Just before kickoff against Gardner-Webb on Saturday, Georgia Tech fans were taken by surprised when news of starting quarterback Haynes King won’t be playing.
Latest Haynes King Injury Update
The Yellow Jackets decided to sit King out due to a persistent lower-body injury that has been bothering him since Week 1 against Colorado, even though he dressed, warmed up, and appeared ready to play.
Source: Haynes King will not start for Georgia Tech today due to a nagging lower-body injury. Aaron Philo will make first-career start. King is dressed out for Tech. pic.twitter.com/F5UwbviJ91
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 6, 2025
The move isn’t related to his shoulder, as some rumors suggested, but rather something with his legs, which makes sense given how much he leaned on them last week. Against Colorado, King was electric on the ground, running 19 times for 156 yards and three touchdowns, while adding 143 passing yards through the air. His legs carried the Yellow Jackets in Boulder, but that same workload may have caught up to him.
Freshman Aaron Philo Replacing King Versus Gardner-Webb
That left redshirt freshman Aaron Philo to take the reins, making his first career start. Philo is no stranger to pressure, having seen action in five games last season while maintaining his redshirt.
He finished 2024 with 565 passing yards, one touchdown pass, and 76 rushing yards with another score. Philo made key contributions in high-pressure moments, including leading a 75-yard, seven-play game-winning drive against NC State and sharing snaps in wins over Miami and Virginia Tech.
Despite speculation about transferring this year, Philo’s father, Rob, confirmed he was fully committed to Georgia Tech.
“I can tell you the thought never went through his mind to leave. Ever. Was never in his mind,” Rob told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “He’s been 100% committed to Tech the whole way because they have been committed to him. And that staff is really what I would call a second father.”
Now, with King sidelined, Philo is getting a real glimpse of being a starter. So far, he’s thrown one touchdown and one interception, eager to leverage his freshman experience and take advantage of this opportunity to make an impact for the Yellow Jackets.
Extended the play ➝ Found his guy.
Aaron Philo to Isiah Canion for Canion’s first TD as a Yellow Jacket! GT takes the lead in the 1st. 👏@GeorgiaTechFB | @GTAthletics | #StingEm pic.twitter.com/0JRtfiCBy4
— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) September 6, 2025
For Georgia Tech, the hope is that resting King now means he’ll be fully ready when ACC play ramps up. For now, fans will be watching closely to see how Philo handles the spotlight.
Coach Dan Reeves said once upon a time: If you have a running QB, it’s not if they get hurt but when.