Georgia Tech’s senior class may not be large in number, but its impact could be felt for years to come if Brent Key’s program continues its upward trajectory in 2025 and beyond.
The Yellow Jackets who have been with Tech the longest, a few who joined the program as far back as 2019, are part of a squad that has won 14 games in the past two seasons and will be playing back-to-back bowl games, a program first since 2013-14.
And while 14 victories isn’t that great of a number, the Jackets only won 14 games total from 2019-22.
“Going out with a (win) in this bowl game would definitely mean a lot to the seniors, just because we’ve been here, we’ve been here for a while,” Tech right tackle Jordan Williams said. “Everybody who has stuck around stuck it out. Everybody’s just happy with the direction this program is heading, and we’re definitely happy that we’re a part of helping getting it started.”
Should Williams start the Dec. 27 Birmingham Bowl against Vanderbilt, he would set a Tech record for career starts with 53, breaking the previous high of 52 held by Roddy Jones. The 6-foot-6, 315-pound Williams, a native of Gainesville, joined the program in 2020 and remembers Key’s infant daughter Harper being at practice during his recruiting visit.
Now, Williams said, Harper is ever-present at Bobby Dodd Stadium, high-fiving players and passing out homemade bracelets. She has had a front-row seat to the change in course of Tech’s fortunes and has befriended dozens of players like Williams, who have been a large part of that turnaround.
“Me and coach Key, we talk about it a lot. We done been through a lot together,” Williams added.
Long snappers Henry Freer and Will Scissum and defensive end Sylvain Yondjouen, however, have been around even longer than Williams, joining the program in 2019. Williams is part of a trio of Jackets (safety LaMiles Brooks and tight end Avery Boyd are the other two) completing a fifth season with Tech. Linebacker Trenilyas Tatum, punter David Shanahan, center Weston Franklin and defensive linemen Joshua Robinson and Zeek Biggers all arrived in Atlanta in 2021.
They are all seniors on the 2024 roster, and all endured part of a slump in Tech football when the losses mounted and fan support dwindled. Those days seem a distant memory now as the Jackets look poised for more success in the future.
“Blessed for us to have made it this far,” Brooks said. “Everybody’s guaranteed 12 opportunities, and we put in the work this season to guarantee ourselves a 13th opportunity. Taking this time to kind of cherish these last memories we have. A few of us came in together, few of us are going out together. Trying just to make the most of our time.”
Tech’s seniors have a chance to be the first Tech team to win eight games in a season since 2016. Tech also hasn’t won back-to-back bowl games since 2003-04, another feather for the cap that is up for grabs for the team’s elder statesmen in the Birmingham Bowl.
Not that there is any pressure from above to reach those benchmarks.
“This is a reward for these players,” Key said. “I want these players to enjoy their last time as the 2024 Georgia Tech football team. There is something about that that is special.”
BIRMINGHAM BOWL
Georgia Tech vs. Vanderbilt, 3:30 p.m., ESPN, 680 AM, 93.7 FM
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