6-3, 236) was one of the more intimidating Jackets ever. He was fast for a safety (4.41), hit like a truck and had keen instincts. Swilling had 13 career interceptions, returned two for scores. A two-time first-team All-ACC player, his 267 career tackles were second most in Tech history at the time.