So where do we stand for 2026?

GTsapper

GTsapper

USVI Wreck from Georgia Tech
Joined
Mar 24, 2011
Messages
8,452
We all know about Aaron Philo. I think the offense will change a lot, but I think he'll be a great player and a change of pace.

We have a ton of seniors. We have a bit of NIL money to sling around. Obvious targets are edge rushers and DBs, maybe all defense in general. You guys know more than I do, I live in a tiny little island. What say you?
 
1. Will offensive coordinator adjust to a new QB with a very different style from King? Your rout tree needs to be sophisticated for receivers with a pocket QB and your run game must keep the defense honest. You have to run well enough to force the edge rushers and blitzers to be honest and not tee off on the QB and you have to keep enough people in the box to get some single coverage. OL will need to be good run blockers and pass protectors.
2. Will defensive coordinator get enough size and speed on the field to be able to attack the other team more aggressively? Our infrequent blitzes were often too late, our safety help on the long ball too late, and we did not seem to trust our corners in tight man coverage. Those things need to change.
3. Brent Key - can he get better personnel on the field and motivate the team in a post Haynes King era? Can he keep building fan interest and media support?
4. Schedule - ‘25 was our year with a break. As we expand to nine games in conference and as we seem to want to play Georgia plus another Power 4 team or two or Notre Dame out of conference our schedules will be difficult.
These four areas make ‘26 Key’s most challenging season to date.
 
Things are going to continue to get better. As much as we all loved watching Haynes King, we'll see more of a traditional offensive setup with a pocket passer who is more accurate.

Defense is going to have to get better either through the portal or recruiting.

GO JACKETS!!
byteback
 
77GTFan said:
4. Schedule - ‘25 was our year with a break. As we expand to nine games in conference and as we seem to want to play Georgia plus another Power 4 team or two or Notre Dame out of conference our schedules will be difficult.
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If we keep an FCS team on the schedule, ideally we play them on 11/21.

But no, it’ll be more like 9/5 or 9/12.
 
I think we will be a very similar team and a top 4-5 ACC team from here on out. King was a solid QB but some of our fanbase made it out like he was a savior. He is a solid college football player who ran a good system that Faulkner brought from UGA where they use the strengths of their QB which for Bennett, King, and Stockton are to make use of their running ability.

I don’t think we miss a beat with Philo. He will put up big numbers in this offense. And we have seen he can run if needed just like the Pitt QB. The key for our offense is the offensive line. They have to be better for any vertical passing game otherwise next year will be more behind the line passes and hoping our smaller scat backs and slot receivers can make enough guys miss to gain 5 yards.
 
77GTFan said:
1. Will offensive coordinator adjust to a new QB with a very different style from King? Your rout tree needs to be sophisticated for receivers with a pocket QB and your run game must keep the defense honest. You have to run well enough to force the edge rushers and blitzers to be honest and not tee off on the QB and you have to keep enough people in the box to get some single coverage. OL will need to be good run blockers and pass protectors.
2. Will defensive coordinator get enough size and speed on the field to be able to attack the other team more aggressively? Our infrequent blitzes were often too late, our safety help on the long ball too late, and we did not seem to trust our corners in tight man coverage. Those things need to change.
3. Brent Key - can he get better personnel on the field and motivate the team in a post Haynes King era? Can he keep building fan interest and media support?
4. Schedule - ‘25 was our year with a break. As we expand to nine games in conference and as we seem to want to play Georgia plus another Power 4 team or two or Notre Dame out of conference our schedules will be difficult.
These four areas make ‘26 Key’s most challenging season to date.
Click to expand...
I’m a Brent Key fan. But— The biggest NI is coaching, preparation, and motivation. It makes absolutely zero sense we can hold the SEC Championship game contender to 16 points and make ACC teams like BC, NCST and Pittsburgh offenses look like The Dallas Cowboys.
 
Going to have to teach the OL to hold better to protect Philo. When Tenuta was the DC and blitzing every play, the refs would call some holding on the opposing OL, but as the game progressed they would become more tolerant, ie, their strike zone would expand. I think legally holding is a teachable skill.

IMO, the offense got more stale and less creative as the season progressed. It seemed to be run the same plays every game rather than attack the opponent's weakness. That was CPJ and Friedgen's strength. Defenses got better and better at stopping those plays. The November offense seemed to these eyes to be the same as the September offense. No new wrinkles, and the defenses knew it. Not knocking King to say he had some limitations in his game that maybe didn't allow more variations.

Who will be the backup qb next year?
 
Killick said:
Who will be the backup qb next year?
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Graham Knowles if he stays.


We NEED a solid, between the tackles horse at tailback that can handle 20-25 carries a game if needed. I don't see the read option being as much of a weapon next year. Philo is a crafty runner, but not nearly the elusive runner that King is.
 
The news before and after the Portal opens for 2 weeks starting on January 2nd will be key. Last year it didn’t take long to see some names enter to chase NIL $$$.

I’m sure there will be news before New Years on names leaving.

GT needs to focus on the front 7 of the defense first and foremost. The Texas Tech blueprint is out there.

Add in this recruiting class needs to flip some prospects by Wednesday. Right now, I’d say the class is underwhelming considering last years class combined with the 8-0 start.
 
Killick said:
Going to have to teach the OL to hold better to protect Philo. When Tenuta was the DC and blitzing every play, the refs would call some holding on the opposing OL, but as the game progressed they would become more tolerant, ie, their strike zone would expand. I think legally holding is a teachable skill.

IMO, the offense got more stale and less creative as the season progressed. It seemed to be run the same plays every game rather than attack the opponent's weakness. That was CPJ and Friedgen's strength. Defenses got better and better at stopping those plays. The November offense seemed to these eyes to be the same as the September offense. No new wrinkles, and the defenses knew it. Not knocking King to say he had some limitations in his game that maybe didn't allow more variations.

Who will be the backup qb next year?
Click to expand...
I’m not sure about that. For one, we started having a RB split much wider in the backfield (this seems to be a trend in the NFL, especially with the Shanahan coaching tree).

We also saw a lot less King rushing, especially earlier in the games, which I still think was a huge mistake.
 
I wouldn't sell Philo short on his running ability. His freshman year 2024 he averaged 6.1 ypc and this year 4.8. While I don't believe he will have as many designed runs, he's plenty capable of escaping the pocket and making plays with his legs. He made quite the run against NC state with the game on the line. King has been great but, I have high expectations for Philo and Knowles would be a solid back up if he remains.
 
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