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Kevin Harris, a defensive end who transferred from Alabama after two years with the Crimson Tide, has been conspicuous in his ability to use his speed and power to create pass-rush pressure around the edge. Harris, from Grayson High, has the potential to be a difference-maker for the Jackets, who need to do better at pressuring quarterbacks with a four-man pass rush. Collins said that Harris has been "just relentlessly working every single day" and shared his excitement about another newcomer at end, early-enrollee freshman Josh Robinson from Douglas County High. Both fit into the physical mold that Collins has established for the position. All of Tech's scholarship defensive ends are between 6-foot-3 and 6-6, starting at 235 pounds and going up to 270. Harris is 6-4 and 240 pounds. Robinson is 6-4 and 235 pounds. "We've talked about ever since we got here - the length and the speed that we want, especially coming off the edge - and really on the whole football team, and you see that in display every single day," Collins said. - Atlanta Journal Constitution

(DS#67 DE) Sr/2025

DE Kevin Harris II, Georgia Tech
News Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution
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04/15/21 - Zach Quinney, rSr/2022, Georgia Tech, 6-5, 315 (DS#999 OT) + More +

It is not every college football player who would voluntarily surrender a starting spot on a power-conference team, and with it any shot at the NFL. But Quinney's decision serves as a reminder that there is far more to each player than what is visible in 12 Saturdays in the fall. Quinney's health was a factor. Last year, he tore the ligament in his thumb against Louisville, the fourth game of the season. He chose to play with the injury for another three games and then had surgery during the team's open week. The back-to-back postponed games gave him extra time to recover, and he played with his thumb in a cast for the rest of the season.

The previous season, he injured his wrist in preseason camp and chose to play through it, starting all 12 games before having surgery at the end of the season. "None of those were career-ending injuries or anything," Quinney said. "I definitely could have kept playing, but my body just wasn't feeling too good." He weighed the toll that football was taking on his body and the fact that, while he had dreamed of playing professionally, "I'm not one of those guys where it's 'NFL or bust,'" Quinney said. - Atlanta Journal Constitution

(DS#999 OT) rSr/2022

OT Zach Quinney, Georgia Tech
News Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution
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04/13/21 - Djimon Brooks, rSr/2022, Georgia Tech, 6-0, 286 (DS#102 DT) + More +

When Georgia Tech defensive tackle Djimon Brooks was given the opportunity to play a second senior season, he apparently didn't need much time to mull it over. "When we found out last year that they could come back, I don't even think I put a period on the end of the sentence, and he was like, Yep, I'm back. I'm coming back," defensive line coach Larry Knight said Thursday. "And that was that." Knight categorized Brooks' return for the year granted to all fall- and winter-sports athletes by the NCAA due to the impact of COVID-19 as "huge." In Brooks, the Yellow Jackets have back the defensive lineman with the most career starts in the group (12) but also someone with an example worth following.

Brooks arrived in 2016 as a walk-on from Washington County High and played in one game in his first three seasons. After the hire of coach Geoff Collins, Brooks earned a spot in the rotation and played in all 12 games (with four starts) in 2019 as a junior, making 27 tackles. In July 2020, he was put on scholarship and awarded the No. 0 jersey, emblematic of his lack of FBS and FCS scholarship offers and status as a "zero-star" recruit. (The NCAA approved the usage of the No. 0 jersey for the 2020 season, making Brooks the first to wear the number in team history.) "That was a big deal for us, who was going to wear that number for us," Knight said. - Atlanta Journal Constitution

(DS#102 DT) rSr/2022

DT Djimon Brooks, Georgia Tech
News Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution
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04/13/21 - Antonneous Clayton, rSr/2022, Georgia Tech, 6-2, 255 (DS#118 DE) + More +

Five months after stepping away from football to attend to the mounting challenges of his life, Georgia Tech defensive end Antonneous Clayton is back among teammates and coaches. As the Yellow Jackets progress through spring practice, he is trying to become a more consistent player and hone details such as his stance, obstacles far preferable to those that he said overwhelmed him last winter. "I'm not really concerned about anything else," Clayton said Thursday. "I've kind of handled all of my off-field issues at this point. I'm having fun right now. This is the happiest I've been playing football in a very long time, a very long time."

For Clayton, 2020 was a set of unrelenting trials, as it was for so many. Clayton came to Tech as a celebrated transfer in 2019 from Florida and had to sit out that season after his request for an immediate-eligibility waiver was denied. Last year, he was entering his senior season - potentially his final opportunity to prove himself as an NFL prospect after three unremarkable seasons with the Gators - amid uncertainty that the season would even be played. Beyond that, Clayton was caring for his young son Antonneous Jr. Then, he missed the first two games with what he described as a medical condition, which also put him behind in his classes and lowered his conditioning level. - Atlanta Journal Constitution

(DS#118 DE) rSr/2022

DE Antonneous Clayton, Georgia Tech
News Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution
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04/09/21 - Kenneth Kirby, rSr/2022, Georgia Tech, 6-4, 305 (DS#93 OG) + More +

Kenneth Kirby is coming to Georgia Tech with an NFL body, NFL ambition and a healthy dose of confidence. After the offensive tackle declared his intent in February to leave Norfolk State for Tech as a graduate transfer, he is ready to prove himself on a much bigger stage. "I feel like it's a test that I'm ready for," Kirby said. "To me, I don't think there's a huge gap between guys in FCS and FBS." Kirby has proved himself at the FCS level. At Norfolk State, he was a three-year starter and a two-time All-MEAC selection. But, with a shot at the NFL in mind, he decided to use his last season of eligibility at the highest level of play.

"Really, my goal was to go to a Power 5 school and perform there because for me at my position, it makes a big difference," Kirby told the AJC. "So that's really the main goal in all of this, to get my draft grade as high as possible." Kirby, who is 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds, shows quick feet and a strong punch in pass protection and power in his run blocking. He describes his style as "aggressive but smart" and said he takes pride in finishing plays through the whistle and "really just making people hate you." - Atlanta Journal Constitution

(DS#93 OG) rSr/2022

OG Kenneth Kirby, Georgia Tech
News Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution
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04/08/21 - Quez Jackson, rSr/2022, Georgia Tech, 6-0, 221 (DS#98 ILB) + More +

A year ago, Georgia Tech linebacker Quez Jackson said, he chose to focus on his on-field play. With captain David Curry in the linebacker group, he ceded the leadership role to him. But after leading the Yellow Jackets in tackles for the past two seasons and also being honored as one of the captains for both of those teams, Curry has moved on, and the leadership role naturally falls to Jackson, who finished second in tackles behind Curry last year in his third season at Tech (with 80 to Curry's 84). "I've definitely taken a much different approach than what I did last season, going about every phase of my life completely different than what I did last season," he said. "Just understanding my role and understanding the type of influence that I have within that room and just making sure that all the guys are playing hard."

Jackson, who has started 15 career games (including all 10 last season) and has yet to miss a game in his career, would seem to have plenty of leadership to offer. And he may have been shortchanging himself in his estimation of his leadership last year. Coach Geoff Collins bestowed upon him a single-digit jersey prior to the start of spring practice, recognition of his status as a leader and teammate. Jackson has switched from No. 44 to No. 4, the number he wore with distinction at Peach County High. - Atlanta Journal Constitution

(DS#98 ILB) rSr/2022

ILB Quez Jackson, Georgia Tech
News Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution
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04/08/21 - Ayinde Eley, rSr/2023, Georgia Tech, 6-3, 230 (DS#46 ILB) + More +

The phone calls between Ayinde Eley and his father Donald Hill-Eley are different now. Hill-Eley hears excitement in his son's voice when they talk, particularly when the talk turns to football, as it often might. Eley is a linebacker at Georgia Tech, a grad transfer from Maryland, and his father is head coach at Alabama State. "It's just a totally different conversation when I talk to him now," Hill-Eley told the AJC Monday. "He's really enjoying the game of football, and that helps you reach your potential." Hill-Eley is optimistic for his son's playing time at Tech, aspirations shared by Tech defensive coordinator Andrew Thacker, among others. But more than that, Hill-Eley is glad for the happiness that he hears coming through his phone. As early as Maryland's first game last season, which was his son's fourth year at the school, Hill-Eley said that he knew that his son would be transferring.

"I've got some guys here that don't play, or their (playing) time has been cut," Hill-Eley said of players on his own team. "But the key is having some kind of communication with the guys that they don't feel ostracized. That's the feeling that we got when we were up the road (at Maryland). I just wanted him to get around some guys that, it's not so much whether he plays or not - I think he's good enough to play - but that it doesn't feel personal." At Maryland, Eley started nine of the Terrapins' 12 games in 2019, and he finished second in tackles with 79. In 2020, however, he played in three of the Terrapins' five games with one start. He announced his decision to go into the portal on Dec. 25 and then went public with his transfer to Tech on the 28th. - Atlanta Journal Constitution

(DS#46 ILB) rSr/2023

ILB Ayinde Eley, Georgia Tech
News Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution
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04/08/21 - E.J. Jenkins, rSr/2023, Georgia Tech, 6-6, 245 (DS#26 TE) + More +

At 6-foot-7, E.J. Jenkins is known for causing trouble for opposing defenses in high school and in college. South Carolina coach Shane Beamer and his staff hope that continues in Jenkins' first season with the Gamecocks. The St. Francis University (Pennsylvania) senior transfer has made a big impression on the coaches and teammates during the offseason and the first two weeks of spring practice. "That boy E.J. is a big body right there," Gamecocks receiver Jalen Brooks said Thursday. "He is a hard worker. Ever since he has come to campus, he has been coming running extra routes. And even when we were doing things with no football, he has been trying to learn the plays. "He brings a taller aspect to the offense and is a well all-around player."

Jenkins has been showing off his versatility so far, getting reps at both receiver and tight end. He said playing tight end is a new experience, and learning things such as blocking schemes has been a challenge. Jenkins has gotten some help from USC veterans such as Nick Muse, the team's starting tight end last season, about playing the position. He is confident he can contribute at either spot. "Playing tight end or receiver, it's a matchup nightmare," Jenkins said. "I'm learning both positions...It's really been coming along well and I'm just being a student of the game and can't wait to learn more. "The way the offense is looking, playmakers are going to get the ball. Even when there is nothing there, we can make a gain out of it. Us being versatile is going to be really big this season." - Rock Hill Herald

(DS#26 TE) rSr/2023

TE E.J. Jenkins, Georgia Tech
News Source: Rock Hill Herald
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03/31/21 - Zach Quinney, rSr/2022, Georgia Tech, 6-5, 315 (DS#999 OT) + More +

A three-year starter and a captain for the 2020 team, Georgia Tech offensive tackle Zach Quinney has decided to move forward from football. He was planning to return for his fourth season until he received a job opportunity that he decided to accept, Quinney told the AJC Monday. Quinney was initially enrolled this semester after having graduated in December with a degree in business administration, but withdrew to begin his work career, calling it a "very difficult decision" in a text message. Players making decisions similar to Quinney's is not unusual. Just before the start of last season, for instance, Yellow Jackets defensive tackle Chris Martin decided to not play his senior season in part to devote more time to his job search. - Atlanta Journal-Constitution

(DS#999 OT) rSr/2022

OT Zach Quinney, Georgia Tech
News Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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03/23/21 - Devin Cochran, rSr/2022, Georgia Tech, 6-7, 306 (DS#31 OT) + More +

Seven transfers will be taking part in their first Tech practices, all seeming to have a clear shot at contributing and possibly starting. The spring can be useful for getting acclimated to different schemes and terminology and learning teammates. They include three grad transfers - offensive tackle Devin Cochran (Vanderbilt), linebacker Ayinde Eley (Maryland) and wide receiver Kyric McGowan (Northwestern) - and four standard transfers, defensive end Kevin Harris (Alabama), guard Nick Pendley (Mississippi State), defensive tackle Makius Scott (South Carolina) and cornerback Kenyatta Watson (Texas).

Cochran, who started 32 games for the Commodores over three seasons, may be the most impactful. Offensive line coach Brent Key will have three tackles with at least one season of starting experience in Cochran and returning starters Zach Quinney and Jordan Williams. A fourth, Kenneth Kirby, is expected to arrive in May as a grad transfer from Norfolk State, where he was a three-year starter. - Atlanta Journal Constitution

(DS#31 OT) rSr/2022

OT Devin Cochran, Georgia Tech
News Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution
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03/04/21 - Pressley Harvin III, Sr/2021, Georgia Tech, 5-11, 263 (DS#3 P) + More +

Following his unanimous All-American season, former Georgia Tech punter Pressley Harvin received a solid indicator of his NFL draft prospects Wednesday. The winner of the Ray Guy Award as the nation's top punter, Harvin was one of four punters who was recognized by the NFL as a scouting combine invitee. Harvin is vying to become Tech's first punter draftee since Durant Brooks in 2008. The combine will not take place in Indianapolis this year because of COVID-19. Workouts will be conducted at prospects' Pro Days. Interviews and psychological testing will be conducted virtually, and in-person medical exams will be limited. The naming of combine invitees was done to recognize them as top prospects for the draft. Tech's Pro Day will be held March 16. The other punters invited are Drue Chrisman (Ohio State), Max Duffy (Kentucky) and James Smith (Cincinnati). - Atlanta Journal Constitution

(DS#3 P) Sr/2021

P Pressley Harvin III, Georgia Tech
News Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution
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02/28/21 - Kenneth Kirby, rSr/2022, Georgia Tech, 6-4, 305 (DS#93 OG) + More +

Georgia Tech dipped into the transfer market again for an under-the-radar player who has the look of a potential playmaker. Kenneth Kirby, who was a two-time All-MEAC selection as a left tackle at Norfolk State, announced his decision to play for the Yellow Jackets in the 2021 season as a grad transfer. Kirby, listed at 6-foot-5 and 280 pounds, comes to Tech with experience and size. At Norfolk State, an FCS school, Kirby started all 34 games that he played in, starting from his freshman season. He was named third-team All-MEAC as a sophomore in 2017, redshirted the 2018 season and then was named first-team All-MEAC as a junior in 2019. That season, Kirby graded out at 96%, gave up two half-sacks for the season and led the team in knockdown blocks. - Atlanta Journal Constitution

(DS#93 OG) rSr/2022

OG Kenneth Kirby, Georgia Tech
News Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution
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02/22/21 - Trad Beatty, rJr/2024, Georgia Tech, 6-4, 220 (DS#999 QB) + More +

Trad Beatty didn't want to leave. Temple coach Rod Carey and his staff didn't want to see him leave. Yet Beatty, a redshirt sophomore quarterback, will leave Temple after his graduation this spring with a bachelor's degree in international business. And he won't be looking for greener pastures on the football field. Beatty, who saw his first significant action when then-starter Anthony Russo was injured last season, made the difficult decision to give up the sport.

It is a choice he felt he had to make, and even though his coaches at Temple don't want to see him depart, they have fully supported this decision. Beatty made two starts in three seasons. He suffered a season-ending concussion in the fourth game last season against SMU. Temple won just one of seven games, which included the final game against Cincinnati being postponed because of COVID-19 issues on both teams. Beatty said he had been contemplating giving up football well before his injury. - Philadelphia Inquirer/Daily News

(DS#999 QB) rJr/2024

QB Trad Beatty, Georgia Tech
News Source: Philadelphia Inquirer/Daily News
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02/16/21 - Brent Cimaglia, rSr/2022, Georgia Tech, 6-0, 219 (DS#999 K) + More +

Georgia Tech has secured a transfer who has the potential to significantly upgrade the kicking game in Tennessee kicker Brent Cimaglia, who announced he will join the Yellow Jackets as a grad transfer. Cimaglia made the announcement Sunday. In four seasons with the Volunteers, Cimaglia made 46 of 62 field-goal tries (74.2%) and was 88-for-89 on point-after tries. In 2019-20, he was 16-for-22 on field-goal tries from 40 yards and out. In the 2019 season, he was 23-for-27 and was a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award, given to the nation's top kicker. He took 10 kickoffs as a freshman, recording four touchbacks. - Atlanta Journal Constitution

(DS#999 K) rSr/2022

K Brent Cimaglia, Georgia Tech
News Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution
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01/30/21 - Brent Cimaglia, rSr/2022, Georgia Tech, 6-0, 219 (DS#999 K) + More +

Tennessee kicker Brent Cimaglia will join the stream of Vols departures and head for the NCAA transfer portal, with plans to use his final season of college eligibility elsewhere. Cimaglia, a senior, announced the decision on Friday via Twitter. Cimaglia went 5-for-9 on field-goal attempts in 2020 before opting out of the final two games, citing a need to focus on his physical and mental health. He missed an extra-point attempt in UT's 31-19 loss to Florida on Dec. 5, the final game of his Vols career. He had made all 88 attempts until the fourth-quarter miss. Cimaglia, who played at Page High School in Franklin, Tennessee, was 46 for 62 on field goals during his career. His best season came in 2019, when he converted 23 of 27 attempts, earning the nickname "Automaglia." - Knoxville News Sentinel

(DS#999 K) rSr/2022

K Brent Cimaglia, Georgia Tech
News Source: Knoxville News Sentinel
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