By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

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This fall, Georgia Tech’s defense has a chance to change the talking points.

Paul Johnson’s triple-option offense does more than control the football for Georgia Tech; years later, the scheme constantly controls the conversation. Even with trips to the ACC Championship Game and, most recently, the program’s first Orange Bowl triumph since 1951, some still can’t see past the Yellow Jackets’ flexbone formation. This fall, Georgia Tech’s defense has a chance to change the talking points.

The Yellow Jackets return eight of their top ten leading tacklers, not including versatile Jabari Hunt-Days, and should have better depth across the board than the year prior.

Linebacker Paul Davis is the league’s returning tackler at linebacker, tackle Adam Gotsis is a line-of-scrimmage leader and edge rusher Keshun Freeman, who had three tackles for loss in the spring game, is a rising star. Safety Jamal Golden and cornerback D.J. White, of overtime-in-Athens fame, both return with four interceptions from last season. There is also excitement around cornerback Chris Milton, who has been one of the nation’s top special teams performers, and 6’5” JUCO transfer Kenderius Whitehead at defensive end.

Hunt-Days could be the x-factor. A former linebacker who was projected to be a defensive end in 2014 before becoming academically ineligible, he is now an interior lineman at approximately 300 pounds. Naturally quick and agile, Hunt-Days had a strong spring showing at his new position. Like his brother Synjyn this past fall, Jabari could be poised for a banner finish on the Flats.

Coordinator Ted Roof’s unit has been effective at forcing turnovers; only Louisville, with the national leader in interceptions, was better, by just one, amongst ACC teams. Georgia Tech finished second-to-last in the league in total defense, however, a key margin where they should be much-improved. Simple experience should be one big reason why. In addition to being a year older and wiser, the Yellow Jackets finished last season with games against Clemson, Georgia, Florida State and Mississippi State.

Defensively, the Yellow Jackets don’t necessarily need to be elite. That said, they do need to be better. If progress is made, Georgia Tech could be one of the teams mentioned in the College Football Playoff talks later this year.