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ACC Football: Every team’s most important newcomers for 2021

By Dante Pryor

Dabo Swinney, Clemson football (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Dabo Swinney, Clemson football (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Sep 26, 2020; Syracuse, New York, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets head coach Geoff Collins looks on against the Syracuse Orange during the fourth quarter at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2020; Syracuse, New York, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets head coach Geoff Collins looks on against the Syracuse Orange during the fourth quarter at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3-7)

Head coach Geoff Collins is still trying to overturn a roster built to run the triple option. Jeff Sims was a huge get, flipping him from Florida State. Sims does need to take a step forward this season if the Jackets want to win six games and possibly get to a bowl.

‘Tech could use more punch in the passing game and with the pass rush. These three players could help in those areas.

  • James BlackStrain, WR: The critical question for BlackStrain is the health and condition of his knee. The Florida high school product missed his entire junior season with a torn ACL. As a senior, BlackStrain played well but did not demonstrate explosive speed. This should be the year the knee is fully healthy. BlackStrain has ideal size and could contribute to the passing game and maturation of quarterback Jeff Sims if the knee is healthy.
  • Leo Blackburn, TE: Blackburn comes to Atlanta and instantly upgrades the tight end position. Though Blackburn is raw and projects more as a slot receiver/h-back, that is where the position is heading anyway. Tight ends accounted for fewer than 20 receptions last season, and that was distributed between four different tight ends. Young quarterbacks love to lean on good tight ends as they prefer to throw to the middle of the field instead of the perimeter. Blackburn could be an instant go-to for Sims this season.
  • Keion White (transfer), WDE: A transfer from Old Dominion, White is one of the more intriguing fall transfers. At 6-foot-5 and 267 pounds, White looks legit coming off of the bus. White was the second-rated EDGE rusher in the transfer portal, according to 247Sports. White set a school record for tackles for loss last season at ODU with 19. That number was tenth in FBS last season as well. The Jackets had no pass rusher with five sacks last season. Their leader sacker, Jordan Domineck, had four sacks; no one else had more than two.
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