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Fox News
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
2025 College Football Predictions, Picks: Back Georgia Tech, Utah in Week 1
Is anyone else counting down the days until the college football season kicks off? I know I'm not the only one. I think we all started marking the days on the calendar as soon as Ohio State won it all back in January. Considering we're only a little more than a month out, I figured I'd go ahead and look at some games to sprinkle a little cash on. There are two so far that have caught my eye for Week 1. Let's dive into how I'm wagering Georgia Tech-Colorado and Utah-UCLA. Georgia Tech @ Colorado (+3.5) Entering the 2025 season, I'm high on Georgia Tech and selling on Colorado. This number does not reflect my feelings about the talent and execution difference between those two teams, even factoring in that this game is being played in Colorado. Let's start with Georgia Tech, which finished 7-5 (regular season) in head coach Brent Key's second full season. Key is a former offensive lineman and his team plays like that. The Yellow Jackets are physical on both sides of the ball and try to impose their will on their opponents. Look no further than their win against Miami last season or the 44-42 loss to Georgia in the final game of the regular season. They can routinely play with the big boys. Quarterback Haynes King is back for this season. He led the ACC in completion percentage and added nearly 600 yards on the ground. Lead back Jamal Haynes returns after rushing for 1,000 yards, and while Georgia Tech does have to replace some offensive linemen, this is where I trust the head coach. He has developed that position well everywhere he's been. On defense, Georgia Tech is led by new defensive coordinator Blake Gibson from Texas. The Jackets must replace multiple starting defensive linemen but have added transfer players that they hope will help the unit start fast. The Jackets return a veteran secondary and are in the top 40 for returning production on defense. I'd expect this unit to be prepared for Colorado. Colorado is undergoing roster turnover again. The Buffaloes have to replace their quarterback, their top four receiving targets and four offensive linemen on offense. Some might point to them upgrading the offensive line and, while I don't disagree, there are still lots of questions on offense. They aren't as talented at quarterback or receiver and the offense relied heavily on the production of Shedeur Sanders, and his receiving core. It's not an offense that's designed for easy plays and Colorado has yet to commit to the run in two seasons. Colorado's defense was much improved last season under first-time defensive coordinator Rob Livingston. I do not think enough attention was given to this unit, which was an outstanding second-half squad. However, Colorado is down lots of production, just like on offense. The Buffs are without their best pass rusher, both linebackers, both safeties and a Heisman-winning corner. How do you replace that much production without a base of high school players that you have developed? There's so much new for the Buffaloes, and I don't believe they will be ready to play Georgia Tech's brand of football in Week 1. New players on defense will need to stop a highly efficient quarterback and that Tech run game. On offense, Colorado is breaking in so many new players against a veteran Tech secondary. Can the Buffs get up to speed quickly to make enough plays? I just don't buy it. I like Georgia Tech to win and cover. PICK: Georgia Tech (-3.5) to win by 3.5 points or more Utah @ UCLA (+5.5) I'm also high on the Utes this season, and I'm starting by wagering on them in Week 1. This is a road game, but it's Labor Day Weekend at the Rose Bowl. Utah played the last two seasons with a roster ravaged by injuries. Quarterback Cam Rising played three games the last two seasons after injuring his knee in the 2023 Rose Bowl. That forced Utah to play at least five different quarterbacks in 2023 and 2024, and the results were ugly. Utah went into the portal to grab New Mexico quarterback Devon Dampier, a first-team All-Mountain West selection. The Utes also added New Mexico's offensive coordinator, who led the Lobos to finishing first in the country in yards per carry. It's a perfect fit for Utah, which has got one of the best offensive lines in the country. Both tackles will be first-round picks. Utah's rushing attack is going to face a UCLA defense replacing nine starters. The Bruins did add some portal players, but they haven't recruited at a level that will help them reload that quickly. It's always fair to question Utah's passing attack and that could be a concern this season, but I don't see it mattering much here. The Utes will control the line of scrimmage and score on UCLA. UCLA made headlines this spring when it landed former five-star Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava, a talented player who is also inconsistent. The Bruins have decent receiving options and some transfer talent at running back. Their offensive line was brutal last season and they will replace three starters. Just like the rest of their roster, the Bruins are hoping to patch the holes on the line with portal guys. Utah's defense has been its calling card for years and I don't doubt it will change this season. The Utes are replacing their defensive line, but they've shown the ability to reload that position year after year. They return experience at linebacker and in the secondary. And their defense should win the matchup against the Bruins' offense. Utah is more talented and has a more cohesive approach than UCLA. I like Utah to cruise in this game. PICK: Utah (-5.5) to win by more than 5.5 points Geoff Schwartz is an NFL analyst for FOX Sports. He played eight seasons in the NFL for five different teams. He started at right tackle for the University of Oregon for three seasons and was a second-team All-Pac-12 selection his senior year. Follow him on Twitter @GeoffSchwartz. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!


Fox Sports
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
2025 College Football Predictions, Picks: Back Georgia Tech, Utah in Week 1
Is anyone else counting down the days until the college football season kicks off? I know I'm not the only one. I think we all started marking the days on the calendar as soon as Ohio State won it all back in January. Considering we're only a little more than a month out, I figured I'd go ahead and look at some games to sprinkle a little cash on. There are two so far that have caught my eye for Week 1. Let's dive into how I'm wagering Georgia Tech-Colorado and Utah-UCLA. Georgia Tech @ Colorado (+3.5) Entering the 2025 season, I'm high on Georgia Tech and selling on Colorado. This number does not reflect my feelings about the talent and execution difference between those two teams, even factoring in that this game is being played in Colorado. Let's start with Georgia Tech, which finished 7-5 (regular season) in head coach Brent Key's second full season. Key is a former offensive lineman and his team plays like that. The Yellow Jackets are physical on both sides of the ball and try to impose their will on their opponents. Look no further than their win against Miami last season or the 44-42 loss to Georgia in the final game of the regular season. They can routinely play with the big boys. Quarterback Haynes King is back for this season. He led the ACC in completion percentage and added nearly 600 yards on the ground. Lead back Jamal Haynes returns after rushing for 1,000 yards, and while Georgia Tech does have to replace some offensive linemen, this is where I trust the head coach. He has developed that position well everywhere he's been. On defense, Georgia Tech is led by new defensive coordinator Blake Gibson from Texas. The Jackets must replace multiple starting defensive linemen but have added transfer players that they hope will help the unit start fast. The Jackets return a veteran secondary and are in the top 40 for returning production on defense. I'd expect this unit to be prepared for Colorado. Colorado is undergoing roster turnover again. The Buffaloes have to replace their quarterback, their top four receiving targets and four offensive linemen on offense. Some might point to them upgrading the offensive line and, while I don't disagree, there are still lots of questions on offense. They aren't as talented at quarterback or receiver and the offense relied heavily on the production of Shedeur Sanders, and his receiving core. It's not an offense that's designed for easy plays and Colorado has yet to commit to the run in two seasons. Colorado's defense was much improved last season under first-time defensive coordinator Rob Livingston. I do not think enough attention was given to this unit, which was an outstanding second-half squad. However, Colorado is down lots of production, just like on offense. The Buffs are without their best pass rusher, both linebackers, both safeties and a Heisman-winning corner. How do you replace that much production without a base of high school players that you have developed? There's so much new for the Buffaloes, and I don't believe they will be ready to play Georgia Tech's brand of football in Week 1. New players on defense will need to stop a highly efficient quarterback and that Tech run game. On offense, Colorado is breaking in so many new players against a veteran Tech secondary. Can the Buffs get up to speed quickly to make enough plays? I just don't buy it. I like Georgia Tech to win and cover. PICK: Georgia Tech (-3.5) to win by 3.5 points or more Utah @ UCLA (+5.5) I'm also high on the Utes this season, and I'm starting by wagering on them in Week 1. This is a road game, but it's Labor Day Weekend at the Rose Bowl. Utah played the last two seasons with a roster ravaged by injuries. Quarterback Cam Rising played three games the last two seasons after injuring his knee in the 2023 Rose Bowl. That forced Utah to play at least five different quarterbacks in 2023 and 2024, and the results were ugly. Utah went into the portal to grab New Mexico quarterback Devon Dampier, a first-team All-Mountain West selection. The Utes also added New Mexico's offensive coordinator, who led the Lobos to finishing first in the country in yards per carry. It's a perfect fit for Utah, which has got one of the best offensive lines in the country. Both tackles will be first-round picks. Utah's rushing attack is going to face a UCLA defense replacing nine starters. The Bruins did add some portal players, but they haven't recruited at a level that will help them reload that quickly. It's always fair to question Utah's passing attack and that could be a concern this season, but I don't see it mattering much here. The Utes will control the line of scrimmage and score on UCLA. UCLA made headlines this spring when it landed former five-star Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava, a talented player who is also inconsistent. He will compete with App State transfer Joey Aguilar for the starting job. The Bruins have decent receiving options and some transfer talent at running back. Their offensive line was brutal last season and they will replace three starters. Just like the rest of their roster, the Bruins are hoping to patch the holes on the line with portal guys. Utah's defense has been its calling card for years and I don't doubt it will change this season. The Utes are replacing their defensive line, but they've shown the ability to reload that position year after year. They return experience at linebacker and in the secondary. And their defense should win the matchup against the Bruins' offense. Utah is more talented and has a more cohesive approach than UCLA. I like Utah to cruise in this game. PICK: Utah (-5.5) to win by more than 5.5 points Geoff Schwartz is an NFL analyst for FOX Sports. He played eight seasons in the NFL for five different teams. He started at right tackle for the University of Oregon for three seasons and was a second-team All-Pac-12 selection his senior year. Follow him on Twitter @GeoffSchwartz. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account , and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Item 1 of 3 Get more from the College Football Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Georgia Tech Gets Big News by Landing 2026 DL Commit
Georgia Tech Gets Big News by Landing 2026 DL Commit originally appeared on Athlon Sports. On a holiday weekend filled with fireworks, Georgia Tech lit its own spark by landing one of Florida's rising defensive stars. Freddie Wilson, a three-star defensive lineman out of Spruce Creek High School (Port Orange, Fla.), announced his commitment to the Yellow Jackets on July 6, choosing Tech over Miami and Minnesota. Advertisement Wilson becomes the third defensive line commit and the first true interior lineman in Georgia Tech's 2026 class. A class that is quietly shaping up to be one of the more promising groups in Brent Key's tenure. At 6-foot-2 and 265 pounds, Wilson brings size, power, and versatility to the Jackets' front. According to 247Sports Composite rankings, Wilson is the No. 60 defensive lineman nationally, No. 72 overall player in Florida, and sits just outside the national top 500. But rankings only tell part of the story. Wilson racked up 70 tackles, six sacks, and multiple tackles for loss in a breakout junior campaign after transferring from Mainland to Spruce Creek. His high-motor style and ability to shed blocks make him a consistent backfield threat, and a nightmare for offensive lines. One of his standout performances came in the Florida playoffs, where he notched 10 tackles in a narrow 36–35 win over Flagler Palm Coast. Advertisement 'I could potentially be that guy,' Wilson told The Daytona Beach News-Journal, referring to his belief in Georgia Tech's development pipeline under defensive line coach Jess Simpson. 'They're working on the facilities and the stadium for the Class of 2026, and I know it will look good when it's done.' Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets head coach Brent Key on the sideline against the Louisville Cardinals in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports The Yellow Jackets are building more than just facilities, they're building a pipeline. Wilson now joins former teammate and fellow Spruce Creek defensive lineman Derry 'Chuck' Norris, a 2025 signee who enrolled early in January. The duo will reunite in Atlanta, anchoring a defensive front that Georgia Tech hopes can return to the physical, dominant identity of years past. Wilson is the Jackets' 20th overall commit for the 2026 cycle and the eighth defensive commit, joining edge rushers Chris Carbin and Alex Willis on the defensive line. Advertisement And don't expect Tech to slow down. With momentum on their side and strategic needs up front, look for the Jackets to target at least one more defensive lineman before the class is finalized. As Brent Key continues to mold his vision for Georgia Tech football, securing versatile, high-upside prospects like Freddie Wilson signals a commitment to winning the battle in the trenches, where games are truly won. Related: Georgia Tech Baseball Reloads Through Transfer Portal Surge This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.


New York Times
30-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Can Georgia Tech break through in college football's new era? Why Brent Key believes
ATLANTA — Brent Key was irate. Or at least what qualifies as irate for Key, Georgia Tech's witty and easygoing football coach, who listens to a coffee house music channel in his office. But the sign he saw from his office that cold day in January 2023 made him irate. Georgia, the team whose name Key refrains from using, had just won its second straight national championship, and 'CONGRATS DAWGS' beamed in red letters from the top of an Atlanta skyscraper, easily visible from Georgia Tech's football offices and stadium. Key called an assistant and ordered his entire team, which had just finished a workout, to walk to the top step of Bobby Dodd Stadium. Advertisement 'Make them stare at it,' Key remembers instructing. 'Soak it in and never forget it.' His voice dropped to a whisper as he told the story last week. 'This is our town,' he said. 'This is our city.' That, to put it mildly, is very debatable. Georgia is, well, Georgia. And at that point, two years ago, Georgia Tech was slipping into national irrelevancy, a rival to Georgia in name only. And the school had just turned the program over to Key, who was part of the staff that went 14-32 the previous four years, including 10-28 in three-plus seasons under former coach Geoff Collins. Georgia Tech may have a rich football tradition, but the landscape was changing and the program seemed ill-equipped to adapt. There's been a slight hang-up in writing the story of the demise of Georgia Tech football: The program's on the upswing, with two straight winning seasons under Key, including a 10-6 record in league games since the start of the 2023 season. Attendance was up by about 2,000 fans per game in 2024 at Bobby Dodd Stadium (without the benefit of playing Georgia at home). And since Key forced his players to stare at 'CONGRATS DAWGS,' the Jackets have played Georgia closer than any Georgia Tech team since 2016, including last year's eight-overtime thriller that may have been a loss but showed that the program is irrelevant no more. Which, as the college football world changes, raises the question: Is Georgia Tech getting good again at just the right time? Dabo Swinney, in an interview with The Athletic this spring, predicted that a college football Super League was coming soon. Swinney clearly wouldn't mind it, as his Clemson team is in the ACC, not the SEC or Big Ten, but any Super League would almost certainly include Clemson, winner of two national titles in the last decade. Florida State, Miami and North Carolina would seem to be the other programs in the ACC with the brand power to be included in this very hypothetical (or inevitable, if you ask Swinney) league. Advertisement Georgia Tech is a trickier story. It may reside in the huge Atlanta market, but Georgia would argue —and many would agree —that Atlanta is its town. Georgia Tech does have tradition: Its players work out next to a fence that heralds national titles in 1917, 1928, 1952 and 1990. John Heisman coached there. More recently, Calvin Johnson played there. It was a very respectable, competitive program for most of the past few decades, but often not much more than that. Current starting quarterback Haynes King grew up in Texas and signed with Texas A&M out of high school. Asked his perception about Georgia Tech, he probably spoke for many in his generation: 'I actually didn't watch them a lot. I know they did the triple option offensively. And it was a prestige college with academics.' King was asked if there was a culture shock coming to Tech. 'I mean, it's definitely a difference. In Texas, at Texas A&M, football's No. 1 over there. That's what everyone talks about, that's what everyone cares about. The population doubles, triples on game day, everybody's going to be there,' said King, who then noted what stuck out to him about his current home: 'The people here and, whether they're in the building working with football or just students, fans, graduates, just the way they love Georgia Tech.' That includes Key, the man orchestrating the turnaround. But that also applies to a fan base and administration that decided a few years ago it was tired of losing. This spring, former MLB star Alex Rodriguez was on Georgia Tech's campus for his podcast, 'The Deal,' with co-host Jason Kelly. They interviewed J Batt, the Georgia Tech athletic director, who talked about the things he had done since 2022 to bring Georgia Tech back to national relevance, and how President Angel Cabrera was fully invested in athletics. Advertisement 'That's what's got us positioned so well to go into this new era,' Batt said. Batt last month left for the same job at Michigan State in the Big Ten. A biting reminder that Georgia Tech, for any momentum, is still not in one of the top two conferences. Still, Cabrera put out a statement following Batt's departure reiterating: 'We made a clear commitment to athletics, and that commitment remains stronger than ever.' Georgia Tech also put out a story praising the work Batt had done, specifically mentioning fundraising and the hiring of Key and men's basketball coach Damon Stoudamire. Batt was there for only a few years, but it was a key period in which the school — and the football program — began making key changes. It wasn't that Georgia Tech was terrible: From 1995-2014, the Jackets had only two losing seasons. But they went 38-57 in the ensuing eight years, comprising Johnson's final four seasons and all of Collins' tenure. A big part of the problem, says school trustee Vance Bell, was a lack of resources and commitment, starting at the presidential level. 'Tech had dropped so far,' said Bell, who played football at Georgia Tech from 1969-73. 'A lot of people probably suggested to the president, we've got to do something, or if we don't change some things, it's going to be hard to get back to the level of success that we want. There were spurts of five or six years of good success, but I'm not sure that alignment from the top in leadership was consistent across that entire period of time. Yes, that affects resources, it affects commitment.' That began to change when Cabrera was hired in 2019. After navigating the school through the COVID-19 pandemic, Cabrera reaffirmed Georgia Tech's commitment to athletics, especially football. 'He's bought in completely. He's leading that charge,' Bell said. Advertisement Batt, hired in 2022, began a fundraising campaign that yielded $78 million last year, breaking the athletic department's record by 43 percent. Batt is gone, but the process continues under his top assistant, interim AD Jon Palumbo. 'There's great momentum here,' Palumbo said. 'But we still have work to do to get to where we want to go.' Batt had worked at Alabama, like Key, and saw firsthand what a football program needed to compete at the highest level. Following Key's promotion to head coach — after he went 4-4 as the interim to end the 2022 season — spending increased on facilities, staff, nutrition and strength and conditioning. Key pointed to the new athletic facility being built next to his office and said that the school is giving him the resources necessary for the hiring and retention of staff. 'Everything it takes to win,' he said. Key isn't just an alum. He played at Georgia Tech during the heyday of the George O'Leary era, from 1997 through 2000, and was on the team that shared the ACC championship in 1998. Key was a four-year starter at guard, then went into coaching, serving first under O'Leary at UCF, then for Nick Saban at Alabama. He won a national championship in 2017 and worked in the offensive room with Lane Kiffin, Steve Sarkisian and others. He also beat Georgia twice in three seasons with the Crimson Tide. But that was nothing new for Key, who went 3-1 vs. the Bulldogs as a player, the only defeat coming at home during his freshman year. Back then, it was an intense, even-handed rivalry. The Yellow Jackets have beaten Georgia only three times since, a fact that has grated on Key, and he wants to make Georgia Tech's performance against the Dawgs a cornerstone of each season. 'Our expectations are to go to the playoffs. And our expectations are to beat that team every day,' Key said, refraining from saying Georgia. 'Why are you focusing on that one team? Well, if the best team you play all year long is the last game of the season, then you are preparing every day to beat the best team, then you are preparing to win every game. Pretty simple, right?' Advertisement And they came so achingly close last year. A two-touchdown lead late in the fourth quarter. A targeting non-call against Georgia that could have iced the game in regulation. Then the eight overtimes. Key and Kirby Smart, a pair of alums leading their programs, had a long embrace afterwards. Georgia Tech players still look at it as one of their best nights. Should this have been targeting on Georgia?? The hit led to a significant Haynes King fumble in Georgia Tech territory… — Always College Football (@AlwaysCFB) November 30, 2024 'Even though we lost,' receiver Malik Rutherford said. 'We knew we could play with the best teams in the country, but that game solidified it for us.' Key, however, practically snarls. 'The number one thing they talk about this football team is a f—ing loss,' he said. 'You getting your butt kissed for a loss? I don't understand that. It was a loss.' But it was still the most memorable game of the year, Key was told. 'It was a loss,' he said. OK, but it was Friday night after Thanksgiving, a national television audience saw it hang with one of the best teams in the country, and … 'A hundred and 57 more days,' Key interrupted, with a smile. Yes, he knows every day how many days until they play again. There's also a countdown in their locker room. Head coaches are often compared to their predecessors. In Key's case, it was his former boss. Collins came to Georgia Tech in 2019 seeking to change the perception of the program — he scrapped the triple-option run by Paul Johnson — and turn it into a modern recruiting machine. But the on-field product wasn't good, and Collins' salesman approach wore thin. Key hasn't adopted that style. He isn't active on social media. In conversation, he's direct, loose and self-deprecating. Advertisement 'I ain't real smart, just a redneck from Alabama,' Key said. 'Just a dumb redneck from Alabama, so I try to make things simple so I remember.' Key is from the same town, Pelham, Ala., as Swinney, and they both became head coaches after interim stints when their boss was fired midseason. A comparison that Georgia Tech fans hope means something. Key is asked what his program can achieve. 'Champions.' Champions of the conference? National? 'State. Conference. National. Our expectations are playoffs. I'm not as big of a goal person. I'm not a big momentum person. Those have endpoints.' That sounds like Saban. 'Damn right,' said Key, who also dropped a 'rat poison' reference at one point. This synergy in his background — Georgia Tech alum, Saban assistant, same hometown as Swinney — could make Key the guy to bring Georgia Tech back. Which he has already started doing. The 2025 team will have 27 seniors, including King at quarterback, and could get preseason Top 25 votes and be a CFP contender. But going forward, there's also the reality of talent procurement. There's an entire generation of players who didn't grow up viewing Georgia Tech as an elite program. Still, Key has recruited well, signing the nation's 21st-ranked class in 2025, according to the 247Sports Composite, showing the chops he learned from Saban: Evaluate players early and often, and always be recruiting. As for the portal, the Jackets have gained some and lost some. This past offseason, they lost their best receiver in Eric Singleton Jr., who went to Auburn, but then signed one of the best receivers available, Eric Rivers from FIU. And their quarterback, King, could have commanded a very healthy payday on the open market but chose to return for his third season with the program. So Tech clearly has the ability to play the game, too. Advertisement But this remains a program that wants to do things by the book. On one hand, there is hope that revenue sharing plus rigid NIL enforcement will level the playing field and help teams like Georgia Tech. Key pointed to the number of Fortune 500 companies within walking distance of his campus, the hope being his players can easily bank so-called legitimate NIL deals in ways other schools can't. On the other hand, Key seems to understand the skepticism about the system working as intended. So he's taking a worry-about-ourselves approach to it. 'NIL's been around for 50 years,' Key said, laughing. 'It's just public NIL now, I guess you could say. But that was not part of the fabric of this place. This place is going to take pride in doing things the right way.' Georgia Tech being a Playoff team, whether this fall or in the near future, is no crazy notion. SMU made the CFP last year. So did Indiana. In the expanded system, a program can sneak into the CFP and use it as a springboard to sustained success. That's why it's so important for Georgia Tech to maintain its momentum from consecutive winning seasons. 'It is key. Yes, it is key,' he said. 'We can't control what people think about us. All that we can control is what we put on the field for three-and-a-half hours every Saturday. That's it. All I can control is the product in the field. I can control our players going to class and doing what they're supposed to be doing, not getting in trouble. If we do all of those things right, people can view us the way they want to view us.'
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Georgia Tech Lands Star Dual-Sport Athlete in 2026 Class
Georgia Tech Lands Star Dual-Sport Athlete in 2026 Class originally appeared on Athlon Sports. If you're looking for the heart of Georgia Tech's future, start with the name Jack Richerson. The 6-foot-4 athlete from Marist isn't just bringing his talents to The Flats, and he's bringing two sports worth of impact. Advertisement The Yellow Jackets secured a major recruiting win Friday evening when Richerson, a 2026 tight end and baseball standout, announced his commitment to Georgia Tech on social media. His decision sent a ripple through Tech nation, as Brent Key and the baseball staff landed one of the state's most versatile and high-upside prospects. This isn't just a two-for-one deal, it's a blueprint for how Tech is building for the future. A Football Force with a Championship Pedigree Richerson has been a standout on both sides of the ball for powerhouse Marist, helping lead the War Eagles to the state title game in 2024. While his junior stats jump off the page, 67 tackles, 15 sacks, and 24 tackles for loss, his future on the gridiron lies on the offensive side. Advertisement In Marist's traditional wing-T, tight ends are rarely featured in the passing game. But Richerson's skill set defies the scheme. He's a natural pass-catcher, sharp in reading zone coverages, and lethal between the hashes. His blocking, already a strength, fits the mold of a Georgia Tech offense that values physicality and versatility. 'I would put my ball skills up against anyone in the class,' Richerson said in May. 'When the ball is in the air, I'm going up to make a play.' That confidence isn't just talk, it's backed by tape. Diamond Dominance: A Legitimate Two-Way Star On the baseball field, Richerson is equally imposing. A 3B/RHP/1B, he combines elite size with technical precision. He's posted a 6.76 60-yard dash, a 90 mph fastball, and drives the ball with serious pop. Advertisement Scouts rave about his swing mechanics, fielding instincts, and strong arm from multiple positions. And while his future may lean toward football, there's no question he has pro-level tools on the mound and at the plate. According to Perfect Game, Richerson 'has a long and strong swing with big power potential' and is 'an excellent student', a perfect fit for Georgia Tech's academic-athletic balance. Georgia Tech Yellowjackets firstbase Kent Schmidt (10) reacts with shortstop Kyle Lodise (2), outfielder Drew Burress (8), and second baseman Alex Hernandez (4), after a home run during the first inning against the Mississippi Rebels.© Petre Thomas-Imagn Images What This Means for Tech Richerson becomes the second tight end commit in Georgia Tech's 2026 class, following Luke Harpring, also from Marist. It's another high-IQ, high-ceiling addition for Key, who continues to build a class loaded with toughness and versatility. Advertisement Georgia Tech now holds 16 commitments in the 2026 cycle, and Richerson could be one of the most important. He's not just a fit, he's a statement. Related: Georgia Tech Lands Two Promising WRs in 2026 Class Surge Related: Georgia Tech Baseball Lands Top Transfers to Supercharge 2025 Lineup This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 23, 2025, where it first appeared.