By : Sabri Haidar
(Photo/Rodney Cofield- The Mojo Network)
When Georgia Tech’s Week 1 PFF grades were released Sunday, one glaring issue stood out: the play of the offensive line’s interior. While the Yellow Jackets came away with a hard-fought win at Colorado, the numbers showed just how much work remains up front.
Protection Problems
Quarterback Haynes King was under fire for much of the night. Whether dropping back from under center or operating out of the shotgun, he was consistently pressured when Tech tried to stretch the field. That pressure forced the offense to pivot to a heavier run game, which turned into a strength as the Jackets wore down Colorado’s defense with physical play and big lanes created in the ground attack.
Still, pass protection was a different story. The rotation at center proved costly. Harrison Moore and Tana Alo-Tupuola split time, but both struggled. Moore played 71 snaps, but a botched exchange early on led to one of three Tech turnovers. His 45.9 grade ranked near the bottom of the offense. Alo-Tupuola graded even lower at 40.6 on 48 snaps, underscoring that no clear answer has emerged at the position.
Veteran Struggles Too
Even experienced guard Joe Fusile had a rough outing. He was driven backward into King multiple times and finished with a 55.8 grade on 27 snaps, placing him in the bottom third of Tech’s offensive performers.
By contrast, the right side of the line held its own. All-American tackle Keylan Rutledge posted a 69.6 on 67 snaps, while Malachi Carney earned the team’s highest offensive line mark at 70.8 on 65 snaps.
A Key Takeaway
The left side and interior were the weak points all night. Colorado generated steady pressure, particularly in the first half, and even when King wasn’t sacked, he was hit repeatedly after releasing throws. Tech shuffled combinations in search of consistency, but the protection breakdowns were too frequent to ignore.
What’s Next
The Yellow Jackets know improvement is non-negotiable. PFF’s evaluations only reinforce what was obvious on the field: the middle of the line has to get better. The Jackets face Gardner-Webb in Week 2, but the real test looms two weeks later when Clemson comes to town. If Georgia Tech is going to contend in the ACC, it starts with keeping Haynes King upright.