Clemson Opponents Preview

CLEMSON – After two games at home to start the season, Clemson hits the road in Week 3 to face its first ACC opponent, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

The Tigers have not faced Georgia Tech since 2023 when they took down the Yellow Jackets at Memorial Stadium, 42-21. However, that was then. Since then, there have been several changes to both teams on both sides of the football.

Both will have the same starting quarterbacks, which will bring a sense of familiarity, but that’s about all that hasn’t changed.

OFFENSE

Quarterback Haynes King is back for his senior year after an injury riddled 2024 season. He has shown great improvement in reducing turnovers, and he is expected to take an even bigger leap overall in his final season.

Jamal Haynes returns to the backfield after rushing for nearly 1,000 yards last season, and the addition of Malachi Hosley from Penn fills in the No. 2 spot. Hosley ran 1,142 yards and nine touchdowns last year, so his addition will help the Yellow Jackets backfield.

After losing Eric Singleton to Auburn, the Yellow Jackets’ receiving corps took a hit. Senior receiver Malik Rutherford takes the reins of the starting spot after tallying 702 yards last year, and FIU transfer Eric Rivers will also try to help.

Josh Beetham and Brett Seither are the leaders of the tight-end room.

Finally, the offensive line has multiple returning men. As a unit they finished third in the country in sacks allowed.

Guards Joe Fusile and All-ACC Keylon Rutledge return to their positions, and Ethan Mackenney is expected to take over the left tackle spot. Harrison Moore appears to be the guy at center, while right tackle is still up for grabs.

DEFENSE

The Yellow Jackets added A.J. Hoffler from Clemson, alongside Ronald Triplette (UTSA) and Branden Manley (Mercer) from the transfer portal to help boost the defensive front after losing Romelle Height to Texas Tech. Additionally, the transfer of Matthew Alexander to Georgia Tech from UCF will make a huge impact at tackle as he works next to former Penn State transfer Jordan van den Berg.

Kyle Efford and E.J. Lightsey return to help man the linebackers, and the addition of Melvin Jordan IV, who transferred from Oregon State after recording 45 tackles in 10 games in 2024, will help.

For the secondary, Ahmari Harvey will lead the cornerbacks after ranking second in tackles last year for Georgia Tech. Senior Rodney Selley will help at the position alongside UAB transfer Kelvin Hill and others. At safety, veterans Clayton Powell-Lee and Omar Daniels will get after it with the addition of talented Georgia State transfer Jyron Gilmore.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Junior kicker Aidan Birr returns to the Yellow Jackets after hitting 15 of 22 field goals and 45 of 45 extra points in 2024. At punter, senior Marshall Nichols comes in from UNLV, where he was a Ray Guy award candidate and averaged 44.3 yards per punt in his previous year.

OVERVIEW

In his third season at Georgia Tech, head coach Brent Key is looking to take his team to the next level. Their schedule gives them a chance for success, but facing tough opponents like Clemson, Georgia, and Duke could hurt their chances.

If the Yellow Jackets can have a stellar performance from King, a consistent and strong running game like recent years, and can earn more pass rush, there could be no stopping them. The ACC is a competitive conference, though, so anything could happen.

The Tigers will travel to Bobby Dobb Stadium at Hyundai Field in Atlanta, Ga. to face Georgia Tech on Saturday, Sept. 13, at noon.