Georgia Tech may not have a prospect available for the first few rounds of the NFL Draft, which begins this Thursday, but they could potentially acquire an intriguing player on Day 3 to build their team. There are several people. Over the past few years, players like Jordan Mason, Juannie Thomas, and Tyler Davis have gone from being late picks/undrafted to making an impact on their teams. Will the Yellow Jackets be able to acquire such a player in this year's draft?
Safety Jaylon King may be the Yellow Jackets' most likely player to be drafted. He just finished a very good senior season and ended up making All-ACC second team.
In 2023, King had four pass interceptions and two fumble recoveries for the Yellow Jackets. His four interceptions are tied for third in the ACC and 20th nationally, and his two fumble recoveries are tied for second in the conference and 17th nationally. His six total takeaways are tied for the top in the ACC, and his 12 passes defensed rank third in the league. At Georgia Tech, he ranked third on the team with 65 tackles and also blocked a kick.
Returning from an injury that cut his 2022 season short, King had the best season of his career as a Yellow Jacket. He played 722 snaps (the most of his career) and finished with a 70.8 grade on defense, fifth-best among all defensemen, according to PFF. He posted a career-best 74.7 points in coverage, showing progress in that area. I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that King may have just scratched the surface of his abilities.
He also had a solid performance at Georgia Tech's pro day. He bench pressed 20 times, had a vertical jump of 37.48 inches and a long jump of 10-9.
King was one of the Yellow Jackets' best leaders last year and showed many skills that translate to the NFL. I think it's possible that he moves at some point on the third day of the draft and competes for a spot on a team's roster.
For more information on King's career, via Georgia Tech Athletics:
2023 (Redshirt Senior):All-American Third Team (college football network) – Georgia Tech’s first All-American since 2021 (Jamar Gibbs), first All-American defensive back since Morgan Burnett in 2008 … Second-team All-ACC (league and league) associate press)…Voted by teammates to be permanent team captain…Returns from a severe leg injury that sidelined him for the final seven games of the 2022 season and has 65 tackles (3rd on the team), 4 interceptions, 8 pass breakups, and fans. 2 bull recoveries and 1 kick block… 4 interceptions tied for 3rd in the ACC and 20th nationally… 2 fumble recoveries tied for 2nd in the conference and 17th nationally… 6 total takeaways led the ACC. Ty… Ranked third in the ACC in passes defensed with 12… Started all 12 games at free safety… Despite battling an early-season injury, King tied a career-high with eight tackles against Louisville (Sept. 1). He opened the season with five tackles, one interception, and a fumble recovery in a 30-16 win over Wake Forest (Sept. 23), earning him ACC Co-Defensive Back of the Week honors. On his way to being selected…played a big role in Tech's 23-20 victory over No. 17 Miami (Florida State) (October 7), tying a career-high with eight tackles and making his only tackle for loss of the season. and returned an interception 66 yards to set up a crucial fourth-quarter field goal…7 tackles in a 46-42 win against No. 17 North Carolina (October) 28)…at Virginia (November 4). In Tech's 45-17 victory, he had seven tackles, one interception, one fumble recovery, and four pass breakups…the only NCAA Division I FBS player this season. In the same game, he recorded four pass breakups, one interception, and one fumble recovery…his five pass defenses are second in the nation in a single game this season (against Louisville). (second only to Pitt's MJ Devonshire's six)… Fourth interception of the season against Clemson (Nov. 11)… Six tackles for a win against Syracuse (Nov. 18)… Interrupted a pass against No. 1 Georgia (November 25)
2022 (Red Shirt Junior): Started the first five games of the season at free safety, but suffered a season-ending injury at Pitt (October 1)…recorded 32 tackles in just five games, making the team's team despite appearing in less than half the season. Ranked 11th in…Also recorded an interception (Sept. 17 vs. Ole Miss), a pass breakup (Sept. 24 at UCF), and a forced fumble (at Pitt)…at UCF He recorded a career-high eight tackles, with six tackles for loss each. He missed the remaining four games – vs. Clemson (Sept. 5), vs. Western Carolina (Sept. 10), vs. Ole Miss, and against Pitt.
2021 (Redshirt Sophomore): Played in 11 games as a secondary and special teams contributor…Started three games at safety against North Carolina (September 25), Virginia (October 23), and Virginia Tech (October 30)… Recorded 32 tackles, ranked 9th overall on the team and 3rd among returning players in 2022…Added 2 tackles for loss, pass breakup, and fumble recovery…Fumble return 40 yards for a touchdown at Miami (Nov. 6)…Three games with six or more tackles – six tackles against Kennesaw State (Sept. 11), seven tackles each at Duke (October 9) and UVA…Clemson notches 6th place 7 tackles each at TFL (September 18) and Duke.
2020 (Redshirt Sophomore – “Covid Year” – Year of Eligibility): Played in 9 games as a backup defensive back and special teams…finished with 11 tackles, including 1 for loss…multiple tackles in 4 games – season-high 3 tackles (including the only TFL vs. Louisville (October 9)) , two games each against Syracuse (Sept. 26), Boston College (October 24) and Duke (Nov. 28).
2019 (redshirt freshman): Played in all 12 games as a reserve defensive back… Finished the season with 14 tackles (11 solo)… Recorded 1.0 tackles for loss of 1 yard and 1 pass breakup… Number one player at the time with 1 tackle Start the season with 1 Against Clemson (August 29)…against North Carolina (October 5)…recorded 3 tackles (1 solo)…recorded 2 solo tackles against Pitt on November 2…season game at the time Got the best overall score – no. Against No. 4 Georgia (Nov. 30), he had a season-best six solo tackles, including his only tackle for a loss of one yard (1.0) and his only pass breakup.
2018 (True Freshman): Redshirted for three games – Sept. 1 vs. Alcorn State, Sept. 8 vs. USF, and Sept. 29 vs. Bowling Green — recorded two tackles, both vs. Bowling Green…The Yellow Jackets were one of 13 true freshmen to watch the game.
high school: Rated as a four-star prospect by 247Sports/Scout and Rivals…ranked No. 5 overall in the class in Tennessee and No. 22 cornerback in the nation by Rivals…8 in the 2017 edition of The Tennessean Ranked Dandy Dozen…Two-time First Team All-Region Award winner…Two-time Team MVP…Leaded Ensworth to 15 wins and back-to-back playoff appearances over his final two seasons…Coached by Ricky Bowers.
