Georgia Tech coach Geoff Collins issued his “Above the Line” chart Tuesday in advance of the season opener against No. 4 Clemson on Monday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (8 p.m., ESPN). It is something of an acquired taste, as it does not reveal starters, but instead all of the players deemed ready to contribute on the field within each position group, listed in order by jersey number.
But it does communicate, though, the players that the coaching staff trusts most in games. A review of the 58 players did offer some conclusions, including the following nine.
1. The 10 offensive linemen on the chart may well get the job done, as line coach Brent Key has offered his “100% confidence” that they will. But, as noted, they bring a shortfall of experience to the party. Of the 10, five have never played in a college football game and seven have never started one. Four are in their second college season, five are in their third and only one, Alabama transfer guard Pierce Quick, is in his fourth, and his playing experience amounts to eight games.
Compare that with the 10 linemen on the initial ATL chart from last season. Eight had game experience, and six had started at least 10 games. Five had played three or more seasons.
Tech’s experience shortage stems from the first two classes of Collins’ tenure, 2019 (signed shortly after his arrival) and 2020. There were no linemen signed in the 2019 high-school class, as Collins backed off two linemen who had committed to former coach Paul Johnson. Key led the signing of six linemen in the 2020 high-school class. Two – offensive tackle Jordan Williams and guard Paula Vaipulu – contribute, but two are no longer on the roster (one left the team and the other was a medical disqualification) and two more have yet to play a snap.
2. The three-player running back group is the opposite. Hassan Hall, Dontae Smith and Dylan McDuffie have played a combined 101 games and have all started (albeit a total of 14 games). They have a combined total of 592 carries. Each is in his fifth season at the college level.
It’s playing experience that offensive coordinator Chip Long likely will rely on against Clemson and over the course of the season. Running backs coach Mike Daniels has said that all three will play.
3. There are three players on the chart – nickel back Kenny Bennett, wide receiver E.J. Jenkins and defensive end Keion White – who are in their sixth season of college football, having first arrived on their respective campuses in 2017. Each has redshirted a season (Bennett at Maryland, Jenkins at FCS St. Francis and White at Old Dominion) and is making use of allowances permitted by the NCAA because of COVID-19 to extend his career.
Offensive lineman William Lay, who is not on the chart, also began his career in 2017 and is back for a fifth season of eligibility despite playing as a walk-on.
4. Of the 58 players on the chart on offense or defense, three are in their sixth season in college (including seasons at schools other than Tech), 13 are in their fifth season, 13 are in their fourth season, 16 are in their third season and 13 are in their second season. None are freshmen, although the list is fluid over the course of the season, and it would not be a surprise for freshmen to appear on the chart later.
It would seem to stand to reason that, of the 58 players most expected to play, the group would lean more toward players in their fourth and/or fifth seasons, but it’s a fairly even split. That could be explained in multiple ways, including the development of younger players, but attrition certainly is a big part of it. Tech’s 2018 high school class (players entering their fifth season, such as wide receiver Malachi Carter, linebacker Charlie Thomas and cornerback Zamari Walton) has eight of its 22 signees remaining, with many having left the team by transfer. The 2019 high school class consisted of 21 signees, and five remain. The best player in the group arguably is tight end Dylan Leonard, who arrived as a walk-on before earning his scholarship.
5. Of the 58, 16 are players who transferred to Tech after last season, out of 17 total transfers. Another six transferred before last season for a total of 23.
6. Linebacker could be the most top-heavy group in terms of experience. Returning starters Ayinde Eley and Thomas played a combined 1,370 defensive snaps, according to Pro Football Focus, and Thomas has been recognized for his NFL potential. The three players also on the chart played significantly less last season – Trenilyas Tatum (101 defensive snaps), Demetrius Knight (20) and Taylor McCawley (0).
7. Perhaps the player most prominent in his absence is wide receiver Leo Blackburn, whose return from injury has been anticipated but has been delayed.
8. Aside from White, the defensive end group is young – four of six players are either in their second or third season, and of the four (Noah Collins, Kevin Harris, Kyle Kennard and Josh Robinson), Kennard is the most experienced, with five career starts and 4.5 sacks. The potential is there, but those players will have to deliver.
9. Of the 58, 11 were on Collins’ original “ATL” chart for the 2019 season opener, also against Clemson. On offense: Leonard at tight end, Smith at running back and Kalani Norris, Pejé Harris and Carter at wide receiver (Harris now at tight end). On defense, defensive backs Kenan Johnson, Walton and King, linebackers Knight and Thomas and defensive end Sylvain Yondjouen.
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