Kelly, can you evaluate our on board LB group. Moving forward we will lose PJ Davis this year, and while we have some heavily recruited LB's on the roster, we have not seen a lot of them on defense this year. Alexander, Cooksey, Jackson, Curry, Terrell and others being redshirted. Was a little surprised by how much we seemed to miss PJ last week. Where are we headed post PJ?
So essentially you have with the current group of commits a group in 2017 that looks like this:
SAM- Terrell Lewis or David Curry, TD Roof or Tyler Cooksey
MIKE- Brant Mitchell, Tre Jackson, Jakob Brashear
WILL- Vic Alexander or Bruce Jordan-Swilling (I think he jumps Vic), Emanuel Bridges
So looking at each guy, I still kind of wonder if they can figure out how to use Lewis more, he is the most gifted athlete of the entire group save BJS. He has really struggled picking up the plays and isn't great in coverage which is why I've always been confused by playing him SAM. Brant Mitchell needs to show some signs of life and they will sign another inside guy who should be able to compete for the #2 spot there. I'm still bothered by his dropoff. He looks slower and lost at times this year compared to last year. Essentially at the SAM, Roof is going to more of a hybrid SS type so guys like David Curry and TD Roof make some sense because they can run. I'm not sure what the long game is there, that is something I'd like to talk to Roof about after the season.
What's your prediction on how we finish the season record wise?
I'm still sticking with my preseason thought of between 7 and 8 wins including the bowl game. VaTech is the hardest game left, UNC may have to be a shootout and Duke, UVA and UGA have the ability to play well defensively. I think GT is middle of the pack in the Coastal right now. VaTech and UNC seem to be the the two best teams so far and Miami has really imploded. It stinks for GT that they played them early before FSU took their Mojo away.
Do you think we sneak up and beat someone we're not supposed to?
I think GT could beat either UNC or VaTech, I wouldn't be surprised to see GT favored against UVA and UGA if they can steal one of those two road games.
Touchdowns for Dedrick Mills over/under 15?
I'll take the over right now, PJ seems to really like to use him down on the goal and he has a great nose for the end zone.
Besides the ones already committed, what names do you forsee rounding out our final 2017 class.
Kendric Haynes, Myron Tagovalia and Cortez Alston are the three I could really see on the Flats right now.
Where do we stand at with some of our top hoop targets?
Not great, Collin Sexton eliminated everyone but four Bama, NC State, Kansas and Oklahoma State. MJ Walker isn't doing anything anytime soon, Clyde Trapp Jr is hard to get a read on. I do think they have a good shot at MJ Walker who is deciding in the spring and maybe an outside shot on Rayshaun Hammonds or Ikey.
What's your take on the quality and depth of prospects left on our 2017 recruiting board? (Seems like very few highly rated prospects left and number of names listed on our board too few in number.)
I think they need more targets at DT and DE, but I'm fine with the rest of the board. I think they will end up getting some interesting names late. I think everyone forgets they do a nice job of finding guys who emerge late in the season so PJ likes to save a spot or two. The most key spots are all filled except for one DT and a MIKE LB and they have multiple targets at those.
Before the season you remarked you'd never seen CPJ so loose and carefree. How is he now?
He seems fine, I think he is hoping to make a run here late. He is pissed that they didn't win the Miami or Pitt games, but if they finish strong that could go a long way to keep him happy.
Now that the rookie class has shown some of the skills they bring, seems like Lee, Braun, Camp Adams and Mills are best of show. Miss anybody? Which coach recruited each of them?
Lee was recruited by Cook, Braun by Sewak, Camp was Cook, Adams was McCollum and Mills was Sewak.
I asked this in another post but didn't see it answered. The fact that GT seems to find OL whenever in the recruiting cycle and our lack of being able to get DTs is there a chance Hansen ends up on th DL.
No, I don't see him moving to DT.
Will Brad Stewart ever pass RJ as the #1 receiver? Seems like he has made more critical catches those far. Also have you been able to see any of the freshmen QB'S on scout team? How are they progressing?
Not sure, that will kind of depend on the next QB and who he clicks with more. Jay Jones has been impressive on scout team they are really excited about what he can do in the offense. Lucas Johnson has a lot of upside as well, they like both of them.
What are some of the strengths Todd Stansbury brings to Georgia Tech?
He is a very likable guy and is a Tech guy. No one says a bad word about him that I know that has worked with him and he understands football. All of those things are a major improvement over Bobinski. I'll know more when he is around and I get a chance to spend some time with him. I've talked to people who knew him and his wife at Oregon State and UCF and they all speak highly of him. He is also very level headed and not reactionary with his coaches which should help both CPJ and CJP.
What would you rate our chances in each game the rest of the way? Percentage off of gut feel. Not gonna hold you to it, as a lot can change week to week. Still, interested to hear your thoughts.
Duke 65%
UNC 45%
VaTech 35%
UVA 65%
UGA 60%
Is the team better next year? Obviously lose qb but line will be better and that seems to be the key to the offense. '15 recruiting class seems to be the best kids and most will be juniors. Thanks
I think there is a ton of potential and even if you start Matthew Jordan, to me he is a better version of Tevin, quicker and a stronger arm. The schedule isn't ideal with Tennessee upfront, but they could be very good if the defense gets better. That is my biggest concern right now. Need to be more consistent on third downs.
I know it is a little early. When is the big OV weekend this season, or at least a good guess? thanx
So they will have four major OV weekends, one the ACCCG weekend unless something crazy happens, the week after that in December, Jan 14th and Jan. 21st. They like to spread them out some so the kids get quality time with the staff and players instead of having 20 kids at a time.
Does anyone have a read on the QB situation for next year? I would guess that Jordan is the odds on favorite, but what do we think of taquon or the freshmen who are redshirting? Do you have a guess as to how that will play out?
It will be a wide open competition in the spring. I think TaQuon Marshall probably has the biggest hill to climb because he may not be a tough enough runner from what they've seen now with a year in the system as a QB. Jordan can run it and run it well, but he won't do anything special from a physical standpoint. Jay Jones probably has the greatest upside to me.
What, in your opinion, are CPJ's major budgetary priorities?
He wants the locker room fixed it doesn't smell (I can't think of a better way to put that), staff salary budget for assistants (he would like to upgrade some positions), QAs and recruiting staff and upgrades to the office side of things would be IMO the biggest things he wants to work on.
Are there any physical changes (buildings, decoration, etc) that GT needs to change in order to keep up with the joneses - particularly things that recruits may specifically mention? Not Clemson/Alabama "football palace" level, but places like VT, Pitt, UNC, etc.
Yeah there are quite a few things that could use a facelift like the Edge Center where the recruits come in. It is dated and there is a ton of wasted space that could be much cooler with some planning and repairs. The locker room needs some major repairs and the weight room should be rebuilt like PJ wanted taking out the stands in front of the Wardlaw Building and having a weight room that overlooks the stadium. It actually isn't an expensive deal and there are plans for that already and the locker room, MBoob just wouldn't okay the money on it because he was trying to wrap on "pork" for other GTAA updates.
Do you know if there has been any discussion on limiting the number of shadow coaches/analysts a school can employ?
The smaller schools are not excited about what is going on with teams. Heck Alabama now has a scout team made of former players using some weird NCAA loophole. PJ told me he thinks a cap on non-coaches is coming in the future to limit teams like Bama and Clemson who had twice the money or three times the money of other programs.
When is the NCAA, or whoever is making decisions now, going to decide on the early signing period issue?
After the season when the committees start meeting on that stuff. I'm not an exact date has been set.
So essentially you have with the current group of commits a group in 2017 that looks like this:
SAM- Terrell Lewis or David Curry, TD Roof or Tyler Cooksey
MIKE- Brant Mitchell, Tre Jackson, Jakob Brashear
WILL- Vic Alexander or Bruce Jordan-Swilling (I think he jumps Vic), Emanuel Bridges
So looking at each guy, I still kind of wonder if they can figure out how to use Lewis more, he is the most gifted athlete of the entire group save BJS. He has really struggled picking up the plays and isn't great in coverage which is why I've always been confused by playing him SAM. Brant Mitchell needs to show some signs of life and they will sign another inside guy who should be able to compete for the #2 spot there. I'm still bothered by his dropoff. He looks slower and lost at times this year compared to last year. Essentially at the SAM, Roof is going to more of a hybrid SS type so guys like David Curry and TD Roof make some sense because they can run. I'm not sure what the long game is there, that is something I'd like to talk to Roof about after the season.
What's your prediction on how we finish the season record wise?
I'm still sticking with my preseason thought of between 7 and 8 wins including the bowl game. VaTech is the hardest game left, UNC may have to be a shootout and Duke, UVA and UGA have the ability to play well defensively. I think GT is middle of the pack in the Coastal right now. VaTech and UNC seem to be the the two best teams so far and Miami has really imploded. It stinks for GT that they played them early before FSU took their Mojo away.
Do you think we sneak up and beat someone we're not supposed to?
I think GT could beat either UNC or VaTech, I wouldn't be surprised to see GT favored against UVA and UGA if they can steal one of those two road games.
Touchdowns for Dedrick Mills over/under 15?
I'll take the over right now, PJ seems to really like to use him down on the goal and he has a great nose for the end zone.
Besides the ones already committed, what names do you forsee rounding out our final 2017 class.
Kendric Haynes, Myron Tagovalia and Cortez Alston are the three I could really see on the Flats right now.
Where do we stand at with some of our top hoop targets?
Not great, Collin Sexton eliminated everyone but four Bama, NC State, Kansas and Oklahoma State. MJ Walker isn't doing anything anytime soon, Clyde Trapp Jr is hard to get a read on. I do think they have a good shot at MJ Walker who is deciding in the spring and maybe an outside shot on Rayshaun Hammonds or Ikey.
What's your take on the quality and depth of prospects left on our 2017 recruiting board? (Seems like very few highly rated prospects left and number of names listed on our board too few in number.)
I think they need more targets at DT and DE, but I'm fine with the rest of the board. I think they will end up getting some interesting names late. I think everyone forgets they do a nice job of finding guys who emerge late in the season so PJ likes to save a spot or two. The most key spots are all filled except for one DT and a MIKE LB and they have multiple targets at those.
Before the season you remarked you'd never seen CPJ so loose and carefree. How is he now?
He seems fine, I think he is hoping to make a run here late. He is pissed that they didn't win the Miami or Pitt games, but if they finish strong that could go a long way to keep him happy.
Now that the rookie class has shown some of the skills they bring, seems like Lee, Braun, Camp Adams and Mills are best of show. Miss anybody? Which coach recruited each of them?
Lee was recruited by Cook, Braun by Sewak, Camp was Cook, Adams was McCollum and Mills was Sewak.
I asked this in another post but didn't see it answered. The fact that GT seems to find OL whenever in the recruiting cycle and our lack of being able to get DTs is there a chance Hansen ends up on th DL.
No, I don't see him moving to DT.
Will Brad Stewart ever pass RJ as the #1 receiver? Seems like he has made more critical catches those far. Also have you been able to see any of the freshmen QB'S on scout team? How are they progressing?
Not sure, that will kind of depend on the next QB and who he clicks with more. Jay Jones has been impressive on scout team they are really excited about what he can do in the offense. Lucas Johnson has a lot of upside as well, they like both of them.
What are some of the strengths Todd Stansbury brings to Georgia Tech?
He is a very likable guy and is a Tech guy. No one says a bad word about him that I know that has worked with him and he understands football. All of those things are a major improvement over Bobinski. I'll know more when he is around and I get a chance to spend some time with him. I've talked to people who knew him and his wife at Oregon State and UCF and they all speak highly of him. He is also very level headed and not reactionary with his coaches which should help both CPJ and CJP.
What would you rate our chances in each game the rest of the way? Percentage off of gut feel. Not gonna hold you to it, as a lot can change week to week. Still, interested to hear your thoughts.
Duke 65%
UNC 45%
VaTech 35%
UVA 65%
UGA 60%
Is the team better next year? Obviously lose qb but line will be better and that seems to be the key to the offense. '15 recruiting class seems to be the best kids and most will be juniors. Thanks
I think there is a ton of potential and even if you start Matthew Jordan, to me he is a better version of Tevin, quicker and a stronger arm. The schedule isn't ideal with Tennessee upfront, but they could be very good if the defense gets better. That is my biggest concern right now. Need to be more consistent on third downs.
I know it is a little early. When is the big OV weekend this season, or at least a good guess? thanx
So they will have four major OV weekends, one the ACCCG weekend unless something crazy happens, the week after that in December, Jan 14th and Jan. 21st. They like to spread them out some so the kids get quality time with the staff and players instead of having 20 kids at a time.
Does anyone have a read on the QB situation for next year? I would guess that Jordan is the odds on favorite, but what do we think of taquon or the freshmen who are redshirting? Do you have a guess as to how that will play out?
It will be a wide open competition in the spring. I think TaQuon Marshall probably has the biggest hill to climb because he may not be a tough enough runner from what they've seen now with a year in the system as a QB. Jordan can run it and run it well, but he won't do anything special from a physical standpoint. Jay Jones probably has the greatest upside to me.
What, in your opinion, are CPJ's major budgetary priorities?
He wants the locker room fixed it doesn't smell (I can't think of a better way to put that), staff salary budget for assistants (he would like to upgrade some positions), QAs and recruiting staff and upgrades to the office side of things would be IMO the biggest things he wants to work on.
Are there any physical changes (buildings, decoration, etc) that GT needs to change in order to keep up with the joneses - particularly things that recruits may specifically mention? Not Clemson/Alabama "football palace" level, but places like VT, Pitt, UNC, etc.
Yeah there are quite a few things that could use a facelift like the Edge Center where the recruits come in. It is dated and there is a ton of wasted space that could be much cooler with some planning and repairs. The locker room needs some major repairs and the weight room should be rebuilt like PJ wanted taking out the stands in front of the Wardlaw Building and having a weight room that overlooks the stadium. It actually isn't an expensive deal and there are plans for that already and the locker room, MBoob just wouldn't okay the money on it because he was trying to wrap on "pork" for other GTAA updates.
Do you know if there has been any discussion on limiting the number of shadow coaches/analysts a school can employ?
The smaller schools are not excited about what is going on with teams. Heck Alabama now has a scout team made of former players using some weird NCAA loophole. PJ told me he thinks a cap on non-coaches is coming in the future to limit teams like Bama and Clemson who had twice the money or three times the money of other programs.
When is the NCAA, or whoever is making decisions now, going to decide on the early signing period issue?
After the season when the committees start meeting on that stuff. I'm not an exact date has been set.
