How do you think technology and AI will influence college athletics in the future?
We got PFF right now… do you expect coaches using something similar to evaluate HS tape and practices?
KQ- That is an interesting question. I think you could use it to do some grading, but most of the guys I know still like watching film. Key will try to watch every snaps of HS film on a kid before he signs them at GT for example by the end. They get all-22s and watch full games on kids so they aren't just going off highlights.
I'm curious how the technology factors into sports moving ahead though and you are correct I think there is a space for some AI things like maybe running through you script for the game for example and seeing how AI projects the opposing team to react to that, etc... but I still think that is a ways off.
Did Haynes King’s shoulder require any type of off-season surgery or procedure?
KQ- To my knowledge no. He had a sprain in his AC joint that caused tremendous pain but just needed rest. That is why he started to look better as the season went along and that is probably also why he struggled some in the cold weather bowl game when it was damp. He had the same injury at TAMU. I'm not an expert on medical stuff at all but that is what I was told was the issue and why he wasn't shut down and didn't have surgery. If he needed surgery they would've just started Philo in the bowl game to get a jump on it.
Of the recruits who won’t join until fall semester do you think have the best chance of making the roster?
KQ- They are all going to make the roster. They aren't cutting guys, this isn't the NFL and they aren't timing to a 53-man roster by August 30th or something.
I think your question is who do I expect to play this fall out of the guys not here yet? I keep hearing a lot about Shane Marshall and what a freak and what a steal he was for GT at RB. That is one to watch. Jordan Allen is another guy who will have a shot on the offensive/special teams side. On defense out of the kids not on campus yet, I think Dalen Penson has a chance to play a very significant role on D this fall.
Do you think this will be our last year with both Santucci & Faulkner? As much as I love out OC/DC combo currently, it does seem pretty darn likely those guys are on the hook for a head coaching gig in the near future.
KQ- Well Santucci is now gone. I think Buster it just depends on a lot of factors that none of us know including what his stock looks like after the 2025 season. He wants to be a head coach. He isn't looking for just an OC job in college.
Are some, or all, of Key’s personnel moves what he thinks are the differences between being a good and competitive program and being a program that’s consistently successful at the highest levels?
KQ- He is trying to push the ball forward in every way possible at every moment. He made some tough choices the last two cycles blowing up his recruiting staff because of areas he perceived as underachieving. He thinks GT should be a top 20 program and is coaching that way and building it that way. Time will tell if that works or doesn't or if he is right on his calls or not.
Is there any other staff position he’s looking to upgrade we should lookout for?
KQ- He is always looking to update. There is at least one more recruiting staff hire coming and another analyst type hire coming that I'm aware of and I think a third spot TBD as well.
Also, with the new recruiting GM, could there be any spring transfers that would be in play simply?
KQ- Alex Mathis knows a lot of people, so yeah.
Now that we know Santucci is leaving, are there any guys Key talked with last year that you would put on the potential list for him to talk to again? Is there a 1 to 2 year DC who has made a major step improvement to D that you could see as a fit? Does D scheme need to be what Santucci ran to minimize change and recruiting profiles required?
KQ- They will try to make this as smooth as possible, but defense is defense and really it is not the same thing as the O and is easy to adapt whether you ask a guy to standup more on the edge or play with their hand down. That isn't a huge change. There are only a few guys who run radically different schemes and I don't see him getting any of them except for one name. There are two guys I expect to be in the mix from the last DC hotboard from last year, but that doesn't mean they are favorites or anything.
I'll do my hotboard later in the week once guys actually start interviewing and Key has narrowed it down some. I'm not doing a hotboard right now with 25 people on it.
Can Kowacie come back and play and still be eligible for a RS?
KQ- Not really, it is a percentage of the season. I am not sure he wants another year so that is a different topic. Also both Luke and Wacie haven't been able to run for like two months, that is a big problem even with them out of the boot. They'll have zero stamina built up.
What to expect from Brayden Manley?
The more I think about it the more I realize he might be the biggest transfer addition this offseason.
KQ- He was a big addition and yeah I'm not sure. The bar isn't crazy high as the last two guys at that spot were averaging under six sacks per season which is low for that spot. I think he is capable of being a productive OLB/Edge for GT and the staff are excited about him.
Are these new football hires an add or a replacement? If replacement, who left?
KQ- Mike Polly replaced Allen Mogridge the secondary OL coach who went to App State to be the OL coach there
Alex Mathis replaced Errin Joe as the head of the recruiting dept.
Kobie Jones essentially replaced Ricky Brumfield who left the team in the season as the CB coach (Tim Salem replaced him in season as special teams coordinator)
Brian Bohannon is an additional spot.
Which recruits in the ‘25 class was Santucci most involved with?
KQ- The portal kid Melvin Jordan from Oregon State and that was about it, Tae Harris somewhat was the other one.
What effect will losing Santucci and bringing in a new DC have towards the spring portal?
KQ- It totally depends on who they hire. There is no way to tell right now if it will be good, bad, or neutral. Historically it is neutral at most places.
KQ and Alex- do you have any scoop on on how the new transfers and early recruits are making out in the locker room chemistry? Thankfully, we have good leadership returning. What's the vibe among the players going into Spring practice?
KQ- They are three weeks or so into winter workouts, I'll see what I can find out.
Basketball - due to injuries and performance, it's been challenging to follow this year's team very close but I know you do... As a casual basketball fan it appears the program took a big step backwards in a season they were expected to take a step forward. I believe you and others felt they would be top third in the ACC with good potential to be dancing.
KQ- I mean that is an interesting take, they had a ton of key injuries and there are like 10 games left to still see how they close. They need four wins to tie with last year's record despite all of that.
1) How many players in the rotation do expect portaling out after this season?
KQ- None
2) What expectations do you have for us to have a more competitive program next year?
KQ- They should be older and better at some spots and they have a lot of young talent coming in as well.
Was looking forward to seeing Santucci Year 2 but now that it won’t happen, does Key think at all about the Prevent defense thing with the next hire? Or is it a non-factor considering the injuries and lack of depth last year contributing to it and we would have seen a natural evolution to more aggressive 4th quarters this year anyway?
KQ- The injuries at CB played a huge factor in the defensive playcalling in the final two games of the season. They were depleted at that position and in both games playing guys who were injured through injuries on the field at both spots. That was the biggest factor there. There was a period of adjustment early in the season for Santucci and the defense as he figured out what guys could and couldn't do in game as the scheme was a little different and the asks of say Kyle Efford might look a little different in a real game versus practice so they adapted and the D improved a lot. Simpson also tweaked some stuff in the run D game that was huge for them as the season went along.
