Highest amount of peak viewers for any game on rivalry weekend, that’s huge.
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Login to view embedded media Brent Key and Geep Wade have done wonders for this program. The run blocking has some work to do but still impressive.

Any thoughts on Key taking Julian Humphrey......

As I've said GT will try to flip a big fish on NSD and the windows have closed on a few key targets. Still, there is one more that Key will be working until the ink is dry on his fax (it's all electronic but you know what I mean). Still, at this point they are also going to switch focuses to the portal and looking at guys who opt to not sign tomorrow at other schools due to upheaval with coaching changes.

I'll share more in a post-NSD WAR ROOM probably on Thursday.

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On the WR coach search, there was an expectation that Josh Crawford might leave this offseason multiple times, so it was not surprising to see him end up at UGA, but as the RB coach is a bit of a wrinkle. Kirby Smart was once the RB coach at UGA for a season so many coaches can do it and have during my time covering stuff. It was interesting to see a coach jump from GT to UGA into an assistant role. It has been a LONG time since that has happened probably going back to Doug Marrone maybe?

Here are some early names to watch that I came up with other that Pope's brother who is obvious:

Kodi Burns worked with Buster Faulkner at MTSU as his WR coach for one season, he is currently unemployed after the Saints fired their entire staff. Has plenty of college and now some pro experience, Auburn guy from the Knoxville area.

Chris Buckner (WR at Sam Houston State) worked with Buster at Arkansas State and Southern Miss

Kelsey Pope (OLB coach Kyle Pope's twin brother) is the WR coach at Tennessee and supposedly turned down UGA's WR job, so this seems iffy, but who knows.

Other outsider types these are from Russell

Joker Phillips (NC State WR coach former UK HC)

Chansi Stuckey (former ND WR coach)

JJ Laster (new Pitt WR coach)

Jimmy Smith (Arkansas RB coach)

HOOPS

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GT is all in on landing this kid to help fill the big man void, he recently decommitted from Colorado.

The other HS spot will come down to

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or

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The situation these two is Davis has a big number, probably too big for his position in the class and is standing pretty firm on it from what I've heard. Pippen has blown up and would give GT a lot more potential down the road given the history of his dad and brother both exploding physically at the end of HS and into college.

GT is very focused on 2025 recruiting now for hoops with a few key 2024 targets in play.

Brandon Stores Jr is expected to commit to GT on Monday, but it will be a long process and he is not expected to reclassify. Book Richardson is heavily involved with Stores and is a close friend of Damon's and helped legally in his recruitment.

Bryson Tiller is another priority target for 2025 as well but he will be very hard to land..

As far as the current team goes...

Stoudamire by the way was very contrite with the team after he blew up in the post-game presser after the Clemson game. He immediately regretted saying what he said even though those around the program knew it to be true. Stoudamire prides himself on keeping his cool with the media and he was still hot from what happened and lost his composure.

Looking at next year.

They expect attrition as of now they are hopeful and expect to keep Baye Ndongo but they know there will be poaching attempts with him.

Ibrahim Souare and Nait George are super tight and they are both expected back.

Expectations are that Deebo Coleman will explore his options in the offseason.

Lance Terry seems to be very solidly in the coming back camp. He really enjoys Damon and appreciates that he let him redshirt this year and rehab instead of playing just part of his final season.

No one is clear on what Miles Kelly will do next, come back for his final season, go pro, transfer, or make an NBA push. This season exposed his flaws and hurt his draft stock which was limited to start with.

Tafara Gapare is quite the X-factor and it could come down to how he plays in the final four or whatever games are left and what happens to him long-term.

Kowacie Reeves and Ebe Dowuona are expected back in their specific roles.

Damon will aim to fix the other issues in the portal along with the impressive signing class he already has lined up.

How many more 4 stars or higher will GT land before the High School class is done?


KQ- One or two is the likely answer going back to when you asked this on Saturday. Peyton Joseph was one I was counting on them landing so one more is probably the most likely outcome if they get any other 4-stars or 5-stars in this cycle.

Thoughts on the Prevent Defense drive after going up 27-13? Georgia went down and scored in 1 minute and 58 seconds off the clock, 5:37 to 3:39 left. I know you were down several DBs in the two-deep and maybe that played into it, but the defense had played so well prior to that then everything changed afterwards. Way too quick, way too easy.

KQ- They were down multiple guys in the secondary and the 2 of their best 3 one-on-one cover guys and LaMiles was having a rough day as well. I don't blame them for trying to keep UGA in front of them.

Don’t want to go too crazy but gotta ask about the play calling in OT. Couldn’t believe what we were seeing - 6 drop back passes and 1 QB run with no RPO component or pop pass. Why abandon the RPO game that worked so well at the goal line all year? The one run play from the 1.5 yard line looked like a designed keeper for King with no read component, and it would have been a walk off TD to the slot motion man on a read play.

KQ- I'll let Sed go into more detail on that, I was on the field and not able to see the play on TV or anything because I didn't want to.

Did we want to keep Demetrius Knight? Man we could have benefitted with him out there.

KQ- He would be ineligible now. The reason he left is the same reason why Christian Leary left the team this season. Key isn't going to save a shirt for an older guy who can help them win. They needed D Knight in 2022 to try to get to a bowl game and Key wanted him to be the third linebacker. Had he done that he would've had one more year last year left. He went to Charlotte and got his game reps he needed that GT couldn't afford to give him all the time and then turned himself into a pretty good LB in year 5 or 6 or whatever he is in now. That one I give everyone involved a complete pass on. D Knight gambled on Charlotte and turned that into something.

With NSD around the corner, how is it looking for early enrollees?

KQ- Working on that list.

Should we expect any more flips/fireworks?

KQ- Still working on two more.

After a devastating loss like this how do you think the players will respond in the bowl game?

KQ- It will be a month later, they are not geared like fans and will put on their big boy pants and play ball I believe. Most of GT's bowl wins since 2001 except for 2014 and 2016 came after losses to UGA.

Are there any players from UCF that GT had a history with that might be a fit if entered transfer portal?

KQ- Kylan Fox, aka momma Fox drama. DE Njalik Kelly had a pretty serious flirtation with GT before going to Miami then transferring to UCF. He had a good year 5.5 sacks as a DE. DB Jakob Gude picked UCF over GT last year same with LB Qua Birdsong. Waltclaire Flynn wanted to come to GT real bad last year. Those would be the ones, but I know about a dozen kids already reached out to GT backchannels to see if there is interest.

Why do we continue to blitz a safety late after the snap from 10+ yards from the line of scrimmage? He rarely even gets past the line of scrimmage before the balls out.

It has been ineffective all season.

KQ- Good question, I'll ask Tucci about it next time we get him.

Why did we start the drive from the inside the 5 when Singleton called fair catch? Thought a fair catch for anything inside 25 gets you to the 25. Also he got hit pretty good there too-no call of course just wanted to drop that in

KQ- The ball bounced that would be why, he caught it on a hop.

Do bowls take into consideration when inviting teams guys opting out? Assuming Miami drops out of the top 12 and doesn’t make the playoffs they’re going to have lots of drop outs, so would bowls pass on them?

KQ- Yes sometimes, if there is a bad history that might become a factor.

Basketball question-do you know if Javian will be back for the game Tuesday night?

KQ- I think there is a decent chance, he bumped his head in the Cincy game so he should be getting close to being cleared to play.

Legit question…not trying to just complain. How are refs held accountable? Does the conference look at missed / wrong calls and let the refs know?

KQ- They lose assignments and start getting the shittiest games, if they suck enough they get fired. Now the SEC might bonus those guys from Friday night. I'm kidding, I hope.

Do we get an update on redshirts kept/burned this week?

KQ- Nothing changed, Philo's shirt was saved and the bowls don't count so the only ones burned were

Here is the list of where everyone stood going into UGA.


On Dec 4 WHAT exactly are recruits signing since the LOI is no more?

KQ- Financial aid agreements

Do you think Haynes King will return for another season? I personally think he could be a Heisman candidate. I know the future is bright with our QB backups, but Haynes is just a warrior and my vote is to insure he has NIL money to stay. I must say of all the talented QBs that have come through GT, he really elevates the team.

KQ- I think it just depends on what is important to Haynes and his family. I don't know them well enough to tell you, but I am hopeful that they can keep Haynes and Philo.

Do you anticipate challenges keeping Philo given his outstanding performance (ie showing he's ready to start) combined with the likely return of Haynes as starter?

KQ- Maybe, the market is full of different QBs with different levels of experience. He has a great opportunity here and GT took care of two QBs and Philo last year so I think they could handle it, but it just depends on who comes after him or King.

I've lost track of how many new flips you still anticipate for this week? Hearing anything promising for what I believe is our biggest area of need - LB?

KQ- Portal, it isn't the need it once was. Kyle Efford, EJ Lightey, Tah'j Butler and Jackson Hamilton are all back. They just need to add some depth and someone to push those guys, two guys via the portal IMO, one more experienced and one younger guy. It was a bad LB class.

Are there talks of a contract extension and raise for Key? He doesn't deserve to be the lowest paid coach in the ACC.

KQ- Yes, they had to get Batt squared away first and I think Key is pushing to make sure his staff is handled and then they will worry about his deal.

As somebody who knows Coach? If you had to pick what is his #1 lesson learned from the game? Is it a game management or something else? Fans have been on him for that over the season, maybe it takes a 8 overtime loss to make it stick.

KQ- I think maybe he goes for it on one of those short FGs earlier in the game and he uses a timeout to get a better 2-point play in OT1 that he liked better to try and end it there.

Same question but about Coach Faulkner and Coach Santucci. Ppl are on the 3 man rush and the short yardage O some and definitely the refs, but do you think the takeaways after a L like this to end the season are x's and o's or are they big picture stuff?

KQ- I think they are all learning on the fly. Santucci made huge adjustments as the season went along. I think what both got exposed by was just the lack of depth at key spots. They were down at RB in the game and wore Haynes King running the ball and ran 93 plays on offense. That's 30% more than most games. On D, the CB room which was pretty thin all year lost two guys for the game and had two guys trying to play through injuries and a banged-up Syeed Gibbs having to play much of the game at NB. It was a bad recipe.

Are we gaining significant enough ground on our “secret” top targets to where you think we may get their commitment before signing day?

KQ- Nope, so far status quo there.

Out of curiosity, is this the best year as a beat writer?

KQ- Not sure what you are asking. Is this the most fun I've had covering the team? No, I think 2014 or 2016 were a ton of fun and in 2016 you had the win in Ireland as well so that was super cool. This year has been more stressful because of Russell retiring to be honest. It has been great having Alex but all of that happened pretty close to the start of the season so there was no learning curve for Alex on recruiting so he had to dive head-first into the pool. He has helped a lot take some of the workload off on beat writing though.

I feel that we haven’t had the best luck with 4 star guys. Do you have a sense that this may change with this group of 4 star players?

KQ- A lot of them were either fringe 4-star guys or guys that sort of fell into GT's lap like a Jeff Sims and then they've had a lot of tragedies with guys like Brandon Adams or Bryce Gowdy or even Denzel McCoy going way back. So yeah it has been tougher sledding there, but you've also had the Justin Thomas types too who lived up to the hype.

Do you think we could have tried some running plays during those 8 OT's? Or were their other plays that would have worked?

KQ- Yes and they should've used Singleton or Malik and tried to get them to the edge, but we are Monday morning QBing on all of that, but I thought that during the OTs.

How did GT do with penalties this year?

KQ- Tied 10th least penalty yards given up and 24th in the number of penalties called on. So very good.

Good morning and THWG. Today is going to be a great day. Forget all the flip talk and let's get pumped for what will be a historic class just by signing who is committed. We are a legitimate football program and we are here to stay.

I think Haynes King's performance these last two years (and especially Friday night) has earned him to be put on this shortlist...but who would you put at the top after JoeHam?

I know I've left some off, so I have an "Other" category if you happen to prefer Tevin Washington, Taquon Marshall, or some other multi-year starter.

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This is a list I'm compiling of when the Tech commits are actually holding their signing ceremonies or celebrations over the next few days. I also have the early enrollees marked on there as well.

It is currently an incomplete list as I haven't heard back on signing day plans for everyone, but I will update it as those messages come in to me.

Tae Harris-Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Cedartown High***Early Enrollee

Jamauri Brice-Wednesday at 4 p.m. at Cartersville High***Early Enrollee

Peyton Joseph-Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Houston County High***Early Enrollee

Derry "Chuck" Norris-Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. Spruce Creek High***Early Enrollee

Jordan Allen-Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Buford High

Blake Belin-Wednesday at 8 a.m. at Cardinal Hayes High***Early Enrollee

Kevin Peay-Wednesday at 3 p.m. at Lancaster High***Early Enrollee

Connor Roush-Signing Wednesday but signing celebration Thursday at 4 to 6 p.m. at a restaurant in Dunwoody

Andre Fuller Jr.-Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. at Grayson High***Early Enrollee

Grady Adamson-Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. at Deer Creek High

Cal Faulkner-Wednesday at 7:15 a.m. at Lumpkin County High

Jimmy Bryson-Wednesday at 8 a.m. (No ceremony at school)

Xavier Canales-Wednesday at 12 p.m. at Douglass High***Early Enrollee

JP Powell-Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at Miller County High***Early Enrollee

Carrington Coombs-Wednesday at 8:20 a.m. at Hebron Christian

Kevin Roche-Wednesday at 7 a.m. is officially signing but ceremony at Darien High School at 2:30 p.m.

Fenix Felton-Wednesday at 7 a.m. at home (No ceremony planned)

Elgin Sessions-Wednesday at 8 a.m. at Dutch Fork High

Dalen Penson-Wednesday at 4:15 p.m. at Sandy Creek High (had a picture of him on visits to Tech and USC on the IG announcement so I guess it will be a hat show type thing)

Jayden Barr-Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. at Eastside High

Josh Petty-Wednesday at 12:20 p.m. at Fellowship Christian

Christian Garrett-Signed

Damola Ajidahun-Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. at Duluth High

Isaiah Groves-Not signing tomorrow. Waiting until February. I assume his knee surgery and rehab has something to do with that.

No Javian McCollum and no Kowacie Reeves tonight. Reeves is still in a boot and McCollum didn’t travel.

Has anyone seen any photo worthy still shots of the score in the UGA game? I'm not sure if there were any camera angles that caught it well enough to get one, just thought I'd ask and see. If so, could you send me a link or post it here, please?

I know Philo is the future, and some on these boards even wanted to let king walk after the nc state game and move on, but No one runs the offense better than King when he is healthy. Dude showed more heart than I have seen in forever. One more year for the ride of a Life!

GT selections:

First Team:
-Keylan Rutledge, OG

Second Team:
-Jordan van den Berg, DT

Third Team:-Jordan Williams, OT
-Kyle Efford, LB

Honorable Mention:
-Jamal Haynes, RB
-Malik Rutherford, WR
-Eric Singleton Jr., WR
-Corey Robinson II, OT
-Weston Franklin, C
-Zeek Biggers, DT

***No Haynes King anywhere

"Yes, (USC) did give me something to think about. I have to make some calls on both sides before I make the decision. But I am still locked in with GT." -Penson

Y'all don't shoot the messenger. Sounds like USC made a strong push on the visit and are doing everything they can to flip him. But Georgia Tech is fighting back hard to keep him with talks this week.

I could see this being one that possibly pushes things to February. We shall see.

My gut feeling is that he sticks with Georgia Tech because of the relationships he's made there and the proximity to home with family being a big deal to him. But nothing is ever for sure in recruiting as we all know.

Georgia Tech 2024-25 schedule | Purchase Single-Game Tickets | Media Notes (PDF) | Live Stats and Audio


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GEORGIA TECH (4-3, 0-0 ACC) vs. NO. 21 OKLAHOMA (7-0, 0-0 SEC)​

Tuesday, December 3, 2024 | 9 p.m. EST | Norman, Okla. | Lloyd Noble Center

Live Stream: ESPNU (Announcers: John Schiffrin, Randolph Childress)

Radio: Georgia Tech Sports Network by Legends Sports (In Atlanta: 680 AM/93.7 The Fan)

Announcers: Andy Demetra, Randy Waters

Other ways to listen: SiriusXM Ch. 390 | SiriusXM app | Listen Online | Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets App | TuneIn



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THE FLATS – Looking to build on a two-game winning streak, Georgia Tech leave Atlanta for the first time this season with a visit to undefeated and No. 21-ranked Oklahoma at 9 p.m. EST Tuesday at the Lloyd Noble Center in the second edition of the SEC/ACC Challenge.

Tech (4-3), looking to improve upon a 14-18 mark in Damon Stoudamire’s first season as head coach on The Flats, takes the modest streak on the road after defeating Central Arkansas, 87-68, Saturday, and Charleston Southern, 91-67, last Wednesday to finish off a seven-game homestand to open the season. The Jackets also have defeated West Georgia and Texas Southern during their opening stretch.

The Sooners (7-0) gained national attention Thanksgiving week by sweeping through the Battle 4 Atlantis event in the Bahamas, defeating Providence (79-77), Arizona (82-77) and Louisville (69-64) in succession. OU won four straight home games to open its season before the Atlantis event.

Tuesday’s game will be televised live on ESPNU, with a live stream available on the ESPN app. Radio coverage is on the Georgia Tech Sports Network by Legends Sports and flagship station 680 the Fan (680 AM/93.7 FM). The Tech broadcast is also available on the SiriusXM app.

THE TIP-OFF

• Tech downed No. 21 Mississippi State, 65-59, in the inaugural SEC/ACC Challenge last season in Atlanta, The Yellow Jackets went 9-13 in the 23-year run (1999-2022) of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge and 2-1 in the ACC/Big East Challenge (1989-91).

• Tech will play its second game of the season against a ranked team in No. 21 Oklahoma. The Jackets dropped an 81-58 contest at home to No. 18 Cincinnati on Nov. 23 and are 3-3 vs. Top-25 teams under Damon Stoudamire.

• Tech is playing its first game away from Atlanta after opening the season with seven consecutive home games. It is the first of three straight games away from home for Tech, which opens ACC play Saturday at North Carolina and faces Northwestern in a neutral-site game Dec. 15 in Milwaukee.

• Each team in Tuesday night’s game has a player who transferred from the other. Former Sooner Javian McCollum is Tech’s second-leading scorer at 14.0 points per game, leads the Jackets in three-point percentage (40.9) and is No. 3 in field goal percentage (47.7). Jalon Moore, who began his college career at Tech, leads Oklahoma at 18.4 points per game and in field goal percentage (51.2) and three-point percentage (42.3).

• Similar to the 2023-24 season, Tech is playing its SEC/ACC Challenge game and opening its ACC schedule (at North Carolina) in the same week. Last year, the Jackets knocked off No. 21 Mississippi State and No. 7 Duke, though both games were at home.

• Four Tech players are averaging in double-figure points through five games (Lance Terry 14.7, Javian McCollum 12.8, Baye Ndongo 14.0, Naithan George 11.4).

• Tech has scored 80-plus points five times in seven games and is averaging 80.6 points per game this season.

SERIES NOTES VS. OKLAHOMA

• Georgia Tech and Oklahoma are meeting for the fourth time, all of them during the tenure of head coach Bobby Cremins, and the series is tied, 2-2.

• The teams last met on Nov. 17, 1995, an 83-72 Tech victory at the Georgia Dome in a second-round Pre-Season NIT matchup. The teams also met in the old Rainbow Classic on Dec. 29, 1994, a game won by the Yellow Jackets, 89-85.

• The first two meetings took place in Norman, Okla., in 1982 and 1985, both won by the Sooners. Tuesday’s game is Tech’s first trip to Norman since then.

• Tech has faced OU coach Porter Moser once before in his final season as head coach at Loyola Chicago, which won the opening-round game in the NCAA Tournament in Indianapolis.

Talked to a couple of guys at Tech about this. Here is the net/net:

Full Steam Ahead - facility upgrades
Competitive Drve - scholarships funding $6.3M students f schollies
Tech Way - getting the talent, so athletic payment fund.

Today is Giving Tuesday so I’m stepping up with extra GT love. My question is where is it best suited - this gets confusing. Is it The Tech Way, Competitive Drive or Full Steam Ahead?

I just didn't feel like doing this, so I'm going to do it differently and just put up the info.

QB- Haynes King 92 snaps 78.3 PFF led the offense, 66.2 run, 77.9 pass, 112.8 NFL QBR, third highest this season behind GA State and VMI in a game where he actually threw more than six or seven passes.

QB- Zach Pyron 1 snap, 57.7 PFF

Offensive Skill plus 10 snaps
WR- Eric Singleton 68.5 PFF in 74 snaps
TE- Ryland Goede 67.8 PFF in 37 snaps his best game
WR- Abdul Janneh 67.3 PFF in 18 snaps
WR- Isiah Canion 65.6 PFF in 16 snaps, got dingged for run blk
WR- Chase Lane 63.9 PFF in 70 snaps
RB- Jamal Haynes 62.0 PFF in 67 snaps, 33.4 pass blk, 67.4 run
TE- Jackson Hawes 61.8 PFF in 87 snaps, 69.6 pass blk
SLT- Malik Rutherford 59.4 PFF in 65 snaps
RB- Chad Alexander 55.0 PFF in 26 snaps, 19.9 pass blk killed his grade

Additional snaps offense
SLT- Bailey Stockton 2 snaps
TE- Josh Beetham 2 snaps
TE- Avery Boyd 1 snap

Offenisve Line
LT- Ethan Mackenny 76.6 PFF in 27 snaps, 82.0 pass blk, 72,7 run blk
LG- Corey Robinson 64.5 PFF in 66 snaps, 90.5 pass blk, 54.8 run blk
LG- Harrison Moore 62.7 PFF in 27 snaps, 50.5 pass blk, 63.6 run blk
RG- Keylan Rutledge 62.4 PFF in 93 snaps, 79.3 pass blk, 58.5 run blk
C- Weston Franklin 58.9 PFF in 93 snaps, 64.1 pass blk, 60.2 run blk
LG- Joe Fusile 57.3 PFF in 66 snaps, 74.8 pass blk, 53.7 run blk
RT- Jordan Williams 57.2 PFF in 93 snaps, 74.6 pass blk, 54.4 run blk

Very good OL grades going against UGA

DEFENSE
MLB- Kyle Efford 79.4 PFF in 23 snaps
DT- Makius Scott 72.6 PFF in 32 snaps (probably his best game)
CB- Ahmari Harvey 68.1 PFF in 71 snaps
LB- Tren Tatum 65.3 PFF in 50 snaps, dinged for tackling 43.6
CB- Zachary Tobe 64.7 PFF in 19 snaps, 79.4 tackle
LB- Jackson Hamilton 64.2 PFF in 43 snaps, 81.6 tackle
DE- Sylvain Yondjouen 64.1 PFF in 47 snaps
LB- E.J. Lightsey 62.9 PFF in 34 snaps, 42.1 tackle
NB- Syeed Gibbs 61.7 PFF in 66 snaps, 35.9 run D, 27.3 tackle
S- Omar Daniels 61.6 PFF in 74 snaps, dinged for the bad PI
CB- Warren Burrell 61.5 PFF in 59 snaps, 23.8 tackle
RE- Romello Height 61.2 PFF in 59 snaps
DT- J.J. van den Berg 59.6 PFF in 31 snaps, 74.6 tackle
RE- Kevin Harris 59.2 PFF in 22 snaps, 75.2 tackle
DT- Thomas Gore 58.2 PFF in 48 snaps, 73.8 tackle
NB/S- Clayton Powell-Lee 53.0 PFF in 71 snaps, 72.9 run D, 46.8 tackle
DE- Joshua Robinson 52.1 PFF in 25 snaps, 73.4 tackle
DT- Zeek Biggers 50.4 PFF in 46 snaps, 21.8 tackle, 46.1 run D
S- LaMiles Brooks 49.7 PFF in 34 snaps, 48.4 coverage

Additional Snaps under 10
LB- Tah'j Butler 9
CB- Rodney Shelley 6