Georgia Tech has a major problem in its offensive backfield. You can yell the name Haynes and get two responses from two of the best players in the ACC at their position. Jamal Haynes is part of the “Haynes & Haynes” duo who can cross-examine any defense into confusion and leaving the jury to rule guilty opponents of being too slow.
Jamal Haynes came to Tech under Coach Collins in 2021 as a receiver after a standout high school career at local Atlanta powerhouse Grayson, where they claimed an undefeated state championship in his senior season. While he received some playing time in his first two years, he wouldn’t record any stats and looked to be buried behind a deep receiving group. In Fall Camp of Coach Key’s first year, he made the switch to running back to help with the depth behind Dontae Smith.
All Jamal Haynes did with that opportunity was to rush for over 1,000 yards, the most recent to do so since the 2017 season for the Yellow Jackets. Last year, he fell just short of the 1,000 mark again with 944 yards, but should carve through most of this year’s schedule to reach that mark again.
What makes Jamal one of the most dangerous backs in the ACC is simply his speed and ability to cut between defenders in traffic. He isn’t one to shy away from contact, but why worry about that when you can just shift the opposing player out of his shoes? He showed this best against FSU last year when he caught a pass in the flat from King, where he turned to juke two defenders to the ground.
Being a former receiver makes defenses wary of him when he peels out into a route. Jamal was used often enough through the season to catch short passes and lure defenses into press coverage. Even if the stats don’t show big yardage, it’s the threat he presents in both phases of the offense that allows OC Buster Faulkner to change his scheme and lull the defense out of position.
Of course, we shouldn’t leave out that even when the defense is in a position to stop Jamal, it sometimes doesn’t matter. If you asked any Tech fan their favorite play from last year, you’d probably get Jamal’s walk-off home run against UNC, where he took it 68 yards through the middle of the defense.