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Mailbag 3/18

Obviously, the recruits are curious to see what the new offense and defense looks like. Do you think that Spring practices will be enough to help recruits pull the trigger if they like what they see, or do you think they really need to see it in the Spring Game? Will the “fast-paced” practices be a factor in attracting recruits?

I certainly think the way they practice at Temple very much caught the eye of recruits who were able to witness it. Here it is much easier to get kids on campus and high-level ones so that will be a great recruiting opportunity. I think seeing what they are trying to do helps the recruits visualize where they fit in since there isn't a ton of film to show them that is applicable given the wide differences in personnel Collins inherited at Temple vs Georgia Tech. Neither were ideal for what they truly wanted to do on either side of the ball as well at both places so practice will be a key way to show them what they are building towards even after GT starts playing games.

What kind of prospect is Nolan McCord? Seems interested in Tech but I guess maybe specialists are the last to get rated on Rivals?

A preferred walk-on, he is a top 40 kicker, but that isn't rating or scholarship worthy right now. We don't rank kids who we don't expect to get scholarships. Just because someone visits GT doesn't mean they are a scholarship player. They have an extensive walk-on program and a lot of guys you see visit are for that or they are trying to get teammates on campus or whatever. It is not always what you see on the surface being the actual targets for scholarships.

How much impact do you think the b-ball investigation will have our already weak momentum in recruiting?

None, it won't be resolved anytime soon. I've talked to some extremely high-level Tech people who agree with my assessment of the situation as well.

What level basketball coach could we reasonably expect once we get rid of Pastner next year?

Depends on if Josh Pastner is fired or not. Knowing Stansbury he is unlikely to pull the trigger on firing him next year unless they truly stink.

Any further information on women’s basketball? MaChelle? Fletcher? Pan?

If what I've been told is true, then I expect we will never see Joseph coach again and I would think the players will transfer, but I cannot expand on it further. The silence is meaningful because coach Joseph's camp has figured out what came to light and will try to settle this quietly IMO to save her rep.

Always been impressed with how you seem to have a good handle on all of the kids Tech is recruiting. Has there ever been a time that a kid committed to a school you were covering and you had no idea that school was even recruiting him?

The weirdest situation I've dealt with was Adam Gotsis, but I knew he was committed he was just gun shy about talking about it and we were chatting over facebook at the time. I can't think of one that committed where I was clueless. We've had trouble getting a hold of kids. I can remember when Nick Marshall committed to Georgia Tech and his coach who had the only cellphone access to him wouldn't put him on. I was in Las Vegas where my son was born and couldn't get back here to go to Nick's house and grab him myself. That was the weirdest one.

you may not know the answer to this, but is something going on with Chase Murray? He hasn’t played in the last few games, and I’m hopeful it isn’t an injury

I would assume he is injured, but there are some on this board who could answer that.

What's going on at the AJC relating to GT athletics? They seem to have a certain glee in reporting on any downturn in our situation. You and rivals report the facts; the AJC finds the darkest corner and publishes it as the sole fact. It hasn't always been this way.

If I was the AD, I might ban them from all GTAA facilities.


I think there are a few different things going on, but negative GT stories generate clicks from GT and UGA and other people. Just the way it is. I have no idea what the marching orders are for Ken and how much control he has over headlines or stories and how much comes from his bosses. He is not a malicious guy though and is a friend.

Any idea why the CB from Stephenson (Morton?) has been absent of GT mentions ?

He was at Florida I think visiting in a caravan of kids this weekend.

Saw West Virginia is going to play in the CBI. Are they able to draw enough at the gate to pay for that Tournaments entry fee but GT isn’t ?

They have a healthy budget situation and draw well at the Coliseum averaging about 10k per game regardless of opponent and a coach like Bob Huggins pretty much gets his way so if he wanted to play they are going to play.

Any idea why we seemed to lead for Marcus Watson and Chandler Lawson and at the last minute they chose other schools? Even some national writers (Evan Daniels) jumped in with GT predictions right before only to change them day of?

Not sure it was a weird situation and @Dan McDonald can attest to it. It has been odd that has come up several times now with Pastner.

B-ball has 3 scholarships. I would think 1 is a grad transfer and 1 is a HS player and 1 wildcard that could be held for 2020 even (mid year transfer). Who are the top HS prospects GT is receiving for ‘19 class? I remember an article a few weeks ago on a kids from SC with interest from KState Iowa st Xavier. Is he still in the mix?

So the HS ship is likely to go to someone like Asanti Price the guard you referenced or Tre Mitchell or the wildcard is Grant Sherfield who GT is trying to get to visit as well. Mitchell is a post, Price and Sherfield are guards. Sherfield had signed with UCLA but was released when they fired Alford. They are needing to get all three on campus, GT prefers Price over Sherfield.

Your thoughts on the development of Moore? He seems like a pretty talented wing, just needs to be able to consistently knock down the shot and not overthink things too much.

Needs to develop his body and shot, but you can see real flashes from him and you can see his athleticism. He is a raw guy, but not like Moses raw, lots of coaches and recruiting junkies were really high on him because he has the ability to be a great finisher if he can refine his game.

Do all our visitors get to keep the jerseys they put on?

Nope that would be a NCAA violation.

Has the leans list changed?

Nope

Are their any silent commits for football?

There is still one guy.

Any news on David Divenko's status for next year ?

As of today he will not be joining GT's 2019 class, but that could change I suppose. Last conversation I had with a good source about it was he was going to play overseas and hasn't develop as much as anticipated.

Do you think our new S&C staff/program is an upgrade compared to last year or just more vocal?

That is a question that will be answered probably around August. We will see how strong and how healthy the team is when they start grinding in fall camp. I think even this spring it is hard to tell because it has only been a few months.

Any word on open practices for the media or fans? Kind of suprised they wouldn't open a few practices for the fans

Nope, no information has been released yet nor do we even have a media schedule for availabilities yet.

Who are the kids we absolutelly would make room for even if their positions we're already filled and they decided to commit to us late? Who are the kids we absolutelly would make room for even if their positions we're already filled and they decided to commit to us late?

Impossible to say right now, any like high 4-5 star types but so much depends on class needs and who those targets are. There is no way to accurately answer that until the class is getting full and you know who the still interested kids are.

Who are the top 5 out of state prospects we have the most traction with?

Logan Kyle the WR from Texas is the only one that pops to mind. Remember many of the out of state kids have been on campus once or have not visited yet so that is not really a measuring stick for anything. Most of the out of state offers are guys who will end up a factory schools and are no brainer offers so far or are far away where a visit may not occur until the summer.

What's the team we seem to be competing the most with for recruits? Is it Auburn because of Hudson, Zimmerman, Lewis or maybe Bama because of Morton, Marks, Baker, etc.

There isn't one, Auburn seems like one they are working hard against because Gus is in so much trouble there and obviously there are staff members who are well-aware of that both internally and externally and are positioning GT to be a soft landing for some kids.

Basketball

How I miss this time of year and GT being relevant and in the tourney hunt...both the ACC and the Big Dance. I fell in love with GT as a kid when my late father and GT alumni introduced me to Tech with hoops.
Don’t want to talk Uga much because like all true GT fans I hate them with a passion. But I do have a serious for everyone including Kelly. How can a dumpster fire of a program like they have been go from bottom of the barrel to having a top 5 recruiting class ? I mean like overnight !? Is he that good of a recruiter ? Or are there “special offers” like Will Wade has given ?? I just don’t understand how we can’t sniff a decent recruit and they have the #1 class in the SEC...d—- I hate them with a passion !
Go Jackets !

WAR ROOM 3/6

Figured this was a good time to start the WAR ROOM back up as we inch closer to practice starting for football and hoops winds down.

FOOTBALL

Folks have been asking for updates from Winter Workouts and I can share a few tidbits. The staff are very excited about transfer TE Tyler Davis and he is fitting in well with the new players and has been a bright spot in winter workouts.


Josh Tukes is working out as a TE, the walk-on OLB/DE spent last year at the Jack position. Charlie Thomas is working out at safety. James Graham will participate in spring ball, but he has some coursework he still has to make up and he may not be able to play this year if he can't get his academic progression on track. There is a possible scenario where he could play though through an appeal because of some personal stuff.

I've had five different people comment to me about how much of a freak Sylvain Yondjouen who attended GT workouts and from talking to the staff. They say he is the most impressive physical specimen since Michael Johnson at the DE position GT has had. They have no idea what he will do with pads on, but he is a beast in the workouts.

As far as the slot receiver role goes, it will be interesting to see how Nate Cottrell translates to that position. Catching has never been a strong suit for him going back to HS and that was the big knock on him as a recruit and kept his ranking down and kept him from bigger offers. He is working on improving in that area.

A darkhorse at the RB position will be Dontae Smith. Smith is the perfect zone-read RB and he could end up making big strides there. Most schools who run that zone-read have a scat back sized like Smith with dynamic quickness and cutting ability. He has all of that and has good hands.

My sources think that Jerry Howard will be the odd man out from his running style and ability and will end up a fullback from the remaining RB group. My sources also say KirVonte Benson if fully healthy will be the starter in August at RB.

Tobias Oliver is the one guy they are really curious about going into camp. Can he throw? Where does he fit in? The concern is going into Clemson in game one with Lucas Johnson and his lack of experience in that situation could help keep Tobias at QB in the interim. Lucas has struggled with confidence along with health at QB, so that is a subplot of spring ball. Jordan Yates will certainly get a shot at the job. It is harder to imagine Demetrius Knight developing enough out of the gate to play at QB. If James Graham is cleared, he would be the guy. He is the best player on the roster from a pure talent standpoint per the old and current staff.

David Curry has picked up a lot of the offseason leadership on defense. He will be a key cog in the D this year at LB. Still trying to figure out where Bruce Jordan-Swilling can succeed (likely rush DE/OLB hybrid spot) so that is why I didn't have him as a starter in the mailbag. I think Justice Dingle is better at that right now, so I gave him the nod. That could be an interesting spring subplot as well.

I would not hold my breath on Jared Southers being a major contributor or starter. A Vanderbilt coach told me he was one of the softest players they've had there. He was unable to get on the field much despite massive injuries on the Vandy OL last year and he is a guy who is known for being "hurt" and not injured and missing practice a good bit according to my sources up there. A nice add in terms of having game experience, but the expectations are other kids will play and CBK isn't going to play soft guys anyways. He will have to really step it up to push others out of the rotation on the OL.

FOOTBALL RECRUITING

There are two guys who I would say may be silent commits are like 95% GT leans right now. Both have asked me not to say who they are yet. The staff is getting traction but neither are four-star guys just for reference's sake.

Most of the offensive targets want to see what the hell GT is running on offense. I get that a lot as does Russell from kids. I think spring practice visitors will be a key indicator of guys who are seriously thinking about jumping onboard.

I got Russell to give me his 11 most-likely to commit guys for you all to chew on.

In no order:
QB- Tee Webb
RB- Mecose Todd
WR- Ryan King
WR- Javon Baker
TE- Billy Ward
OL- Trey Zimmerman
DL- Akelo Stone
LB- Tyson Meiguez
CB- Jalen Huff
CB- Javier Morton
S- Rashad Battle

WOMEN'S HOOPS

So Machelle Joseph has kept up the narrative she had no idea why she was placed on leave by GT including to people she is close to and several mutual friends. Someone who used to work at GT in the AA made an interesting point to me which I'll point out here. They said Stansbury must have compelling evidence of misbehavior because he could've just waited two weeks and fired her anyway but instead is going for a "cause" based dismissal and the headache over that isn't worth the little bit of money they'd save on her two remaining years on her deal.

What I can say is the allegations involve abuse of her position toward players and I'll leave it at that. There have been rumours about her since I first started covering Tech and she was never particularly nice to people who've worked for her in the past, so that may bite her if this becomes an ugly battle. Machelle was always great to me in the little we interacted however.

MEN'S HOOPS

Stansbury is fully onboard with Pastner for 2019-20 as he should be. There will be a lot of pressure on Pastner to win and make a leap at least into being a bubble team if not an all-out tournament team next year or there will be a warming seat. He is aware of it. Pastner thinks they will be a top 9 ACC team next year and likely a tournament team without adding anyone to the roster, so they hope they can add at least one transfer and one HS signee to round out the class at key spots for next season. There are several players who will be very interested in playing with GT given the pieces in place as well despite the negative narrative some Tech fans have at the moment.

FOOTBALL RECRUITING Weekend Recruiting Buzz

Derek Bermudez, who has received offers from Miami, Florida, LSU, and Georgia Tech this month, is on campus today, as I first reported earlier this week.

Others who are on the Flats include:

2020 Carrolton ATH Mecose Todd
2020 Savannah Jenkins DE Akelo Stone

2020 four-star Fla. CB Miles Brooks
2020 four-star Fla. OT Jalen Rivers
2020 four-star Fla. DE Chantz Williams
2020 Fla. WR Xavier McGriff

2021 Fla. WR Patrick Bryant
2021 Sandalwood (Fla.) ILB Branden Jennings
2021 Fla. QB Walter Simmons III

Time for some of you to decide

I think the time has come for some of you to decide whether you want this site to be the premier place for GA Tech fans to get info on all things Athletics, including Recruiting, Coaching, Games, etc, or if this is going to become a landing spot for juveniles to waste the time of virtually every other paying member, by hijacking every thread with petty arguments and continual references to players and events that just aren’t funny.

I can’t speak for anyone else, but will say that if this abuse continues, I will remove myself from this site like I’ve done from every other site I had been a member of, and I’ll just stick with my Twitter where I have control of who participates on my threads.

This site has been the gold standard, with Kelly and his staff getting out more information than the others, and usually getting it out much earlier than the others, and it’s a damn shame some of you disrespect them, and those of us who really want to take advantage of their hard work on our behalf.

FOOTBALL Day one season ticket sales update

Georgia Tech Football Season-Ticket Sales Surge

Tech fans purchase 81 percent more season tickets than on first day of sales in ‘18



THE FLATS – On Monday, the first day that 2019 Georgia Tech football season tickets went on sale, total season tickets sold were up 81 percent over the first day of sales in 2018.


Thanks in large part to the excitement surrounding the new head coach Geoff Collins and the great value of 2019 season tickets (tickets for seven home games – including the regular-season finale vs. archrival Georgia – beginning at just $219), Monday’s surge was led by new season-ticket members. Twenty percent of the season tickets sold on Monday were purchased by those who didn’t buy Georgia Tech football season tickets in 2018.


Additionally, Georgia Tech has already sold 37 percent as many season tickets to new members in 2019 as it did to new buyers in all of 2018.


Returning members who renew their season tickets through Friday, Feb. 8 will receive a $25 Loyalty Discount for each season ticket purchased at full price.

FOOTBALL RECRUITING Darkwa update 1/28

Here is a story from the Penn State site about his OV there and that GT is in the top 3. Darkwa says the GT coaches are coming out again to push for the commitment before he announces on the first. Collins can't go since he burned his one in-home with him alread but defensive assistants can.

There is not an issue with his transcript preventing GT from recruiting him.

A positive update

Talked to some folks this morning. Expect some good news this afternoon or tomorrow. Expect even better news on Feb. 6th.
Majority of the team has really taken to the new staff and are buying what they are selling. Work outs have been more spirited in the first week than in the past and their is a true goal of building one team, one family.
Expect more attrition but as one source said, if a guy wants to leave before even giving the staff a chance in spring practice then they aren’t a fit, period. We don’t want me first mentality. Many kids feel like they have a new opportunity to play and are working their tails off. Our team leaders are sophomores. That should tell you something.

FOOTBALL RECRUITING Recruiting Buzz 1/16

As Chad Simmons reported earlier today, Huffman (Ala.) DL Mike Lockhart is visiting this weekend.

He will be joined by Nazir Burnett, the WR from Pennsylvania who Collins went and saw last Sunday. Burnett is a former Syracuse commit. Several schools on the west coast are working to try to get him on campus either next weekend, or the one following.

Fla. TE Brett Seither hosted Georgia Tech coaches on Tuesday at his school, and said that the visit went well. He heads to Georgia this weekend, and depending on who you talk to around his recruitment, they seem to be gaining ground fast.

I fully expect Jordan Yates to gain his fourth star tomorrow. A well deserved one, for sure.

German DL Joseph Darkwa got a visit from Geoff Collins today. He caught up (briefly) with me about it:

"It was AMAZING," Darkwa said about the visit. "He told me everything he possibly could about Georgia Tech, and what really stood out to me and my parents was the graduation rate."

Darkwa's parents, though they plan on staying in Germany, are a key factor in his decision to say the least.

"To be honest, they're probably the biggest factor."

Darkwa was previously scheduled to visit Virginia this weekend. That trip will no longer take place. After flying 24+ hours to UCLA and back last week, Darkwa and his family are looking to limit the visits as much as they can.

Will he visit Georgia Tech following Geoff's trip to Germany?

"I'm about 99 percent sure."

Also on the defensive side of the ball, Tech went and saw three-star Tenn. LB Chris Russell on Tuesday, and from what I have been told, that visit went well. Should have more on him soon.

Spanish Fort (Ala.) CB D.J. James has been committed to Mississippi State for quite some time, but chose not to sign early. Since then, he's seen his stock sky-rocket, as Oregon, Nebraska, Alabama, Ole Miss, and Iowa are all fighting for the last two visits.

Georgia Tech saw him on Wednesday, and as you read this are in his house, trying to secure one of the last official visits.

They've got plenty of other CB's on their radar, though.

Pine Forest (Fla.) Martin Emerson, also committed to Mississippi State at this moment, received a visit from Georgia Tech on Wednesday. The staff is working to get a visit from him as well, and are also evaluating Taajhir McCall and John Gill from the same school.

2020 Hapeville Charter's Tajiri Smith is another to keep an eye on, as the staff stopped by the school there today too. 2021 DE Zavier Carter will likely have an offer before too long, too.

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I know I mentioned Kerry Dixon was a really good recruiter when he was first hired, but it appears after talking to some HS coaches in Florida, that I may have understated that.

"That's the main man up there at Georgia Tech," one of them said. "It's about to get dangerous that way."

The following prospects received offers today:

2019
Spanish Fort (Ala.) CB D.J. James

2020
Miami (Fla.) Central CB Henry Gray
Southridge (Fla.) ATH Marcus Fleming
Griffin DL Damarjhe Lewis
German WR Roberto Miranda
English CB Jairo Faverus
Columbus (Fla.) ATH Xzavier Henderson

2021
Booker T. Washington (Fla.) WR JaCorey Brooks
Booker T. Washington (Fla.) DE Donell Harris
Northwestern (Fla.) WR Romello Brinson
Miami Central (Fla.) RB Amari Daniels
Miami (Fla.) Palmetto ATH Jason Marshall Jr.
Hewitt-Trussville (Ala.) RB Armoni Goodwin

2022
Westlake (Ga.) DE Horace Lockett
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