• GT Signee Adam Gotsis Gives Jackets Inside Presence

    The Georgia Tech coaching staff ended their long and exhaustive interior defensive line search by securing 6-4, 290 pound Adam Gotsis.

    Gotsis didn’t show up on the Georgia Tech doorstep, it took hard work to locate and secure his services. A former Tech player discovered him playing in the World Games via Melbourne, Australia.

    After the Tech staff was made aware, they tracked Gotsis and in the end decided he was a very good fit both athletically and academically. He’s described as being a strong academic student who excelled on the SATs.

    Georgia Tech line coach Mike Sewak talked about Gotsis at National Signing Day.

    “He’s very athletic, a big kid, he played in the World Games,” Sewak said. “He was in the under 19 development program in the World Games and he’s a big, athletic young man.”

    In addition to football, Gotsis has played numerous sports. He was a basketball player since eight years old and has played rugby and Australian rules football which he calls “footy”. He’s also displayed his American football versatility by punting and long snapping.

    Sewak feels Gotsis’ athletic ability and versatility indicate unlimited potential.

    “He plays both ways in the World Games, “Sewak said. “This guy is someone who gives us some flexibility, but the thing about him is his size and that is something that we can always use here at Georgia Tech. He’s going to be someone who we are going to keep expanding.”
    Comments 13 Comments
    1. Ga Tech Navy Nuke's Avatar
      Ga Tech Navy Nuke -
      Plays both ways and punts. But does he return kick offs: that's what counts?! :Sarcasm:

      As I said before, one of my best friends who was an Aussie just passed. One of the best people I have ever met. And I have never met an Aussie I didn't like (or probably drink with).
    1. dressedcheeseside's Avatar
      dressedcheeseside -
      I think he is my new favorite player.
    1. FrostyO's Avatar
      FrostyO -
      So apparently he was deemed non-eligible by the NCAA for the International Bowl. That doesn't impact him with Tech does it? Hopefully it was just for that game.
    1. hdtvfan's Avatar
      hdtvfan -
      Quote Originally Posted by dressedcheeseside View Post
      I think he is my new favorite player.
      He was supposed to be playing in the International Bowl for the World Team tonight but was declared ineligible for some reason. Anybody have any insight about this?

      Sorry, did not see the post above this one and don't see a delete option, Would like to know the answer though
    1. Curious's Avatar
      Curious -
      Quote Originally Posted by dressedcheeseside View Post
      I think he is my new favorite player.
      Does anybody know how old the guy is? I know he played some sort of semi-pro or sandlot American football, but does that mean he is older than the usual recruit?
    1. hdtvfan's Avatar
      hdtvfan -
      Quote Originally Posted by Curious View Post
      Does anybody know how old the guy is? I know he played some sort of semi-pro or sandlot American football, but does that mean he is older than the usual recruit?
      He is 19 per this Aussie news article:

      From Monash to Atlanta's big-time gridiron - Local News - Sport - General - Monash Weekly
    1. Ga Tech Navy Nuke's Avatar
      Ga Tech Navy Nuke -
      One big advantage that Adam may have is that he will learn the right way to do things the first time he plays American football. Sometimes that's an advantage - my son never had fired a pistol or rifle but said that the kids in the Marines who were learning for the first time usually did better than those who learned by hunting. Big difference between hunting and adjusting for wind at 500 m.

      Does that make sense to you football players?
    1. Boomergump's Avatar
      Boomergump -
      Quote Originally Posted by Ga Tech Navy Nuke View Post
      One big advantage that Adam may have is that he will learn the right way to do things the first time he plays American football. Sometimes that's an advantage - my son never had fired a pistol or rifle but said that the kids in the Marines who were learning for the first time usually did better than those who learned by hunting. Big difference between hunting and adjusting for wind at 500 m.

      Does that make sense to you football players?
      Navy, it makes a lot of sense to me. I had the same experience in the Marines. I was a virgin going in, having never fired anything more than a BB gun. By the ratings, I kicked butt in both the M-16 and the 9mm because they taught me how shoot correctly from zero. The guys who saw themselves as cowboys were giving me all kinds of crap for never having fired a rifle. I got the last laugh, when I dusted them with high expert qualification in both. In fact, it was the guys who had the most experience hunting etc that sucked the worst because they had bad habits and big egos. I can easily see the same thing happening in football.
    1. a-son-sir's Avatar
      a-son-sir -
      I wouldn't assume he hasn't been coached...he has been. I also wouldn't assume the coaching was bad. The biggest difference this kid will face is the comparative level of competition and speed of the game.
    1. Curious's Avatar
      Curious -
      Quote Originally Posted by hdtvfan View Post
      Thanks.
    1. stonedwall's Avatar
      stonedwall -
      Quote Originally Posted by hdtvfan View Post
      thanks for the link. i enjoyed his comments on some of the naysayers:

      At the same time, he has also received some less than friendly comments in stories posted on Atlanta’s news websites as some fans question why the Yellow Jackets have looked overseas instead of taking local high school talent.

      ‘‘They can say what they want to say,’’ Gotsis said. ‘‘None of them have seen me play. I will use it as motivation. It’s up to me to perform.’’


      i certainly hope he comes in with a serious chip on his shoulder. we need him to pan out big time and i think he could be a real force on D in a few years.
    1. alagold's Avatar
      alagold -
      he passes the eye-test but he has LOTS to show on whether he can play with the speed of big guys here
    1. dressedcheeseside's Avatar
      dressedcheeseside -
      If you look at his training tape it's pretty clear he had great balance, flexibility, quickness and speed - both straight ahead and laterally. He's got size, there's no doubt about that, either. It looks like he can play low with leverage which is vitally important, as well.

      What we don't know is how strong and powerful he is. If he has those two qualities, he's a definite game changer at DT, no doubt.