Georgia Tech’s defense will be severely impacted by the absence of linebacker Kyle Efford and defensive back Rodney Shelley, who will both miss the team’s upcoming matchup with Vanderbilt in the Birmingham Bowl on Friday. The two players have been crucial to the Yellow Jackets’ success this season.
Efford, despite battling injuries, remains Georgia Tech’s leading tackler and leader of the defense. Shelley is a key coverage player and starter at nickelback. With their absence, the linebackers will rotate between E.J. Lightsey, Jackson Hamilton, Trenilyas Tatum, and Tah’j Butler, while Syeed Gibbs is expected to see significant playing time.
The Birmingham Bowl matchup against Vanderbilt has significant implications for Georgia Tech’s season. A win would not only give the Yellow Jackets their first eight-win season since 2016 but also secure their 15th consecutive eight-win season in the last 69 years. The victory would also make head coach Brent Key eligible to join an elite group of coaches with an eight-win season within their first two full years at the helm.
The stakes are high, as a win would also extend Georgia Tech’s unbeaten streak against Vanderbilt to 14 games and give them bowl wins in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2003.
Source: https://www.si.com/college/georgiatech/football/georgia-tech-linebacker-kyle-efford-and-defensive-back-rodney-shelley-will-miss-birmingham-bowl-vs-vanderbilt-01jfx349n3sm