Georgia Tech 2024 Spring Football Position Preview: Running Back

Georgia Tech returns one of its most productive units from 2023

Spring football is getting closer.

Georgia Tech is looking to build off a good 2023 season and take another major step forward in the Brent Key era. The Yellow Jackets are returning a highly productive group and one of the most dynamic offenses from the ACC last year.

Jamal Haynes was such a great story last season. He made the change from wide receiver to running back during fall camp and that move paid dividends. Haynes earned all-ACC honors as a running back (third team) and was an honorable mention all-purpose performer. He led Georgia Tech with 1,059 rushing yards, seven rushing touchdowns, and six yards per carry ranked second on the team. Those numbers ranked fifth in the ACC in rushing yards and he was tied for sixth in the conference with seven rushing touchdowns and his 6.0 yards per carry ranked third in the league.

He is the first Yellow Jacket with three 100-yard rushing games in a season since current San Francisco 49er Jordan Mason in 2019 and needs just 69 yards in Tech’s upcoming bowl game to become the program’s first 1,000-yard rusher since QB TaQuon Marshall and RB KirVonte Benson in 2017.

Haynes had a strong bowl performance against UCF rushing for a game-high 128 yards on 18 carries. He also had a good outing against the Georgia Bulldogs rushing for 81 yards. Haynes was the second highest-rated player on the Yellow Jackets per Pro Football Focus with a 76.9 score and looks primed for another big season in 2024.

An intriguing storyline to watch this spring is who will be behind Haynes in the backfield and complement him in the run game. Last year it was Haynes and RB Dontae Smith, who Pro Football Focus had the highest grades on the team.

Smith rushed for 504 yards and four rushing touchdowns last season but is out of eligibility and has entered the NFL Draft and will look to make his mark there. He finished his Yellow Jacket career with 1,663 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns.

Trey Cooley could be next in line. The junior saw action in 11 of 12 regular season games. He ranked fourth on the team in rushing yards (274), rushing attempts (64), and yards per carry (4.3). His three rushing touchdowns were tied for third on the team total touchdowns ranked fourth on the team.

He had an outstanding showing last season against his former team Louisville. In that game, he rushed for 52 yards and two scores on nine carries. His best statistical game came in last year’s home opener against South Carolina State. In that game, Cooley had 154 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on just 12 touches. He’s continued to flash and make the most of his opportunities when he gets the ball in his hands.

Daylon Gordon appeared in nine games last season and primarily played on special teams. He recorded an important tackle against Clemson. On that play, he snuffed out a fake punt attempt and got his lone tackle of the season. He will be entering his third year with the program after redshirting as a freshman. I expect Gordon to carve out a more defined role on special teams next season and could see some time as a kick or punt returner. Sometimes those roles could lead to more playing time on offense especially if you are making big plays in the return game. You can become a weapon and dangerous asset that offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner can use anywhere on the field. Gordon also enjoyed a successful prep career.

Per his bio via Georgia Tech Athletics:

Two-time honorable mention all-state selection … Rushed for 2,831 yards prep career, including 1,448 yards in 12 games as a junior in 2019 and 1,093 yards in eight games as a senior in 2020 … Scored 36 total touchdowns (33 rushing, one kickoff return, one fumble return and one interception return), including 18 as a junior and 14 as a senior … Had 11 100-yard rushing games, including five as a junior and six as a senior … Averaged 7.6 yards per carry for his prep career, including a gaudy 8.4-yard average as a senior … Added 138 tackles on defense, including four sacks, during the course of his high school career … Had three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble … Coached by Ken Cofer.

It will be interesting to see what role Jamie Felix will be able to carve out in 2024. He didn’t see the field in 2023 and opted to enter the transfer portal after the season, but withdrew and came back to Georgia Tech. After having a role in 2022. In 2022, he rushed for 80 yards and hauled in 41 receiving yards. Felix also rushed for a season-high 36 yards against North Carolina that season. Felix has shown he can be a good contributor in any role the offense has for him. He was a heavily touted recruit out of Camden County High School. He was rated a four-star prospect by ESPN and was the No.29 running back in the country. Felix has shown flashes and will be a name to watch in the spring.

True freshman Evan Dickens appeared in 11 games last season and was primarily used on special teams and as a reserve running back. He saw his most action in a blowout win against South Carolina State with a career-high six carries for 29 yards. He also rushed three times for 15 yards and took a carry against Ole Miss. The upside of Dickens is still very high and he was a true freshman last season. Look for the running back to continue to build last season.

Chad Alexander was a true freshman last year along with Dickens. He is another running back upside. Alexander appeared in eight games and was primarily a special teams ace. He made three tackles, including a solo. He also recovered a muffed punt in a 30-16 win against Wake Forest. Alexander went to nearby Archer High School in Lawrenceville during his prep career.

Georgia Tech only took two running backs from the 2024 class and they are both very dynamic with a ton of potential.

Anthony Carrie was perhaps one of the best prospects the Yellow Jackets landed in the 2024 class. He is a dynamic running back who possesses great balance with exceptional vision. Carrie has a great burst and is difficult to bring down once he has a head of steam. His big breakout season came during his sophomore season at Carrollwood Day where he rushed for 20 touchdowns.

Per his bio via Georgia Tech Athletics:

“Rated as a four-star prospect and the No. 9 running in the nation by Rivals … Member Rivals250 list … Ranked as the No. 20 player in the talent-rich state of Florida by Rivals … Ran for 3,818 and 55 touchdowns over the course of four prep seasons (38 games) … Also caught 35 passes for 337 yards and three touchdowns in his high school career … Had two 1,000-yard rushing seasons (1,200 as a senior in 2023 and 1,032 as a sophomore in 2021) … Had 14 100-yard rushing games (including six as a senior) … Ran for 20 touchdowns as a sophomore (2021), 16 as a junior (2022) and 12 as a senior (2023) … Helped lead Carrollwood Day to a 26-14 record over his four seasons, including an 8-2 mark as a senior in ’23 … Coached by Marshall McDuffie.”

2024 Trelain Maddox-

Maddox came campus this past summer for the Corky Kell 7 on 7 classic and put on a show. He was already committed to the Yellow Jackets before the camp, but he answered any questions the staff may have had at the event. He caught touchdown after touchdown and torched defensive backs. He led the Parkview Panthers to a 7 on 7 championship with his dominant effort as they dominated the day.

Despite dealing with injury in 2023, Maddox still rushed for 515 yards and eight touchdowns. His best game came against close town rival North Gwinnett where he rushed for 220 yards and three touchdowns, including the game In that game, he averaged 18 yards a carry.

Per his bio via Georgia Tech Athletics:

“Rated as a three-star prospect by Rivals, 247Sports and ESPN … Earned all-county recognition as a senior (2023) … Played senior season at Parkview H.S. (alma mater of Georgia Tech offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner) after transferring from Buford H.S. … Senior season was highlighted by a standout performance against rival North Gwinnett, when he rushed for 220 yards, had five tackles and an interception on defense and scored the game-winning touchdown with less than a minute to go in Parkview’s 35-32 victory … Was named Touchdown Club of Atlanta Player of the Week following his performance against North Gwinnett … Helped lead Parkview to a Georgia 7A state playoffs berth in 2023 … Named team captain in only season with the team … Coached by Joe Sturdivant … Helped Buford win state championship as a freshman (2020) and sophomore (2021) … Lettered in wrestling as a sophomore and helped lead Buford to the 2021-22 state title … Also a four-year letterwinner in track and field … Uncle, Tony Tiller, played cornerback at East Tennessee State and went on to a six-year professional football career that included stints with the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons and the CFL’s British Columbia Lions, Calgary Stampeders and Hamilton Tiger-Cats … Lists attaining his OSHA 10 safety certification as his most memorable non-athletic accomplishment.”

Running back is a loaded position for the Yellow Jackets and was one of its most productive units last season. The great thing for the running backs is there will be plenty of chances for opportunities, and if Georgia Tech can get the same production or even increase it could lead to another strong season in Atlanta.