Georgia Tech Football: Will 2019 be a transition year for Yellow Jackets?

Secondary will carry defense in 2019

The transition on the defensive side of the ball isn’t nearly as severe, but there’s still change. Geoff Collins inherits an inexperienced defensive line and linebacking corps, but the scheme difference faced by the offense doesn’t exist for this unit.

Up front, Ja’Quon Griffin and Jordan Domineck are redshirt freshmen, but did get snaps in 2018 due to the new redshirt rule. It is Jahaziel Lee, however, that is a testament to the bare cupboard on the defensive line. He’s a former starting center, but the senior could end up starting at defensive tackle in 2019.

It’s a similar situation at linebacker, but senior David Curry does have experience, racking up 47 tackles in 2018. He’ll be the leader of this group, but sophomore Quez Jackson is the future.

It’s the secondary that will carry this defense. Safety Tariq Carpenter is the standout. He picked off two balls in 2018, and accounted for 55 tackles. Juanyeh Thomas was tremendous returning kicks last year, and he’ll take over more responsibility at the other safety position.

Change is the theme in Atlanta, and this defense is the closest thing the Yellow Jackets have to stability in 2019.