Which players at camp were you most pleasantly surprised with and why?
KQ- I'll try to give some thoughts without giving too much away. Malik Rutherford is really interesting to me because of his athleticism and speed. He was a guy I just had never seen in-person until this summer when he was hanging around some of the camps and he isn't obviously at that size imposing or anything, but he can fly.
Josh Robinson is big, like real big so is Keion White, they look like what you want your bigger DEs to look like.
The new kicker Brent Cimaglia has been as advertised so that was a good surprise, after the last two years I thought they'd need a Priest to perform an exorcism in the kicking room.
Myles Sims who the staff have been talking up looks like a changed man in a good way.
Jamious Griffin is another guy who has been talked a lot about by the staff, he is really cut now and is a lot quicker and twitchier in the backfield. He is definitely trying to fight for his carries.
Was the product you saw at camp as expected or better/worse than you anticipated? Would love some detail on areas you thought were surprisingly better than you expected they would be
KQ- I thought everyone looked sharper and that is something if you listen to the interviews I harped on with players and coaches and they all agreed so I feel okay sharing that piece of it. There has been an intensity and focus that was maybe lacking two years ago (remember we were not at any fall practices or spring practices since March of 2020). I think there is a real desire to maximize how good the team can be and that is coming across top-down in the program from Collins to the players all the way to the student managers.
I think for the first time since maybe 2009 there are defensive linemen in multiple groups who look like they are ACC/SEC-level in size. Even 2009 was a stretch because there wasn't much depth, maybe GOL's last year, harder for me to judge since I only saw GT once a year back then.
It is hard to gauge other things because when they were really getting after it we were not usually there for any live tackling stuff, just thud or 7v7 or indy work so I'm sort of interested to see what it looks like against someone else.
Do you project any true freshman to be “starting” in our first game other than special teams ? Any that you foresee as being major contributors on offense or defense for us this year?
KQ- Other than on special teams, no. GT has one of the oldest teams in college football. I don't count the Jeff Sims, Jahmyr Gibbs or Jordan Williams as true freshmen even though they sort of are with the COVID year.
Do you foresee an overall improvement in special teams (via a former all-SEC kicker and more possible return specialist) or a setback (via losing an all-American punter {plus his touchdown slinging ability!} and inexperience from his replacement)?
KQ- Kickoff defense was pretty good last year, punting was excellent, I'm sure the punting will take a downward turn just because no one is as good as Pressley Harvin III in college football. However they should be punting less often so that should help out whoever is out there if it is David Shanahan or Austin Kent. I think kickoff should be about the same. They need to get more out of the return game and if that means putting Jahmyr Gibbs back there, then you probably need to do it. Punt return-wise, not sure who is getting the nod there yet.
On FG/PAT, it should be light years better.
Do you think CBK is any closer to determining his best 5 OL?
KQ- Yes, I think he has a rotation in mind and knows who the top 6 are, the five could still play out.
If you had to guess today, after Cochran, Hoss & Minihan, who would be the other 2 and who would be the next 3 up?
KQ- Jordan Williams at RT and Kenny Cooper at LG. The next three are probably KJ Kirby, Weston Franklin and Paula Vaipulu.
KQ, who are the top 5 running backs you've covered during your tenure? Do you have a favorite?
KQ- So I'll do this two ways because I'm not sure how you want me to stack this, did you just want GT or all teams I've covered?
GT wise:
1. Jon Dwyer
2. Jahmyr Gibbs
3. Jordan Mason
4. Anthony Allen
5. Roddy Jones
Overall
1. Jon Dwyer
2. Knowshon Moreno (UGA)
3. Jahmyr Gibbs
4. Jordan Mason
5. Marlon Mack (USF)
RJ, which 5 recruits ended up being the biggest busts that you've covered?
RJ- Oh, man. This should be a fun trip down memory lane…
Raydarious Jones (LSU)
Torrance Gibson (OSU)
Shea Patterson (Ole Miss, Michigan)
Nigel Knott (Alabama)
Breon Dixon (Several schools)
Which position group made the biggest leap from Spring practice to Fall practice?
KQ- That is an interesting question, the easy way out is to say kickers because there is a noticeable difference, but I also wasn't out at spring practice so I don't have enough of a barometer to make that call or a enough detail.
Which players made the biggest leap up the depth chart, in your opinion, & will see substantial playing time this season?
KQ- I think Myles Sims, Nate McCollum, Kenny Cooper, Charlie Thomas and Jamious Griffin all made significant strides based on what the staff has said.
I'm always curious how guys from previous recruiting classes (that GT was a finalist for and we were upset about losing) are doing at the college they picked...I know it's a long shot but wondering if there was a way to pick a handful to give an update on....doesn't necessarily have to be last years recruiting class, could be one, two or three years prior. Just thought others might enjoy seeing if the kids developed into starters, mainly back-ups or flamed out. I get it, if it's too hard to get info...just something I've always wondered about.
RJ- I’ll go into three that I have followed closely. Brian Branch and Will Anderson, both at Alabama, have thrived since arriving there.
DT Jayson Jones, Oregon
(Still technically a freshman)
Jones is listed by Oregon as a 6-foot-6, 320 pound defensive tackle, and his career stats are- nothing. No appearances, no snaps, nothing.
LB Wesley Steiner, Auburn
Steiner is someone that was very high on Georgia Tech, and then had some interesting experiences on his visit and then ended up at Auburn.
He appeared in 9 games last season, had 3 tackles. Was on the SEC first-year Academic Honor Roll
DB Briton Allen, USC
Allen was the recruit that committed to the school in-between the coaching change between Paul Johnson and Geoff Collins. Many melted as he chose a school with no coach, only to end up opening things back up.
He has played in a total of 15 games, primarily on special teams. He is a backup safety. Has a career total of eight tackles.
