What does the Georgia Tech defense need to improve upon the most in 2023?

Georgia Tech's defense hopes to have a big season in 2023

Jackson Caudell | Jul 21, 2023

What does the Georgia Tech defense need to improve upon the most in 2023? /

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After looking at ways the offense needs to improve for Georgia Tech in 2023, it is time to take a look at the defense.

The Georgia Tech defense saw improvements last season, especially in the pass defense. After having one of the worst secondaries in the country in 2021, the Yellow Jackets made noticeable strides in the back end and I think it is going to be the strength of the defense once again in 2023. LaMiles Brooks is an All-ACC candidate at safety, Myles Sims took a nice step forward last year and I think he has another level in his game, and safeties Jaylon King and Clayton Powell-Lee are in for nice seasons as well.

Defensive coordinator Andrew Thacker is back this season, but he will now have a co-defensive coordinator as well. Kevin Sherrer brings both experience in the SEC and the NFL and I am intrigued to see what he brings to the Yellow Jackets defense as the new co-coordinator and linebackers coach.

So what needs to be improved upon the most this season?

Trenilyas Tatum — Can Georgia Tech improve its run defense enough in 2023? / Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports

For me when I look at this team, it came down to pass rush or the run defense and I went with the run defense.

The Yellow Jackets ranked 107th in run defense last season and a ghastly 117th in success rate against the run. The poor run defense for the Yellow Jackets was evident in games against Ole Miss (316 yards given up) and UCF (284 yards).

Georgia Tech had two linebackers in Charlie Thomas and Ace Eley that had successful seasons, but now they must be replaced. Transfers Andre White Jr (Texas A&M) and Braelen Oliver (Minnesota), as well as returning linebacker Trenilyas Tatum are going to be asked to take over at the position and help improve this.

But linebackers are not the only position that matters in run defense. Every level of the defense counts and both the defensive line and secondary has to step up.

I think there are some impact players this year that can help fix this issue for Georgia Tech.

Defensive tackle D'Quan Douse started to play really well down the stretch in 2022 and he could be a breakout player up front in 2023.

Douse finished the season with 26 tackles and 3.5 sacks, which was tied for second on the team with linebacker Ace Eley.

You could see him get better in each game, especially his performance against Virginia Tech, where he had 2.5 sacks and earned a high grade on PFF (Pro Football Focus) for his performance. Douse finished as the second-highest-graded player on the entire Yellow Jackets' defense, finishing behind safety LaMiles Brooks. According to PFF, Douse played 450 snaps and finished with a defensive grade of 75.2, a run defense grade of 80.7, and a pass-rushing grade of 66.1.

White is coming to Atlanta after spending four seasons in College Station and he is one of three transfers from A&M that is joining Brent Key's squad (Haynes King and Chase Lane are the others) and all three of these guys are hoping to be an instant impact player. White has traits that are similar to Thomas and that is what stands out the most to me.

White is a former four-star recruit from Harrisburg, PA, and here was his scouting report coming out of high school, courtesy of 247Sports national recruiting analyst Brian Dohn:

"Tremendous frame with ability to add 15 pounds and play at 230. Can play inside or outside linebacker. Runs well and closing speed is impressive. Gets to full speed in a few steps. Movements are fluid and easy. Changes direction well. Explodes into gaps and plays physical. Can get off blocks and locate ball carrier quickly. Effective blitzer. Can chase a play to sideline. Good body control. Nice footwork when dropping into coverage. Drives through ball carrier when tackling. A big hitter with attitude. Upper body strength needs work. Must be consistent with wrapping up on tackles and keep his pad level low at contact. Two- or three-year starter at top 20 Power 5 school. Third- or fourth-round draft pick."

I think his speed and running ability is something that stands out about White. One of the things that Thomas did well during his career was close in on ball carriers with speed and pressure the quarterback and that is evidenced by his 10 career sacks. I think that White can replicate some of that on the field and that kind of ability is why ESPN's Bill Connelly named White as one of his 10 favorite ACC players heading into the season:

"Generally, averaging havoc plays (TFLs, passes defended, forced fumbles) on more than 1.5% of your snaps is pretty good. In seven games with A&M last year, White averaged 3.0%. Give him a starring role and watch him post star-level numbers."

Georgia Tech improved in certain areas defensively last season, but there is still plenty of work to be done. This unit has experience and I like the additions through the portal. I believe there is a next step this defense can take and they will need to be ready from the very first game against Louisville, who has one of the top offensive coaches in the game in Jeff Brohm.

Georgia Tech vs Louisville kicks off on Friday, Sept. 1st at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN.

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