By: Kenneth Harrison

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

Georgia Tech played their spring game over the weekend. Team Swarm won, 34-10 over Team Wreck ‘Em in the Yellow Jackets’ annual White & Gold Game.

The game consisted of four quarters – the first half with 12-minute quarters and standard clock operations, the second half with 15-minute quarters and a running clock.

Tech went 9-4 last season and finished ranked No. 24. They were ranked as high as No. 7 during the season and they were 6-2 in the ACC.

The 2026 roster features five returning all-ACC performers from last year’s team (PK Aidan Birr, OL Malachi Carney, LB Kyle Efford, RB Malachi Hosley and OL Ethan Mackenny) and 19 highly touted incoming transfers, headlined by RB Justice Haynes and QB Alberto Mendoza.

“Alberto is the guy,” coach Brent Key said when asked about the Yellow Jackets’ quarterbacks’ room after Saturday’s spring game.

Mendoza was named offensive captain for the spring game, completing 12 of 16 passes for 148 yards and one touchdown. The redshirt sophomore is the younger brother of Heisman Trophy winner, Fernando Mendoza.

Mendoza announced his decision to transfer less than 24 hours after winning a national title at Indiana, where he was the backup for his older brother, who is expected to be the No. 1 pick in this week’s NFL draft.

“Obviously, he still has to compete and still has to win the job, but he’s done nothing to disappoint me and think that’s not going to be the case,” Key told Georgia Tech’s radio network during the spring game.

Haynes transferred in from Michigan. Last season he rushed for 857 yards, 10 touchdowns and he averaged 7.1 yards per carry. The senior running back ran nine times for 48 yards in Saturday’s intrasquad scrimmage.

Sophomore running back J.P. Powell had a game-high 68 yards on just three carries, including a 56-yard touchdown run.

Senior running back Malachi Hosley averaged 6.2 yards per carry (4 carries for 26 yards) including an 18-yard touchdown. Last season Hosley rushed for 697 yards, 7 touchdowns and he averaged 7.1 ypc. He also had 14 receptions for 119 yards.

It looks like the Yellow Jackets will have a deep running back room, if these guys don’t transfer before the season.

Redshirt freshman tight end Kevin Roche Jr. had game highs with six receptions for 70 yards. His longest catch was 35 yards and he was always open and making plays for Team Swarm. He looks like he could have a big role going into the fall.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Grady Adamson and redshirt junior running back Chad Alexander were responsible for Team Swarm’s remaining three touchdowns, as the connected on an 11-yard scoring pass and each had 3-yard TD runs. Adamson completed 8 of 11 passes for 104 yards.

Sophomore wide receivers Debron Gatling and Jordan Allen had 47 and 42 receiving yards, respectively (Gatling’s included an 18-yard TD catch from Mendoza).

Defensively, transfer defensive ends Jordan Walker (Rutgers) and Noah Carter (Alabama) had two sacks apiece for Team Swarm, while redshirt senior defensive back Savion Riley led Team Wreck ‘Em with a game-high seven tackles.