GT FB: Kevin Harris II on ACC PM (ACC Network)

uh let's go to Georgia Tech Uh Kevin Harris joins us from the defensive line getting ready to roll over to Dublin Uh Kevin first of there he is uh first of all I appreciate the time as always um so before we talk about the road trip and all this stuff what have you learned the most about your football team in Fall Camp I learned that we're pretty resilient um really bonded together uh really well during this fall Camp uh we're building a lot of confidence in each other which I think is a a very important step to take when um moving into the season and just preparing for the games and the day-to-day day-to-day things that come with that um it's really good for our team so I'm excited for what we're going to do once we get out to Ireland you know the defensive stats I'm sure you've been over them or at least trying to forget them from last season but you from what you've seen in this preseason camp why is this season G to be different uh this season's gonna be different just because our eyes are focused on just Improvement our biggest thing was focusing on being the most improved defense regardless of what happened last year that's just something that we've been building striving towards every single day and um we put in the work and um we're excited to see how that turns out and if we can continue to improve throughout the season what about that dline and getting after the quarterback I know that's going to be a real emphasis this season something you were unable to do last year what do you see from the guys up front I see a very tenacious dline a d line that uh that leads the rest of the team sets the tone um these guys have been at it for a long time a lot of us have been playing together for a pretty long time and um yeah you're just going to see a lot of leadership from us and basically just taking the team where where where the heck we need to go as far as this like we can the sky is limit for our so and I think that starts up front in the trenches the dline especially just the attitude that we bring the rest of the building you know I think everybody else going to follow our lead and you know we prably not so Kevin it really doesn't matter whether we're talking about Georgia Tech Florida State or roast beef A&M or whatever the case may be you get into the third week of August you guys have been beating up on each other for the last couple weeks I know that you're just ready to see that Florida State jersey I mean you got to get sick and tired of seeing your buddies right each and every day it's like hey we need some fresh meat so tag your it on Saturday right right um yeah definitely uh definitely feel like every day that goes by the close and closer that we get to game day the more intense the more the sense of urgency just goes up in the building and just even in my room and um the whole entire D line um it permeates throughout the building you know like the intensity just leading up to the game we're definitely ready to like get get a taste of blood and have it be somebody else instead of like our own guys but but yeah that's definitely a thing new defensive coordinator Tyler santui what what does he bring here this season for you guys uh I think we uh when San Tui got here biggest thing was just um gaining just having a level of trust you know like us trusting him when he came in and uh you know the players just trusting you know whatever he has in store for us um and our biggest thing was being the most improved defense and um I feel like he's definitely he's definitely done everything he can in his power to make sure that we're one um bonded together like a team and executing every single day and just holding each other accountable and um his attitude in the building every day is is an inspiration to everybody especially on defense so um he's a great leader and um I think we can rock behind him for the rest of the season we got have some good things happening what's been his message and game plan as you get set for a pretty talented Florida State offense uh just focus on what we do and um be focused on that and winning every single day that leads up to the game that's the only thing we can do and then once we get to the game you know and bullets start flying everywhere you know we just have to show up and just do what we do is practice what we've been doing G the ability to tackle the man with the football especially against the run I know has been emphasized as well uh without any Trade Secrets here what have you guys done differently again Matt just ask you about the new DC and everything else but what have you guys done differently to Shore that up because I got a funny feeling and that that team you're going to play Saturday that offensive line and those backs and djus about 64 250 you're going to get a dose of hey we're going to Pound The Rock and see if you can stop it so what has changed uh through the fall camp and everything else to to make you think that hey you know what Georgia Tex will be much better against the run and we're just studying we're working D Line's grinding doing what we're supposed to do and uh making sure that that's handled up front um especially but uh yeah I mean we're learning a new defense and um with that we've learned some new some new uh things that can possibly be to our advantage just just just learning overall just how to run our defense and everything I think that's going to be a big help and um yeah we'll just see we'll see what happens I mean I mean all we can do is just work and just try and improve from there day to day so you see your uh offense every day what do you see from them going into this one uh I mean I mean it's a pretty challenging offense to play against every single day definitely for sure and I think that's another thing that gets us ready for uh opposing teams get a lot of looks every single day so uh that's very beneficial as you would think um yeah shoot it's good competition our sharpers AR uh listen I know we're going to talk football but we also got to talk about this trip um for have you ever been outside the country yes I have um I've been Mexico uh Bahamas counts like just little trips like that um just growing up and um so yeah this probably like another trip that I've been uh prepared to take just been ready to take um haven't been out the country in a while so excited for that for sure definitely by the way the Bahamas definitely counts the Bahamas always counts Kevin I mean you know I don't is a common destination yeah always counts so what do you what do you other than the game itself and I know it's a business trip and your coach all week's been saying listen this ain't no stinking vacation we're we're there to get in a fist fight uh what are you most looking forward to other than the game itself in the road trip to Dublin I mean I think just I mean sh that's a hard question cuz it's hard not to take it as a business trip like me myself I mean until until there's a w on the after the game like I'm not really you know out of that mode for real for real but um I guess like after the dub and everything we can enjoy some time out there some scenery but um till that point it's straight business over here at Georgia Tech it's not uh not no little trip you know you looking around looking at butterflies and stuff so so I mean it doesn't matter whether you're in Dublin Ireland or Topeka Kansas you're there to show up with a little attitude and get the W and get home that's what you're telling me yeah that's what matters for sure yeah I hear you oh it's going to be it's going to be great it's also going to be a long flight uh there going to be jet lag like what are the things that you're going to take on the plane to kind of get through that flight things you need to take on a trip like this uh big thing I would say recovery devices like anything related to recovery and staying uh just as Loose as possible on the plane I guess from a muscle muscular standpoint and then getting good sleep I want to say it's like a what like 11 12 hour flight I think but um but yeah just um just a little things like that like the the the details like nutrition nutrition on the plane I think that's really important I think that's something we got to focus on especially just traveling will something that players shouldn't be focusing on but just you know keep that in the back of your mind as you're getting prepared for the game you know Kevin we just played a clip from Malik Benson at Florida State he said he couldn't wait to get over there and try one of those McDonald's in Ireland it doesn't sound like he's on a different Stratosphere than you are man I don't know nothing about that McDonald's I don't know listen have a great trip all right stay healthy we look forward to kicking this thing off with you guys coming up this weekend and we'll see you down the road at some point in time but wish you nothing but the very best yes sir thank you guys have a bless one you got it