Georgia Tech Football 2023 Position Review: Running Back

Haynes ranks fifth in the ACC in rushing yards (931), is tied for sixth in the conference with seven rushing touchdowns and his 6.0 yards per carry rank third in the league. He is the first Yellow Jacket with three 100-yard rushing games in a season since current San Francisco 49er Jordan Mason in 2019 and needs just 69 yards in Tech’s upcoming bowl game to become the program’s first 1,000-yard rusher since QB TaQuon Marshall and RB KirVonte Benson in 2017.

In addition to being voted third-team all-ACC as a running back, Haynes earned honorable mention as an all-purpose back thanks to ranking fifth in the conference with 1,129 total yards from scrimmage (931 rushing, 151 receiving) and tied for the 15^th in the league with eight total touchdowns (seven rushing, one receiving).

It is safe to say that Haynes had a really good season for Georgia Tech and he has already announced his return for next season. He is going to be the top back in the offense next season and I am excited for what is next for him. 

Haynes was not the only running back to have a good season. 

Over the last half of the year, Senior Dontae Smith was a perfect complement to Haynes. He had a massive 178-yard game vs North Carolina and was a huge reason that they pulled that upset. Smith finished with 439 yards and three touchdowns this season while averaging 5.2 yards per carry. 

Louisville transfer Trey Cooley finished the year with 274 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 4.3 yards per carry. Cooley started the year off hot, but Haynes and Smith became the main parts of the rushing attack late in the season. I think Cooley is going to take over Smith's role as the other back in the rushing attack to go along with Haynes. 

Even though Smith is leaving, this is a position of strength for Georgia Tech going into next season. The expectation will be to be among the ACC's best rushing attacks and I think they could be. 

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