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The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets have yet to pick up their first commit for their 2013 class, but we already have a pretty good idea of what they'll likely need to look for. With only one player -- wide receiver Stephen Hill -- leaving early this year, the Jackets are in good shape as far as their roster breakdown goes, so expect a balanced class.
Tech is set to lose a handful of players at each position group, with guard Omoregie Uzzi, A-back Orwin Smith, and quarterback Tevin Washington the most noteworthy exits. The good news is that depth-plagued offensive line could actually find itself on stable footing even without its best player, as only one other blocker, Nick McRae, will run out of eligibility. And that's even with starting tackle Phil Smith dismissed from the team last month.
Tech will likely return five quarterbacks or quarterbackish athletes, including promising duo Synjyn Days and Vad Lee. Many Tech fans feel either of those two would be better than Washington anyway. Four-star quarterback Justin Thomas should redshirt.
Julian Burnett is the biggest loss among the four linebackers set to leave, but Al Groh's stowed away tons of bodies at the second level. The literal biggest loss is nose tackle T.J. Barnes, who should have every chance to make a full-time starting role his own this year. And the secondary, which has also been mighty thin as of late, will only lose one starter, Rod Sweeting, while adding at least three from the 2012 class.
Because of decent roster balance, the Jackets don't need to go all in on any particular position. However, the Jackets do always seem to lose at least one baffling early NFL Draft entry per year, and Jeremiah Attaochu might play well enough as a junior to earn legit NFL looks.
The most urgent need is at wide receiver, but Tech doesn't need many and can convert some of their versatile RBs or DBs as well.
The breakdown of departing players:
For more on Jackets football, visit Georgia Tech blog From The Rumble Seat, plus SB Nation Atlanta.