[Music] all right everybody ready all right here we go uh all right so like a folks we will shut the door in the back corner this was like a team meeting of ours like throwing stuff no it's uh I can't tell you how awesome it is to come up here and uh be able to be the the the first person up uh really to kick off the 2024 season and you know really signifies you know these the the media days signify the start of college football and um you know thanks to Jim Phillips and the job he does for the ACC and working to make football a priority in the league and and the tireless uh you know days and days he puts uh puts on it uh you know thanks to uh president H Cabrera and our athletic director Jay bat uh for really working you know the same working every day and and you know to put Georgia Tech in a position uh to be competitive uh and and giving us the the resources needed to be competitive and and to go on our quest to to be a championship football team uh competing at the highest level in all of college football uh you know goes without you know saying the the amount of work that they've put in especially here in the last uh 6 months so uh it's about so many people people other than just the ones that are standing up here today you the you know new ACC where you know we'd like to welcome three new teams you know when you have Stanford Cal SMU teams that are really expand the geographic footprint of the ACC and and make it an even more uh Dynamic League when you look at the the the landscape you know the cities that we play in we're able to travel to uh you know and and when they made the expansion and when they were were going through and to select teams that didn't jeopardize or didn't uh didn't conflict the the Integrity that this league has not just on the field field of play but also in the classroom and from an academic standpoint uh the you know the staff we have at Georgia Tech uh you know the men the that we've been able to put together on our staff you know they're great teachers they're great recruiters uh a strong footprint in this league and in this region of the country uh from a recruiting standpoint uh but more than anything they're good men and and they're good mentors they're good uh leaders they're good teachers and they're good role models for these young men we have here with us and uh and with with that being said you know the three guys that we have here today you know just really encourage you guys to get to know their story and and to know those guys those three guys are they're they're outstanding and they're they're a sign of what is great in college football and I'm sure so many other schools and the young men they bring with them are the same thing and the same way and the stories they have to tell and the stories they have to share you know that's what's great about college col football and that's why we love college football um you know then you know the final thing I want to say is you know I'd be I'd be remissed if I didn't mention uh uh uh Dr Homer rice and he was a passed away recently uh' been athletic director at George tech for many years meant so much to so many people uh all across the board from from being a coach to an administrator uh 98 years of impact he's had on people uh that that really the the fabric of so many program he he's woven into and you know what we do with our fifth quarter program you know for for Life After football is really all part of something he started with the total person concept back many many years ago so uh to him uh you know to his his wife his family uh you know uh coach rice you you'll be you'll be missed so uh with those things being said I'd really like to open it up for questions coach before we send it into the room uh if we could from the podium curious you've been involved with the ACC since enrolling Georgia Tech back in 1996 so that's nearly over 30 years of your lifespan that you've had a touch with this league I'm not that old what does the ACC mean to you right so man uh that's an easy one uh yeah it's 28 years now 28 years ago look I grew up in Birmingham Alabama all right and uh you know growing up I never realized how much my life would change you know because of the opportunity to come to play at Georgia Tech uh and to play in this league you know when you grow up in Birmingham you really only know one thing that's college football there's no pro teams you don't know pro football uh college football is is the the the top of the top and you know that's that's where my passion for for this game really was born was there and uh being involved in it and what I didn't realize was just just how much making that decision to come to Georgia t could change my life you know it it's it gave me the opportunity to be challenged not only in the football field but challenged academically uh it allowed me to grow as a young person I came in at 17 had not turned 18 yet uh you know leaving leaving home and then by the time I left Georgia Tech the things I'd learned and you don't really realize those things as much when you're in school or when you just graduate but you know the lessons I learned the lessons about about discipline uh and how I learn about discipline cuz I messed up you know I made mistakes I screwed up you know whether it be making a mistake you know in in my personal life or socially or making a mistake on on a you know converted first down against North Carolina on a Thursday night in 1997 and getting a 15 yard penalty uh probably kick us out of field goal range and cost us the game uh you know you learn those lessons you learn your lessons about toughness how to how to how to become tough you know mentally tough uh you learn lessons how to figure how to figure things out uh he taught me how to lead taught me what what what a leader is um taught me how to lead this football team a lot of the lessons I I use today that are lessons I learned in you know that 25 years ago 25 30 years ago so I mean we all know what the ACC is and people talk about the ACC as is an academic league and uh what it what it does from the academic standpoint but you know Georgia Tech we're not we don't allow that to be the only thing that defines us you know we're not a we're not a group that wants to be defined by one thing alone uh you know at Georgia Tech we want players that want to come in and have aspirations of being not just great football players right but being great in their life after football as well right being able to be as we say a first round draft pick and a CEO we want people to be able to reach both of those goals in life to be able to have those aspirations right the you know Georgia Tech and the teams in this league the in this league they allow you to do that and just look I mean if you look across the board and I did this last night uh seven I think it's seven coaches in this league actually graduated from ACC schools seven coaches seven head coaches graduated from ACC schools so you know that says a lot there and the fact of you know being able to be a like we said not just a first-rounder but a CEO a president uh a head football coach you know to to learn the lessons to do those things and we take pride in that and those are all things that we've learned that I've learned over the years and what is important and what makes it important and uh look I I've been through for all those years I've seen everything there is to see about about this league and and and what's great about it from you know the traditions and the rivalries and the coaches and you know the the the the former players and what they've done in life I mean you know our kicker David Frakes from when I was playing I me he invented the camera on the iPhone you know I've got another friend of mine Robert Withers who worked at uh played at Boston College I mean he he founded wheels up and wills up you're talking like major corporations major corporations that that these people have done have have are running companies they' founded all right as well as all the great football players I mean you think back to the legends of in in coaching when I was just as a player coach Bowden uh I mean you know Coach Brown was a legend back then he's still coaching so uh uh you know just the the amount of history that goes along with it and and look there there's there's a little bit of a false you know there's a narrative right now that that this that this league about this league there is and you know that this league you know that that football is not the same in this league for whatever reason as others and that's that's up to that's up to us as coaches that to to continue to go out and how we put our football teams together and how we build our football teams right to go out and compete and how we compete each each week week in and week out right and and what's important to us and and that's my job right that's my job as the head coach at Georgia Tech and and and because that's that's what I know about this league that's what I know about Georgia Tech and this league league right and and that's the priority is to build this football team with these guys here right to build this team to be able to go out and compete weekend and week out to be a championship football team all right and that's the end goal people talk about expectations the expectation yes is to win every football game right there's there is no other thing okay and and those are all that's all part of the history of this league that's gone for so so many years and it's up to us uh to to put our stamp on it as coaches and and and make this what it is we've got time for a question for Coach we'll go to our right coach second row Tyler budge CF budge coach last season you had an opportunity to open the year in Atlanta uh against Louisville and this year you've got the uh kickoff game in Dublin against Florida State can you talk about what those uh big stages have been like for the program and what that sort of added yeah I think the exposure that you get is great for these young men it's great for these uh guys to be able to have the exposure on a national level uh to have the exposure uh to people to see and that's what it's about I mean that's why that's why they changed these these rules several years ago in terms of nil the name image and likeness is to create exposure for these young people right and the more times you get to be on these stages the more exposure you've created created for these young men and for the program but as far as one game being bigger than the other there is no game bigger than one they're all the same every game's important you only get so many games to play a year and winning is hard winning is a hard thing to do and uh so you know to to look at one game bigger than another it's it's it's not the way we go about things so that we can get to our student athletes coach you have one more question to your right in the first row lever at tcfb Nation I thought last year you stole a show at ACC media days you talked about how don't talk to me about the past don't talk to me about the future well let's talk about hearing now are you guys on schedule to where you want to be hearing now yeah I mean that's you you thought about that one for a year a you yeah we'd have to ask trip if we're on schedule or not but uh no we are I think we've where we've improved as a football team uh throughout this year you know you build the culture of your football team January through July are you build your football team in the four weeks in August right and it remains to be seen what type of football team we're going to be I know what type of locker room we have I know what type of people we have on our football team what type of leaders we have uh you know and and I'm excited to see where the team's going to be uh so we're ready to get to work quicker we get down from here quicker we get back quicker we report tomorrow and we get out on that field and practice on Wednesday coach thank you you can switch places with Zeke Biggers we will have Zeke up at the podium for a few minutes folks if you've got a question for our student athlete uh if you would please identify yourselves in the agency you are with uh El's will come over this way with our third row Zeke if you will follow the aisle right up the middle your first two questions will come from those gentlemen right there on the left all right hey Zeke how you doing uh coach made some wholesale changes coaching changes on the defensive side of the ball how have the players adapted to the new coaches uh we adapted really well uh we love the guys uh they came in here and built the culture that we we needed and we looking forward to um coming this year L is also there on your left go ahead uh gett Chapman also a 247 Sports 199 the game in Atlanta um so on along those same lines I mean Georgia TCH did struggle in the run defense last year what sort of efforts are you guys making to to make sure that that was that isn't going to a point of weakness this year uh definitely just coming in we um recruited some new defensive tackles to help build that um Run game Run stopping so definitely uh God's getting older in the program and also U adding those new additions to lead us to the way obviously they older they um one from Penn State one from Miami so uh they definitely going to contribute to stopping the run this year and that's definitely we're going to start it R though for sure Zeke to your right first row gentleman with hat Des Min desan Miner CFB Nation all right Zeke let's talk about the elephant in the room I wanted to ask this coach uh ask this question to coach key but I'mma ask for you 3 minutes and 31 seconds left on the clock you muff a onside kick then my guy Kyle eord has a chance on a toss sweep to make a play against Georgia I know the expectation is to win every single ball game but we know that Georgia Tech has a different measuring stick because it's not really about the SEC more than it ACC more than it is the team across the road so how much is that drive you the the coaching staff the team on a daily basis to compete with the team that I want mention uh definitely we we obviously watched film and realized like that was a something we could have did and got to stop and possibly won that game uh but definitely the the Rivalry with the team down the road um definitely like it's I don't know how to even put it but we know how we want to beat them every year and what we need to do to beat them every year so uh this year we going to definitely try to get that job done and hopefully we come out with the victory Zeke from the podium you're heading to Ireland in a few weeks uh your thoughts excited about heading overseas uh yeah I ain't never been to Ireland so um plenty of people haven't so that definitely going to be um a new experience for me I'm going try some new food something like that chocolate something so other questions for Zeke uh we will go to your left Zeke second row right in the middle Kelly quinland jackets online Zeke the big question in my mind you changed your lookup what what went into the decision to to cut your hair uh I I joined a fraternity so I'm a part of Omega soui attorney Incorporated so that's kind of what led into that but I like it new look stylish Zeke also from the podium in 2022 you saw action in 12 games in 2023 you started 13 games talk about the elevation of your game from your sophomore to your junior year uh really for going into sophore the junior year um more mature I know what I wanted to get done how how to do it um basically just taking a step growing into that leadership starting to speak up and be more vocal around the team and also handle business on the field so Zeke your last question will come to your left about the fourth row right towards the center of the aisle how you doing Zeke uh arvon bacon yellow all yellow jacket Sports frustrated just being the captain of the defense how do you feel that Vandenburg and um the brother from Miami has fit into the locker room say how they rubbed off everybody uh definitely they came in we click right away um them guys we we be on the FaceTime group chats all the time on the game so we do stuff out of um outside of just being the Locker on football as well so they definitely came in the and they definitely going to be some some guys that going to help us win games this year Zeke thank you you can switch which places with Jamal folks if you happen to ask Jamal a question you've already asked a question please identify yourselves again so that our new student athlete knows exactly who you are Jamal your first question will come to your left first row young lady towards the aisle you can pull those mics down there we go Lea Turner from AP Kelly as we see it you switch from receiver to running back during fall Cam and went to become Georgia Tech's first a th000 yard rusher in 5 years tell me about your transition from slot to running back um I honestly been getting this question a lot lately uh but it's really it's no pressure um I played running back when I was in Middle School when I was in high school um but really just as far as the transition it did nothing but add value to me as a player um being at the running back position uh we know today's league is changing they are looking for backs that can catch the ball out the back field and not only just get handed off the ball so I really just feel like it adds to my versatility as a player see we're I'm sorry Jamal we're going to go to your right fifth row fourth row maybe just off the middle of the aisle hey Jamal Thomas Wilkerson 90.9 the light now that you've transitioned to the running back position do you have any new goals for your career especially after breaking a thousand yards last year yes uh pleasure meeting you Thomas uh definitely have some new goals um I'm not going to put that out there because those are kind of personal and I wanted to keep those to myself but definitely moving from that wide receiver to that running back position I definitely have some goals that are will be met this season so definitely want to harp on that Jamal from the podium um if it's a crucial third down situation would you rather catch for a first down or run for a first down um that's in coach foger's hands whatever play he decides oh excuse me better run it let me we will be running that ball and it will be a first down it will be a first down for sure um to your left right there by the aisle third row Jamal Rod McKenzie with 247 sports coach jacks.com the way you finished the season and the way your teammates finish the season does that give you individually and your teammates confidence going into this year um it absolutely does give us confidence but that doesn't matter what happened last season happened last season um this season everybody starts 0 and0 this season we still got to put on our pads it still be 100 yards worth the field and we still have to go and accomplish what we want to accomplish so new season new goals new expectations for sure keep it right there Jamal the gentleman to his left Jamal um Garett Chapman 929 the game 247 Sports here in Atlanta or back in Atlanta um so Georgia Tech last year the explosiveness of the offense was really put on full display several on several occasions how can you build on some of that success both through uh the passing game and and setting yourself up the way the way that you do that out of the back field and in the rushing attack absolutely uh through practice practice makes perfect uh practice builds Perfection um as long as we have have those uh detailed um practices where we are going through some a little bit of adversity and we're learning how to build off the adversity and come back together as a team that would definitely help us on the consistency part as a offense of unit Jamal from the podium your last name is hannes the quarterback's first name is Haynes when coach yells Haynes who's he yelling at you or your quarterback uh my quarterback any other questions for Jamal from the room Jamal with that you can switch places with Haynes and we'll bring Haynes up for a few minutes thank you folks same routine if you would please identify yourself and Els we're going to go with a new contestant here fourth row heyes if you would follow the center aisle up and then just to the left okay Naj Wilkins all yellow jackets hes you talked a little about ACC Network just the comfortability uh you you know being a leader of this offense what do you feel like your game has progressed the most uh this offseason uh probably being a leader uh you know the first first year it it was my first year at at Georgia Tech you're still learning uh your teammates who they are what motivates them stuff like that but uh with this being a second year that comfortability uh you get more confidence uh you become closer more like a family tightnit because you've been around each other longer and uh I'd say my my leadership has has definitely improved uh being vocal not just uh leading by example HS to your left second row all the way to the left hey I'm Katrina sackin for sports and culture media Haynes how are you pretty good how you doing good a standout season for you last season and you have a ton of solid guys around you that are returning first off how excited are you for the season with your guys again and what are you hoping to see from yourself as as well as your returners for repeated success oh I'm excited you know uh we've been talking about this since the bowl game in in December you know uh so I've been ready for a long time uh ready to get back at it uh tired of just doing the workouts lifting running uh I'm just ready to put the pads on and uh get get get right to it and building off that building off last season is a big step but now our our expectation and our standard has risen and it's not going to be the same and uh like people always say you either getting better you're getting worse you can't stay the same Haynes to your right first row Jaylen Wilson CFB Nation hannes you're one of four quarterbacks in the ACC since 2000 to have at least 2,800 passing yards 25 passing touchdowns 700 rushing yards and T rushing touchdowns and I want to I want to ask if you have a similar or better season next season or this upcoming season do you feel like your name should be in the conversation as one of the best quarterbacks in ACC history in the past 24 years uh you won't say it about himself he definitely knew that I I was not going to say that and uh that just goes to show you who what kind of people what kind of players I have around me but uh as coach already said yes haes we're going to go back to the third row towards the aisle two gentlemen almost side by side hey Hayes uh G Chapman 929 the game uh 247 Sports consistency was something that you guys really were working to develop last year uh just in terms of of turnovers or things like that and and then just game by game consistency how have you guys been working to develop that this offseason building into the next year that just goes each and every day make a routine make a standard uh what's going to happen and not letting up on that and uh the more routine you have each and every day the more consistent your life gets out even outside of football so now each and every day that even in football outside of football stuff keeps getting better and better because you have a routine everything's not just scatterbrained all over the place if everybody has the same routine uh each and every week throughout practice everything else is going to handle itself and it be more consistent heyes focus on the camera guy then just behind him on the left heyes uh this is qcb Fox Sports Radio Charlotte uh last year Georgia Tech you guys had your best season since 2018 and uh coming in this season someone say Georgia Tech is sleeper to win ACC or compete for the ACC title would you take that a form as disrespect or as a form as like y man we supposed to be there anyway uh I'd probably say both to me that's still disrespect especially with what we had last year and what we have coming back uh but then the same deal like like you just said that it's supposed to be like that any we're supposed to be contending for that ACC uh Championship each each and every year with with the people we have in the building with coaches with players with the team and the culture that we've built heyes from the podium you earned a bachelor's degree at A&M in business with a Sports Management minor you're majoring in history technology and Society of Georgia Tech what do you want to be when you grow up uh after I get done playing as long as I can uh I'm proba I'm end up being a coach other questions for Haynes before we excuse Georgia Tech we're going to go gentleman right here in the middle to your left hey Jessica plth spear.com you guys there's been a lot of talk about the returning production that you guys have from a high-powered offense that averaged over 31 points uh game last year you obviously had the big matchup against rainning ACC Champion coming out of the gate you guys had a shootout against Louisville last year how does that continuity coming into the season help you guys come out of the gate swing and in a really challenging first game of the season it it's a big uh it's a big important step uh it if you don't have any continuity if you don't have a strong culture if you don't have a good locker room when things happen when when adversity happens it it's your team's going to struggle uh but I I'd say we're in a good spot good culture uh good locker room and um i' I'd say going to that first game we're we're coming guns blazing ay your last question to the right third row almost towards the skirting haes Billy ody with on three good to see you again mention uh looking at becoming a coach one day what have you picked up from your father John and also as a Texan what do you think about SMU joining the league uh SMU joining the league I I feel like that's a good opportunity uh you know I can't say too much we we don't play them this year they're not on schedule uh but what what I've learned from from my dad in the past years you know one how you care yourself two how you how you respect and and how you treat people goes a long way uh and it's not it doesn't matter what their job is if you treat them with respect and with dignity everything else will will take care of itself and that'll that'll take it a long way take those connections those uh life less a long way heyes thank you Georgia Tech good luck this season thank you folks Florida state is due up at 3 o' a [Music]