Georgia Tech Football Fall Camp Position Preview: Defensive Tackle

Who will standout at defensive tackle for Georgia Tech in 2023?

Author:
Jackson Caudell
Updated:
Jul 28, 2023 6:46 PM EDT
Original:
Jul 28, 2023

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In our continued preview series of the Georgia Tech roster ahead of fall camp, I want to take a look at a potential position of strength for Georgia Tech and that is defensive tackle.

While there are questions about who is going to start at defensive end for Georgia Tech, there are few question marks inside at defensive tackle.

Georgia Tech had two players start every game at defensive tackle and they are both back. D'Quan Douse and Makius Scott.

Scott had 1.5 sacks last season and 22 tackles. He played 424 snaps according to PFF (Pro Football Focus) and finished with a grade of 55.0. Scott graded out as a better pass rusher than a run-stopper, but I think he could see growth in both areas this year. The junior from Gainesville, GA had a solid season in 2022 and could only get better in 2023.

Douse is one player that I am excited about heading into this season.

According to PFF (Pro Football Focus), Douse is going to be one of the highest-graded returning defensive tackles in the ACC next season.

While Douse might be at No. 10 on this list, I think there is room for him to get into the top five.

Douse finished the season with 26 tackles and 3.5 sacks, which was tied for second on the team with linebacker Ace Eley.

You could see him get better in each game, especially his performance against Virginia Tech, where he had 2.5 sacks and earned a high grade on PFF (Pro Football Focus) for his performance. Douse finished as the second-highest-graded player on the entire Yellow Jackets' defense, finishing behind safety LaMiles Brooks. According to PFF, Douse played 450 snaps and finished with a defensive grade of 75.2, a run defense grade of 80.7, and a pass-rushing grade of 66.1.

With the departures of Akelo Stone and K.J. Miles this offseason to the transfer portal more is going to be expected of Douse and the rest of the defensive line. Stone looked like he was going to be a key part of the defensive line this spring, but his departure will lead to more snaps for others.

Who could provide depth behind Douse and Scott?

Georgia Tech defensive tackle D'Quan Douse — D'Quan Douse will be a leader for Georgia Tech on defense in 2023
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

I think a breakout season could be on the horizon for Zeek Biggers. Biggers has the size at 6'6 333 LBS to be a force stopping the run and he had a good spring. Biggers played nearly 300 snaps last season and I expect that number to rise. He finished last season with 32 tackles and one sack.

Etinosa Reuben is a transfer from Clemson and while he can also play on the edge, I think he is going to do most of his damage on the interior.

Reuben is a former three-star recruit and top 500 player from Park Hill South High School in Missouri. Here is what 247Sports national recruiting analyst Brian Dohn had to say about Reuben when he was coming out of high school:

"Interesting frame because of length and shoulder width. A bit of a tweener between defensive end/defensive tackle. Can play defensive end or add weight and move to defensive tackle. Good get-off at snap. Quick, violent hands makes it hard for blockers to engage. Strong and powerful when firing off ball. Can re-direct down line of scrimmage. Has some twitch. Covers ground well in first three steps. Good body control. Needs to add flexibility to bend. Developing technique and combining moves important to taking next step as player. Lower body strength development needed. Speed chasing down plays must improve. Multi-year contributor with starting ability at elite program if off-field development continues. Late round NFL draft pick or free agent.

During his time with the Clemson Tigers, Reuben tallied 19 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Reuben had his best season in 2021 when he totaled 2.5 sacks and 14 tackles. According to PFF (Pro Football Focus), Reuben played 192 snaps in 2021 and finished with a 72.2 grade, with a 68.5 grade in run defense, and a 69.8 pass-rushing grade. With the Tiger's defensive line healthier, Reuben only saw 56 total snaps during the 2022 season according to PFF.

So where will Reuben line up for the Yellow Jackets?

Based on where he spent the majority of his time at Clemson, I think Reuben is going to line up inside at defensive tackle. In 2021, PFF charted Reuben as playing 129 of his snaps at defensive tackle and 41 of those snaps as a nose tackle.

Jason Moore played 197 snaps last season and finished the season with nine tackles and two sacks. He has a chance to provide depth at this position and he flashed at times last season.

Horace Lockett and Jayymen Rochell did not play much as freshmen but could factor into the rotation with a strong fall camp.

Bryston Dixon and Shymeik Jones are two freshmen that were brought in with the 2023 class. It will be tough for freshmen to crack this rotation this season, but I will never count anyone out.

While losing Stone hurt the depth of this position a little, I think it will be fine this season. Douse and Scott were consistent last year and if they can find another gear, that will be huge for the defense. Biggers, Moore, and Reuben give this position depth and make it a strength.

I have plenty of questions at the defensive end spot for the Yellow Jackets, but far fewer for the interior.

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