Georgia Tech Football Potential Breakout Candidates: Defensive Line

Who will be a breakout player along the D-Line this season for Georgia Tech?

Georgia Tech lost its top pass rusher to the NFL Draft (Keion White), but there is going to be a lot of experience coming back for the Yellow Jackets on the defensive line. Whether it is on the edge or on the interior, Georgia Tech is returning experienced players, but they are going to need to have a player breakout (much like White did last season) to make this a formidable unit.

So who could that player be? 

Toward the end of the 2022 season, I think defensive tackle D'Quan Douse started to show the kind of playmaker that he could be on the interior. 

What kind of season could D'Quan Douse have for Georgia TEch in 2023? / Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

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. 

Douse has been building to a breakout season at Georgia Tech since his arrival and I think 2023 is the time. 

2022 Season Highlights ☝🏾 pic.twitter.com/Rp3n5VZkJ7

— D'Quan Douse (@quan_61) May 25, 2023

Follow us on social media for the latest on Georgia Tech Athletics!

Facebook: All Yellow Jackets

Twitter: @AllYellowJacket

Follow Jackson on Twitter: @jacksoncaudell

Follow Madison on Twitter: @Madison_Meyers7

Follow Matthew on Twitter: @kistner__

See all of the latest Tech News at AllYellowJackets.com

Check out the Georgia Tech Homepage

Listen to the Goal Line Stand Podcast for the best Georgia Tech and national college football coverage!

More Georgia Tech Related Content

Georgia Tech Basketball Weekly Recruiting Update: 6/12

Georgia Tech Football Weekly Recruiting Update: 6/12

2023 prospect Ibrahim Sacko lists Georgia Tech among final four schools

Former Georgia Tech commit Duke Watson commits to Louisville

2024 Georgia Tech target Jashad Presley sets commitment date

2024 Georgia Tech target Willie Goodwyn commits to Cincinnati

Top 2024 linebacker targets for Georgia Tech

Top defensive line targets for Georgia Tech in 2024

Ranking Georgia Tech's 2023 opponents from the weakest to the toughest

Who are the top edge targets for Georgia Tech in 2024?