2024 Georgia Tech Spring Football Position Previews: Linebacker

How will the linebacker position shape up for the Yellow Jackets this spring?

Georgia Tech is losing a number of players at the linebacker position, but they made some acquisitions through the transfer portal and have some guys I think are ready to take a big step up. The Yellow Jackets had the ACC's worst rushing defense last season and need improved play out of this position in 2024 and that can be said for every position group on the defense. Georgia Tech is also bringing in a brand new defensive staff. New defensive coordinator Tyler Santucci is going to coach the inside linebackers while Kyle Pope was hired to coach the outside linebackers. 

Paul Moala, Andre White Jr, and Braelen Oliver all ran out of eligibility while Ashton Heflin transferred out. 

Georgia Tech is going to bring back its leading tackler from last season and Kyle Efford could be ready to have a big 2024 season. Efford took over a starting spot in the final seven games last season and finished with 81 tackles, one sack, and an interception. Efford finished as the 7th highest-graded player on the defense per PFF (Pro Football Focus), totaling 375 snaps and finishing with a solid 69.2 grade. The way Efford came on down the stretch for Georgia Tech should give fans optimism that this position will be better in 2024. 

Who will be the other starter alongside Efford though? 

It could be Trenilyas Tatum. Tatum entered the transfer portal after the season, but opted to return to Georgia Tech, giving the Yellow Jackets some experience at the position. Tatum had 38 tackles and a pass deflection last season and played 398 snaps according to PFF, finishing with a 59.7 grade, second lowest among the linebackers. 

A young player to keep an eye on for this season is Jacob Cruz. Cruz was one of the most talented members of the 2023 class for the Yellow Jackets and he found a way to get on the field last year. 

Per his Georgia Tech Bio: 

"2023 (True Freshman): Appeared in 10 games, primarily on special teams … Recorded his first career fumble recovery against Syracuse (Nov. 18) … Also finished the season with one tackle (at Virginia).

High School: Rated as a three-star prospect by Rivals, 247Sports and ESPN … Is the No. 61-ranked outside linebacker in the nation by ESPN … 2022 Georgia Region 6-2A Defensive Player of the Year … Two-time first-team all-region honoree … Versatile athlete played on both sides of the ball (linebacker and wide receiver) and lettered in three different sports (football, basketball and track) at North Cobb Christian School … Amassed 218 tackles (97 as a senior in 2022, 121 as a junior in 2021) and 17.5 tackles for loss (14.5 as a senior, 3.0 as a junior) over his final two high school seasons … Also caught 49 passes for 800 yards and six touchdowns during last two prep campaigns, highlighted by 29 receptions for 519 yards and five touchdowns as a senior … Helped lead North Cobb Christian to a 10-2 record as a senior … Coached at NCCS by Matt Jones … High school teammate of fellow Georgia Tech signee Gabriel Fortson."

Nacari Ashley is a redshirt freshman that did not play last year, but he could carve out a role for himself this spring. 

Let's talk about the newcomers. 

Georgia Tech knew they were going to have to add players at the linebacker position through the transfer portal and they did just that, bringing in Jackson Hamilton from Louisville and E.J. Lightsey from Georgia. 

Hamilton played his high school football in the state of Georgia at Blessed Trinity Catholic and now will be coming back to try and compete for a linebacker spot at Georgia Tech next season. Hamilton has two years of eligibility left.

He would play three years for the Cardinals from 2021-2023 and in his three seasons, he totaled 17 tackles and one pass deflection. At 6'1 220 LBS, he will bring athleticism to the position and I am anxious to see how he will fit in the defense next year. 

Last season, Hamilton graded out well on PFF (Pro Football Focus), but it was a small sample size. He played 55 snaps and had a 69.1 defensive grade, with a high mark of 81.1 in run defense. Again, it is a limited sample, but there is some proof that Hamilton has a big step he can take as a linebacker. 

Georgia transfer linebacker E.J. Lightsey :: Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

Now, Lightsey is going to have to show that he can stay healthy. he was not able to do that last season and did not play in a game for the Bulldogs. In 2022, he played 19 total snaps and finished with a 66.8 grade on defense and a good mark on tackling. Very small sample size however, but this is a good gamble for Key and his staff. Lightsey is the highest-rated transfer coming into Georiga Tech per 247Sports.

From his bio at Georgia Athletics:

2022: Saw action as a reserve LB in four games...made his collegiate debut in win over Samford...credited with one solo tackle vs. the Bulldogs...also played in wins over Auburn, Vanderbilt and Georgia Tech...had two stops vs. the Commodores.

High School: Fitzgerald HS, coached by Tucker Pruitt… 247Sports.com three-star prospect...ranked as the #44 inside linebacker nationally, the #34 prospect in Georgia and #490 prospect nationally...PrepStar Magazine three-star prospect, ranked as #469 prospect nationally...ESPN.com three-star prospect, #21 ILB nationally and #67 prospect in Georgia…rivals.com three-star prospect, #36 inside linebacker nationally and the #52 prospect from the state of Georgia...helped lead Fitzgerald HS to the GHSA Class 2A championship with 13-2 record in his 2021 senior season…named to 2021 Georgia Class 2A All-State First Team Defense by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and GHSF Daily…named Class 2A Defensive Player of the Year by AJC and GHSF Daily… named 2021 MaxPreps Small Town All-America Football First Team selection.

2024 Georgia Tech Spring Football Position Previews: Defensive Tackle

Lightsey is going to be one player to watch this spring as he competes for a starting spot among the linebacker group. Like some other linebackers in this group, he lacks experience and does not have a big enough sample size to determine if he will be a high-level player or not. I still think this is a good gamble for the Yellow Jackets defensive staff because if he plays up to his talent level and stays healthy, Lightsey could be one of the better finds of the transfer portal. 

One of Georgia Tech's most underrated recruits in its 2024 class was Tah'j Butler and I think he can find a way on the field as a freshman, even if it is just special teams. 

Butler was one of the first members of this class. The 6'2 215 LBS linebacker played at Edna Karr High School in New Orleans. He held offers from Mississippi State, Louisiana, Louisiana Tech, Ole Miss, Tulane, and Houston, among others. Brent Key and his staff did a good job of keeping Butler in the class and it could pay off in a big way once he is coached and developed. 

According to the 247Sports Composite, Butler is a three-star player and the No. 1413 player in the country, the No. 126 linebacker, and the No. 47 player in the state of Louisiana. 

2023: New Orleans Catholic League Defensive MVP as a senior. Also named to Catholic League first-team defense (Per 247Sports).