Three Players Poised to Take a Second-Year Leap For Georgia Tech in 2024

Georgia Tech returns several talented young players for the 2024 season

Georgia Tech finished the 2023 season with a winning record and a bowl win, thus creating some momentum for themselves going into the 2024 season. They are going to have one of the ACC's top offenses next season and with new hires on the defensive staff, there is hope for big improvement there. 

There were a lot of factors that led to Georgia Tech having an improved team, but one of those factors was the play of some young players. It is hard for a true freshman to come in and play right away, but the Yellow Jackets got some big contributions from some young players who in their second year might be ready to take a leap in their own game. 

So who are some young players on Georgia Tech to watch this season to take a second-year leap?

1. WR Eric Singleton Jr

This one was a pretty easy call. 

Singleton Jr was one of, if not the best true freshman wide receiver in the country, and in just his first season, he became quarterback Haynes King's favorite target. 

Singleton Jr. ranked fourth among all freshmen nationally (true or redshirt) in 2023 with 59.5 receiving yards per game and was tied for fourth among true freshmen nationally with six touchdown receptions. His 714 receiving yards and six touchdown catches both ranked among the top 10 overall in the Atlantic Coast Conference, while his six TD receptions were the second-most by a freshman in Georgia Tech history.

He finished second in voting for ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year, third in balloting for the conference’s overall Rookie of the Year, and was previously named to ESPN’s, College Football News, The Athletic’s, On3’s, and 247Sports freshman/true freshman all-America teams.

Is it possible that Singleton could be even better next season than he was in 2023? I think so and if he is, that will be a scary sight for the rest of the ACC. 

Georgia Tech wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr / Georgia Tech Athletics

2. OT Ethan Mackenny

I mentioned how hard it can be for a true freshman to come in and make an impact at the next level and that is doubly true for offensive lineman. The fact that Ethan Mackenny stepped in the very first game and made an impact shows his talent and what he is capable of in year two. 

Mackenny appeared in 10 games and made nine starts at the critical position of left tackle as a true freshman. He helped anchor an offensive front that paved the way for the Yellow Jackets to lead the ACC in rushing offense (197.1 ypg – 16th nationally) and rank second in the conference in fewest sacks allowed (1.25 pg – 20th nationally).

I think a leap is coming from Mackenny in year two and it could be huge for the Yellow Jackets offense. 

3. LB Jacob Cruz

Singleton and Mackenny were easy choices to make a second-year leap due to the playing time that they received in their freshman season, but one guy who played in the majority of games who flew under the radar was linebacker Jacob Cruz. 

Cruz played primarily on special teams in 2023, playing in ten games and he notched one tackle and a fumble recovery. Georgia Tech is losing a lot of players at the linebacker position, namely Paul Moala, Andre White Jr, Braelen Oliver, and some other players who opted to transfer. I don't know that Cruz will be a starter for the Yellow Jackets this year, but I think he has a path to more playing time and he is someone who I thought was filled with potential since he committed to the Yellow Jackets. Keep an eye on No. 35 in 2024. 

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