Georgia Tech Football: Things I Think I Know – Regular Season Recap
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As the 2025 college football season wraps up, it can be summed up as one that started with joy and ended in heartbreak for Tech fans. The Jackets started the season 8-0, then lost the last three of their four games to finish 9-3. This was only the 16th time in program history that the Jackets finished with nine or more regular-season wins, yet those nine wins feel so empty. Many, including me, are not sure what to make of what unfolded, as it started so well and ended so badly. Still, this team exceeded expectations and put up more in the win column than the year before, even if a lot of those games were anxiety-inducing. As Thanksgiving has just passed, all we can do is be thankful that we are in a position to win nine games each year and are back in the national spotlight. Onward we go.
In the broader landscape of things, the regular season ended this past Saturday, and chaos has already ensued across the college football world. Lane Kiffin abruptly left Ole Miss for LSU, and many other SEC hires have followed. Signing day took place yesterday, and the transfer portal opens up on January 2nd, 2026. Buckle up, because things are just getting started. Here is what I think I know as we recap the 2025 season and look forward to next year.
This program is heading in the right direction under the leadership of Brent Key
Brent Key got handed this program after three atrocious 3-9 seasons filled with embarrassing, haunting losses. He has completely turned this program around and has a clear goal of competing for an ACC Championship and CFP spot. This was his third season as head coach, and he has already taken this team to a 9-3 regular season, a ranking as high as #7, and had a Heisman contender at quarterback. I know he has gotten some backlash for how this year ended, but he is the best coach for this program, and I am excited to watch him continue his legacy in Atlanta. As I write this, Pete Thamel has announced that Coach Brent Key has agreed to a five-year contract extension through 2030, including a significant salary increase and increased investment in the current staff. While I am heartbroken for what could have been this year, I am also hopeful for what is to come under Brent Key.
The defense needs changes, especially in the run game.
The defense definitely had a rough go, especially towards the end. Somehow, we ended the year with an awe-inspiring performance against georgia, allowing just 16 points and 260 yards. Potential Heisman candidate (sike, not after this performance) Gunner Stockton only amassed 70 yards through the air, with one touchdown and one interception. PFF graded it as our best defensive showing since 2017 against Virginia Tech. The performance was outstanding yet puzzling, and many of us are wondering where that defense has been all year, especially over the last few weeks. The Jackets ended the regular season at 89th in the country in total defense, allowing 397 yards per game and 25 points per game. In the span of Weeks 10-13, however, the defense gave up an average of 41 points and 510 yards per game and suffered two losses. These weeks were ultimately the most concerning, and many fans are questioning Blake Gideon’s future. I said he was coaching for his job, and that georgia performance could have saved him. We will see in the coming weeks whether Gideon is here to stay or if we will make coaching changes at that position.
If the Jackets need to focus on anything this season, it is 100% the run defense. Nate Frazier had 108 yards last Friday, Pitt freshman Ja’Kyrian Turner had 201 yards, and NC State backup Jayden Scott had 196 yards. I don’t even know what the main issue here is, whether it be eye discipline, tackling, or closing down the B gap, but this needs to be addressed and fixed in the coming months if we want any chance at a playoff run in the future.
We are also losing many seniors on defense, and Brent Key will be digging through the transfer portal and will probably be willing to spend a pretty penny. Significant changes are needed to get to the next level, and we will see some interesting developments in both recruiting and the transfer portal, especially on this side of the ball. I am proud of how these guys finished out the year and redeemed themselves, but we need depth to get to a high level of play in 2026 and beyond.
Haynes King will always be a legend on the Flats, and now we get to see Aaron Philo take over.
While his legendary career did not end the way anyone would have hoped, Haynes King will always be viewed as one of the top quarterbacks in program history and is a massive reason for Georgia Tech football’s quick turnaround. Thank you, Haynes King, for putting your body on the line every week and for being such a valiant leader to this football team. King finishes up his Tech career with 7,653 passing yards, 2,246 rushing yards, and 89 total touchdowns. He ranks second in Georgia Tech history in total offense with 9,899 yards, trailing only Joe Hamilton’s 10,640. He also set a new program record for career touchdowns, finishing with an impressive 89 trips to the end zone in just three seasons. Not only did his numbers speak volumes, but he was a leader in the locker room and on the field, and is loved by everyone. He even had Pat McAfee in a “Haynes for Heisman” shirt on College Gameday. He will always be remembered as one of the most exciting players in college football and among the best in Georgia Tech history.
Now we enter the Aaron Philo era. After getting experience in three games during 2024 and starting against Gardner-Webb in 2025, Philo has some game time under his belt. He shattered Trevor Lawrence’s Georgia high school record for career passing yards and has continued to flash that same potential at the college level. In his first career start, he set a school freshman record with 373 passing yards against Gardner-Webb. I’ve loved what I’ve seen so far, and I’m confident he can lead the Jackets to new heights with his talented arm. Watching him grow and develop on the Flats is something I’m genuinely excited for.
As the regular season comes to a close, we’ll soon know our destination for bowl season. This one stings, especially as we say goodbye to a group of seniors who deserved a better ending to what once looked like a breakout year. Now the focus shifts to recruiting and rebuilding, and with one more opportunity ahead, this team will be determined to finish strong with a bowl victory and reach double-digit wins. There is a lot to be excited about in the future, and things are just getting started in Atlanta. Get your bowl tickets, get your 2026 season tickets, and stick around to see just what this program can do.
Go Jackets always.
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