Because the 2025 school soccer season wraps up, it may be summed up as one which began with pleasure and led to heartbreak for Tech followers. The Jackets began the season 8-0, then misplaced the final three of their 4 video games to complete 9-3. This was solely the sixteenth time in program historical past that the Jackets completed with 9 or extra regular-season wins, but these 9 wins really feel so empty. Many, together with me, will not be positive what to make of what unfolded, because it began so effectively and ended so badly. Nonetheless, this crew exceeded expectations and put up extra within the win column than the yr earlier than, even when a whole lot of these video games have been anxiety-inducing. As Thanksgiving has simply handed, all we will do is be grateful that we’re ready to win 9 video games every year and are again within the nationwide highlight. Onward we go.
Within the broader panorama of issues, the common season ended this previous Saturday, and chaos has already ensued throughout the faculty soccer world. Lane Kiffin abruptly left Ole Miss for LSU, and lots of different SEC hires have adopted. Signing day came about yesterday, and the switch portal opens up on January 2nd, 2026. Buckle up, as a result of issues are simply getting began. Here’s what I believe I do know as we recap the 2025 season and look ahead to subsequent yr.
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This program is on target below the management of Brent Key
Brent Key bought handed this program after three atrocious 3-9 seasons stuffed with embarrassing, haunting losses. He has fully turned this program round and has a transparent objective of competing for an ACC Championship and CFP spot. This was his third season as head coach, and he has already taken this crew to a 9-3 common season, a rating as excessive as #7, and had a Heisman contender at quarterback. I do know he has gotten some backlash for a way this yr ended, however he’s one of the best coach for this program, and I’m excited to look at him proceed his legacy in Atlanta. As I write this, Pete Thamel has introduced that Coach Brent Key has agreed to a five-year contract extension by 2030, together with a big wage improve and elevated funding within the present workers. Whereas I’m heartbroken for what might have been this yr, I’m additionally eager for what’s to return below Brent Key.
The protection wants adjustments, particularly within the run sport.
The protection undoubtedly had a tough go, particularly in the direction of the top. In some way, we ended the yr with an awe-inspiring efficiency in opposition to georgia, permitting simply 16 factors and 260 yards. Potential Heisman candidate (sike, not after this efficiency) Gunner Stockton solely amassed 70 yards by the air, with one landing and one interception. PFF graded it as our greatest defensive exhibiting since 2017 in opposition to Virginia Tech. The efficiency was excellent but puzzling, and many people are questioning the place that protection has been all yr, particularly over the previous couple of weeks. The Jackets ended the common season at 89th within the nation in complete protection, permitting 397 yards per sport and 25 factors per sport. Within the span of Weeks 10-13, nevertheless, the protection gave up a mean of 41 factors and 510 yards per sport and suffered two losses. These weeks have been finally essentially the most regarding, and lots of followers are questioning Blake Gideon’s future. I stated he was teaching for his job, and that georgia efficiency might have saved him. We are going to see within the coming weeks whether or not Gideon is right here to remain or if we’ll make teaching adjustments at that place.
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If the Jackets have to concentrate on something this season, it’s 100% the run protection. Nate Frazier had 108 yards final 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 principle subject right here is, whether or not or not it’s eye self-discipline, tackling, or closing down the B hole, however this must be addressed and stuck within the coming months if we would like any likelihood at a playoff run sooner or later.
We’re additionally shedding many seniors on protection, and Brent Key shall be digging by the switch portal and can in all probability be keen to spend a reasonably penny. Important adjustments are wanted to get to the following stage, and we’ll see some attention-grabbing developments in each recruiting and the switch portal, particularly on this facet of the ball. I’m happy with how these guys completed out the yr and redeemed themselves, however we’d like depth to get to a excessive stage of play in 2026 and past.
Haynes King will at all times be a legend on the Flats, and now we get to see Aaron Philo take over.
Whereas his legendary profession didn’t finish the best way anybody would have hoped, Haynes King will at all times be considered as one of many high quarterbacks in program historical past and is a large cause for Georgia Tech soccer’s fast turnaround. Thanks, Haynes King, for placing your physique on the road each week and for being such a valiant chief to this soccer crew. King finally ends up his Tech profession with 7,653 passing yards, 2,246 speeding yards, and 89 complete touchdowns. He ranks second in Georgia Tech historical past in complete offense with 9,899 yards, trailing solely Joe Hamilton’s 10,640. He additionally set a brand new program file for profession touchdowns, ending with a powerful 89 journeys to the top zone in simply three seasons. Not solely did his numbers communicate volumes, however he was a pacesetter within the locker room and on the sphere, and is beloved by everybody. He even had Pat McAfee in a “Haynes for Heisman” shirt on Faculty Gameday. He’ll at all times be remembered as some of the thrilling gamers in school soccer and among the many greatest in Georgia Tech historical past.
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Now we enter the Aaron Philo period. After getting expertise in three video games throughout 2024 and beginning in opposition to Gardner-Webb in 2025, Philo has some sport time below his belt. He shattered Trevor Lawrence’s Georgia highschool file for profession passing yards and has continued to flash that very same potential on the school stage. In his first profession begin, he set a faculty freshman file with 373 passing yards in opposition to Gardner-Webb. I’ve beloved what I’ve seen to this point, and I’m assured he can lead the Jackets to new heights along with his proficient arm. Watching him develop and develop on the Flats is one thing I’m genuinely excited for.
Because the common season involves a detailed, we’ll quickly know our vacation spot for bowl season. This one stings, particularly as we are saying goodbye to a gaggle of seniors who deserved a greater ending to what as soon as regarded like a breakout yr. Now the main focus shifts to recruiting and rebuilding, and with yet another alternative forward, this crew shall be decided to complete sturdy with a bowl victory and attain double-digit wins. There’s a lot to be enthusiastic about sooner or later, and issues are simply getting began in Atlanta. Get your bowl tickets, get your 2026 season tickets, and stick round to see simply what this program can do.
Go Jackets at all times.
