Georgia Tech Football Fall Camp position preview: running backs

How will Georgia Tech's run game fare in 2023?

Georgia Tech struggled in every facet on the offensive side of the ball last season, but there were moments when the running game shined (in the upset wins over Pitt and Duke). However, the Yellow Jackets must replace Hassan Hall, who led the team in rushing last season, but there is a good mix of experience and youth at the position, and with improvement along the offensive line, this should be an improved running game. 

Last season, Georgia Tech ranked 80th in rushing EPA (expected points added) and 95th in rushing success rate. Those are not good marks, but the Yellow Jackets' offensive line was among the worst in the country and bears some responsibility for the poor numbers. 

There are a couple of departures for Georgia Tech at this position. Hall is gone to the NFL, Dylan McDuffie transferred to Kansas, and Antonio Martin also transferred, leaving behind an interesting room. Georgia Tech has a new running backs coach in Norval Mackenzie and they brought in one player from the transfer portal, Trey Cooley from Louisville. 

The player that I think is likely to start from the first game this season is Dontae Smith. Smith is back for his final season at the collegiate level and is hoping to be the leader in the Georgia Tech backfield. 

Smith finished with 420 yards and five touchdowns on 80 carries, averaging 4.8 per carry. Smith is explosive when he is healthy and can catch the ball out of the backfield and I would think that he will be the starting back entering the spring. I recently wrote about how Georgia Tech needed to get more explosive in the passing game and that can include Smith. He is a legitimate home run threat when he has the ball in his hands and that will give the Yellow Jackets offense a different dimension that they lacked last year. 

Dontae Smith is going to be the leader at the running back position for Georgia Tech / Lee Luther Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

Like last season, Georgia Tech has added a transfer running back from Louisville and if Cooley is as productive as Hall was, he is going to be a great addition for Georgia Tech. 

Cooley is coming to Georgia Tech after two seasons with the Cardinals. A 5'10 210 LBS running back from Knightdale (NC), Cooley had 709 yards and three touchdowns in two seasons at Louisville and averaged 4.9 yards per carry. He also had 21 catches for 239 yards and three touchdowns.

During the 2021 season, Cooley played 232 total snaps according to PFF (Pro Football Focus), and finished with a 68.4 grade. He had a 67.5 grade in the passing game, a 68.5 grade in rushing the football, and a 52.7 grade in pass blocking.

He improved those numbers in 2022 but did play fewer snaps. Cooley finished with a 73 grade and was the fifth-highest-graded player on the Cardinal's offense. He graded 75.7 rushing, 65.6 in the passing game, and 24.6 pass blocking.

Now, if Cooley is going to want a featured role in this offense, he is going to have to improve his pass blocking. His pass-blocking snaps were few to be fair, but a 24.6 grade is still pretty low.

Here was Cooley's scouting report from 247 Sports from his days as a high school prospect:

"Has a sturdy, compact build with a developed lower half. Turned in a productive junior season, rushing for nearly 2,000 yards and 21 touchdowns. Uses his burst and long speed to get upfield quickly and pull away from defenders in the open field. Has a long stride once he opens up his gait at the second level. Runs with pace and gets to the edge with ease on outside runs. Shows the ability to run through arm tackles at the second level. Is able to make cuts and lateral moves in tight spaces. Runs a bit upright and could stand to improve on his pad level, which would help in exposure to contact. Has the talent to develop into a Power Five starter and NFL pick."

His NFL comparison was former LSU running back Derrius Guice.

Smith and Cooley seem to be locked in to the top two spots to start the season at least, but what about the others? 

Towards the end of last season, Felix started to earn more carries. 

When you glance at Felix's stats, they are not going to blow you away. 23 carries for 80 yards and an average of 3.5 yards per carry are not mindblowing, but when you watched Felix get carries toward the end of the year, he was a tough runner who showed physicality and he finished with six catches for 41 yards, showing there is potential for receiving upside.

For the 2022 season, Felix finished with a PFF (Pro Football Focus) grade of 59.4, with a 55.9 grade in running, and a 58.0 in run blocking. There is clearly going to have to be a step taken in his development and he needs to show an ability to make the big play, but I think Felix adds a different element to the offense that perhaps Smith and Cooley don't bring.

There are some in the media that think true freshman Evan Dickens could be ready for more carries. 

247Sports named their immediate impact freshman for each team in the ACC and for Georgia Tech, they chose running back Dickens. Dickens was an early enrollee and participated in spring practice and had a solid spring game. He had six carries for 24 yards and one touchdown in the spring game. 

Dickens was formally committed to Coastal Carolina before backing off of his commitment during the recruiting process. He is a physical runner that has enough explosiveness to hit big plays. His development will be one to follow through the next few years.

Can Jamie Felix have a breakout season in 2023? / Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Other players to watch at this position include Daylong Gordon and Englan Williams. Gordon has worked hard and shown improvement while he has been in Atlanta and that could pay off this season. 

Georgia Tech kicks off its season on Friday, Sept. 1st against Louisville in Mercedes Benz Stadium. The kicks off at 7:30 and will be televised on ESPN. 

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