Georgia Tech Showcases Offensive Talent in Spring Game

Quarterback Alberto Mendoza and receivers Debron Gatling and Evan Haynes shine in exhibition

Apr. 19, 2026 at 1:38pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a Georgia Tech football game, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of gold, white, and navy blue, capturing the dynamic energy of the sport.Georgia Tech's spring game showcased the team's promising offensive talent, with the passing game emerging as a potential strength for the upcoming season.Atlanta Today

Georgia Tech's annual spring football game provided a glimpse into the team's offensive potential for the upcoming 2026 season. Quarterback Alberto Mendoza, the presumptive starter, had an impressive outing, connecting with receivers Debron Gatling and Evan Haynes for several big plays. Head coach Brent Key praised the progress of the receiving corps, which is looking to replace significant production from last year's departures.

Why it matters

Georgia Tech is looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 campaign and the spring game offered an early look at the team's offensive firepower. With Mendoza leading the way and a group of talented, if inexperienced, receivers stepping up, the Yellow Jackets are hoping to reclaim their spot as an ACC contender this fall.

The details

Mendoza, the favorite to be Georgia Tech's starting quarterback, had a strong performance, showcasing his ability to make plays through the air. Receivers Debron Gatling and Evan Haynes were among his top targets, with Gatling catching a touchdown pass. Head coach Brent Key was pleased with the progress of the receiving corps, which is looking to replace significant production from last year's departures. Key also mentioned other receivers like Dalen Penson and Koi as players who will contribute this season.

  • The Georgia Tech spring game took place on April 18, 2026.

The players

Alberto Mendoza

The presumptive starting quarterback for Georgia Tech, Mendoza had an impressive outing in the spring game, showcasing his ability to make plays through the air.

Debron Gatling

A wide receiver for Georgia Tech, Gatling stood out in the spring game, catching five passes for 58 yards, including an 18-yard touchdown.

Evan Haynes

Another Georgia Tech wide receiver, Haynes caught three passes for 50 yards in the spring game, demonstrating his potential to contribute to the offense this season.

Brent Key

The head coach of the Georgia Tech football team, Key was pleased with the progress of the receiving corps and highlighted the performances of several players in the spring game.

Dalen Penson

A wide receiver for Georgia Tech, Penson was mentioned by Coach Key as a newcomer who will contribute to the team this season.

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What they’re saying

“Yeah, Debron has. I think you saw after he made that really good touchdown, I grabbed him, brought him back out on the field. Just told him how proud I was of him, of how he's come along this spring.”

— Brent Key, Head Coach

“Evan made some plays out there today. Everybody's focused on developing the other guys. You kind of forget about Jordan sometimes. Then we got Koi still to come in. He'll be here in the summer. So I think we'll be fine there at that position. I think Jafar's done a nice job of developing those guys.”

— Brent Key, Head Coach

What’s next

The Georgia Tech football team will continue its preparations for the 2026 season, with the focus now shifting to summer workouts and fall camp.

The takeaway

Georgia Tech's spring game provided an encouraging glimpse into the team's offensive potential, with quarterback Alberto Mendoza and receivers Debron Gatling and Evan Haynes standing out. While the Yellow Jackets have some holes to fill, the progress of the passing game offers hope that they can bounce back and contend in the ACC this fall.