Georgia Tech senior DB returns after sustaining season-ending leg injury in 2022
THE FLATS – Georgia Tech redshirt-senior defensive back Jaylon King (La Vergne, Tenn./Ensworth H.S.) is one of 100 college football student-athletes on the official watch list for the 2023 Comeback Player of the Year award, which is administered by the College Sports Communicators organization, in association with the Associated Press and Fiesta Bowl.
King started the first five games of last season at strong safety for the Yellow Jackets. He amassed 32 tackles (including 1.5 for loss), an interception, a forced fumble and a pass breakup before sustaining a serious leg injury that required season-ending surgery. He finished 11th on the team in tackles despite playing less than half the season.
King returned to action for fall camp and is poised to be a key contributor for a defense that returns seven starters from last season’s unit. For his career, King has played in 40 games and made eight starts at safety, racking up 91 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and four passes defended (an interception and three breakups).
Since 2018, the Comeback Player of the Year award has recognized college football student-athletes that have overcome injury, illness or other circumstances. At the conclusion of the season, three recipients will be selected by a panel of college football writers, editors and sports information directors. The winners will be honored at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 1 in Glendale, Ariz.
King and the Yellow Jackets open the 2023 campaign on Friday, Sept. 1 when they host Atlantic Coast Conference rival Louisville in the Aflac Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET and will be televised nationally on ESPN.
