This might be difficult to ascertain but what is the general feeling around the GTAA on ADTS a few years into his tenure?
KQ- This is a hard question to answer. I think the vibe around the GTAA from the people I talk to who are a small subset is mixed on him just like every other AD I've covered at Georgia Tech or anywhere else for that matter. People like or complain about their bosses as a general rule. I think he has strengths and weaknesses just like every AD I've covered, people like him as a person and he has a lot of ideas as well. I think like anything it depends on who you talk to in the organization or booster groups or whatever.
It has been interesting with ADTS because unlike D-Rad or MBob or other ADs I deal with at other schools he is almost media-shy so from my end that is a lot different than guys who used to spend a lot of time courting the media.. That is totally fine and not really something I judge on either because I can always get answers through other avenues it is just interesting since I thought he would be more forward facing than MBob was. D-Rad was probably too open and he apparently learned on that and is not that way at Clemson at all.
Back to ADTS I think everyone wants to see how he handles the AI2020, how they weather the uncertain financial waters going forward and if he can execute on all of his ideas. That will likely be his legacy at Tech IMO.
Sorry if I'm being a little bit PC here, others can share their experiences if they want. Tech is also pretty compartmentalized on the AA side so if you want to know about something your best bet is just to ask the person in that area and not go to the AD anyway. The SID department does a good job of answering a lot of the stuff and sources backfill the rest most of the time.
Record prediction for upcoming season. Solely based on last year performances and this years schedule. I know things change during spring ball but just want to get an idea where you think we are at as of right now
KQ- So I think last year I said 3-5 wins with the modified schedule, they got to 3 and I think they double that this year, I'm saying 5-7 wins is the goal with the roster and a healthy team. Bowl possibilities and what not. The schedule is pretty hard and I'm very realistic about stuff. I think it would be disappointing to dip below five and I think the ceiling could be higher than 7 depending on a lot of unknown factors like defense, Sims development and injuries.
If we get all the seniors back, will we take anyone from the portal?
KQ- Yes they have at least one more scholarship to play with for the portal and they will try to take a big man who can play immediately and is a rim protector in that scenario so they can move Moses around. That is if everyone came back.
Who would you take over as your QB Braden Davis or MJ Morris?
RJ- That’s honestly a really hard question to answer truthfully without seeing them both throw live. Both have been in the spotlight for several years, and have very impressive lists of offers.
Morris is the two-sport guy who would like to play both baseball and football, while Davis is a gamer with a knack for making plays when needed and taking what the defense gives him.
Both have had injuries in the last 12 months, but appear fully healthy now.
If you made me pick, just because I have seen him live in the past, I’d have to go with MJ. Especially given the amount of time and effort I (the staff) have spent recruiting him.
It is honestly fascinating how many other schools also have those two names at the top of their board. You’d be amazed by how many.
Arkansas, Stanford, NC State, the list goes on and on..
Morris would create waves around the state and possibly even a couple bordering states, Davis would make people do a double take, but possibly not as much because of the injury he suffered last year and the struggles he faced in FL. Davis is a freak athletically and from a tools standpoint, but just hasn’t put it all together yet for a full season. Now back at Middletown, he has a chance to do just that. Morris could easily have a chance to do something like that at a familiar place as well.
KQ- I'm hoping to get a chance to see both in-person and then I'll give you my answer.
Haven’t seen talk of our two WBB seniors, Cubaj and Fletcher, returning. Any possibility?
Our WBB freshman class was highly rated. Sweet Sixteen a tribute to Coach Nell and this team. Are the freshmen coming along and ready to step up/what are prospects for next year?
Edit: Watched the SC game. Loyal McQueen looks very talented. A shooter to go with Lahtinen.
KQ- I'll rope @Bronston Tankersley in for this, he probably has a take. I could try to answer but I have no idea to be honest.
Is MJ Morris back at the top of the board for QB’s currently ?
KQ- With something like QB until more come off you have a 1a, 1b, 1c maybe situation so I don't think it is really thought about in that manner. I get what you are fishing for.
With the hype around what it takes to get a single digit jersey, should we start the hype train for Boyd and McCollum?
RJ-To be fair to Boyd, there would have been a lot more hype on him going into this season had he not been lost for the season due to injury early on. Both he and Ryan King appeared set for larger roles, only to be forgotten by injury. McCollum impressed in short bursts, imo. He was just asked to do a bit too much for a true freshman, and showed that at times. Especially on special teams. Good thing to see with him is that he did not play baseball this year, opting to go fully into football off-season mode.
KQ- Boyd is a freaky athlete, if you look at the two snaps he played last year, both were what looked like trick plays set up for him. He started a game with that in mind in one of the games. I think they are really high on him. He is a great combo of top end speed and size and they think they straight up stole him out of FSU's backyard.
McCollum is a bigger/more physical version of AB with a little less speed, but can still take the top off. I think he will hold up better doing what they want in the slot position where Brown got a little worn down with the focus on some of the space stuff going to Gibbs, McCollum is a little more of a natural route runner and receiver. Brown's body and hands held him back a little bit IMO especially last year.
Was hoping Cort Roedig would be a big part of our rotation this year. Any news on how he is progressing ? Any timeline on when he could be back to 100%?
RJ- It would not surprise me if Sunday’s start for Sam Crawford created some questions about what the best strategy is for Sundays moving forward. Crawford’s performance so far this season has been a great visual representation of the team as a whole so far this season. Without even watching his Sunday start (or any of the games from this week) it is clear that he lacks consistency. That lack of consistency creates miss pitches, leading to balls over fences and fans clamoring for change.
Roedig did not pitch at all this past week, leaving questions about whether or not he was set to be an emergency fill-in at the rotation spot, or if there was an injury preventing him from performing. I will look further into it.
Is A. Clayton gonna be a part of spring practice ?
KQ- Yeah he has been working out with the team so that leads me to believe he will be out there whenever it starts. He is not in a spot like Jordan Mason where he could just watch and get some individual work and be cool. Clayton needs to reps and needs to improve.
Does GT sign its first 5 star in the 2022 class? No names. Just answer the question.
RJ- No.
KQ- Barring another Gibbs situation where someone they will land blows up over the summer and fall no.
Got an off the wall question for KQ. I have had some GT hats made up and have a ton of extras. I know CGC, coach Choice and some other coaches have a pretty good hat “game” going and wear a bunch of different GT hats.
If I mailed you a batch of the hats could you get them to coach and see if he and/or any other coaches would like to have them or do you have an address that I could send them to that would make it to Coach Collins ? I Think they would enjoy them, you could keep a couple for yourself too if you’re a hat guy.
KQ- Your best bet would be to contact the football office and ask them about it. I can't really ferry anything in there these days either. I've been in the Edge building one time in the last 12 months and zero times in the football offices since covid started.
