Names to Watch: Georgia Tech
No. 8 Georgia Tech travels to Raleigh undefeated and featuring one of the best rushing attacks in the country. Here are several names to watch ahead of their primetime matchup with the Wolfpack.
#10 - QB Haynes King - 6’3 215 - Redshirt Senior
The focal point of Georgia Tech’s offense this season has been quarterback Haynes King. He also leads the team in rushing yards with 651 and 12 rushing touchdowns. On top of that, King also has a 151.3 passer rating, even though it’s on a low volume of 1,480 passing yards, seven passing touchdowns, and one interception.
After transferring in from Texas A&M back in 2023, he led the ACC in interceptions during his first season at Georgia Tech. Now he’s leading one of the best offenses in the country for a top-10 team. The Yellow Jacket offense features a lot of option, triple-option, and spread-passing concepts.
If NC State’s defense continues to struggle in pass coverage over the middle of the field, this could be another rough one for the Wolfpack defensively.
# 1 - HB Jamal Haynes - 5’9 190 - Redshirt Senior
Running back Jamal Haynes is a shifty and elusive runner who has benefited from Georgia Tech’s heavy option offense this year. Even though he’s the team’s third leading rusher this year, NC State’s defense cannot lose track of where he lines up in the backfield.
However, he is not a threat as a receiver, with just 164 receiving yards on 18 catches. Although, he has been efficient on the ground, rushing for 432 yards on 4.9 yards/carry and just three touchdowns.
# 0 - HB Malachi Hosley - 5’10 205 - Junior
Malachi Hosley transferred in from Penn this offseason. He earned 1,192 rush yards and nine touchdowns on 6.2 yards per carry last year. He has proven he can play at the P4 level, being the second leading rusher on the team.
The Columbus, Georgia native is a focal point of the Yellow Jackets rushing attack, and has been very efficient so far, running at 7.9 yards/carry on 488 total rush yards this season. Who knows what he could have done for Georgia Tech if he had not split carries for King and Haynes with that kind of efficiency?
#77 - OG Keylan Rutledge - 6’4 320 - Senior
Keylan Rutledge is a leader up front for Georgia Tech’s offensive line. He has had a career year so far, playing 524 total snaps and only allowing 1 QB hit. Rutledge’s 6’4 320 lb frame will make him a challenge to get past in the run game for players like NC State’s DT Brandon Cleveland.
Rutledge is ranked #452 on PFF’s 2026 NFL Draft Big Board and has an overall PFF grade of 76.7, which ranks 20th nationally among offensive guards.
#44 - LB Kyle Efford - 6’2 225 - Redshirt Junior
Kyle Efford is on pace to have a career year in tackles this season for Georgia Tech. He currently has 51 total tackles, two passes deflected, 1.5 sacks, and 1.5 tackles for loss. In his past two seasons as a starter, his strengths as a linebacker have been primarily in run defense.
He only has one career interception, but eight career tackles for loss. Efford could give Smothers some trouble in the run game this week, but he would have to be on his A-game every down.
