For a true freshman to make a significant positive impact, there’s three necessary ingredients: the willingness of the coaches to play young guys, opportunity at the position, and a special combination of mental and physical gifting in the freshman.
Georgia Tech’s defensive coaches play young guys; three true freshmen burned their redshirts last year on defense, and another four played extensively before shutting down to preserve the redshirt. That shows willingness.
Junior Quez Jackson and redshirt freshman Cornelius Evans are the only returners at outside linebacker. Charlie Thomas emerged last year as a playmaker, leading the linebackers with 13.