Kyle Efford, a fifth‑year linebacker for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, has been named to the 2026 Butkus Award watch list, a preseason honor that spotlights the nation’s top collegiate defensive player at his position.
Over the past three seasons he has been the team’s leading tackler, recording 81 stops in 2023, 64 in 2024 and 77 in 2025, making him the first Yellow Jacket in 24 years to achieve that consistency.
His performance also earned him a place on the 2024 all‑Atlantic Coast Conference academic team, underscoring a rare blend of athletic excellence and scholarly achievement.
The Butkus Award, named for the legendary Illinois linebacker Dick Butkus, has become a benchmark for defensive prowess, with semifinalists to be announced in October and the winner revealed in December.
A Season of Promise for the Yellow Jackets
Georgia Tech’s 2026 campaign opens on September 3 at Bobby Dodd Stadium against Colorado, a game that will be televised nationally on ESPN, and the schedule also features home matchups with Tennessee, Duke, Louisville and Wake Forest.
Beyond the field, the athletic department’s Full Steam Ahead fundraising drive aims to modernize Bobby Dodd Stadium and other facilities, seeking to enhance the experience for players and fans alike.