Part two will be released later this week after I confirm some whispers of some news in the works on the defensive side of the ball.
*** We start off this edition as we do every war room- do not hint at anything posted below on social media, post online anywhere, or go around sharing this in your group messages. ***
Coming off the win against North Carolina last week under the lights, It isn’t hyperbole to say that Georgia Tech is currently the topic of conversation in the Southeast.
Whether it be local recruits beginning to reassess the situation on The Flats, recruits in the central and south part of the state giving the program a second look, or even those outside of the state lines, everyone is taking notice of what Georgia Tech has done the last two times out on ACC Network in Primetime.
Given the time between now and the Early Signing Period (which begins on December 20th) a lot of Georgia Tech’s top targets are already “verbally” committed elsewhere. Due to that, things are going to look a little bit different this War Room. I will avoid saying the ole “they are going to wait for the portal” as much as I can.
Let’s get to it..
At the quarterback position, at least in the 2024 class, there is no real news to report. I’ve talked to several talent evaluators and colleagues in the recruiting industry in the state of Texas in recent days and weeks. The near consensus is that they are unsure why the closer to home schools, particularly in-state, have not been more aggressive in their pursuit of the Southlake Carroll QB.
One source said that earlier in the season, there may have been an attempt or two that was rebuffed by both Graham and his dad, tennis legend Mark Knowles.
“He’s been locked in on Georgia Tech and Coach Weinke ever since the day he committed.”
Knowles got the chance to see the team’s performance in-person for the first time on Saturday, a trip he won’t soon forget. One has to think that the performance of QB Haynes King, a fellow Texas native now at GT, resonated with Graham and his family.
Long-time QB commit Aaron Philo, the recruit that almost any commit you talk to mentions when contemplating who the leader of the class is, has been busy recruiting in recent weeks.
Philo, the No. 2 passer in the state of Georgia with nearly 3,000 yards passing and close to 400 yards rushing, has been a regular on the GT campus. Following the loss to Bowling Green, many were wondering if things were set to fall apart in recruiting, and the highly-rated players who had been committed were going to search for greener grass.
Philo helped steady the ship, and after talking to some around the Athens area, the picture is starting to become clearer on what his biggest traits are off-the-field.
“He’s a natural leader,” said one source. “Not the lead by example type, but the type to get in your face and work to get things corrected.”
Both Philo and Knowles are enrolling early, and while the QB position currently has several scholarship QB’s, both Philo and Knowles, pending some departures, are likely to see meaningful snaps in the spring.
Wrapping up the QB notes, it is important to note the fact that OC (Buster Faulkner) was able to land his guy in Aaron Philo, and current QB coach (Weinke) was able to land his with Knowles.
Moving over to the running back position, a spot where there is a ton of interest, and a ton of competition emerging locally for the 1-2 spots remaining in the class.
Before we get to listing all the talented running backs in the state, let this serve as a reminder that today, October 31st, commit Trelain Maddox is having surgery on his knee to repair a torn ACL, among other injuries.
Let’s take a look at the backs in the state of Georgia, that my sources indicate have mutual interest in Georgia Tech as the regular season winds down-
North Cobb, David Eziomume (Clemson)
Mary Persons, Duke Watson (Louisville)
Columbia, Jadan Baugh (Arkansas)
Wayne County, Matthew Fuller (South Carolina)
The plan will be to have each of the above on campus and around the program as much as possible the rest of the season, especially beginning with the performance against UNC put on by the RB room.
With Smith leaving after the season, and the uncertainty behind Trey Cooley, this was always going to be a bigger RB class, in more ways than one. Former commit Jaedon Matthews got the short end of the stick this season with his team’s schedule, but from what I have been told, the decision was more of a development/growth related thing rather than being statistic based.
While new offers could still go out at the position, let’s dive a little bit deeper into the situation.
Of the four backs listed, only Duke Watson is committed to a team that is either meeting or exceeding expectations thus far. Arkansas, South Carolina, and Clemson are all having subpar seasons by their standards, and as a result these are not the only commits on their list that are looking around a bit.
Eziomume saw GT RB coach Norv McKenzie on Friday night at his game. It was Senior night on Friday for him and his North Cobb teammates, but that was not the only ceremony the two experienced together over the weekend.
Georgia Tech needs to capitalize, both on the field and off. A level of consistency as a program the next two weekends on the road could lead to an even bigger crowd, leading to a better environment, and to catching the attention of guys in the 2024 class and beyond.
There is a lot to uncover still regarding the RB position and what the final tally will be when the ink is dry in late December. What cannot be overstated, though, is the impact that the performance against UNC has caught the attention of several who in the past may have overlooked the opportunity less than an hour from home.
Switching gears to the WR position, a spot where there is a lot more answers than there are questions remaining.
The mysteriously random official visit last weekend from four-star Mich. WR Nicholas Marsh is not expected to amount to much of anything in the end. While his admiration for former GT WR Calvin Johnson cannot be ignored, the decision to bring Marsh in on an official visit is one that from talking to sources they would not repeat if they had the chance to go back and do it again.
With a class including nationally coveted Isiah Canion and TD machine Trey Horne in-state, and playmaker Koby Young from New Orleans, there has been a clear emphasis placed on upgrading the depth of the WRR room.
Two high-profile targets that Georgia Tech has made efforts to recruit on several occasions, and for one even hosted for an official visit can officially be crossed off the board-
Colquitt County, Ny Carr
Statesboro, Kam Mikell
Mikell made the decision to visit GT for the UNC game at the very last minute, and despite his attempts, was unable to find a place to stay near GT on such short notice. He is now down to Tennessee, Georgia, and Colorado from what I have been told.
WR coach Josh Crawford made every effort possible to get Ny Carr, a player he is very familiar with, on campus for a game but in the end fell short. If Miami’s season continues to go downhill, and GT is able to continue their offensive output, this is one that could be re-assessed, but for now it is safe to say Miami’s offer on the table is currently the leader in the clubhouse for Carr’s signature.
Don’t be surprised if he visits for the UGA game.
*** We start off this edition as we do every war room- do not hint at anything posted below on social media, post online anywhere, or go around sharing this in your group messages. ***
Coming off the win against North Carolina last week under the lights, It isn’t hyperbole to say that Georgia Tech is currently the topic of conversation in the Southeast.
Whether it be local recruits beginning to reassess the situation on The Flats, recruits in the central and south part of the state giving the program a second look, or even those outside of the state lines, everyone is taking notice of what Georgia Tech has done the last two times out on ACC Network in Primetime.
Given the time between now and the Early Signing Period (which begins on December 20th) a lot of Georgia Tech’s top targets are already “verbally” committed elsewhere. Due to that, things are going to look a little bit different this War Room. I will avoid saying the ole “they are going to wait for the portal” as much as I can.
Let’s get to it..
At the quarterback position, at least in the 2024 class, there is no real news to report. I’ve talked to several talent evaluators and colleagues in the recruiting industry in the state of Texas in recent days and weeks. The near consensus is that they are unsure why the closer to home schools, particularly in-state, have not been more aggressive in their pursuit of the Southlake Carroll QB.
One source said that earlier in the season, there may have been an attempt or two that was rebuffed by both Graham and his dad, tennis legend Mark Knowles.
“He’s been locked in on Georgia Tech and Coach Weinke ever since the day he committed.”
Knowles got the chance to see the team’s performance in-person for the first time on Saturday, a trip he won’t soon forget. One has to think that the performance of QB Haynes King, a fellow Texas native now at GT, resonated with Graham and his family.
Long-time QB commit Aaron Philo, the recruit that almost any commit you talk to mentions when contemplating who the leader of the class is, has been busy recruiting in recent weeks.
Philo, the No. 2 passer in the state of Georgia with nearly 3,000 yards passing and close to 400 yards rushing, has been a regular on the GT campus. Following the loss to Bowling Green, many were wondering if things were set to fall apart in recruiting, and the highly-rated players who had been committed were going to search for greener grass.
Philo helped steady the ship, and after talking to some around the Athens area, the picture is starting to become clearer on what his biggest traits are off-the-field.
“He’s a natural leader,” said one source. “Not the lead by example type, but the type to get in your face and work to get things corrected.”
Both Philo and Knowles are enrolling early, and while the QB position currently has several scholarship QB’s, both Philo and Knowles, pending some departures, are likely to see meaningful snaps in the spring.
Wrapping up the QB notes, it is important to note the fact that OC (Buster Faulkner) was able to land his guy in Aaron Philo, and current QB coach (Weinke) was able to land his with Knowles.
Moving over to the running back position, a spot where there is a ton of interest, and a ton of competition emerging locally for the 1-2 spots remaining in the class.
Before we get to listing all the talented running backs in the state, let this serve as a reminder that today, October 31st, commit Trelain Maddox is having surgery on his knee to repair a torn ACL, among other injuries.
Let’s take a look at the backs in the state of Georgia, that my sources indicate have mutual interest in Georgia Tech as the regular season winds down-
North Cobb, David Eziomume (Clemson)
Mary Persons, Duke Watson (Louisville)
Columbia, Jadan Baugh (Arkansas)
Wayne County, Matthew Fuller (South Carolina)
The plan will be to have each of the above on campus and around the program as much as possible the rest of the season, especially beginning with the performance against UNC put on by the RB room.
With Smith leaving after the season, and the uncertainty behind Trey Cooley, this was always going to be a bigger RB class, in more ways than one. Former commit Jaedon Matthews got the short end of the stick this season with his team’s schedule, but from what I have been told, the decision was more of a development/growth related thing rather than being statistic based.
While new offers could still go out at the position, let’s dive a little bit deeper into the situation.
Of the four backs listed, only Duke Watson is committed to a team that is either meeting or exceeding expectations thus far. Arkansas, South Carolina, and Clemson are all having subpar seasons by their standards, and as a result these are not the only commits on their list that are looking around a bit.
Eziomume saw GT RB coach Norv McKenzie on Friday night at his game. It was Senior night on Friday for him and his North Cobb teammates, but that was not the only ceremony the two experienced together over the weekend.
Georgia Tech needs to capitalize, both on the field and off. A level of consistency as a program the next two weekends on the road could lead to an even bigger crowd, leading to a better environment, and to catching the attention of guys in the 2024 class and beyond.
There is a lot to uncover still regarding the RB position and what the final tally will be when the ink is dry in late December. What cannot be overstated, though, is the impact that the performance against UNC has caught the attention of several who in the past may have overlooked the opportunity less than an hour from home.
Switching gears to the WR position, a spot where there is a lot more answers than there are questions remaining.
The mysteriously random official visit last weekend from four-star Mich. WR Nicholas Marsh is not expected to amount to much of anything in the end. While his admiration for former GT WR Calvin Johnson cannot be ignored, the decision to bring Marsh in on an official visit is one that from talking to sources they would not repeat if they had the chance to go back and do it again.
With a class including nationally coveted Isiah Canion and TD machine Trey Horne in-state, and playmaker Koby Young from New Orleans, there has been a clear emphasis placed on upgrading the depth of the WRR room.
Two high-profile targets that Georgia Tech has made efforts to recruit on several occasions, and for one even hosted for an official visit can officially be crossed off the board-
Colquitt County, Ny Carr
Statesboro, Kam Mikell
Mikell made the decision to visit GT for the UNC game at the very last minute, and despite his attempts, was unable to find a place to stay near GT on such short notice. He is now down to Tennessee, Georgia, and Colorado from what I have been told.
WR coach Josh Crawford made every effort possible to get Ny Carr, a player he is very familiar with, on campus for a game but in the end fell short. If Miami’s season continues to go downhill, and GT is able to continue their offensive output, this is one that could be re-assessed, but for now it is safe to say Miami’s offer on the table is currently the leader in the clubhouse for Carr’s signature.
Don’t be surprised if he visits for the UGA game.
