Georgia
Georgia Tech Football: Recruits Are Buzzing Over Yellow Jackets Upset Win over No. 4 Miami
Georgia Tech’s win over No. 4 Miami has recruits buzzing. Here is what some of them had to say including Ga Tech commit Dalen Penson.
Georgia Tech Commit Dalen Penson (Sandy Creek HS)
“This game was electric, the atmosphere, the offense, and the defense. Once Georgia Tech can stay consistent, we will be a team to watch,” said Penson.
2025 LB Jakaleb Stegall (Newnan HS)
“The atmosphere was crazy. It was rocking and the students were a big part of the win. I just felt like the players were hungry. The coaches were very home-caring and welcoming. They made us feel a part of them and storming the field was one of the best experiences ever #goyellowjacket,” said Stegall.
2025 Emarion Nichols (Newnan HS)
“It was an amazing experience. The coaches were welcoming and made you feel at home, and asked how you were doing. The players were cool. We were interacting with them after the win and they made me feel like I was a part of the team,” said Nichols.
2026 LB Rodney Colton (Newnan HS)
The vibe was lit, and the atmosphere and the student section made the game 10 times better. The coaches mess with me heavily. They love it when I come and get to see me,” said Colton. “I love the way they rotate their linebackers. The players mess with the kid. Singleton is my guy and the one I’m closest with.”
2026 WR Ryan Mosley (Carrollton HS)
“It was a shock but Tech looks good and they have made some changes to their program. It’s paying off and no I didn’t storm the field. There were a lot of us out there and I knew a lot of the prospects but I was there with a teammate from school CJ Kelly and Coach Key came and talked to me before the game,” said Mosley. “It feels amazing to see this win! It was a great environment and had high hospitality from the fans from the start of the game to the end of the game and I knew that momentum would lead GA Tech to the big upset win. Great work by all the players and I’m glad they came out on top.”
2026 WR Craig Dandridge (Cambridge HS)
“I feel like it was a great hard fought team win but most importantly a statement win for GT. When the fans stormed the field it was fun to watch, people were carrying the goalposts, carrying players, and taking videos with them. It was exciting to see all the support the team has from the GT community,” said Dandridge.
2026 WR Hudson Cocchiara (Cambridge HS)
“That was crazy. I was very impressed with Georgia Tech’s defense and how they contained Miami QB Cam Ward very well. There were a lot of big hits coming from both sides. It was interesting the way GT would swap the quarterbacks, but it ended up working out. King had some pretty tough runs,” said Cocchiara. “GT had a lot of injuries too it seemed like, which is also why it’s impressive they beat the #4 team Miami for their first loss. I stormed the field and talked to some players briefly. It was a great experience overall.”
2027 EDGE KJ Green (Stephenson HS)- Green was a high-end recruit in attendance coming with his DL Coach Rockshawn McNeil who has been key in his development. This is what he had to say.
“The game was extremely energetic. That fan base was on a whole different level. I felt the intensity in my spirit every time a 3rd down or a big-time moment happened. I love the way the coaches kept their cool in such a close game against a top team like Miami,” said Green. To see how they kept not only themselves but the players calm in such a big-time moment, I can honestly say I genuinely enjoyed that Georgia Tech game day experience.”
2027 OL Gabe Prince (Prince Avenue Christian HS)
The game itself was an amazing experience and the end was the best college game ending I’ve ever been to. I enjoyed the atmosphere and the hospitality from the coaches and staff.
2027 DB Ethan Hauser (Buford HS)
“This was definitely the best Tech game I’ve been to so far. The energy was crazy! I definitely had a feeling they were going to pull this one off, everyone seemed super confident on the field during warmups,” said Hauser. It was pretty cool to see them pull it off and to be down on the field with the students and fans after such a huge win.”
You can’t state enough the magnitude of a win for the Yellow Jackets and how important it was for what they are trying to build for the future while attracting top recruits from across the country and in the peach state.
Additional Links:
ACC Power Rankings: Week 12
Georgia Tech Football: Big Takeaways From The Yellow Jackets Upset Win Over No. 4 Miami on Saturday
Georgia Tech Football: Everything From Brent Key After Win Over No. 4 Miami
Athlon Sports projected the best SEC games for each week of the 2026 regular season.
The conference features some of the most compelling matchups in all of college football, from opening weekend through rivalry week. The selections emphasize games anticipated to have the biggest impact on the SEC championship race and College Football Playoff picture.
Florida’s annual clash with Georgia was tabbed as one of the SEC’s premier fixtures. The game has grown in national significance since it began in 1904, continuing as a battle of blue-blood programs that routinely produces iconic results. The game temporarily moves to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta during the Jacksonville stadium renovations.
The Jon Sumrall era carries with it an increasing sense of belief — many experts see the Gators as a dark-horse CFB playoff contender. Regardless of its final win-loss record, UF will play a part in shaping the season’s narrative as they face several post-season favorites in Texas, Georgia and Oklahoma.
Noted in the article is the SEC’s depth and newly implemented nine-game conference schedule. Georgia, Texas, Alabama and LSU appear multiple times on this list, with Georgia facing Alabama in Week 6 and Ole Miss in Week 10 while LSU hosts Clemson in Week 1 and will see Texas in Week 11 take on Alabama.
Many contenders from the SEC face multiple nationally relevant foes over the course of the season.
Athlon Sports’ Best game for every week of the 2026 season
- Week 1: Clemson at LSU (Sept. 5)
- Week 2: Ohio State at Texas (Sept. 12)
- Week 3: LSU at Ole Miss (Sept. 19)
- Week 4: Oklahoma at Georgia (Sept. 26)
- Week 5: Auburn at Tennessee (Oct. 3)
- Week 6: Georgia at Alabama (Oct. 10)
- Week 7: Alabama at Tennessee (Oct. 17)
- Week 8: Ole Miss at Texas (Oct. 24)
- Week 9: Florida vs. Georgia (Atlanta) (Oct. 31)
- Week 10: Georgia at Ole Miss (Nov. 7)
- Week 11: Texas at LSU (Nov. 14)
- Week 12: Texas A&M at Oklahoma (Nov. 21)
- Week 13: Texas at Texas A&M (Friday) (Nov. 27)
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
The Georgia Bulldogs are expected to have one of the country’s best defenses again in 2026. Georgia has a lot of continuity from the 2025 defense and should be able to dominate many of their opponents this fall.
The Bulldogs defense will be led by potential All-American defensive backs KJ Bolden and Ellis Robinson. Georgia appears to be set at inside linebacker with the likes of Raylen Wilson, Chris Cole, Justin Williams and Zayden Walker forming a formidable group.
Georgia’s defense is not without questions. The Bulldogs need defensive tackle Elijah Griffin to play like a star as a sophomore. Georgia has to get more pass rush production. UGA managed only 20 sacks a year ago and their top defensive transfer addition, Amaris Williams of Auburn, is expected to be out for the season. Georgia fans can all remember Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss running circles around the Georgia defense in crucial moments of the Sugar Bowl.
Outside of the pass rush, Georgia’s depth at outside cornerback is probably the Bulldogs’ second-biggest weakness. If Ellis Robinson gets hurt, then Georgia could be in trouble. Despite these concerns, Georgia’s defense should overwhelm weaker SEC opponents this fall.
Nose tackle
- Jordan Hall
- Xzavier McLeod
- Nnamdi Ogboko
Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Hall is a former five-star recruit with a significant injury history. His snaps will probably be limited at times this fall. Xzavier McLeod has improved in each of his two seasons at Georgia and should be one of Georgia’s top depth options in the defensive line rotation. Nasir Johnson is another big body to know up front at nose tackle.
Defensive tackle
- Elijah Griffin
- Josh Horton
- Nasir Johnson/London Seymour/Valdin Sone
Five-star defensive lineman Elijah Griffin is entering his second season and is looking to have a big year after making an impact as a true freshman. Josh Horton has plenty of experience, but Bulldog fans would like to see a bit more production. Another defensive lineman to know is freshman Valdin Sone, who is a five-star recruit.
Defensive end
- Gabe Harris
- Joseph Jonah-Ajonye
- Justin Greene/JJ Hanne
Gabe Harris has the size to play both defensive end and outside linebacker. Georgia needs him as a pass rusher. He missed the Bulldogs’ Sugar Bowl loss and spring practice due to a turf toe injury. Joseph Jonah-Ajonye is a former elite recruit.
Outside linebacker
- Quintavius Johnson
- Chase Linton/Isaiah Gibson
- Darren Ikinnagbon/Khamari Brooks/PJ Dean
Quintavius Johnson is expected to start after a promising 2025 season. Gabe Harris and Chris Cole will also see action at outside linebacker. One of these second-year players needs to step up: Isaiah Gibson, Chase Linton and/or Darren Ikinnagbon. All have a lot of talent and are in for bigger roles after Auburn transfer Amaris Williams suffered an ACL injury in the spring. Freshmen Khamari Brooks and PJ Dean were both four-star signees.
Inside linebacker
- Raylen Wilson
- Chris Cole
- Justin Williams
- Zayden Walker
Once again, Georgia and coach Glenn Schumann have a stacked inside linebackers room. The Bulldogs will start two inside linebackers, but their backups will all play key roles. Chris Cole led UGA in sacks during the 2025 season. Cole and Zayden Walker are important pieces in Georgia’s pass rush. Raylen Wilson (knee) and Walker (shoulder) both missed the spring.
Georgia freshmen Nick Abrams has a lot of talent and veteran Terrell Foster is reliable, but they’re expected to be buried on Georgia’s depth chart along with redshirt freshman AJ Kruah.
Outside cornerback
- Ellis Robinson IV
- Demello Jones
- Braylon Conley/Gentry Williams
- Jontae Gilbert/Caden Harris/Justice Fitzpatrick
Georgia’s outside cornerback room is led by Ellis Robinson, who should be an All-SEC pick. The spot opposite Robinson should go to Demello Jones, but don’t rule out experience transfers Braylon Conley (USC) and Gentry Williams (Oklahoma). There is some concern about Georgia’s outside cornerback depth this season. Jontae Gilbert, Caden Harris and Justice Fitzpatrick all have talent, but Fitzpatrick did suffer a torn ACL in December.
Slot cornerback
- Khalil Barnes
- Rasean Dinkins
- Zech Fort
Rasean Dinkins did well in the SEC championship against Alabama, but not as strong in the Sugar Bowl. Clemson transfer Khalil Barnes is projected to start over him with Tyrique Green being another name to watch at star.
Free safety
- KJ Bolden
- Tyrique Green
- Jaylan Morgan/Jordan Smith
Georgia junior KJ Bolden should be an All-SEC pick. Four-star signee Tyrique Green is going to find a way on to the field this season.
Strong safety
- Rasean Dinkins
- Zion Branch/Ja’Marley Riddle/Kyron Jones
- Todd Robinson/Blake Stewart
Dinkins and Barnes will both likely start for UGA. Zion Branch, Ja’Marley Riddle and Kyron Jones should all see snaps with Jones’ health being a question.
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