National Signing Day Team Spotlight: No. 23 Georgia Tech

Signing the program’s best recruiting class in more than 15 years means plenty went right for Georgia Tech, and that has always begun within state lines. Just look at the two highest-ranked signees in defensive back Tae Harris and offensive lineman Josh Petty. Neither was an easy win for the Yellow Jackets, yet Brent Key and his staff battled Clemson before flipping Harris and then held off many contenders for Petty. There were others in the class pursued by other programs, such as Dalen Penson (USC), Christian Garrett (Georgia) and Derry Norris (Michigan), but they held true to their longstanding Tech commitments.

It wasn’t perfect in Atlanta, though, as two strong early gets from the state of Georgia were swiped by SEC rivals in consecutive months. Sam Turner looked like arguably a class headliner before Auburn made its flip of him complete in October. In November, it was the usual foe who flipped a Jacket commitment as secondary recruit Rasean Dinkins defected in favor of rival Georgia. Additional linebacker help in the class could have provided a bit more balance to the historic haul, too.

Dalen Penson will make plays for Georgia Tech in all three phases of the game. The prep quarterback with a projection to play in the secondary or outside at wide receiver is a true do-it-all talent with instincts, experience and verified speed to burn in the process. Penson told Rivals one of the main reasons he stuck with the Yellow Jackets was because of the opportunity to play both ways. Penson will have his shot and we see him making an impact at the skill spots and in the return game as well.

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