Q: How has Justin been doing as the starter thus far?

A: He's definitely stepped up. He's kind of a shy guy but on the football field he's spoken up a little bit more and is trying to take the reigns of this offense.

Q: What have you done this offseason to prepare for carrying the load this year?

A: I picked up 5 or 6 pounds. I dropped my body fat percentage a little bit. I'm a little bit bigger so I can take more of those hits. I got stronger at the squat rack so I'll be able to explode on people. And conditioning. Every day you've got to do something to get better. I really want to maximize my potential while I'm here.

Q: Are the preseason projections for Georgia Tech motivation for the team?

A: Oh yeah, no doubt. The team sees that. Every year we kind of get put on the back burner. This year I'm really hoping we step up and take it to the next level. We're always just a game or two away from doing that.

Q: How is the depth looking behind you? Obviously you have a lot of new guys; what is your role in getting them ramped up?

A: This offseason every Tuesday and Thursday nights, as well as Wednesday morning, we did mesh drills and worked on [dive] tracks. This summer I took C.J. in a little bit to teach him plays so that he wouldn't be far behind. Right now we're letting the younger guys work to see what they can do in camp. I'm helping out in any way I can.

Q: What's it like lining up behind a healthy O-Line to start camp?

A: It's always exciting. It's always great when you have a healthy O-Line. Right now we have four units rolling, so I think this is the healthiest we've ever had on the O-Line. It's really nice.

Q: What are your personal goals this year?

A: I just want to be the guy that can carry the load. 1,000 yards rushing. I just want to be the guy that the team can depend on to make big plays.

Q: How's it going?

A: Everything is great, life is good.

Q: You closed out last year pretty strong with a good showing in the Music City Bowl. How's your offseason been and what have you improved on?

A: I feel like I've been improving on my game as a whole, up in the press and defending deep. Still some improvements to be made and still working hard.

Q: How far along are you guys in learning the 4-2-5?

A: It's great. A lot of the things you do in the 4-2-5 are similar to the 4-3. Same concepts except you have another DB. Replacing the LB the DB has coverage concepts he has to learn. We're getting along pretty good.

Q: Who is looking good so far in the defensive backfield?

A: It's hard to choose because everybody is getting better and making plays. From a cornerback perspective I really like how our young guys are doing. Everybody is playing well. The young guys in the offseason like Step Durham have been coming on strong. I'm excited about the group.

Q: Are you going to have any role in special teams?

A: I hope so. I'm trying out for that right now. Hopefully the coaches will give me a shot at returning. We'll see what happens. Whatever they ask me to do I'm going to do full speed.

Q: What are your expectations for your performance this year?

A: I'm a very high expectations guy. I see myself personally being one of the top defensive backs in the country. That's what I'm shooting for and that's my goal. Hopefully I can develop the other guys along with me.

Q: How was practice today?

A: It was good. We got better than yesterday.

Q: Justin, what was your focus this offseason? Obviously it looks like you've gotten a little bigger; what else have you been working on in addition to that?

A: Like you said, I've been trying to get in the weight room to put some more weight on. Just working with guys [on the field] to make sure we're on the same page.

Q: What can you tell us about the offensive line so far?

A: First thing off the bat we have a lot of depth - more depth than we've had in a while. Right now we're really getting the young guys to know what they're doing.

Q: What are your personal goals this year?

A: Just to be successful. Go out there and play as hard as I can every game and try to come out on the right end.