Georgia Tech will lose two veterans at the tight end position, but if there’s any position of uncertainty on the offensive line, it’s tight end. With Dylan Leonard and Luke Benson in the NFL, starting positions are open on Georgia Tech’s offensive line.
That’s not to say they don’t have talent. Georgia Tech added a four-star prospect and two transfers to fill the gaps left by Benson and Leonard. This offense may not even need one star player to emerge from this group, but it would be a big win. They have players who fill a variety of roles and they all complement each other well.
With the season rapidly approaching, it is time to begin previewing the Yellow Jackets in 2024. Let’s talk about the tight end group Georgia Tech will have this season.
Dylan Leonard and Luke Benson’s performances aren’t surprising to watch, but when you hear head coach Brent Key talk about their other accomplishments, especially Leonard’s, you realize what they’ve meant to the program.
“I know we’ve talked about the improvement in terms of catching, but anybody who’s watched Dylan Leonard play this season has been amazed. As far as blocking, core blocking, moving blocking, perimeter blocking, No. 2, he’s playing as well as any tight end in the country right now. I couldn’t be more proud of this kid and what he’s doing for this team. If you want to talk about a player who bleeds Georgia Tech and the white and gold and gives his all for this place, just watch him play 50, 60, 65 plays a game. He’s Georgia Tech, the tenacity, the toughness, it’s the intelligence, it’s the core of this program and how he plays. If he makes a catch, that’s just a bonus to what he’s doing for this team. The whole position is playing the best I’ve ever seen from a tight end position in my career.”
Now that they’re gone, who will take their place?
Brett Sather is the most productive player returning from last season. Sather found a way to make an impact in several games, primarily through catching the ball. He caught a touchdown in the first game of the year against Louisville, a 35-yard touchdown in the upset win over North Carolina, and a 28-yard catch against Georgia. Georgia Tech has a deep wide receiver roster and uses a lot of sets with multiple wide receivers, so Sather didn’t get many opportunities to play, but he took advantage of the opportunities he had. He had seven catches for 101 yards and four touchdowns.
Georgia Tech also entered the transfer portal in search of tight end reinforcements, with former Mississippi State and Georgia tight end Ryland Goad and former Yale tight end Jackson Hawes.
Coming out of high school, Goad was considered a promising athlete, according to his Georgia Tech athletics biography.
“A four-star prospect by 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals…Ranked as the No. 6 tight end nationally and the No. 23 prospect in the state of Georgia…Finished his high school career as Kennesaw Mountain High School’s career leader in receptions, receiving yards and catches by a tight end…Selected to the All-Region 3-7A First Team as both a junior and senior…Senior season shortened due to injury…Selected to the USA Today 2017 All-USA Georgia Second Team Offense…Recorded 21 catches, 228 yards receiving and four touchdowns as a junior at Kennesaw Mountain High School…Coached by Caleb Carmeen.”
I wouldn’t be surprised to see him put up receiving numbers, but I think he could be primarily a blocking tight end, which is how he was primarily used at Mississippi State and was solid.
According to PFF, Goad played 158 run-blocking snaps and 55 run-blocking snaps, which was double the snaps he ran routes. He finished the game with a pass-blocking grade of 60.3 and a run-blocking grade of 60.9, according to PFF. Mississippi State was a run-heavy team last year, and Goad was used more to block than to receive. That doesn’t mean he can’t be a reliable receiver, but I think we’re getting a glimpse into the role that Brent Key and Buster Faulkner envision for Goad in 2024.
Our Najeh Wilkins wrote this about Hawes when he first enrolled at Georgia Tech:
“Hawes brings experience and depth to the Georgia Tech program at the tight end position. Hawes has played nearly 1,400 snaps and has been a starter in two of his three seasons. Inserting him immediately will ensure he makes an impact. Hawes has made clutch plays in key situations throughout his career and caught a pass in every game he played last season.”
At Yale, Hawes was named second-team all-conference tight end this season and last. The tight end has 35 catches for 375 yards and six touchdowns over his career. In 2022, he led Yale with four touchdown receptions and finished with 13 catches for 139 yards. He also made the game-winning catch in a 19-14 win over rival Harvard that season to clinch the Ivy League championship.
Coming out of high school, Hawes was a three-star prospect out of Utah and the No. 28 player in the state. Bio Georgia Tech Athletics:
“Received the National Football Foundation Junior Award… played varsity football for four years… played varsity basketball for four years… Deseret News As a junior, he was named to the All-Region 5A second team soccer. Deseret News Selected as a first-team All-Region 5A as a senior… Deseret News Selected to the All-State 5A Second Team as a senior…Senior year football Utah Academic All-State…Senior year basketball Academic All-State…Two-time football team captain…Basketball All-Region 5A Second Team…Honor Roll member.”
Hawes will be a great addition to the run game and pass protection. He functions well as a blocking tight end. The real valuable part of his game is his ability in the red zone. His 6-foot-5, 253-pound frame allows him to force mismatches and he has strong handles. This will be his final season of college football, but his experience will help the Yellow Jackets reach a new level in 2024.”
During spring training, Brent Key praised Hawes’ ability to catch the ball over the middle and be a physical target in the passing game, and I think he has a chance to make a big impact this season.
Georgia Tech also acquired University of Michigan tight end Josh Beetham as a walk-on tight end this offseason.
Georgia Tech has two freshmen to watch at tight end. Luke Harpring is one of the highest rated commits in Georgia Tech’s 2024 class (four-star No. 201, TE No. 15, according to 247Sports) and will be at a position of need for Georgia Tech. Harpring has great potential and his athleticism could allow him to get on the field and make an impact for Georgia Tech.
Georgia Tech freshman David Prince may need time to develop before he can become a major contributor, but don’t take him lightly.
This will be a position to keep an eye on before and during the season. Hawes and Goad both performed well in the spring, Sather has proven to be a touchdown threat in the red zone, and Harprin is a very talented young player. These players complement each other well, and it will be interesting to see if someone breaks away from the pack.
