Georgia Tech Spring Football Depth Chart Projections: Defensive End

Who will be Georgia Tech's defensive ends for the 2023 season?

Georgia Tech is going through some transition on the defensive line, but there is plenty of experience on the edge, which is where our focus is going to be today. Tech is going to be without its top edge rusher Keion White, who is picking up steam as a potential first-round pick, and figuring out who is replacing White is going to be the top priority for the edge group this spring. 

Larry Knight and David Turner are no longer the coaches on the defensive line, but there is going to be a familiar face there. Former Yellow Jackets player and coach Marco Coleman is back in Atlanta and he is going to be looking to maximize this group. 

White is the only major departure for the edge group and there are a couple of new faces. The one transfer along the defensive line is Etinosa Reuben, who is the highest-rated transfer that the Yellow Jackets picked up according to 247Sports Sports, and while I think he could play edge, I think his size will be best used inside on the interior, but he is versatile.

Georgia Tech signed two 2023 edge players, Ezra Odinjor and Malcolm Pugh. Both are talented players, but there are a lot of experienced players in front of them and it could be hard to crack the rotation this season and neither of the players is an early enrollee.

While replacing White is not going to be easy, there is experience returning. 

Kyle Kennard is going to be needed as a pass rusher this season for Georgia Tech / Georgia Tech Athletics

In terms of edge players, Sylvain Yondjouen was third on the team in sacks with 2.5 and I think that his experience is going to be key for this group. He is a favorite to start on one end and started one game against Pitt last season. 

Kyle Kennard is another veteran player for the Yellow Jackets and started eight games for Tech last season. He had two sacks last season and has 6.5 for his career. He might be the most talented edge player for Georgia Tech. 

The other players that were on the depth chart and in the rotation last season are Noah Collins, Josh Robinson, and Kevin Harris. None of these players had a sack this season, but they are going to be counted on in this rotation. 

One guy that I am interested to see this spring is former UCLA transfer, Christian Burkhalter. Burkhalter was a talented player in high school but has not found his stride yet in his college career. While the other edge players might have more experience, Burkhalter has a chance to get more playing time this season. 

Projected Georgia Tech Interior Defensive End Depth Chart For Spring

1. Kyle Kennard

2. Sylvain Yondjouen

3. Noah Collins

4. Christian Burkhalter

I think Kennard and Yondjouen are going to enter the spring as the favorites to start at the position, but I am interested to see if guys like Collins, Harris, Robinson, or Burkhalter can push to get on the field and give this unit some depth. Georgia Tech needs more pass rushers and it will be important to have guys step up. 

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