Anyone else having issues because of the Microsoft Azure outages this morning? I'm in hell

Up top a quick programming note, I'm moving Q's take during Fall Camp to Thursdays. It will work out better schedule-wise for me to do it then.

A good season for GT hoops would be what?

KQ- I think a top 10 finish in the ACC and a postseason invite, play-in NCAAT or NIT would be a good step forward. Anything more than that is awesome. Anything less than that I'd be curious what went wrong and how Damon will fix it or if there were injuries or other factors.

In 5 years, GT is “what?” in the perception of the country? How are we viewed?

KQ- I have no idea. I don't know what 2025-26 will look like right now to be blunt. I think a lot rides on how Damon and Brent do in their respective sports and how long J Batt stays at Georgia Tech. I am sure if he continues to do a good job other programs will try to lure him away.

Can you notice a difference physically from last year to this year? Is there anything Artis focused on that you notice? Any guys that stand out for making really good gains?

KQ- Yes, the team is in really good shape and relatively healthy. They are probably only missing about four of five scholarship guys right now and typically that number is a lot higher out of the 85-roster going into camp. I think also the culture the Key is setting up and AJ and his staff are selling of accountability and player-led leadership is a big part of this as well.

Are there any surprising standouts so far in camp? Which transfers do you believe will make an instant impact?

KQ- They are running around in shorts so I don't put much stock in that. Everyone looks good until you get hit in the mouth. Jeff Sims looked like Lamar Jackson until he started taking shots in games. I think they got a lot bigger on the LOS with Keylan Rutledge on the OL and Jordan van den Berg plus the freshmen DLs they brought in like Uche Iloh and Amontrae Bradford. The team is trending in the right direction with size. I think Tyler Santucci hit on something when talking about Tren Tatum this week and how he has added weight and looks stronger.

Impact transfers, on offense Rutledge should be the starting RG and Jackson Hawes will be one of the top two TEs. I'll be curious to see if Josh Beetham ends up as the third guy in the rotation with Brett Seither and Hawes, that is something to keep an eye on or if it is Ryland Goede or Avery Boyd or someone else. I mentioned van den Berg up top, Romello Height has a chance to be someone special and they LOVE Warren Burrell at CB.

Do you see the ACC playing games in other international locations other than Ireland? I know other conferences are, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything

KQ- Other than the Bahamas Bowl I am not aware of any other games being played outside of Ireland or currently scheduled. Could we see more of that in the future? Absolutely, if TV wants to pay for it, then it will happen.

I’m trying to wrap my head around the new economics of CFB and a couple of questions - curious to get your gauge:

1) is Stadium and fan experience important? If so - to what degree do you invest there over nil?

KQ- I think stadium experience is a key driver these days to get people to continue showing up especially once they have families. If the food sucks, the bathroom is gross and there isn't booze, it will be hard to get a significant other and kids to come to the game six times a year or more in hoops. I think you have to invest there because the stadium is important in selling the program and the future especially in recruiting. Duke football has had lots of money from Iron Dukes but there are like 3k in the stadium sometimes and that is part of why they struggle in recruiting in football when things are equal or close to it.

2) college baseball kind of feels like no man’s land. It’s not track & field in terms of pure cost center, but it’s not football. If you advised any AD, to what degree does that get funding at the expense of mens bball or football? (Non GT - P4 athletics in general)

KQ- Ideally you want baseball to be neutral financially or make some modest profits. If I am GT's AD I am spending my money on football and hoops and funneling it there because that moves the needle. If you perform in those sports then you will have more resources to spend on other programs eventually. This gets back to why I was so against pushing Danny Hall out the door. Let him have his swan song, make him continue to raise money (he is good at this) once he is retired after he has his last crack at it. Financially it made no sense to cut ties with the guy who has self-funded his program. It is like if golf suddenly was bad for several years. Bruce brings in so much money and goodwill he can leave on his own terms at this point.

3) if you’re the HC at GT and find a 5* recruit with genuine interest in GT - how would you think about offering them NIL knowing that veteran players either have zero or less than the going rate for a high profile recruit?

KQ- You do what Brent Key does, everyone knows where they stand 1-85 and even the walk-on kids. If they have a question they can just go ask him. The way I sell paying player X is if we sign this kid and pay him then it will generate more money for us to pay all of you down the line. It is like drafting a player. The Falcons just took this to a real extreme, but it is an example, they spent a ton of Kirk Cousins and are spending a ton on Michael Penix who won't play much if at all in the short-term, but they view it as a long term play. The Green Bay Packers just did that with Jordan Love and Aaron Rodgers several years ago to some success.

Can you ask if they would start showing some highlights of other game ( like ACC) during time out and end of half time. I’ve been to other stadiums that did this and fans l Iove it.

KQ- I can pass that idea along to the foodchain.

Kelly - as a talent evaluator, how often do you see LBs in HS with great instincts but less than premier athleticism?

In your opinion, is GT doing a good enough job at finding these individuals? If you had a magic wand - what would you change in the recruiting approach for LBs?

KQ- The linebacker position is probably one of the biggest changes in CFB in the last 10-20 years with what you are looking for and how different things are no with spreads, nickel packages being the base defense for almost all teams and the need to have sideline-to-sideline speed. It used to be downhill guys who fit gaps and you can play like that with one of your backers now but the other has to be able to run and chase guys down and cover the flat or wheel routes. It is hard. Aside from places like Bama or UGA I see a lot of poor LB play across the country. I do not think it is a unique problem to Georgia Tech, but the shitty defenses have made it more apparent because the previous DCs didn't scheme around what they had all the time.

I’ll break up some of the football questions. With the additions of McCollum and O’Brien and the return of Lance Terry, do you see Kowacie Reeves playing more of the Deebo role from last year?

KQ- That is an interesting question and we should get Damon soon for an end-of-summer workouts recap and I can ask him about that. My gut reaction is Reeves will play more four with Ndongo playing a lot of five minutes against certain teams and they will go small and run. Reeves is big enough to defend a lot of the 4 out, 1 in type teams. GT sees more of that than teams with two traditional post players or two traditional post sized players if that makes sense.

Chris Weinke

Haynes King

Zach Pyron

Jackson Hawes

Georgia Tech center Weston Franklin has been named to the Outland Trophy Award watch list for the nation’s top college interior lineman.

ACC Representatives on the Outland Trophy Watch List:



Name, School, Class, Position

Ozzy Trapilo, Boston College, Redshirt Senior, OT

Blake Miller, Clemson, Junior, OT

Joshua Farmer, Florida State, Redshirt Junior, DT

Darius Washington, Florida State, Redshirt Senior, OT

Weston Franklin, Georgia Tech, Senior, C

Michael Gonzalez, Louisville, Senior, OG

Jalen Rivers, Miami, Redshirt Junior, OT

Zeke Correll, NC State, Graduate Student, C

Justin Osborne, SMU, Graduate Student, C

ATLANTA- Georgia Tech began week two of Fall Camp 2024 on Monday with a two-plus hour practice after a heavy rain storm rolled through city in the early afternoon. The skies cleared in time for the majority of practice and after practice the Jackets' specialists along with special teams coordinator and cornerbacks coach Ricky Brumfield took center stage.

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Hmm link is good but X is not working working here... anywho he deadlifted 800lbs.

Sed, does this guy know what he’s talking about?

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Gents it’s 30 days til toe meets leather in Ireland. Everyday we inch closer to another magical season on the Flats!
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THE FLATS – Georgia Tech will be well represented at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with eight Yellow Jackets competing on the world’s biggest stage from July 26-August 11. Opening ceremonies will take place Friday, July 26 at 1:30 p.m. ET from the Jardins du Trocadéro, in Paris and will be broadcast live on NBC and streamed on Peacock. Past, present and future Yellow Jackets will attend the opening ceremonies, representing six countries across four sports.



Seven of the eight Yellow Jackets in Paris will be making their Olympic debuts. Berke Saka is the lone returner after serving as Türkiye’s co-flag bearer in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and competing in the 200M backstroke.



Christopher Eubanks (tennis) and Julia Bergmann (volleyball) are the first Olympians in the history of their respective programs while Jose Alvarado (men’s basketball) becomes the sixth Jacket to represent Tech men’s basketball at the games.



Christopher Eubanks (GT 2014-17) – Men’s Tennis – Team USA

When: Eubanks begins his quest for a medal on Saturday, July 27 at 6 a.m. against Lebanon’s Benjamin Hassan

Where: Roland Garros

Watch: Peacock

Men’s Tennis Olympic Bracket



Jose Alvarado (GT 2017-21) – Men’s Basketball – Team Puerto Rico

When: Alvarado and Team Puerto Rico will play three group stage contests in the opening week of the games for a chance at qualifying for the medal rounds.

July 28, 5 am: Puerto Rico vs. South Sudan - WATCH

July 31, 11:15 am: Puerto Rico vs. Serbia - WATCH

August 3, 11:15 am: Puerto Rico vs. United States - WATCH

Where: Group Stage: Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille / Medal Rounds: Accor Arena in Paris

Men’s Basketball Schedule and Results



Julia Bergmann (GT 2019-22) – Women’s Volleyball – Team Brazil

When: Bergmann and Team Brazil will play three group stage contests in the opening week of the games for a chance at qualifying for the medal rounds.

July 29, 7 am: Brazil vs. Kenya - WATCH

August 1, 7am: Brazil vs. Japan - WATCH

August 4, 3pm: Brazil vs. Poland - WATCH

Where: Paris Expo Porte de Versailles

Women’s Volleyball Schedule and Results



Imane El Barodi (GT 2019-23) – Women’s Swimming (100M breaststroke) – Team Morocco

When: July 28, 5 a.m. ET - WATCH

Where: Paris La Defense Arena

Olympic Swimming Schedule and Results



Berke Saka (senior) – Men’s Swimming (200M backstroke) - Team Türkiye

When: July 31, 5 a.m. ET - WATCH

Where: Paris La Defense Arena

Olympic Swimming Schedule and Results



Ariana Dirkzwager (junior) – Women’s Swimming (200M freestyle) – Team Laos

When: July 28, 5 a.m. ET - WATCH

Where: Paris La Defense Arena

Olympic Swimming Schedule and Results



Ela Naz Ozdemir (Incoming freshman) – Women’s Swimming (4x200M Freestyle Relay) – Team Türkiye

When: August 1, 5 a.m. ET - WATCH

Where: Paris La Defense Arena

Olympic Swimming Schedule and Results



Giovana Reis (Incoming freshman) – Women’s Swimming (4x100M Freestyle Relay) – Team Brazil

When: July 27, 5 a.m. ET - WATCH

Where: Paris La Defense Arena

Olympic Swimming Schedule and Results



In addition to the eight athletes competing in the games, Georgia Tech will have two more representatives in Paris, Toni M. And Richard L. Bergmark Swimming and Diving Coach Courtney Hart will be coaching Dirkzwager in her event as a member of Team Laos. Additionally, four-time Olympian, 2008 Bronze medalist and Georgia Tech Hall of Fame Inductee Chaunté Lowe will also be in attendance as a member of President Biden’s U.S. delegation as a member of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition.

Hoping I can get some help from the crowd. I use the Rivals App a lot...clicked on the Photo Gallery KQ posted and now I'm "stuck" in it....I've closed the app, re-booted my phone. When I launch it, it goes right back in the pics. I can't see an "exit" button or anything to get me back to the threads. Obviously I'm typing this on my PC via the browser, LOL...any help is much appreciated!

I had intended to hire Alex for many years if the site got big enough to have a third writer or if we ever needed to change up the staff. That opportunity came about when Russell hung up his laptop and retired for family life. Alex is a grinder and has worked his butt off covering HS sports for years in Georgia and he will be an excellent addition to the site as we grow into this next incarnation of JOL. He will also be able to help with team coverage of all three major sports in addition to handling recruiting duties.

Here is what Alex wanted to share with you all.

Hello JOL family, it's good to be along for the ride with you.

First of all, I can't thank Kelly enough for giving me this incredible opportunity, and I am going to do everything I can to prove to him that I was worth taking a chance on for this position.

It will be a little bit of a learning curve as it is a bit different than what I've been doing for the last several years, but I hope to learn quickly and become a valuable asset to JOL and help Kelly grow this site even more. And I'm going to try my best to do at least a decent job filling the big shoes of Russell.

First, a little about me. I grew up right outside of Rome where I graduated from Pepperell High (alma mater of former Georgia Tech RB Sidney Ford) and then Berry College. I'm a lifelong sports nerd and a diehard Georgia Tech fan from the time I could understand what football was.

I've spent many a Saturday (or Thursday) at Bobby Dodd Stadium or in front of the TV anxiously watching the Jackets, and I can say that there have been some good memories along the way while also admitting we haven't been given the easiest existence as a fan of a team. But, fellow White and Gold supporters, I've learned that all those lows make the highs so much better. I've been a JOL member for several years now myself, but I won't tell you my username in case I ever said something stupid that you could go look up (a high probability I did).

Back to my background info. Since graduating from college, I have been in the sports writing business in some capacity for almost all 15 years in that timespan. (I had a short stint outside of the business working as a preload and later night sort supervisor at UPS, and that made me realize how much I wanted to get back to writing about sports for a living.) Prior to that time at UPS I covered local sports at the Calhoun Times for several years, and back in 2021 I came back into the biz as the sports editor at the Rome News-Tribune. I spent a couple years at the RN-T way back right out of college as well.

So my main focus during all that time has been high school sports with some college stuff (mostly Berry and Shorter) thrown in there as well as covering the Minor League team in Rome, formerly the Braves and now the Emperors. But while doing all that, I knew that I wanted to get into more of college football, college basketball and recruiting. This job gives me the chance to do a little bit of all of that.

Now, as I mentioned before, I am a Georgia Tech fan to the core. But while it will still be in my heart, I will be professional about covering this team at the same time. That doesn't mean I won't be as excited as you guys are or celebrating on the inside. Kelly might hear some under-my-breath celebrating or foot stomps or fist pumps in the press box along the way, but I'll try my best to keep that to a minimum as per press box rules. Ha. I mean I will admit that I was one of the folks, probably along with a lot of people on this board, that were running around like crazy people on the field after the Carolina win last year. But let's keep that between you and I.

And I must make a small confession and hope you don't hold it against me. Somewhere along the way when I was a kid, a love of North Carolina basketball started. I do root for the Tar Heels on the basketball court to this day. I'm not saying I'm not a fan of Georgia Tech basketball, but I just have never lived and died by it like I do football. But if Damon and the Jackets build something great in the coming years, I'm more than happy to jump aboard that bandwagon. Either way, I will do my best to bring professional coverage for Tech basketball to you as well.

I think I've rambled almost enough at this point. The main thing I want to get across to you guys is I'm so excited for this new challenge, and I look forward to bringing Georgia Tech coverage to you (hopefully a ton of success to write about)! Please be patient with me as I try to learn quickly and do the best job I can do for Kelly and for JOL. Like I mentioned above, I have big shoes to fill.

The plan for me is to finish up at the Rome News-Tribune this coming Friday, Aug. 2, and I will start with Kelly and JOL the following week.

Looking forward to the future. And one last thing I want to leave you all with...THWG!

-Alex

Ricky Brumfield

Aidan Birr

Henry Freer

David Shanahan

My dad has been trying to buy tickets for 2 days but it won’t let him checkout after putting the tickets in his cart. It gives the error message “unable to process order.” I tried and the website took forever to load before not working. Anyone else having this issue?

Some random clips from practice last week compiled by me

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THE FLATS – Georgia Tech junior quarterback Haynes King (Longview, Texas/Longview H.S.) and junior running back Jamal Haynes (Loganville, Ga./Grayson H.S.) are among just 80 student-athletes nationwide on the official watch list for the 2024 Maxwell Award, which has been presented to college football’s player of the year since 1937.



Georgia Tech is one of just 17 teams with multiple representatives on the Maxwell Award watch list.



King accounted for 3,729 yards of total offense (2,842 passing, 737 rushing) and 37 touchdowns (27 passing, 10 rushing) in his first season as the Yellow Jackets’ starting quarterback in 2023. He was one of only two Power Five conference players with at least 2,800 passing yards, 700 rushing yards, 25 touchdown passes and 10 touchdown runs in 2023, joining Heisman Trophy winner and eventual No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft, Jayden Daniels of LSU, while he became only the fourth Atlantic Coast Conference player since 2000 to reach those plateaus in a single season, joining Clemson’s Deshawn Watson (2015), Louisville’s Lamar Jackson (2016 and 2017) and Virginia Tech’s Jerod Evans (2016).



Haynes, who made the switch from wide receiver to running back during Georgia Tech’s fall camp in 2023, became the Yellow Jackets’ first 1,000-yard rusher in five years when he ran for 1,059 yards last season. He capped four 100-yard games with a career-high 128 en route to being named MVP of the Jackets’ 30-17 win over UCF in the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl. In addition to his 1,059 rushing yards (the 15th-most in Georgia Tech single-season history), Haynes also caught 20 passes for 151 yards and returned two kickoffs for 47 yards, totaling 1,257 all-purpose yards and earning all-ACC recognition as both a running back and all-purpose performer.



Led by King and Haynes, Georgia Tech ranked third in the ACC and among the top 35, nationally, in total offense last season (424.6 ypg). Tech led the conference/ranked 12th nationally in rushing offense (203.8 ypg). The Yellow Jackets return eight starters from last season’s prolific offense in 2024.



Tech opens the 2024 season on August 24 versus Florida State in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland. Kickoff is set for noon ET and the game will be televised nationally on ESPN.

I sort of love this on a weird sick level seeing a car accident level.

Fire away

THE FLATS – Georgia Tech football’s annual First Saturday on The Flats is set for Saturday, July 27 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Admission is FREE.



First Saturday on The Flats provides Tech fans with the opportunity to engage with their favorite Yellow Jackets ahead of the upcoming 2024 season. The event offers a variety of entertaining activities for the whole family, including a DJ, tailgate games and interactive experiences right on Hyundai Field.



RSVP

Let us know if you’re planning to attend First Saturday on The Flats by clicking HERE (RSVP not required for admission).



Entrance

Gates open for the general public at 11 a.m. All fans will enter Bobby Dodd Stadium via the field level tunnel located on Callaway Plaza between Gates 6 and 6A, off Bobby Dodd Way on the north end of the stadium.



Early Access

2024 Georgia Tech football season ticket members and members of The Tech Way will be allotted one hour of early access to the event, beginning at 10 a.m. Season ticket members and Tech Way members will be verified upon entry.



Autographs

The entire 2024 Georgia Tech football team will be available for autographs for all fans at First Saturday on The Flats. Head coach Brent Key will also sign autographs exclusively for members of The Tech Way (see below for details).



Autographs begin at 11 a.m. for all attendees (early access and general public).



Gain Exclusive Benefits by Becoming a Member of The Tech Way

In addition to all current members of The Tech Way, any new subscribers at The Whistle level and above are eligible for the special First Saturday on The Flats benefits, which include early entry and access to Coach Key autograph availability. Click HERE to join today.



Parking

Parking will be available on a first-come, first-served basis in the following parking areas for $10/vehicle: Lower Peters Parking Deck (E52), Klaus Parking Deck (E40) and Family Housing (ER66). If those areas fill, fans can park in any visitors parking area on campus at the regular hourly rate. Click HERE for a Georgia Tech campus parking map.



2024 GEORGIA TECH FOOTBALL TICKETS

Season Tickets

2024 Georgia Tech football season tickets are on sale now and include the best seats for the Yellow Jackets’ six-game home slate, which features Atlantic Coast Conference showdowns against Duke, NC State and Miami (Fla.) at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field and Tech’s highly anticipated matchup with Notre Dame at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Season ticket packages begin at just $225. Click HERE to become a season ticket member today.



Three-Game Mini-Plans

Three-game mini-ticket plans to catch the exciting action of Georgia Tech football in 2024 are on sale now. Mini-plans include a ticket to the Yellow Jackets’ highly anticipated showdown versus Notre Dame on Oct. 19 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Sept. 14 Military Appreciation Day home game versus VMI and the choice of either the Oct. 5 ACC matchup versus Duke or the Nov. 21 primetime ACC battle against NC State. Click HERE to purchase a three-game mini-plan.



Single-Game Tickets

Single-game tickets for Georgia Tech’s five home games at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field in 2024 – Aug. 31 vs. Georgia State, Sept. 14 vs. VMI, Oct. 5 vs. Duke, Nov. 9 vs. Miami (Fla.) and Nov. 21vs. NC State – are on sale now and can be purchased by clickingHERE.



At this time, the only way to guarantee tickets for the Yellow Jackets’ home showdown versus Notre Dame on Oct. 19 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium is through season tickets or a three-game mini-plan.



If you have any questions about First Saturday on The Flats, please email the Georgia Tech athletics marketing, promotions and fan experience office at GTMarketing@athletics.gatech.edu.

Tyler Santucci

Kyle Efford

Clayton Powell-Lee

Here is the link and any donations are greatly appreciated

Georgia Tech will host a big BBQ this weekend as part of the limited recruiting window opened this month before the dead period starts back up for most of August.

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He is in town for a basketball tournament. I expect GT will offer

Kuchar shot 63 today at the 3M Open.
1 back heading into Sunday looking for career win #10.