Georgia Tech's Defensive Line Will Be Different in 2026
Georgia Tech Defensive Line Coach Jess Simpson (photo RamblinSports.com)
Georgia Tech finished up a fine 2025 season on a low note, losing four of their last five games. There were multiple reasons for that drop off, including a defense that got more porous in the season's final month. After giving up 48 points to NC State, Tech surrendered 34 to BC , and 42 to Pittsburgh – then oddly, only 16 to Georgia. But those final three ACC games told the story. Tech's productive offense could not compensate for those points allowed.
Brent Key said after that Pittsburgh game that his defense got better in thst second half once " we started getting after them". Following losses in the final two games (to UGA and then to Brigham Young in the Pop Tart Bowl), Key brought Jason Semore in as the new defensive coordinator. Key also leaned in on the transfer portal. There he found plentiful help, remaking the Tech D line , with a goal of gaining greater size and athleticism.
Tech did well in that endeavor, such that several newcomers will likely be starters against Colorado in the September 3 opener. Jordan Walker , senior transfer from Rutgers , will start on one end. Noah Carter, a junior transfer from Alabama, will likely anchor the other side. In the middle will be Vincent Carroll- Jackson, a 6'5" , 315 lbs tackle with prior one year stints at Nebraska and then Connecticut. Also at tackle will be Tawfiq Thomas, a 6'4", 325 pounder with two prior years at Colorado.
Jess Simpson is excited at the prospect of coaching these players, and with having other good options in the rotation, such as Christian Garrett on the inside, along with Brayden Manley and Amontrae Bradford on the edges.
Simpson asserted that the size of the rotation will hinge on game day strategies that can change from possession to possession . Thus there is no specific number of players in rotation that he plans to use; it's more a scenario where the game situation of the moment will determine how he rotates players in and out.
( photo GT Athletics)
Simpson held special praise for Shymeik Jones, calling him "..an old soul",
He went to say that Jones "..is unique. He's like a glue guy in the room". Simpson praised Jones' athleticism , plus his work with sme of the younger players.
In addition Simpson is looking forward to working under new DC Semore, whose stated plan is to have Tech's defense bring more aggression and attack– or as he says," vertical and violent ".
However it is described, Yellow Jackets fans will see a different plan thst should bring different results on the field. And Jess Simpson is confident that he's got the horses to storm those gates and wreak havoc.
It's two weeks til real games start, September 3 vs Colorado.
Patrick Conarro
RamblinSports.com