Seeing “Red”: OL Keylan “Big Red” Rutledge has shown toughness both on and off the field for Georgia Tech
Inside The Chart | By Andy Demetra (The Voice of the Yellow Jackets)
He never intended for it to become part of his pregame routine. But as much of a nuisance as it can be, Keylan Rutledge at least expects it now.
The offensive lineman has always been susceptible to nosebleeds, but the problem seems to have worsened since coming to Georgia Tech. Sometime during warmups – usually whenever his helmet gets jostled – Rutledge will start to feel the blood leak out from his nostrils. A rivulet will run down his lip. A splotch or two may make its way onto his No. 77 jersey. Tech’s athletic trainers have come to expect it too, always prepared to plug his nose with gauze.
The man known as “Red” (or alternatively, “Big Red”) for his ginger mop of hair seems to have added another meaning to his nickname.
“When it bleeds, it bleeds pretty good,” the 6-foot-4, 310-pounder said. “A little blood never hurt nobody.”
That taste lets him know it’s time to go. These being offensive linemen, though, someone inevitably has to give him grief. Center Weston Franklin usually plays the role of provocateur.
“I’ve got to come off and take my helmet off or fix my helmet or whatever it may be. He’s like, ‘Ah, you’re soft. It’s just a little blood,’” Rutledge laughed.
Franklin says it with tongue planted firmly in cheek – or gauze planted firmly in nostril. This isn’t a case of the wimpy kid in elementary school who gets chronic nosebleeds. Since arriving at Tech last January from Middle Tennessee, where he earned first-team all-Conference USA honors at right guard, the Royston, Ga., native has blended in seamlessly with the Yellow Jackets’ veteran offensive line. Even for a position group that grades on a steep curve for nastiness, the junior has drawn his share of admirers.
“He’s old school. He’s throwback. And toughness is what matters on the O-line,” said head coach Brent Key.
“That level of physicality he brings, that just takes our offense to another level,” added right tackle Jordan Williams.
“We already knew he was one of us from the first day. He’s got the same sense of humor, the same appetite, and that’s pretty much all you need for the O-line.”
And lest anyone think he’s just a brute force, mastodon offensive lineman, he’s quick to point out that Zach Pyron isn’t the only red-headed quarterback…
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