What is the ceiling for Georgia Tech if they see enough defensive improvement?

The 2024 college football season is less than two months away, and it kicks off with a huge ACC matchup between Georgia Tech and Florida State in Dublin, Ireland. It’s the first chance we’ll get to see either team, and there’s a lot to look forward to. Perhaps the biggest thing I’m looking forward to is Georgia Tech’s defense.

It’s no secret that Georgia Tech had one of the worst defenses in the country last season, especially against the run. The Yellow Jackets have made fixing their defense a top priority this season, making changes to their defensive coaching staff and attempting to upgrade their personnel through the transfer portal.

New defensive coordinator Tyler Santucci is hoping Georgia Tech’s defense can turn around this season to help it compete in the ACC. In one season at Duke (2023), Santucci led the ACC’s highest-scoring defense, allowing just 19.0 points per game, which was good for 16th nationally. The Blue Devils also ranked among the nation’s top 50 in rushing defense, passing defense, total defense, tackles for loss, third-down defense, fourth-down defense and red zone defense. Duke scored just 10 total points in a pair of wins over teams that finished the season ranked in the top 25 — No. 20 Clemson (28-7) and No. 21 NC State (24-3) — and finished 8-5 overall after a 17-10 win over Troy in the 2023 Birmingham Bowl.

Georgia Tech’s defensive line is perhaps the biggest question mark on defense, especially defensively. Inside, Zeek Biggers, Miami/Georgia State transfer Thomas Gore, Penn State transfer Jordan van den Berg and Horace Lockett have potential, but will Georgia Tech have enough at the edge rusher spot? USC transfer Romello Height should help, but Georgia Tech needs production from this unit. The pass rush is the biggest question mark I have on the entire Georgia Tech team this season.

At linebacker, Kyle Efford will look to lead a group that includes veteran starter Trenilyas Tatum, Georgia transfer EJ Lightsey, Louisville transfer Jackson Hamilton and freshman Tah’j Butler.

Georgia Tech returns a strong duo at safety in LaMiles Brooks and Clayton Powell-Lee, while Ahmari Harvey could be primed for a breakout season in 2024. The biggest question in the secondary will be who starts at cornerback opposite Harvey. Tennessee transfer Warren Burrell might be the favorite on the outside, while Rhode Island transfer Syeed Gibbs and Rodney Shelley might be the guys making money.

I think the personnel has improved and it would be difficult for Georgia Tech to play worse defense this year than last year. Brent Key has made a good effort to meet defense needs, but will it be enough?

While I don’t think Georgia Tech will be a top-25 defense overnight, I think there is reason for optimism that it will be better. The work Santucci did at Duke was very good and Jess Simpson, Kyle Pope and Cory Peoples were on a good defensive staff. There is reason to believe the coaching will be much better, along with the talent on defense.

If Georgia Tech shows enough improvement, what could be the ceiling for this team? I think this is one of the most underrated questions in the ACC. Georgia Tech will have one of the top offenses in the country with quarterback Haynes King, running back Jamal Haynes, a deep wide receiver group, and one of the best offensive lines in the ACC.

Assuming the offense remains potent, I think Georgia Tech could get eight or nine wins with defensive improvement, even against a schedule as tough as Georgia Tech’s. The offense should be good enough to score against any team they play, but as last season showed, that doesn’t matter if you can’t stop anyone.

The secondary is where I would feel the best about this team. They have an experienced and talented safety duo, while adding good players at cornerback and nickel. Linebacker is similar. Kyle Efford was one of the Yellow Jackets best defenders towards the end of the season and should be able to build on that. The interior defensive line has some sneaky potential with the guys they have and have brought in. The pass rush will be the biggest question mark.

With enough defensive improvement, this should be one of the better teams in the ACC and could even compete for a spot in the ACC title game if things go the right way for them. The defense also doesn’t have time to get used to it. Florida State loses a lot of talent to the NFL, but they have bounced back through the transfer portal and Mike Norvell is one of the best offensive coaches in college football. It will be a huge test for Georgia Tech and their new defense.

This Georgia Tech team should be the best in years, but their defensive improvement will set the ceiling and floor for this team in 2024. Enough improvement on that side of the ball could lead to something special.