Very excited to see Dolphus commit, as I was concerned that this season might have a negative impact on some recruits and targets. What is your opinion on what if any effect it has had with others?
Winning big only impacts recruiting a whole lot. CPJ's job security had a much bigger impact on why things are going okay now. Kids see that he can win big at GT so most don't really think much of an off year. They don't view it like passionate fans. The thing that was going to hurt recruiting the most was if CPJ did not have a new contract or looked like he would leave. That is what kids care about.
Will GT take any more skill position players in this class?
Yes on both sides of the ball at least one safety and likely one QB/athlete type.
If yes, which positions and players most likely targeted?
Romeo Finley is the top DB target left on the board, Malik Staples is there if they want a RB type body. The QB situation is much more interesting. Not a ton of interesting guys right now.
What will be the distribution of positions remaining to fill out the class?
1 QB/ATH
Maybe a RB AB/BB crossover type
2 OLs if they can find two (depends on Errin Joe)
1-2 DLs DT and/or SDE type
1 DB
Anything else depends on attrition and that will be sorted out after the season ends.
Probably a dumb question but I have seen in recent years where teams (like the Seahawks) have turned defensive lineman into offensive lineman in times of need. Is there any history of people doing the same thing but changing an OL to a DL? Seems like we have plenty of beef on the OL. What is the issue, OL not mean enough? Not fast enough? Just curious....
They tried this both ways with JC Lanier. Really they have not had an excess of OLs to move over, GT has always been right on the number or short one body so you don't rob from Peter to pay Paul. Guys like Shaq Mason or Will Bryan could have played DT but they have more value as an OL for example. Inside guys are the only ones that can convert. If you wanted DEs you would need TEs to convert.
What happened to the diamond formation we use to run when Vad Lee was here? Why do we not use it any longer?
So PJ's theory is that moving away from the line of scrimmage with a shitty OL just makes for more negative plays. When Vad was running it they had an experienced OL and skill guys around him and he was more comfortable. JT is fine under center and can break a run himself so the threat of him running the triple gives them some edge there. I also have visions of shitty snaps at JT's feet. Think about it this way, if the OL sucks at something they work on all year, they may be even crappier trying that.
Can we really go 5-7 and make a bowl?
Yes if there are not enough bowl teams for slots. Finally, 5-7 teams that have a top-5 Academic Progress Rate (APR) score. This was later adjusted to allow other 5-7 teams to be selected thereafter—in order of their APR.
What's the scoop on Demetris Robertson? I see on his profile that he has a visit scheduled to GT. Do we have a chance to land him?
I think that ship has sailed long ago. I would bet he never takes that visit. He is Bama bound.
Has there been any thought off running pass plays out of the shot gun? JT seems to be running for his life must of the time when he drops back to pass. Seems this might give him more time to look for someone to dump off too or even see over the Oline.
CPJ went into this in great detail in his radio show. Same reasons as the diamond thing above.
Are we still in it for Christian Campbell's brother, and are we in it for any other big time targets?
Yes GT is very much in it for Campbell's brother. Romeo Finley (4-star) safety will be here this weekend. Demetris Robertson is taking an OV and there are a few other 4-star types looking at GT.
Did we use up all our luck last year?
It seems like it doesn't it.
What is with so many players wearing their pants legs above the knees? Seems like they are cutting down on protection with no knee pads.
Seems like it is a style choice. Kids like their legs free when possible except linemen.
1) If the classes of 2012 and 2013 were either mediocre or poor and 2014 and 2015 were good to excellent, what accounts for the marked improvement? Most of the coaching staff was the same.
The only thing I notice is that is the transition out of Groh and the building of the recruiting office. The 2013 class is more of a mess because of the attrition if you had those kids it would be okay.
2) Of our 2015 class, which four of our coaches made the biggest contribution to recruiting results? (Knowing that sometimes area and position coach "team", but usually one more responsible than the other landing a recruit.) Did any coach whiff?
Cook, McCollum, Roof and Sewak were the biggest contributors. Speed and CRR whiffed.
3) Did anything ever become of "The Migration"? Do we still target Catholic schools as was said 2-3 years ago? What geographic areas are our priorities now and where are we making the best inroads?
That was just a GA thing, not a plan by the staff. I tried to explain that at the time. The Catholic school thing ended up being a mixed bag. Groh really helped with that and helped get Lou Young and Attaochu, but the rest of the kids from there have sucked.
4) Will we reconsider our minimum effort summer camps or try to further the GT brand with coaches and kids by doing more?
No idea, only CPJ knows that answer.
5) Coming into the Nov-Jan homestretch, what do you think our 2016 class will be like in terms of overall quality (as good as last year?) and filling position needs?
It is pretty good, they need a DT from somewhere. If they get a good one then I'll be pretty pleased with how they filled the needs. GT got the top skill guy on the board at three of the four skill positions with QB being the only miss.
6) You have said that none of our main recruiting competitors are having stellar years on the field. (I would have thought Clemson is a main recruiting competitor.) But on the recruiting trail, any of our competitors lighting it up? Do you think our competitors have coaching staffs about-as-good-as ours in recruiting or are they generally better? Best competitor recruiting staffs would be who?
GT and Clemson don't really overlap much except with defensive guys. Clemson has some great recruiters, Duke is doing well because of one guy Derek Jones, FSU has a great staff, AU is stacked, I think UGA has taken a step back with Pruitt and the pro OC. Clemson has the best all-around staff around here from a recruiting prospective.
Winning big only impacts recruiting a whole lot. CPJ's job security had a much bigger impact on why things are going okay now. Kids see that he can win big at GT so most don't really think much of an off year. They don't view it like passionate fans. The thing that was going to hurt recruiting the most was if CPJ did not have a new contract or looked like he would leave. That is what kids care about.
Will GT take any more skill position players in this class?
Yes on both sides of the ball at least one safety and likely one QB/athlete type.
If yes, which positions and players most likely targeted?
Romeo Finley is the top DB target left on the board, Malik Staples is there if they want a RB type body. The QB situation is much more interesting. Not a ton of interesting guys right now.
What will be the distribution of positions remaining to fill out the class?
1 QB/ATH
Maybe a RB AB/BB crossover type
2 OLs if they can find two (depends on Errin Joe)
1-2 DLs DT and/or SDE type
1 DB
Anything else depends on attrition and that will be sorted out after the season ends.
Probably a dumb question but I have seen in recent years where teams (like the Seahawks) have turned defensive lineman into offensive lineman in times of need. Is there any history of people doing the same thing but changing an OL to a DL? Seems like we have plenty of beef on the OL. What is the issue, OL not mean enough? Not fast enough? Just curious....
They tried this both ways with JC Lanier. Really they have not had an excess of OLs to move over, GT has always been right on the number or short one body so you don't rob from Peter to pay Paul. Guys like Shaq Mason or Will Bryan could have played DT but they have more value as an OL for example. Inside guys are the only ones that can convert. If you wanted DEs you would need TEs to convert.
What happened to the diamond formation we use to run when Vad Lee was here? Why do we not use it any longer?
So PJ's theory is that moving away from the line of scrimmage with a shitty OL just makes for more negative plays. When Vad was running it they had an experienced OL and skill guys around him and he was more comfortable. JT is fine under center and can break a run himself so the threat of him running the triple gives them some edge there. I also have visions of shitty snaps at JT's feet. Think about it this way, if the OL sucks at something they work on all year, they may be even crappier trying that.
Can we really go 5-7 and make a bowl?
Yes if there are not enough bowl teams for slots. Finally, 5-7 teams that have a top-5 Academic Progress Rate (APR) score. This was later adjusted to allow other 5-7 teams to be selected thereafter—in order of their APR.
What's the scoop on Demetris Robertson? I see on his profile that he has a visit scheduled to GT. Do we have a chance to land him?
I think that ship has sailed long ago. I would bet he never takes that visit. He is Bama bound.
Has there been any thought off running pass plays out of the shot gun? JT seems to be running for his life must of the time when he drops back to pass. Seems this might give him more time to look for someone to dump off too or even see over the Oline.
CPJ went into this in great detail in his radio show. Same reasons as the diamond thing above.
Are we still in it for Christian Campbell's brother, and are we in it for any other big time targets?
Yes GT is very much in it for Campbell's brother. Romeo Finley (4-star) safety will be here this weekend. Demetris Robertson is taking an OV and there are a few other 4-star types looking at GT.
Did we use up all our luck last year?
It seems like it doesn't it.
What is with so many players wearing their pants legs above the knees? Seems like they are cutting down on protection with no knee pads.
Seems like it is a style choice. Kids like their legs free when possible except linemen.
1) If the classes of 2012 and 2013 were either mediocre or poor and 2014 and 2015 were good to excellent, what accounts for the marked improvement? Most of the coaching staff was the same.
The only thing I notice is that is the transition out of Groh and the building of the recruiting office. The 2013 class is more of a mess because of the attrition if you had those kids it would be okay.
2) Of our 2015 class, which four of our coaches made the biggest contribution to recruiting results? (Knowing that sometimes area and position coach "team", but usually one more responsible than the other landing a recruit.) Did any coach whiff?
Cook, McCollum, Roof and Sewak were the biggest contributors. Speed and CRR whiffed.
3) Did anything ever become of "The Migration"? Do we still target Catholic schools as was said 2-3 years ago? What geographic areas are our priorities now and where are we making the best inroads?
That was just a GA thing, not a plan by the staff. I tried to explain that at the time. The Catholic school thing ended up being a mixed bag. Groh really helped with that and helped get Lou Young and Attaochu, but the rest of the kids from there have sucked.
4) Will we reconsider our minimum effort summer camps or try to further the GT brand with coaches and kids by doing more?
No idea, only CPJ knows that answer.
5) Coming into the Nov-Jan homestretch, what do you think our 2016 class will be like in terms of overall quality (as good as last year?) and filling position needs?
It is pretty good, they need a DT from somewhere. If they get a good one then I'll be pretty pleased with how they filled the needs. GT got the top skill guy on the board at three of the four skill positions with QB being the only miss.
6) You have said that none of our main recruiting competitors are having stellar years on the field. (I would have thought Clemson is a main recruiting competitor.) But on the recruiting trail, any of our competitors lighting it up? Do you think our competitors have coaching staffs about-as-good-as ours in recruiting or are they generally better? Best competitor recruiting staffs would be who?
GT and Clemson don't really overlap much except with defensive guys. Clemson has some great recruiters, Duke is doing well because of one guy Derek Jones, FSU has a great staff, AU is stacked, I think UGA has taken a step back with Pruitt and the pro OC. Clemson has the best all-around staff around here from a recruiting prospective.
