Who is the top incoming Transfer for each Georgia Tech opponent?

Georgia Tech is going to face a challenging schedule in 2023

Author:
Jackson Caudell
Publish date:
Jul 18, 2023 3:40 PM EDT

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Georgia Tech has been a busy team in the transfer portal this offseason and the hope for Brent Key and this coaching staff is that they have found impact players. There is not a position group on the team that did not see an incoming transfer and there are going to be plenty of new faces in Atlanta this season.

But this is going to be about the new faces that Georgia Tech will face this season, not the ones they brought in.

Nearly every opponent on Georgia Tech's schedule (sorry Clemson and South Carolina State) has been active in the transfer portal to varying degrees and Georgia Tech is going to have to keep an eye on these guys this season.

So who is the top transfer for each Georgia Tech opponent this season?

Louisville

Georgia Tech's first opponent was busy in the transfer portal and that is another intriguing storyline to watch in their week one matchup. The Cardinals have the 14th-ranked transfer class on 247Sports and brought in 25 transfers during the offseason.

Out of the 25 transfers brought in, I think Georgia cornerback transfer Marcus Washington is going to be the guy to watch for the Yellow Jackets. Washington comes over from Athens as a four-star transfer and while he did not make a huge impact on the Bulldogs secondary, he might be a plug-and-play starter at cornerback for the Cardinals defense.

Ole Miss

There is a reason why Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin has been dubbed the "portal king". Kiffin managed to pull in one of the top transfer class in college football this offseason, ranking 6th on 247Sports.

It is hard to pick to just one player from the Rebels transfer class, but I think that UTSA wide receiver Zakhari Franklin is going to be one of the best receivers in the SEC. Last season, Franklin pulled in over 90 catches for 1,137 yards and 15 touchdowns, while averaging over 12 yards per catch.

Ole Miss has a great running attack led by Quinshon Judkins, but Franklin could end up being just as big of a threat through the air.

Wake Forest

Dave Clawson is one of the best coaches in the ACC and develops a lot of talent at Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons did not use the transfer portal much this offseason, but there is one guy that I think could see the field.

Tennessee has one of the deepest wide receiver rooms in college football, but not everyone can get on the field. Walker Merrill is transferring in from Knoxville after catching eight passes for 116 yards. Wake Forest is missing star receiver A.T. Perry and looking to replace him. I am not saying Merrill will be Perry, but he has a chance to make an impact for the Demon Deacons.

Bowling Green

Connor Bazelak has experience, starting at both Missouri and Indiana
Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Much like Wake Forest, Bowling Green did not take many transfers, but there is one that should make an impact. Former Missouri and Indiana starting quarterback Connor Bazelak transferred to Bowling Green this offseason and he should be the starter when they travel to Atlanta on Sept. 30th.

Last season, Bazelak threw for 2.312 yards with 13 touchdowns and two interceptions. He is a solid player, but the Yellow Jackets should win this game handily.

Miami

Miami has one of the top transfer classes in the country and it was hard to pick just one player. UCF center Matt Lee is someone I considered here, but Alabama offensive lineman Javion Cohen is the guy I think will make the biggest impact for the Hurricanes in 2023.

Cohen was a starter for Alabama and he is going to be a big piece of what should be one of the best offensive lines in the ACC. Miami wants to be able to run the ball more effectively on offense and the former Crimson Tide offensive lineman will be the leader.

North Carolina

There are going to be some familiar faces on the opposite sideline for Georgia Tech fans when the Tar Heels come to Atlanta.

Former Georgia Tech wide receiver Nate McCollum and former safety Derrik Allen are going to be playing in Chapel Hill this season and I think McCollum has a chance to become a big-time player in this offense. With quarterback Drake Maye leading the way, I think McCollum could be the guy that replaces Josh Downs at wide receiver.

McCollum caught 60 passes for 655 yards this past season and had three touchdowns. McCollum had twice as many receptions as the next closest receiver, which was actually running back Hassan Hall with 28.

Boston College

UCF Football wide receiver Ryan O'Keefe — UCF transfer Ryan O'Keefe
Doug Engle / USA TODAY NETWORK

Boston College is going to have to replace wide receiver Zay Flowers this season and while that might be impossible, UCF transfer Ryan O'Keefe is a good player and could develop into the top playmaker for the Eagles this season.

For the Knights last season, O'Keefe caught 73 passes for 725 yards and five touchdowns. Boston College could have a dangerous receiving corps and O'Keefe is a big reason why.

Virginia

The Cavaliers made some interesting additions through the transfer portal ahead of Tony Elliott's second season, but the guy I am keeping an eye on is Clemson transfer running back Kobe Pace.

Pace ran for over 600 yards two seasons ago and he is a tough runner who is going to challenge for playing time right away. UVA has a lot of question marks, but the running back position is a potential strength.

Syracuse

Syracuse is losing some talent from their team last season, especially in the secondary and they are going to need to find some impact players if they hope to make it back to a bowl game under head coach Dino Babers.

The guy I am looking at is a freshman transfer Jaden Gould, who is coming to Syracuse from Nebraska. Gould was a four-star prospect coming out of high school and will bring some athleticism to the secondary.

Georgia

Kirby Smart and Georgia don't go get transfers from the portal often, but when they do, they get impact players.

This season, the guy to know is Missouri transfer Dominic Lovett, who was one of the SEC's best receivers last season. Lovett grabbed 56 passes for over 800 yards last season and three touchdowns, while averaging over 15 yards per catch.

Georgia added some players at receiver and is loaded up for another run at the national championship.

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