Haynes King Highlights: Georgia Tech QB Sets Record in Upset Win vs Clemson

Georgia Tech fans anxiously awaiting word on quarterback Haynes King finally have encouraging signs heading into Saturday’s showdown with No. 12 Clemson. The sixth-year senior, who sat out last week’s 59–12 rout of Gardner-Webb with what the program calls a “nagging lower-body injury,” practiced in full pads on Tuesday and “looks good, feels good,” according to head coach Brent Key. Key added that the team will “make a determination this weekend,” but multiple staff members hinted King has hit all recovery benchmarks and is trending toward active status. Why King’s return matters • Momentum from Week 1: Before the injury, King engineered a 27-20 comeback at Colorado, racking up 299 total yards and three rushing touchdowns, including a highlight-reel 45-yard keeper with 1:07 left. • Veteran leadership: Since transferring from Texas A&M in 2024, King has become the face of Brent Key’s uptempo attack, posting 3,812 passing yards and 34 total TDs over his last 15 starts. • History with Clemson: The Tigers intercepted King four times in 2023. A healthy start Saturday offers a redemption narrative that the Yellow Jackets believe could spark their first win over Clemson since 2014. Practice observations According to multiple eyewitnesses, King moved without a noticeable limp and took the majority of first-team reps during red-zone and two-minute drills. Trainers fitted his right ankle with extra compression tape, but he executed rollouts and option keeps at full speed. Freshman Aaron Philo, who set a school freshman record with 373 passing yards versus Gardner-Webb, rotated with the twos, suggesting the coaching staff expects King to reclaim QB1 if cleared. ACC’s new injury-report rule This season the ACC instituted mandatory availability reports every Thursday and Friday, with a final update two hours before kickoff. Georgia Tech’s first report is due today; if King is listed as “probable” or better, expect sportsbooks to tighten the current 6.5-point Clemson spread. Scouting the matchup • Clemson’s defense ranks No. 6 nationally in sacks (9) and No. 4 against the run (54.0 ypg). Coordinators believe King’s dual-threat ability forces the Tigers to spy a linebacker, potentially opening seams for slot receivers Malik Rutherford and Eric Singleton Jr. • Georgia Tech’s offensive line allowed just one sack in the opener but five against Clemson last year. King’s quick-release timing — averaging 2.46 seconds to throw — is critical to neutralize Clemson edge rusher T.J. Parker. What King said Sources inside the program report King telling teammates he’s “110 percent.” In his weekly media availability, he declined to guarantee a start but noted, “It’s my last year — if I can go, I’m going.” The quarterback also emphasized the importance of avoiding “hero ball,” a nod to his four-interception meltdown two seasons ago. Implications for Tech’s season At 2-0, the Yellow Jackets eye a potential Top-25 debut with a victory. Their remaining schedule features only one current ranked opponent (Miami in Week 8). A healthy King not only boosts bowl odds but also keeps him in early ACC Player of the Year conversations. Fantasy and DFS takeaways If King is upgraded to active before kickoff, his rushing floor and affordable pricing on major DFS platforms make him a high-ceiling tournament play. Monitor the Thursday/Friday reports and pivot to Philo if King is downgraded late. Bottom line All signs point to Haynes King suiting up against Clemson. Georgia Tech will finalize the call after Friday’s walk-through, but the buzz around Bobby Dodd Stadium suggests the Jackets’ leader is on track for a much-anticipated return — setting the stage for one of Week 3’s most intriguing ACC showdowns.