PFF Grades: Georgia Tech's Top 20 Players of 2023

Georgia Tech improved to 6-6 this season, clinching the program's first bowl birth since 2018

All eyes are turning to the bowl game for Georgia Tech with the regular season wrapped up. The Yellow Jackets are going to play in their first bowl game since 2018 and they hope to end their season with a winning record. 

This is a much-improved team from a year ago, especially on offense. Haynes King is tied for 3rd in the ACC in passing yards and is one of the top running quarterbacks in the country, Jamal Haynes is fifth in the ACC in rushing, and Jaylon King is tied for 2nd in the ACC with four interceptions. They have gotten improvement from a lot of players this year and that led to the team playing better than it has in years. 

Dontae Smith was a big part of the Georgia Tech offense this season / Nathaniel Caudell

So who were the most impactful players for Georgia Tech this season? I took a look at the PFF (Pro Football Focus) grades for the Yellow Jackets to see who graded out the best. Here are the top 20 players from the 2023 regular season for Georgia Tech according to PFF (snap count is in parentheses).

1. RB Dontae Smith- 80.5 (197)

2. RB Jamal Haynes- 76.9 (426)

3. QB Haynes King- 76.3 (805)

4. CB Kenan Johnson- 75.4 (521)

5. WR Christian Leary- 73.9 (234)

6. S Jaylon King- 73.8 (669)

7. WR Eric Singleton Jr- 73.4 (527)

8. CB Ahmari Harvey- 73.0 (343)

9. CB Myles Sims- 72.3 (544)

10. DE Kyle Kennard- 72.0

11. S Clayton Powell-Lee- 71.5 (654)

12. DE Kevin Harris- 71.4 (390)

13. OL Joe Fusile- 71.3 (819)

14. DB Rodney Shelley- 69.8 (232)

15. DB K.J. Wallace- 69.4 (607)

16. LB Kyle Efford- 68.6 (310)

17. WR Malik Rutherford- 67.9 (537)

18. DT Horace Lockett- 67.2 (250)

19. C Weston Franklin- 66.2 (817)

20. LT Corey Robinson II- 65.8 (307)

Jamal Haynes is one of the top players on Georgia Tech this season according to PFF / Nathaniel Caudell

It is not a surprise to see both running backs graded out near the top. Georgia Tech finished with the ACC"s top rushing attack and both Dontae Smith and Jamal Haynes had big seasons. Haynes King was one of the best stores of the season in my opinion and has been one of the most impactful additions through the transfer portal for any team this season. 

The defense has struggled this season, but I think the secondary has been a bright spot and that is reflected in the PFF grades. Jaylon King, Kenan Johnson, Myles Sims, and Ahmari Harvey made plays and forced turnovers this year and that is what the defense did best. 

With the improvement in the offensive line, I thought some of those guys would be graded higher, but they still had solid grades. 

ACC Football: Final 2023 ACC Power Rankings

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