Georgia Tech Football: Malik Rutherford Becomes Latest Yellow Jacket to Enter the Transfer Portal

Rutherford has been an important player for Georgia Tech over the past two seasons and is now entering the transfer portal

Oct 19, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets wide receiver Malik Rutherford (8) runs after a catch against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images / Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Georgia Tech has had another entry to the transfer portal at the wide receiver position. After losing top wide receiver Eric Singleton to the transfer portal, Yellow Jackets wide receiver Malik Rutherford has decided to also enter the transfer portal. Rutherford was the second leading receiver on Georgia Tech last season, reeling in 59 catches for 670 yards and three touchdowns. For his career, Rutherford caught 133 passes for 1,459 yards and seven touchdowns. Pro Football graded Rutherford as the No. 9 offensive player for the Yellow Jackets, finishing with a 72.6 grade in 558 offensive snaps. It should be noted that just because a player enters the portal, it does not mean that he cannot come back.

BREAKING: Georgia Tech starting WR Malik Rutherford plans to enter the Transfer Portal, he tells @on3sports

The 5’9 170 WR totaled 133 Receptions for 1,459 Yards & 7 TDs in his time with the Yellow Jackets

1 year of eligibility lefthttps://t.co/RlUbB6EMhS pic.twitter.com/F891IxbYAx

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 20, 2024

Georgia Tech has made three additions through the portal at the receiver position, including one commitment today from FIU transfer Dean Patterson. Last season, Patterson (6'2, 202 LBS) caught 50 passes for 685 yards and seven touchdowns for the Panthers. He also averaged 13.7 yards per catch. In four years with FIU, Patterson caught 98 passes for 1,406 yards and eight touchdowns. He joins his former teammate Eric Rivers and South Carolina transfer Debron Gatling as the transfer receivers who have committed to Georgia Tech this cycle. Pro Football Focus gave him a 74.9 grade in 679 snaps, which was the 6th highest on the Panthers offense. With Rutherford and Singleton gone, these three players, as well as young guys like Bailey Stockton and Isiah Canion, will have to step up for Georgia Tech.

Earlier today, Cal transfer tight end J.T. Byrne also committed to the Yellow Jackets.

According to 247Sports, the 6'6 240 LBS tight end was ranked as a three-star transfer prospect, the No. 636 player in the transfer portal, and the No. 35 tight end in the portal. Pro Football Focus gave him a 67.5 grade on offense this season, including a 78.5 run-blocking grade. Hawes was a tremendous asset in the run game this year and Byrne looks like he can step in and fill that role. Of his 63 offensive snaps, 51 of them were in run blocking according to PFF, showing how he was used at Cal last season.

Here is a scouting report on Byrne as a high school prospect from 247Sports analyst Greg Biggins:

"We're big on multi-sport athletes who showcase functional athleticism and that fits Byrne to a tee. He's a three-sport athlete who also plays basketball and baseball but football will be his meal ticket. That multi-sport background not only helps a player stay fluid and avoid burn out but means he has never had the benefit of a spring conditioning program, so he's far from maxed out like so many young high school players we see. At 6-6, 230 pounds, he has a prototype tight end frame who can run and uses his athleticism and body control to make contested catches and win jump balls."

Georgia Tech Transfer Portal Commitments (9)

• DB Daiquan White (Previous School- Eastern Michigan)

• DB Kelvin Hill (UAB)

• WR Debron Gatling (South Carolina)

• OL Andrew Rosinski (North Carolina)

• WR Eric Rivers (FIU)

• DL Ronald Triplette (UTSA)

• TE J.T. Byrne (Cal)

• WR Dean Patterson (FIU)

• OL Jakolby Jones