It’s a deep receiver group for the Yellow Jackets. Eric Singleton can still stand out in a crowd.
Georgia Tech was in a complete offensive overhaul starting the first full year under Coach Brent Key. Buster Faulkner and Chris Weinke were brought in to restructure the offense. Haynes King transferred in to compete for the quarterback role and some veteran receivers to help the depth at that position.
Eric Singleton Jr would also join the offense at the receiver position after being recruited from Alexander High School in Douglasville, GA, roughly 30 minutes west of downtown Atlanta. Singleton was a solid 3-star with an 88 grade from 247Sports. He was listed just outside the Top 100 receivers. He would be a good player to keep an eye on in the coming years but maybe not expect to be a pivotal player in his freshman season. At least one would think.
As a true freshman, Singleton would lead the 2024 Yellow Jackets in receptions (48), receiving yards (714), and touchdowns (6). Despite being only 5’11” and around 170 pounds, Singleton uses his speed to get behind coverage and has the ability to outjump defenders to win 50/50 balls in one-on-one coverage.
An excellent example came in the first game against Louisville where Singleton was able to slip by the jam of the corner and keep down the sideline to catch the ball over the corner’s head. Keeping to the edge was also important to not give the safety enough time to come across and assist in the coverage.
With how much of Georgia Tech’s offense returns, it stands to reason that Eric Singleton is bound for a more productive season. Timing between quarterback and receiver can take a while to develop but Singleton gelled with Haynes King right out of the gate. Another offseason will have these two in complete sync.
That will make Singleton a prime target again as he uses his speed to quickly find and sit down in holes in zone coverage so that even against the best pass rushers King can unload the ball quickly to open Singleton.
One wrinkle Singleton was featured in last year that was used to great effect was a sweep where King would pop the ball to Singleton as he came by at the snap. It was graded as a reception for stat purposes but essentially turned him into a runner. Even Georgia had trouble containing him.
What’s most exciting to watch as he becomes an impact player again this season is how he will also rank in the history of Georgia Tech receivers. He currently sits at 46th overall in receiving yards but even if he keeps the production the same this year he would vault into the Top 15. Georgia Tech has only had 5 players break 1,000 yards in a single season and they all come within a decade span of 1999 to 2009 with Demaryius Thomas being the last.
Eric Singleton Jr possesses all the tools necessary to reach that goal and the supporting cast to help him. I predict he is the next to reach that mark with this season and the Yellow Jackets will enjoy some well-earned wins along the way.