THE FLATS – Georgia Tech defensive back LaMiles Brooks (Jacksonville, Fla./Trinity Christian Academy), defensive lineman D’Quan Douse (Savannah, Ga./Calvary Day School) and running back Dontae Smith (Spring Hill, Tenn./Spring Hill H.S.) have all been named to Athlon Sports’ preseason all-Atlantic Coast Conference team. Brooks was tabbed second-team, Douse was named third-team and Smith was recognized as a fourth-team selection on the first published preseason all-conference team of the 2023 campaign.
A rising junior, Brooks led Georgia Tech with three interceptions and seven pass breakups and also ranked fourth on the squad with 52 tackles in his first season as a starter in 2022. He enters the 2023 campaign as college football’s No. 5-ranked safety, according to Pro Football Focus.
A redshirt junior, Douse racked up 3.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss from his defensive tackle position, both of which ranked second among Tech’s defensive linemen, behind only 2023 second-round NFL Draft pick Keion White. Among 897 graded interior defensive linemen nationwide last season, Pro Football Focus ranked Douse 78th in run defense and 158th in overall defense.
A redshirt senior, Smith became only the 51st player in Georgia Tech history with 1,000 rushing yards in a career when he ran for a career-high 420 yards a season ago. His 1,159 career rushing yards rank 46th in Tech history. A versatile and explosive back, Smith also caught 19 passes for 125 yards last season (both career highs) and has averaged one touchdown every 17 carries over the course of his collegiate career (12 touchdowns in 208 rushing attempts).
Brooks, Douse, Smith and the Yellow Jackets open the highly anticipated 2023 season – the first full season under head coach Brent Key – on Friday, Sept. 1 when they host ACC rival Louisville in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Georgia Tech football season tickets, which guarantee the best seats and value for all of the exciting action of Tech football home games in 2023, are on sale now starting at just $225. For more information and to purchase season tickets online, click HERE.
Alexander-Tharpe Fund
The Alexander-Tharpe Fund is the fundraising arm of Georgia Tech athletics, providing scholarship, operations and facilities support for Georgia Tech’s 400-plus student-athletes. Be a part of developing Georgia Tech’s Everyday Champions and helping the Yellow Jackets compete for championships at the highest levels of college athletics by supporting the Annual Athletic Scholarship Fund, which directly provides scholarships for Georgia Tech student-athletes. To learn more about supporting the Yellow Jackets, visit atfund.org.
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