Similar to the quarterback position, Georgia Tech saw a star emerge at running back last season and the Yellow Jackets now have one of the conference's best players at the position heading into 2024. Jamaal Haynes, who had over 1,000 yards last season, will be one of the ACC's best running backs and all-around players this season and be a key part of one of the ACC's best offensive lines.
The ACC has a deep pool of running backs, and Haynes is one of the best. One of the questions Georgia Tech will have to solve this season (and likely throughout) is who will add depth. That's not to say there isn't talent behind Haynes in the Yellow Jackets' backfield, but some of it is unproven. Dontae Smith was a very good duo with Haynes last season, but Smith is now in the NFL.
Haynes had a great season last year. He switched from wide receiver to running back during fall camp and it paid off. Haynes earned All-ACC honors as a running back (third team) and was named an honorable mention All-Purpose Performer. He led Georgia Tech with 1,059 rushing yards, seven rushing touchdowns, and six yards per carry, second on the team. Those numbers were fifth in the ACC in rushing yards, he was tied for sixth in the conference with seven rushing touchdowns, and his 6.0 yards per carry was third in the league. Haynes had a strong performance in the bowl game against UCF, rushing 18 times for a game-high 128 yards. He also had a strong performance against the Georgia Bulldogs, rushing for 81 yards. Haynes is the second-highest rated player for the Yellow Jackets according to Pro Football Focus, with a 76.9 grade, and looks poised for another big season in 2024. I think he's going to have a big season, but he's not getting the recognition he should be getting.
But who will support him? There are quite a few candidates.
One of those players is Trey Cooley, who transferred from Louisville last offseason. Cooley had a strong start to last year but wasn't a big part of the rotation late in the season. He was fourth on the team in rushing yards (274), rushing attempts (64) and yards per carry (4.3). His three rushing touchdowns were tied for third in total touchdowns and fourth on the team.
Cooley had a standout performance last season against his former team, Louisville, where he rushed nine times for 52 yards and two scores, but his best statistical performance came in last year's home opener against South Carolina State, where Cooley recorded 154 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on just 12 touches.
Redshirt freshman Evan Dickens appeared in 11 games last season, primarily on special teams and as a backup running back. His best showing came in a blowout win over South Carolina State, when he had a career-high 6 carries for 29 yards. He also had 3 rushes for 15 yards and a carry against Ole Miss. Dickens' potential remains very high, and he was a true freshman last season. Look for the running back to challenge for carries this season.
Anthony Carey is one of the Yellow Jackets' top prospects in the 2024 class. He is a dynamic running back with great balance and exceptional vision. Carey is explosive and difficult to stop once he gets going. His breakout season came as a sophomore at Carrollwood Day, when he threw 20 touchdowns.
According to his Georgia Tech Athletics biography:
“He’s rated as a four-star prospect and is ranked No. 9 in the country. rival … member Rival 250 List…Ranked as the No. 20 player in the talented state of Florida. rival … Rushed for 3,818 yards and 55 touchdowns in four high school seasons (38 games)…Caught 35 passes for 337 yards and three touchdowns in his high school career…Rushed for 1,000 yards twice (1,200 as a senior in 2023 and 1,032 as a sophomore in 2021)…Rushed for 100 yards 14 times (including six as a senior)…20 touchdowns as a sophomore (2021), 16 as a junior (2022) and 12 touchdowns as a senior (2023)…Led Carrollwood Day to a 26-14 record in four seasons and an 8-2 record as a senior in '23…Coach Marshall McDuffie.
Carey has shown some solid play in the spring, so I expect him to step in sooner rather than later.
Carey isn't the only talented freshman stepping onto campus this year. Trelane Maddox is a player to watch in the future, even if he won't be a mainstay this season. Maddox had a great high school career at Parkview High School and is an extremely talented player.
Day'Ron Gordon appeared in nine games last season, primarily on special teams. He recorded a key tackle against Clemson, where he blocked a fake punt and made his only tackle of the season. He is in his third year with the program after redshirting as a freshman. I expect Gordon to have a more defined role on special teams this season, and potentially even slot in as a kick or punt returner. These roles can lead to increased playing time on offense, especially if he is making big plays in the return game.
It will be interesting to see what role Jaime Felix can play in 2024. He sat out 2023 and chose to enter the transfer portal after the season, but declined and returned to Georgia Tech. In 2022, he rushed for 80 yards and had a 41-yard reception. Felix also rushed for a season-high 36 yards against North Carolina that season. Felix has proven he can contribute well in any role the offense gives him. He was a highly-anticipated recruit coming out of Camden County High School. He was rated a four-star prospect by ESPN and was the 29th-best running back in the country.
The Yellow Jackets were the top rushing team in the ACC last season and have the running back talent to do that again. Haynes is a star in the making and the options behind him are intriguing. This fall will be a critical time for someone to emerge as the No. 2 running back behind Haynes. Until someone emerges from the competition, securing a player will likely be a priority at the start of the season.
