So long as Georgia Tech coach Geoff Collins isn’t naming starters for Saturday’s season opener against Northern Illinois, Huskies coach Thomas Hammock isn’t, either.

In response to Collins’ “Above the Line” chart, which lists all players deemed ready to play but does not place them in the traditional format of starter and backup at each position, Hammock elected to not release his own two-deep depth chart prior to Saturday’s season opener for both teams.

“Why would we put out a two-deep and they have not?” Hammock said at his Tuesday news conference. “It just doesn’t make sense to me.”

The format of Collins’ chart has irked opposing coaches and others in the past as it doesn’t identify starters or primary backups. The lack of clarity is only amplified before a season opener. (Part of Collins’ rationale for not identifying starters is to try to avoid creating a hierarchy between starters and backups.)

Hammock’s chart in the Northern Illinois game notes was similar to Tech’s. It listed every player, by position and ordered by jersey number, with a chance to play Saturday. He said that he would issue a standard depth chart after the Tech game.

“I think it’s becoming a common thing,” Hammock said at his Tuesday news conference. “It makes sense. Why would you want to show to the (opposing) team who are your new guys and who are your new players?”

About the Author

Keep Reading

Cheerleaders take the field riding on the Ramblin Wreck car during Georgia Tech football team's annual White and Gold game in Atlanta on Saturday, April 12, 2025.  Players split into two teams — Team Swarm and Team Wreck ‘Em — with some players being asked to play on both squads.  (Bob Andres for the Atlanta Journal Constitution)

Credit: Bob Andres

Featured

University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue said joining neighboring states to form a new accreditation agency will “keep Georgia’s universities among the best in the nation." (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz/AJC