Let’s look at the linebackers!
Season Review
Last season was a bit strange for the linebackers. Coming into the season, it was expected that Trenliyas Tatum was going to be the leader of the group, and the incoming transfer group of Andre White, Paul Moala, and Braelen Oliver would fill the other spot. To an extent, there was some truth to that. The starters were Tatum and Moala, but it was actually Moala that was the leader of the group. Tatum struggled throughout the season. He retained the starting job, but by the end of the season, another name came to light: Kyle Efford. Efford made great strides toward the end of the season and is line to take one of the starting jobs this sseason.
Who’s Gone?
The only departures from last year’s group are the same ones who joined last year: the transfer group of Paul Moala, Andre White, and Braelen Oliver. Of the group, Moala was the star. He came in and honestly blew me away. He only had 65 tackles, but he made up for it with 11 TFL, 4 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles. Moala was signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent and is still on the roster.
Who’s Returning?
The two main guys returning have already been mentioned: Kyle Efford and Trenilyas Tatum. Tatum was heralded as the linebacker of the future for a while, but seemed to fall off the map last year. He wasn’t bad, but he did not quite live up to the expectations he had. Efford on the other hand, blew any expectations out of the water. As just a redshirt-freshman, Efford came in like it was never any different. He led Georgia Tech’s defense in tackles with 81 and also picked up a TFL, a sack, and an interception.
Who’s New?
The Yellow Jackets add four new linebackers to the mix this season, two transfers and two freshmen. Starting with the transfers, we have EJ Lightsey who comes to the Flats from down 316 at UGA and Jackson Hamilton who transferred in from Louisville. Both of them served as reserve linebackers at their respective institutions. Lightsey also missed all of last season due to an injury.
The freshmen joining the team are Caleb Dozier from Headland High School (Alabama) and Tah’j Butler from Edna Karr High School (Louisiana). Both were rated as three-star prospects. Butler played very well in the Spring game, picking up 4 tackles for each team and a TFL for Team Swarm.
Season Outlook
This year’s linebacker group could see a shake-up. Efford is expected to continue in his role as one of the starters, but I don’t know that the same can be said about Tatum. That will be something to keep an eye on as we get closer to the season and even as the season starts. To begin with, though, I think those two will get the nod.
Projected starters:
- Linebacker (MAC): Kyle Efford
- Linebacker (MONEY): Trenilyas Tatum