Brent Key is building serious momentum at Georgia Tech. After leading the Yellow Jackets to their first nine-win season since 2016, Key isn't resting on his laurels. He's aggressively reloading the roster for an even bigger push in 2026, adding a massive 19-player infusion from the transfer portal to fuel the next chapter.
The 2025 season was a tale of two halves for Tech. An electrifying 8-0 start—the program's best since 1966—had fans dreaming of ACC titles and the College Football Playoff. However, a tough finish saw them drop four of their last five, including the Pop-Tarts Bowl to BYU. That late slide has only sharpened the focus in Atlanta, leading to Key's new five-year contract and a strategic portal haul aimed at finishing stronger.
Headlining the new arrivals is quarterback Alberto Mendoza, transferring from Indiana. The timing of his decision was notable, coming less than a day after his older brother, Fernando, won a national championship and cemented his status as the projected top NFL draft pick. Now, the younger Mendoza has a prime opportunity to step out of that shadow and compete for the starting job vacated by dynamic playmaker Haynes King. As a redshirt freshman, Mendoza showed efficient flashes, completing 75% of his passes for five touchdowns and adding nearly 200 rushing yards.
He'll be battling this spring with Graham Knowles, Cole Bergeron, Grady Adamson, and Ben Guthrie in what Key calls a "developmental position." The coach acknowledges the room's potential but also the learning curve, emphasizing the need for a strong running game to support the new signal-caller. "Alberto has a chance to be a good player for us this year," Key said. "He’s also going to make mistakes. That’s why you have to be able to run the football."
Speaking of the run game, another major portal prize is former Alabama and Michigan running back Justice Haynes. He's expected to be a centerpiece in the new offensive scheme orchestrated by first-year coordinator George Godsey, who joins from the Baltimore Ravens. Haynes cited Godsey's pro-style system as a key factor in his decision, saying, "I knew he was going to bring a pro style offense." This new look, paired with Jason Semore taking over the defense, defines a refreshed identity for the Jackets.
With the spring game set for Saturday, the pieces are coming together in Atlanta. Brent Key's rebuild has officially shifted into a reload, using the transfer portal to inject immediate talent and experience. The goal is clear: build on last season's success and turn that promising start into a complete, championship-caliber campaign.