Quarterbacks Coach Chris Weinke Details What Improvements He Wants To See From Haynes King In 2024

Jackson Caudell | Mar 28, 2024

Dec 22, 2023; Tampa, FL, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Haynes King (10) talks with / Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King won the quarterback battle last fall and proceeded to have a very good season, carrying Georgia Tech to its first bowl appearance since 2018 and its first bowl win since 2016. King was a huge reason for that. Not only did King show great leaps from his time at Texas A&M, but the entire Georgia Tech offense was one of the most improved in the country. Their rushing attack was the best in the conference and their passing showed explosiveness, though it was inconsistent. 

When talking with the media after practice on Wednesday, Georgia Tech quarterbacks coach Chris Weinke went into great detail about what he wants to see from King in year two in Atlanta:

"Yeah, it's always a process, right? Regardless of how old you are, whether you're a young guy or you've got experience, I think you always continue to learn. You always continue to develop. The challenge I have for my guys every single day is find something to get better at just a little bit better. each day and I think over the collective period of time whether it's it's spring ball it's the summer leading into camp I think if those guys can just focus on those little things obviously the body of work will be will be special when it's all said and done more specifically with Haynes, obviously had a really good year for us but he's a perfectionist and I think when you look at and you go back and you watch every snap from last year, his ability to make big plays, not only with his legs, but in the passing game. Obviously, the elephant in the room is the turnovers, right? And we have to clean that up. We cannot provide extra opportunities for the opponent. He knows that, he understands it. So you look at every single turnover and why did it happen? And you try to eliminate those things, or the reason that... that it happened and I think he's conscious of that. What I don't want to do is take away his aggressiveness and he understands and knows that. 

I want him playing full speed, trusting his eyes and sometimes those things happen and I think he understands it but his development in terms of operating our offense, high football IQ, really a joy to work with and coach, he speaks the language at a high level, understands it. and I only think he's gotten better since last year. I think you look at his release. It's quicker than it was a year ago. It's been something he's been conscious of, but his leadership qualities and what he's what he's done for this football team is special."

King was one of only two players in the nation with at least 2,700 passing yards, 600 rushing yards, 25 touchdown passes, and five touchdown runs this season (joining LSU’s Jayden Daniels), and one of only six ACC players to achieve those numbers in a regular season since 2000. He led the ACC in touchdown passes and was fourth in passing yards.

According to PFF (Pro Football Focus), King will be the fourth-highest-graded returning quarterback in the ACC, behind SMU's Preston Stone (91.3 Overall Grade), Florida State's DJ Uiagalelei (82.0), and Miami's Cam Ward (80.7). I think if King can be even better than he was in 2023, this Georgia Tech offense has a chance to be among the ACC's best once again.