Former Georgia Tech running back Jonathan Dwyer recently named his top 5 tailbacks in school history with The Nest ATL’s Miles Garrett. Robert Lavette remains one of the most decorated backs the school has ever produced, earning ACC Player of the Year honors and finishing his career as one of Tech’s all-time leading rushers in the early 1980s. Eddie Lee Ivery was a dynamic playmaker in the late 1970s, posting multiple 1,000-yard seasons and earning All-American recognition while becoming one of the most explosive offensive threats of his era. Staying around the same era, Jerry Mays helped set the standard for consistency and toughness in the 1980s, establishing himself as one of the foundational stars of the program.
Dwyer’s list also paid tribute to more modern standouts who thrived in different offensive systems. Tashard Choice was a workhorse in the mid-2000s, back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher and emotional leader whose physical running style defined that era of Yellow Jackets football. P. J. Daniels meanwhile delivered one of the greatest single seasons in school history in 2004, rushing for over 1,400 yards and earning first-team All-ACC honors. While they didn’t crack his official top five, Dwyer also acknowledged the impact of Jahmyr Gibbs, a versatile home-run threat who excelled as both a runner and receiver, and Jordan Mason whose physical downhill style and steady production added to Georgia Tech’s long-standing tradition of elite backs.
