Georgia Tech Football Midseason Report: Running Back

Georgia Tech has an improved ground game this season

At the midway point of the season, I would consider the Georgia Tech running game improved year over year, but they still have a ways to go. The rushing attack has slowed in recent weeks and was completely shut down in the win over Miami last weekend. Still, there have been some bright spots, and the Yellow Jackets will look to have a strong rushing attack in the second half of the season. 

If you look at the basic stats and the advanced ones, they do not paint a pretty picture for the Georgia Tech running game right now. The Yellow Jackets are 10th in the ACC in rushing offense, averaging 156 yards per game (63rd nationally). In total rushing EPA (Expected Points Added), Georgia Tech is -7.05 (103rd nationally), 110th in rushing EPA/play (-0.07), 104th in rushing EPA/game (-1.76), and 111th in rushing success rate (37.1%)

Let's break down the individuals at the running back position for Georgia Tech at the halfway point of the season. 

Jamal Haynes is the leading rusher for Georgia Tech / Nathaniel Caudell

Coming into the season, I expected Dontae Smith and Trey Cooley to be the lead ball carriers for this team, and while Cooley has been the No.2 back, converted wide receiver Jamal Haynes has emerged as the top back on this team. 

Haynes has been an explosive player for the Yellow Jackets' offense and is currently the fifth-leading rusher in the ACC, with 409 yards and three touchdowns this season, averaging 5.7 yards per carry. Haynes has also reeled in 12 passes for 112 yards. His ability to cut back and run the zone stretches in this offense has been very good and I think Haynes could make the case for an All-ACC team with a big second half of the season. 

On PFF (Pro Football Focus), Haynes is the 6th-highest-graded member of the offense and has a 70.2 grade in 197 snaps

Louisville transfer Trey Cooley is the second-leading rusher on Georgia Tech and he was explosive coming out of the gates but has been slowed down in recent weeks. For the season, Cooley has rushed for 235 yards and three touchdowns, while averaging 4.7 yards per carry. He has also caught nine passes for 69 yards. 

In the opening game against his former team, Cooley ran for two touchdowns and then had 93 yards and a touchdown the following week against South Carolina State. He has not scored a touchdown since that game and has only topped 50 yards once (51 yards against Ole Miss). 

Cooley has a 57.0 grade on PFF on 144 snaps. 

Dontae Smith has been banged up this season and has only rushed for 50 yards on 12 carries. 

I think that both Haynes and Cooley have shown the ability to be an effective 1-2 punch in the running game this season and I think Haynes especially could have a big second-half of the season. If Cooley can regain his form from the first three games, the Georgia Tech running game is going to be improved over the final six games of the season. 

Midseason Grade: B-

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