Georgia is the top dog in the Peach State. Their in-state rival Georgia Tech does have their good years from time to time, and this season is one of those years, but overall Georgia is the only true national power from the Peach State.
But head coach Brent Key is attempting to change that, and he has made his intentions known with how he is going help the Yellow Jackets catch up to Georgia. Key said he wants to do everything he can to keep recruits from Georgia in the Peach State. But there is one big problem he has to face because whenever Kirby Smart and Georgia want a player from the state they almost always get them.
NEW: Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key talks recruiting philosophy and more with @adamgorney:
— Rivals (@Rivals) November 18, 2025
“We want to keep kids from leaving the state.”
Read: https://t.co/8DkPIgf3sb pic.twitter.com/uAKtVbNnWB
Georgia Tech just set an unrealistic recruiting goal thanks to Georgia
UGA is the school every kid from Georgia grows up dreaming about playing for. Many of those kids don't end up getting to live their dream, but for a select few they do. But whenever Georgia gets involved with an in-state recruit, they almost never pick Georgia Tech. In fact, UGA tends to lose their in-state targets to schools outside the state before they lose them to Georgia Tech.
Key however is looking to change that, and the year they are having this seaosn could help him accomplish that. Georgia Tech is 9-1 this season and the No. 16 team in the country. They also will make it to the ACC Championship game if they beat Pittsburgh this weekend at home. Winning the ACC would help them in their recruiting efforts, but the only way they'll start catching up to Georgia is if they beat them on the field.
The Yellow Jackets almost pulled off the upset last season, but they will look for their revenge next week in Atlanta. Georgia however is favored by 12.5 points, so it is unlikely for the Yellow Jackets to win that game. But until they start winning they likely never will start turning the in-state recruiting tides.
