2024 Georgia Tech Spring Football Position Previews: Wide Receiver

Georgia Tech has one of the deepest wide receiver rooms in the ACC heading into the Spring

Last season, Georgia Tech had one of the top offenses in the ACC. They led the league in rushing and one of the most explosive passing games. After having several questions about the offense coming into last season, there are not as many this spring, and most of the questions revolve around how much better this unit can get. 

Dominick Blaylock opted to enter the NFL Draft, but Georgia Tech is returning every other contributor at the position and even adding some talent at the position. 

The most interesting thing about the wide receiver room this spring will be seeing how much progress Leo Blackburn has made. Blackburn has had trouble with injuries during his time at Georgia Tech and tore his ACL last March. Blackburn is one of Georgia Tech's most talented receivers and if he is healthy, he can make this offense even better. 

Georgia Tech also has two early enrollees at the receiver position, Isiah Canion and Trey Horne. Even though Georgia Tech has lots of experience at receiver, I think both Horne and Canion can find a way to get on the field. 

Eric Singleton Jr was the highest-rated player in the Yellow Jackets 2023 recruiting class according to 247Sports and he looked like he might be a potential superstar this season.

Singleton Jr. ranked fourth among all freshmen nationally (true or redshirt) in 2023 with 59.5 receiving yards per game and was tied for fourth among true freshmen nationally with six touchdown receptions. His 714 receiving yards and six touchdown catches both ranked among the top 10 overall in the Atlantic Coast Conference, while his six TD receptions were the second-most by a freshman in Georgia Tech history.

He finished second in voting for ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year, third in balloting for the conference’s overall Rookie of the Year, and was previously named to ESPN’s, College Football News, The Athletic’s, On3’s, and 247Sports freshman/true freshman all-America teams.

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Malik Rutherford was the second-leading receiver on Georgia Tech. He caught 46 passes for 502 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 10. 5 yards per catch. His biggest performance came in Georgia Tech's big win over North Carolina. Rutherford caught six passes for 83 yards and two touchdowns. He was a reliable player and can stretch the field with his speed and is also a player who can get the ball in a variety of ways. 

Christian Leary was the fourth-leading receiver for Georgia Tech this season, catching 25 passes for 309 yards and two touchdowns, while also returning kickoffs. He was also responsible for the biggest play of the season for Georgia Tech:

GEORGIA TECH STUNS MIAMI.

The craziest ending to a game this season. pic.twitter.com/bZqQoRAxss

— College Football Alerts  (@CFBAlerts_) October 8, 2023

Chase Lane had a good start to the year, but injuries cost him some time. I think he could have a really good 2024 season if he stays healthy. Duquesne transfer Abdul Janneh had six catches for 122 yards and two touchdowns. He will once again provide depth for Georgia Tech next year. 

Avery Boyd, James Blackstrain, and Zion Taylor are guys who will be competing for playing time and hoping to provide depth to the position. Taylor was one of the most talented players in Georgia Tech's 2023 class and I think he is a player worth keeping an eye on this spring and throughout the season. 

This turned out to be a position of strength for the Yellow Jackets and first-year receivers coach Josh Crawford should be getting a ton of credit for how this position developed. Crawford did a great job of coaching these guys after coming over from Western Kentucky and I think he is a rising star in the coaching ranks.

Georgia Tech is going to have plenty of familiar faces at this position and they have a lot to build off of. If Blackburn comes back healthy and the freshmen come along quicker than expected, then the Yellow Jackets could end up with the deepest wide receiver room in the ACC. 

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