Georgia Tech Signing Day Event Recap

Yellow Jackets Head Coach Paul Johnson met with the public Wednesday night in Atlanta to talk about the 2012 class as well as recruiting questions in general.  Below is my recollection of the evening.

GT Associate Athletic Director Wayne Hogan opened the evening by talking about how much recruiting has changed. Hogan talked about when coaches would actually go out to the players' houses and get the signature on the Letter of Intent in person. Sometimes you would have four or five coaches standing around in the yard waiting if a kid had not committed yet. After getting the signature, the coach would drive to a pay phone and call the school about signing a kid.

Now, we have fax cam girls! (my comment).

Head Coach Paul Johnson introduced the entire football staff and talked about how much of the heavy lifting they do in recruiting and how little the head coach is able to do with NCAA rules. 

Johnson went through each signees' highlights talking a little bit about each player.

I have not watched one highlight video of any signee for any school this year until tonight. I know they all look good on film whether they are a five star or a two star so I don't bother. I pay a lot more attention to whom is offering the prospect and how the overall class ranks than individual stars.

BUT....here is a quick run down on what stood out to me in the highlights. I apologize for the rambling in these comments, just trying to get as many of my thoughts as fast as possible.

-Marcus Allen reminded me a little bit of Jonathan Dwyer with his knack for cutting to the outside and bouncing off hits.

-Michael Summers lined up in a bunch of positions on offense on his film but he might start out on the defensive side of the ball. Johnson mentioned he knew his dad from his days in Statesboro.

-Freddie Burden was shown as a blocking TE in most of the highlights. He will start out at Tackle. Again Johnson mentioned his prior relationship from Statesboro with the family.

-Dennis Andrews lined up exclusively in the shotgun at QB; displayed nice touch on down field throws. He is already enrolled this semester.

-Francis Kallon was described as having a high motor and up to 275-280 lbs now (was 240 last Spring) and still growing. Johnson said Kallon and Adam Gotsis could talk to each other in an accent.

-DJ White is a player Johnson thought could contribute next season; he mentioned the line of players from Union Grove formerly or currently at Tech (Kyle Jackson, Steven Sylvester, Anthony Williams)

-Anthony Autry is a player Johnson thought came on late in his high school career and was over looked; has the chance to add a lot of weight to his frame.

-Chase Roberts is a legacy as his dad attended Georgia Tech. He had a really good Junior All-Star Game that got him on Tech's radar.

-Pat Gamble sounded like one of Johnson's favorite players to recruit. Johnson said Gamble committed last summer and never wavered in his commitment despite lots of other offers early and late.

-The Adam Gotsis highlights were interesting considering he has been playing in Australia. Johnson said he is every bit of 6'5" 297-298. Not surprisingly he looked like a man amongst boys in his film, including a nice close line on a runner. The coaching staff is now fighting over who gets the Melbourne territory.

-Travin Henry is a big kid who is still growing. He will start at WR, but could move to OLB if he grows out of it. Johnson said Henry was kinda off the beaten path in Cook County and that may have been why he didn't have more offers. He thought it might have been helpful for Tech offer late in the recruiting process so that everyone wouldn't be alerted to go check out "this Georgia Tech commitment"

-Ryan Rodwell will give the current punter Sean Poole some competition which will be good for both of them. Johnson relied on some people he knows in the area and they gave Rodwell high marks.

-Tyler Stargel is already a big kid who could play ILB or OLB. (I am drawing a blank on what else was said about Stargel)

-Also drawing a blank on Lynn Griffin. I may have been getting more food during this time.

-Rod Chungong was recruited by Al Groh out of Maryland. Johnson thought it was interesting that Chungong put an interception on his highlight film as a defensive lineman.

-Justin Thomas was originally committed to Alabama but he wanted to play QB. Thomas led his team to the state championship and definitely has some "quicks". Was Alabama offensive player of the year at his classification.

-Beau Hankins was the last signee and a player Tech started recruiting later in the process. Johnson said that Hankins started recruiting Georgia Tech first. He canceled a visit to Penn State this past weekend to visit Tech. Was Alabama defensive player of the year at his classification.

All the signees highlight videos can be found here.

Johnson then took about a dozen questions from the audience and I will try to best remember them below.

The question was asked if Marcus Allen had breakaway speed. Johnson said he probably isn't as fast as Jon Dwyer, but Dwyer had great football speed and wouldn't time that well. Broderick Snoddy ran a 10.4 100 meter dash but may not be the fastest player on the team when you get on the field. Johnson said the B-Back production last year was not what they were used to, but that wasn't all David Sims fault.

A question was asked about stock piling Quarterbacks Johnson answered with they are trying to find someone really, really good. He is very interested in seeing Synjyn Days and Vad Lee this Spring and how they have progressed. The staff knows what Tevin Washington brings to the table, but the other two have to beat him out. Thomas and Andrews will work themselves out regarding their position on the depth chart.

A question was asked about recruiting rankings and Johnson went on a pretty good rant about stars and rankings. He mentioned the ESPN article ($) that said Georgia Tech was 2nd worst at signing ESPN Top 150 players in their state. Three teams in the top 10 played in BCS bowls and nine of ten played in bowl games. Johnson said the same three schools are ranked at the top of the ACC every year in recruiting, but in his four years they have combined to win just one ACC Championship and that one occurred this year. Johnson said Virginia Tech is never ranked at the top in recruiting, but they always seem to end up there. He gave the Hokies compliments on how they coach and develop players. Johnson said he ranks recruiting classes on how many games they win which drew a clap from the crowd.

A question was asked of how good Georgia Tech's Dining Hall is because he heard one kid picked a school based on the food they served (the questioner was obviously talking about Todd Gurley who made note of UGA's food when explaining his decision). Johnson said by the looks of him and some of his staff that Tech's food must be pretty good. Johnson talked about why players choose certain schools mentioning how some kids say education is their top priority, but their list of schools they are considering says otherwise.

A question was asked if Tech planned on adding any more recruits to this class.  Johnson said they only way they would add anyone is if someone they already know about falls through the cracks due to a numbers crunch somewhere else.  He did mention they have had a few players from other schools inquire about transferring to Tech. 

A question was asked where does the team stand with the amount of scholarships.  Johnson said that they will likely be a few under the 85 limit.  He talked about wanting to balance classes in terms of numbers.  Currently, there are only 10 seniors for next year, but you want to sign more than 10 players in a class so they may hold back a few one year to have more spots for next year.   He talked about how he thought oversigning is wrong.

A question was asked whether or not the Yellow Jackets will be playing Virginia Tech on Labor Day night. Johnson said that there is a very good chance. Tech would play a home game the following Saturday.

Finally, with the amount of discussion surrounding Georgia Tech and its academic requirements I asked Johnson if he would like more leniency with admissions. He said every coach would like to be able to recruit more kids, but that he and the staff knew what the standards were at Tech when they took the job. Johnson said it takes a lot for kids to get through Tech and if they are going to be miserable trying to make it academically they probably won't perform very well on the football field either. He said a school in the ACC currently has seven kids taking online courses to try and get eligible, but they won't know until August if they are. Georgia Tech is not going to change [their requirements].

That is about all I can remember. If you are still reading I congratulate you for working through my thoughts.

If you were at the event and have anything to add or correct, please do so in the comments.

Watch Dalvin Tomlinson Pick Alabama And Discuss Why He Made His Selection

Tomlinson appeared on Atlanta's Fox 5 Wednesday morning to make his college selection for the next four years. The Henry County product said his decision was based on the coaching staff, if the current players could push him to get better and allow him to play at the next level, and education.

Tomlinson said Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban was upfront and honest with him throughout the entire recruiting process.

He was thought to be Georgia Tech's to lose as the Tide appeared full in January, but a few commits and recruits signing with other schools opened a spot in Tuscaloosa.

Henry County's Dalvin Tomlinson Commits to Alabama: MyFoxATLANTA.com

Stevie Wonder on National Signing Day

Remember there are no losers in recruiting! (or at least I have never heard a recruiting analyst talk down a school's class)

SEC Fills Senior Bowl Rosters

23 Seniors from the SEC will play in the Senior Bowl Saturday in a game that typically features many of the top picks in the NFL Draft in April.

Senior Bowl
Jan. 28 / Mobile, Ala.
4 p.m. ET / NFL Network

Joe Adams WR/RS Arkansas
Antonio Allen SAF South Carolina
Vick Ballard RB Mississippi State
Mark Barron SAF Alabama
Jake Bequette DE Arkansas
Will Blackwell OG LSU
Drew Butler P Georgia
Brandon Boykin CB Georgia
Josh Chapman DT Alabama
Cordy Glenn OT Georgia
Jaye Howard DT Florida
Josh Harris SN Auburn
Casey Hayward CB Vanderbilt
Melvin Ingram DE South Carolina
Ben Jones C Georgia
Marquis Maze WR/RS Alabama
DeQuan Menzie CB Alabama
Brandon Mosley OL Auburn
Deangelo Peterson TE LSU
Chris Rainey RB Florida
Brandon Taylor SAF LSU
Courtney Upshaw LB Alabama
William Vlachos C Alabama

Georgia Tech Commit to Visit Auburn...?

Just Another Day In GT Recruiting...

Yesterday, it was news of longtime commit Antonio Crawford planning to visit Miami this weekend and now another longtime commit Will Adams planning a visit to Auburn.

**********************************************************************************************************************************
Update: 1:10 AM

Not even 10 minutes after posting I see this on the AJC Recruiting page:

Ah...crootin!

Georgia Tech In Danger Of Losing A Commit?

It will be interesting to see what Paul Johnson's reaction is if Crawford does indeed visit Miami on the last recruiting weekend.

Johnson deems a player not committed if they are taking official visits to other schools or to Tech.
The Tampa product was talking with the Canes a few weeks ago about visiting.

Then after his official visit to Georgia Tech he "reaffirmed" his commitment to the Yellow Jackets...or so it appeared

The trip to Atlanta cemented Antonio Crawford's commitment to Georgia Tech. “It was great. I loved every thing about the trip.” Antonio let us know that he will not be taking anymore visits. “My commitment is firm and I know I made the right choice.”

In his post season press conference last week, Johnson talked about "babysitting" your commits at this time of year.

Last year at this exact same time in the recruiting calendar, Tre Jackson stopped taking calls from Georgia Tech coaches despite being committed since July.  After several days of uncertainty, Jackson decided to visit FSU that weekend even though it was uncertain if he would obtain an offer for 2011 or a grayshirt for 2012.  Johnson called Jackson's high school coaches and decided to part ways with his only defensive line commitment.

After a few days of consternation, Jackson landed a 2011 offer from FSU and signed with the Seminoles. 

Two years prior, Johnson thought he had his QB of the future line up in Dontae Aycock who was from, ironically, Tampa.  Aycock visited Georgia Tech and committed to the Jackets but wanted to keep the news silent for a few weeks.

On the last recruiting weekend, Aycock decided to visit Auburn and despite warnings from Johnson and Aycock's own high school coach he went on the visit.  After being dropped from Tech, Aycock said he didn't really think he would lose his scholarship offer.  Aycock spent a few years at Auburn before transferring back home to South Florida.  He left the Bulls program this past season without ever playing a down. 

Georgia Tech currently has 17 commitments, including Crawford. Miami has 31 with 7 already enrolled and counting towards last year's numbers.

SEC Basketball Power Poll Submission

1. Kentucky
Wildcats continuing case for number one seed by racking up SEC wins.

2. Alabama
Tide's tough schedule and early season wins keeps their ranking high in my poll, but they are on their last hope before a big drop.

3. Florida
Gators playing much more consistently as we get into conference play.

4. Ole Miss
Rebels have a big week beating in state rival and surviving road game in Athens.

5. Miss State
Bulldogs bounce back nicely with road win at Vanderbilt. 

6. Vanderbilt
Commodores have less than ideal week, but this is still a much better team than in November.

7. Arkansas
Razorbacks get HUGE home win against ranked Michigan team.

8. Tennessee
Volunteers continue to baffle losing at UGA while beating UConn in the same week.

9. LSU
Tigers face stern tests this week against Miss State and Kentucky.

10. Georgia
Mark Fox appears to have righted the ship in Athens, but by righting the ship I really mean avoiding a disastrous season.

11. Auburn
Tigers won battle of SEC's cellar over South Carolina.

12. South Carolina
Darin Horn is having a tough time figuring out how to win in Columbia.

Georgia Tech Exit Survey Q&A With College Football Zealots

College Football Zealots is doing a series of exit surveys after the college football season and they asked me for my take on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.  Below is a portion of my answers with a link to the full article at the bottom.

CFBZ: After starting out 6-0, Tech won just 2 of their last 7 games. What went wrong?

The ACC and SEC Blog: The Yellow Jackets ran into much tougher opponents to beat.  Just two of the first six opponents Tech beat ended with winning records while of six of the final seven had at least a .500 record or better.  I also think the Jackets began looking ahead to the tough part of their schedule after winning at NC State and over looked a prepared Virginia team.  Miami just has Paul Johnson's offense number shutting them down the last three seasons.  A lot of teams lost to Virginia Tech and Georgia this season.  The bowl loss was on Johnson for going too conservative on offense and making a weak defense hold a lead.

CFBZ: It's been two years for Al Groh and the switch to the 3-4 defense. On paper the defense stayed pretty stagnant versus 2010. What will it take for Tech to take the next step defensively?

The ACC and SEC Blog: Get three big, athletic defensive lineman like you see at Alabama or Georgia.  Then back that up with four good linebackers.  Despite returning all three starters up front, Tech was clearly over matched against physical teams especially at the nose guard.  God bless Logan Walls, but he simply isn't a dominating player like you need in the 3-4.  I thought OLB Jeremiah Attaochu would have more of a impact this season than he did  The secondary played pretty well most of the season save for one safety position.  Until Georgia Tech gets better in the front seven, teams will continue to use power sets to run the ball and control the clock.

CFBZ: Is Tevin Washington the answer for Georgia Tech at QB or do you see someone else as a potential starter for 2012?

The ACC and SEC Blog: The QB competition will start back up again in the Spring, but I expect Washington to emerge as the starter barring injury.  I have no clue what Washington did to a faction of the fan base that continually blames him for everything.  Washington was a good QB this season, not a great one, but he certainly wasn't the main reason Tech struggled in the second half of the season.  His backup this season, Synjyn Days, is more physically gifted, but I am not sure he can hold onto the ball well enough to overtake Washington.  The wild card is Vad Lee who practiced with the Varsity all last season.  He has the highest ceiling of all three mostly due to his passing ability.  The Jackets will sign two QBs in this class, but I expect both to redshirt.

Paul Johnson has bigger problems (Defense, Special Teams) to solve than the QB position right now.  If he gets those improved then Washington could lead this team to an ACC title next season.  If he doesn't get those problems worked out then Washington, Days, nor Lee can win the ACC.

Read the remainder of the Q&A here

Will Kentucky Transfer Stacey Poole Help Get Georgia Tech Back On Track?

Brian Gregory is still trying to pick up pieces from the shambles left by Paul Hewitt in his first season as Georgia Tech coach. The Yellow Jackets will have at least four new faces next season to help bring the program back to contention in the ACC. One of those is Stacey Poole who will be eligible for conference play next season.

I spoke with Glenn Logan of A Sea of Blue to find out more about Poole.

Q: Why do you think Poole transferred from Kentucky?
A: It's pretty clear that he transferred because his father, Stacey Poole Sr., wanted him to transfer. Poole Sr. thought that his son was not getting enough playing time at Kentucky, and came to the conclusion that his son was being recruited over, which he was -- everybody gets recruited over at Kentucky -- this is not a school for the timid, or for players who cannot compete at the highest level for playing time.

Poole Jr. was not willing to put in the work required to get more time last year, but he did make a concerted effort to do so over the summer and had noticeably improved in the few times we saw him on the floor, which is to say, during Midnight Madness and in the Blue/White scrimmage. Poole Jr. did not want to leave Kentucky, but his father insisted and essentially would not take no for an answer. He went so far as to come up to Kentucky to make absolutely sure his son understood he was not staying, and to make sure he informed Calipari of his intention to transfer.

Make no mistake, this was not Poole Jr.'s choice, or even in accordance with his wishes -- he wanted to stay, and made that known. His father demanded that he transfer, and would not accept any other outcome. Blood is always thicker than basketball.

Q: What are the biggest strengths Poole will bring to a depleted Georgia Tech roster?
A: Poole is an outstanding athlete and has the potential to be a very dangerous player. He has good size for a 2-guard, can jump and run very well, and has good shooting form but a touch that needs developing. Poole is a capable scorer off the bounce, and once he gets his ballhandling in order, should be able to get his own shot against most defenders.

Poole Jr. is strong and has really worked on his body. If he continues that work ethic, he is going to be a good player. He should be a capable defender, although the fact he didn't play more last year tells you all you need to know about his commitment to defense. Calipari will always play people who can defend their spot, and Poole Jr. needs to work on that.

Q: What areas of his game kept Poole from seeing more minutes at Kentucky?
A: With Calipari, playing times comes down to only one thing -- Commitment to defense.

Poole Jr. was simply not willing to put in the time it takes to play at Kentucky. To play here, you have to be able to do one thing above all else -- defend your position one-on-one. Poole Jr. couldn't, and he wasn't committed to getting to the point where he could until after his first year was over.

Q: Poole's younger brother Solomon is a top prospect for next season. Was Kentucky recruiting him?
A: I don't think so. Kentucky is focusing on the Harrison twins. I have a feeling his father will make sure he goes elsewhere, in any case. I don't think his father dislikes Kentucky, but I don't think he and coach Cal see eye to eye when it comes to college basketball.

Q: Does having his brother on the roster help or hurt Georgia Tech chances in your opinion?
A: Probably helps, although you never can tell. It didn't help North Carolina recruit Cody Zeller, but I have seen cases where it does help.
 *********************************************************************************************
Considering Gregory's appetite for tough, man-to-man defense Glenn's answers to why Poole did not play more are interesting.

On the other hand, it is very evident the Yellow Jackets need help on the offensive end and it sounds like Poole brings this potential. 

I would rather have a skilled player with athleticism who could score and try to teach him defense than a player with no offensive skill. Attitude and desire are the two most important qualities in playing defense.

As long as Poole keeps the right attitude he should definitely be a plus for a program that will need a few years to return to contention for NCAA Tournament runs.

Paul Johnson Off Season Press Conference (Video)

The Georgia Tech head coach talks about the QB position, his staff and recruiting, including his thoughts about taking more commits than you have spots aka Oversigning.



From Georgia Tech Athletics

Herschel Walker: The H-Bomb

Some day will look back on this decade and laugh at how bad the style was.

SI.com: Sports Posters From the '80s

Top Georgia Tech Commit To Get Visit From Rival Coach

4 star DE and Georgia Tech commmit Francis Kallon will recieve a visit from UGA head coach Mark Richt per Eric Thompson of JacketsOnline.com (Rivals)

Kallon received a dozen FBS offers last Spring before ever playing a down of high school football. He recently moved to the US from England, but had impressed coaches enough in his first Spring Practice to jump at the chance to get such a raw talent.

So why are the Bulldogs getting more involved with Kallon so late in the process?

Richt is likely looking for another DE/OLB prospect after Kenderius Whitehead chose NC State yesterday.

Last week, Kallon picked up an offer from Florida State.

Just Imagine How Good The Alabama Defense Would Have Been If...

Their starting Nose Guard had not played 2/3 of the season with a torn ACL?

Alabama's rugged nose guard earned his scholarship by absorbing punishment and double teams. Sometimes it was more like wrestling Gators.

The play in the Swamp on Oct. 1 ended like many others in Chapman's Crimson Tide career with one significant difference: days later during an MRI, he learned he had torn the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee.

"Normally I can deal with pain pretty well, but after three days I needed an MRI," Chapman said. "Dr. (Lyle) Cain said he's never seen a guy that can have a torn ACL and still stay that stable."

Chapman said he made the choice to finish the season, and to put off surgery. More than three months after the injury, he underwent the procedure Tuesday and is rehabilitating at Alabama.

So why did the likely NFL player continue on a bum leg and risk further injury?

"I didn't really want to give up like that," said the former Hoover High star. "I enjoyed playing. As long as it stayed right, I could play."

Josh Chapman played most of 2011 for Alabama on torn ACL, meniscus

LSU Player Answers Questions Regarding Locker Room Mutiny Before BCS Championship Game Rumors (Audio)

One of the players involved in the rumored LSU locker room mutiny before the BCS Championship Game spoke with Atlanta's 790 The Zone on Tuesday.

A former starter, T. Bob Hebert is the son of Bobby Hebert who long windly asked Les Miles in the post game press conference about why he did not pass the ball down field. Herbert was a part time starter this season but did not play a down in the BCS Championship Game igniting rumors to his role in a pre game confrontation of players and Miles.

T. Bob Hebert Audio (right click to download)

Les Miles Post Season Press Conference

Among the items discussed:
* Regretting not inserting Jarrett Lee
* Locker Room mutinies
* History's Cajun Pawn Stars series
* What a 13-1 season means
* Is Krystal a better place to get teabagged than White Castle



(H/t to And The Valley Shook)