Georgia Tech’s Bleav: The Yellow Jackets’ First Fall Camp Scrimmage Is Complete.
Georgia Tech has now crossed the midpoint of fall camp, and the Yellow Jackets took to the field for their first full scrimmage of the preseason, a pivotal test in their preparation for the upcoming season. The afternoon’s action served as more than just a live evaluation; it became gauge of where the team is at physically, mentally, and structurally. Head coach Brent Key, speaking after the session, described the scrimmage as “balanced,” noting the offense and defense both held their own through nearly 140 plays and approximately 15 possessions. He emphasized this scrimmage had a natural flow “came off script a little bit”—and that it demanded coaches be just as prepared as players on game day .
From the very first moments, the defense commanded attention, led by young players stepping up and making game-altering plays. Will Kiker recorded an interception return for a touchdown, reinforcing the promise he’s shown through strength, explosiveness, and speed this summer . Special teams didn’t take a back seat either: Shymeik Jones blocked an extra point, and Ahmari scooped it up to complete a dramatic 98-yard return for a two-point conversion .
The defensive front was especially sensational. Christian Garrett racked up multiple sacks, showcasing his versatility between end and three-technique roles and hinting at his potential as a disruptive force . Freshman edge rusher Jordan Boyd, who did not participate in spring drills, displayed power, quickness, and “juice off the edge” elements that suggest he might become a reliable asset in key situations . Inside, Blake Belin and Derry Norris impressed with physicality and competence, bolstering the team’s depth in the trenches .
Coach Key made a point to highlight that this wasn’t just about depth on paper. He said he wants depth that “can play when it is their time,” which speaks to a culture of readiness and accountability that he’s trying to instill in every freshman. Elgin Sessions, Dalen Penson, and Tae Harris all left impressions Sessions as another rising corner, Penson with solid coverage and instincts, and Harris showing nose for the ball . The coaching staff also noted moments when defenders had opportunities to chase plays from behind but chose to stay home and trust their teammates instead another sign of a maturing, disciplined unit .
Offensively, the backfield depth came into focus as a strength. Coach Key, along with offensive coach Buster Faulkner and running backs coach Norval McKenzie, praised a group they believe is the deepest they’ve had during their tenure, with faces like JP, Shane Marshall, and Malachi Hosley delivering “big chunk runs” that reflected both physical tools and growing cohesion .
At quarterback, Aaron Philo earned positive marks from Key. While Haynes King continues to receive widespread attention, Philo’s development has not gone unnoticed. Key remarked he’s “really pleased” with Philo’s progress, blending on-field talent with growing maturity in processing the game a reminder that knowledge can be a double-edged sword, but Philo seems to be growing into that part of the role .
Notably, injuries have not been a factor. Key shared that Georgia Tech is “as healthy as we’ve been at this point in camp in three years,” crediting the training staff, sports medicine, and sports science departments for keeping the team in strong condition. He added that players could have handled 40 to 50 more plays without clearly flagging, indicating elite conditioning despite cooler temperatures .
Jordan Allen, a true freshman wide receiver, continues to pop on the radar. His game-breaking speed caught defenders off-guard; coach Key put it simply: “he is real, really fast,” and his presence has caused coverage breakdowns and disrupted timing, whether he’s running routes or preparing to return punts. Those flashes, though electrifying, are also areas they’ll fine-tune with reps .
Unsurprisingly, Key’s post-scrimmage remarks didn’t just celebrate standout plays they drilled down on the details the team must refine. While the mental and physical toughness, discipline, fundamentals, and trust between players and coaches are foundational, it’s the small things technique, ball security, hand placement, and lane integrity that define elite programs, and that’s the space where attention must tighten now .
He also discussed offensive line versatility. Young players like Malachi Carney turned heads with solid pass protection on the right side. Harrison Moore, Tana (center), and Jimmy Bryson (who snapped with the second unit) flexed positional flexibility an attribute that goes a long way in sustaining performance over the grueling season ahead .
As is typical for this point in camp, the installation phase is largely complete, and situational work begins in earnest. The next step is transferring training ground progress into game-like execution, with mental toughness staying locked in under pressure and fatigue being a true benchmark .
Ultimately, the first fall scrimmage painted an encouraging picture: a unit hitting its stride, depth emerging where it matters, and a culture tightening around discipline, preparation, and execution. The coaching staff’s emphasis on fundamentals and trust suggests a team that’s not just building a lineup but cultivating identity.
While a scrimmage doesn’t make a season, it does offer a pulse. For the Yellow Jackets in 2025, that pulse feels steady sharpened by suppleness, depth, and upward momentum. As the team edges closer to the season opener against Colorado, the persistence of these early lessons mental toughness, technique, accountability will determine whether that shuffling into rhythm turns into true rhythm in games that count.
