7 key returning Georgia Tech players on defense

Georgia Tech linebacker Victor Alexander led the Yellow Jackets in tackles in 2017, with 60, and had two sacks. Tech linebacker Brant Mitchell recorded 51 total tackles in 2017, the second most among players returning for 2018. Tech linebacker Bruce Jordan-Swilling recorded 34 tackles as a freshman in 2017. Tech defensive end Anree Saint-Amour ranked second in sacks (2.5) and tackles for loss (5.5) in 2017. Tech defensive lineman Desmond Branch produced 3.5 tackles for loss in 2017, the third most on the

Last season, Georgia Tech’s defense ranked 33rd among FBS teams in yards allowed per game (354.3), recorded the 12th-best mark in the nation in percentage of third-down plays converted by an opposing offense (30.9) and basically were middle-of-the-pack in scoring defense, ranking 64th (26.5 points).

Overall, Tech allowed 17 fewer points than it scored in 2017.

» More: 7 key returning Georgia Tech players on offense

Yet, how the season ended may have contributed to the turn of events that led Tech coach Paul Johnson to bring in Nate Woody as the Yellow Jackets’ defensive coordinator in 2018. Tech lost five of its final games and three of its final four, while finishing with a 5-6 record. In those final three losses, Tech allowed first 40, then 43, then 38 points.

Significant improvement from Woody’s defense will go a long way toward getting the Jackets back above .500 and into a bowl game.

Check out the video above for information on seven key returning players on defense for the Jackets.