Haynes King revitalizes Georgia Tech Football

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets have exceeded all expectations this college football season, as they have reached a top 10 ranking in the country for the first time since 2014. After several mediocre seasons, Head Coach Brent Key turned the program around, making them a hopeful playoff team and Atlantic Coastal Conference (ACC) Championship contender. Star Quarterback and Heisman Trophy competitor, Haynes King, continues to shock the country with his immaculate rushing and passing abilities. King is third of all FBS teams with 754 yards on the ground, and leads all QB’s with 14 rushing touchdowns. He also passed for 1,888 yards with 9 touchdowns. King is 6th in the country in completion percentage at 72.1%, and has a monumental passer rating of 156.3 as of Week 12 in the CFB season. 

“My favorite thing about the team has been the way they have fought and competed, no matter who the opponent is,” 2011 TKA alum and former Georgia Tech linebacker, Blake Hembree said. 

The last time the Ramblin’ Wreck football team was 8-1 beginning the final stretch of the season was in 1990 under Coach Bobby Ross, who led the team to a National Championship that same season. After a frustrating loss to NC State Nov. 1, the Yellow Jackets must win out the rest of their conference games to play in the ACC Championship. Despite the one loss on the record, GT fans cling onto hope that Brent Key has what it takes to bounce back, regain momentum and finish the regular season strong.

“The feeling of Georgia Tech even being ranked, gives me butterflies,” senior and lifelong GT fan JP Ramsey said. 

Last season, Quarterback Haynes King led the ACC conference in completion percentage with 72.9%, and GT finished with a 7-6 overall record. King pushed through and finished the season with a career best game against a top-ranked, in-state rival the Georgia Bulldogs. King finished the rival game with 413 total yards and five touchdowns, but came up short in a two point loss through eight overtimes.

The loss to the Bulldogs gave the Yellow Jackets tremendous momentum heading into this season, as they came out hot with a 27-20 victory over Colorado to begin the 2025 season. Georgia Tech continued this hot streak, as just a few weeks later they upset the No. 12 Clemson Tigers, 24-21. They have continued to dominate with their modern-option offense through the regular season, and they enter week twelve ranked No. 16 in the nation.  

“I’m proud of Brent Key and our Yellow Jackets. I think the shift in the Georgia Tech culture has really revolutionized the football program,” said Ramsey.  

As the Yellow Jackets look ahead, they will face Boston College and Pittsburgh to conclude conference play. They will then re-match against the powerhouse of the Georgia Bulldogs, in a neutral site at Mercedes-Benz Stadium Nov. 28. 

“If they do what they’re supposed to do and play how they can, there’s no reason they can’t win the rest of their ACC games. Right now, I think they have a great shot to win the ACC Championship,” said Hembree. 

Although the ACC Championship is the talk of the town for Jackets fans, another trophy could be in reach. If Haynes King continues performing at the elite level he is, his resume for the Heisman trophy is very convincing for voters. Leading the country in rushing TD’s is impressive but doing this as a quarterback is monumental. 

“I think they are looking very great to make it to the ACC Championship, and I believe going from there will decide how well they can play in the playoffs and be a playoff contending team,” said Ramsey. 

With the intensity and competitiveness of college football, anything could happen during this final stretch of the regular season. Lifelong Tech fans in TKA hope to see a deep playoff run from this special team, and if Haynes King can lead this special team to their fifth national championship.