Head Coach Paul Johnson

OL Parker Braun & RB Nathan Cottrell

QB TaQuon Marshall

RB KirVonte Benson & LB Brant Mitchell

Georgia Tech announced on Tuesday that the athletics association will move on after a long tenure under apparel sponsor Russel Athletic and sign a new 6-year deal with adidas. Many Georgia Tech fans felt this change was long overdue, and the general reaction to the news has been overwhelmingly positive. GTSwarm reached out to current Georgia Tech football verbal commits from the 2018 recruiting class to get their reactions to the news.

The following are the results of the survey:

1. What is your preferred apparel/uniform brand?
TK Chimedza: Anything that has me looking good, to be honest
PJ Harris: Adidas
Luke Johns: Adidas
Harrison Jump: 3 stripes all the way
Jaylon King: I prefer Nike since I grew up wearing Nike, but Adidas is going to be a nice change
Mike Maye: I don't really have a preference but the "Big 3" - Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour - are my favorites
Austin Smith: I actually like the Adidas uniforms better than any other
Dontae Smith: My preference is Adidas. I've always liked their football uniforms
Juanyeh Thomas: Adidas
Zamari Walton: Adidas or Jordan
Tijai Whatley: Adidas is my brand. I have always worn Adidas

2. Did you know that Georgia Tech was still sponsored by Russell Athletic?
TKC: Yes, lol, I did
PJH: Yes sir, I knew
LJ: Yes sir
HJ: Yes
JK: Yes
MM: Yes
AS: Yes. Been too long
DS: I did. I noticed it in pictures
JT: Yes, I did know
ZW: Yes
TW: Yes, I know about Tech being sponsored by Russell

3. Did you know Tech was signing a new apparel deal?
TKC: Yea. I've been going back and forth with Coach Roof trying to figure out what it was going to be
PJH: Yes sir, I just didn't know with which company
LJ: I did but I wasn't sure who they were signing with
HJ: Yes
JK: Yes
MM: Yes
AS: I knew they were signing a new deal, just didn't know with who
DS: I also knew this. Coach told me about it when I visited
JT: I knew they were going to sign a deal, I just didn't know where
ZW: Yes
TW: Yes, I read that Ga Tech was coming out with a new deal and I was excited to see which brand

4. On a scale from 1-5, how excited are you to hear that Tech is moving from Russell to Adidas?
TKC: 20
PJH: 5. I'm very excited!!
LJ: 5. I'm excited but I would be fine with any brand
HJ: 5
JK: 5
MM: 5
AS: 5. Those Russell uniforms needed some work
DS: Definitely a 5
JT: 5
ZW: 5
TW: 5. They are switching to my favorite brand

5. On a scale from 1-5, how much do you think recruits care about what uniform supplier they wear?
TKC: 5
PJH: About a 4. Most players look at what looks "cool"
LJ: 3. For me, I don't care at all but I've heard of some recruits caring about the apparel a lot
HJ: 3, although I don't think that should be a factor in what school you pick
JK: 4 because most players like how we look before we play. Look good, feel good, play good!
MM: 3
AS: Uniforms don't play in any role for recruitment
DS: I'd say 4. People like to look good
JT: Yes, uniforms is a big part of it, YOU LOOK GOOD YOU PLAY GOOD
ZW: 5
TW: 5 most definitely, uniforms is a great way to express your team. Also, each recruit wants to look cool in their gear

 

Multiple staff members contributed to this article.

This year's Media Day schedule began with a 30 minute press conference with Coach Paul Johnson who is beginning his 10th season on The Flats.

Following Coach Johnson's press conference was a round robin of 9 individual player interviews.  Representing the Jackets were three waves of three players at a time in the Edge Center trophy room, positioned at their own tables.

Hear what they had to say here.

Head Coach Paul Johnson (28 min)

CB Lance Austin (8 min)

QB Matthew Jordan (10 min)

DE KeShun Freeman (3 min)

AB Qua Searcy (8 min)

LB Brant Mitchell (9 min)

S Corey Griffin (7 min)

WR Ricky Jeune (5 min)

OT Andrew Marshall (6 min)