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2025 Georgia Tech Targets Recap 2nd Junior Day

Prospects Recap Yellow Jackets 2nd Junior Day

Najeh Wilkins

2025 Georgia Tech Targets Recap 2nd Junior Day
2025 Georgia Tech Targets Recap 2nd Junior Day /
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Many top prospects returned to the flats this past Saturday, including OL Peyton Joseph, DL Bryce Perry Wright, QB Quentin Murphy, QB Charlie Johnston, and more. I caught up with some of the players this weekend, including Alexander Sanchez, Chad Fairchild, Mason McKnight, and Tommy Lafayette.

Grayson WR Alexander Sanchez

Sanchez was on the flats for Junior Day at Georgia Tech this past weekend and you may remember a preview of his visit a few weeks ago. Well, he has become a hot commodity so far this winter and is beginning to heat up in the recruiting circuit as spring rapidly approaches.

In January, he received offers from Boston College, Coastal Carolina, UAB, Tulane, Georgia Southern, Marshall, and Georgia State which now pushes him up to 12 offers. He recapped what stood out on his visit.

“I had a good time there this weekend. I finally got a chance to see and talk to Coach Dre, the assistant WR coach. He's a dual sport guy with under his said Sanchez. “I checked out stuff and saw the other WRs that came that day. I enjoyed getting to know all the offensive coaches and seeing that they like to on offense similar to what we do at Grayson.”

Sanchez is a priority target for the Yellow Jackets and they have shown him that he is wanted. It’s a relationship to continue to watch this spring and summer as the recruiting cycle heats up for players and coaches.

He will be one of the main playmakers next season for the Grayson Rams in 2024. Sanchez was named second-team all-region and also offensive player of the month this past October. Georgia Tech is a place where you can come in and contribute early, especially at the wide receiver position.

Look at Eric Singleton Jr from Alexander High School and what he was able to accomplish as a true freshman for the Yellow Jackets. He was named to the Athletic’s Freshman All-American team, a member of the 247Sports 28-player true freshman All-American team, and a freshman All-American by On3. Singleton also finished second in voting for ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year. He finished his freshman year with 706 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Georgia Tech has shown you will get opportunities and that you can thrive in the Buster Faulkner offense for recruits which makes the Yellow Jackets an enticing destination.

Lovejoy Linebacker Chad Fairchild

Fairchild was recently included in a top underclassmen list by Tom Lemming of CBS Sports that highlights the top players in the state. He was recently invited to one of the top football camps in the southeast, the Under Armour Camp series on February 18th.

Fairchild also competed in the renowned All-Star event here in Georgia called the Georgia Elite Classic which place in Rome at the end of December. The Georgia Elite Classic is an exclusive event where only some of the top players in the state compete and get invited by Rusty Mansell.

He’s been to The Flats several times and continues to be impressed each time he steps on campus.

“I have been to Georgia Tech a few times now, and each time I see something good. I really like the family feel and the support they provide for academics big.”

“I have a good relationship with Coach Sheere, but now I’m building that with Coach Santucci. I also have a good relationship with Coach Brown. I like how real the coaches are you. I’ve been talking with the coaches, and they said they want me and I would be a good fit for the program,” said Fairchild.

Fairchild has offers from Georgia State, Georgia Southern, Troy, Indiana, UCF, Pittsburgh, Georgia Tech, and more. He is starting to create a lot of buzz on the recruiting trail picking up six offers in the month of January. As far as his accolades this season, Fairchild was all-region this past season.

He is a very physical and instinctive linebacker who is good at stopping the run. His block-shedding ability against offensive linemen is a key aspect of his game, and he is also great at rallying to the football. Fairchild is also a great asset in special teams and can make game-altering plays to help get the ball back to his team.

The 2026 linebacker could become a big name by this time next year and continues to be mentioned with some of the top linebackers in the Peach State.

Players To Watch Who Could Potentially Snag Offers & Ones Watch

Northgate DB Mason McKnight

Although McKnight doesn’t have an official Georgia Tech offer, he still remains a constant presence on the Yellow Jacket campus having visited several times already. He finished his junior season with 53 tackles, five interceptions, five forced fumbles, and 10 pass breakups in 2023. McKnight

“The visit was great. I think they’re really going in the right direction with coach Santucci. Georgia staff seems a family than just guys who work together,” said McKnight. “Coach Q and Coach Carter always show me great hospitality and are pushing for me and I know that. They make me feel like their priority. The hospitality was amazing and I look forward to being back the flats!”

McKnight is a ball-hawking defensive back with exceptional ball skills. He is also not afraid to come downhill and force a big hit. When you check the tape, you can see the potential he has at the next level. McKnight can knife through blockers and still make a hit on the opposing ball carrier. He has good size and length and great athleticism. You can see the five blocked field goals he had last season.

“I believe I fit the mold of their previous defensive backs last season who were all six and with the way the game is my size is something that all coaches are looking for. I’m excited to see what GT has in mind for me and if they want me as a or a corner,” said McKnight.

A good thing about the standout defensive back from Northgate is he already has a plan and knows what he is looking for in a potential home. Sometimes you will see players not necessarily know what they want from coaches at the next level, but McKnight already knows what he is looking for from coaches and how he wants to be pushed to achieve success.

“I look for a school that is going to develop me as a man and push me to be the best athlete and student I can be. I feel like it’s all about finding a home, somewhere that I would go even if it wasn’t for football and surrounding myself with people that want to be around me,” said McKnight.

After a breakout season for the Vikings, McKnight looks to have a big senior season and build off his junior year.

North Gwinnett RB Tommy Lafayette

Tommy Lafayette finished his 2023 season with 410 rushing yards, four touchdowns, and an interception on defense. He’s shown he can be a weapon in the passing game through the screen game and also with short routes and turning them into big gains. He also had a pretty cool moment this past season where he hurdled a defender on the sideline.

Despite not having an official offer from Georgia Tech, it remains one of his top programs.

“Georgia Tech is definitely a place. The best part was talking to all the coaches and seeing them again and continuing to relationship. The facilities are awesome and they’re only getting better with the new weight room,” said Lafayette. “I’ve talked to coach Norvell a couple of times. He knows who I am and we’ve texted back and forth as well. The assistant who just got there a couple of weeks ago (Coach Ky) introduced himself to me and I made sure to spend extra time around him to start developing that relationship. He’s a great person and super charismatic.”

Out of all the programs he has visited so far which includes TCU, Duke, Florida State, Appalachian State, Wake Forest, Texas, and was one that stood out to him.

“I would honestly say this past junior day at GT because of the time the position coaches and staff took out of their day to be around us for that long. I feel like most college coaches will meet you and just pass you on to the next event but we got more of that exclusivity feel due to them sticking with us throughout the day. They were there for every question and comment and going through the film with them really gives you that feeling of being on the team. That’s a visit that would make me want to go not just all the shows and pictures that most other colleges do.”

Lafayette was a second-team all-region selection this past season and is a running back that can thump you. Also, you can’t sleep on his burst and ability to make plays in the open field. He has a number of big plays on his tape. This upcoming season he will play for the North Gwinnett Bulldogs who are poised to be a top contender for a state championship in the Peach State.

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Najeh Wilkins
NAJEH WILKINS

Najeh Wilkins covers football and basketball for Georgia Tech Athletics at FanNation. He has experience in recruiting, hosting, play-by-play, and color commentary.

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