Georgia Tech Football Transfer Profile: Ayo Tifase

What kind of impact will the former Florida State defensive lineman have on the Yellow Jackets in 2024?

Georgia Tech had some key departures on the defensive line this offseason, losing Kyle Kennard, D'Quan Douse, and others and they were going to have to find some experienced players in the transfer portal to try and replace them. The Yellow Jackets were not as strong as you want to be on the defensive line last year, ranking last in the conference against the run and and unable to rush the passer. Brent Key hired Jess Simpson as the defensive line coach and he will have his work cut out for him in trying to figure out who will be the playmakers up front. 

Could one of those players be Florida State transfer Ayo Tifase?

It is possible. Tifase is going to come in and compete with guys like Makius Scott, Zeek Biggers, and Horace Lockett to be the top guy up front. The redshirt sophomore is light on experience coming into the 2024 season, but has talent. 

According to PFF (Pro Football Focus), the 6'4 300 LBS Tifase played 20 snaps and finished with a 67.3 grade. That is a very small sample size and it is tough to know a lot based on that info. 

Florida State transfer Ayo Tifase :: Ehsan Kassim/Tallahassee Democrat / USA TODAY NETWORK

Here is his high school background per his bio at Georgia Tech Athletics: 

"Rated as a three-star prospect by Rivals, 247Sports and ESPN … Tabbed as the No. 9 player in the state of Maryland and the No. 74 defensive lineman in the nation by 247Sports … Reclassified to the class of 2022, finishing high school a year early … Helped lead Concordia Prep to a 10-2 record and the 2021 Maryland Class B state championship as a junior … Anchored a defensive front that helped hold opponents to just 9.4 points per game during state championship campaign … Concordia Prep played just three games in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but helped the Saints post two shutouts in three contests as a sophomore … Coached by Joe Battaglia … Began prep career at Milford Mill Academy, where he was a member of the wrestling team, before transferring to Concordia Prep."

Tifase might be one of the most intriguing players to watch on defense this spring. He has size, which Georgia Tech needed and at worst he should be able to provide depth on the defensive line and be an adequate run-stopper (which was a massive issue last year). There is also the chance that Simpson gets something out of him that Florida State was unable to and he becomes a quality starter. It is hard to project with a player who only played 20 snaps last year, but there is talent. 

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