The Future Is Bright On The Flats
ATLANTA, GA – Head coach Geoff Collins and his band of passionate, energetic staff members effectively slammed the book shut on the 2020 class in absolutely dominating fashion. The staff danced away the recruiting cycle and subsequent 3-9 season with the signing of Rivals100 elite All Purpose Back, Jahmyr Gibbs. Gibbs was the keystone player in this 2020 class and it couldn’t be more obvious, as we watched the stoic and reserved legendary Tech linebacker Marco Coleman do a shimmy and shake, as every coach and Graduate Assistant embraced in brotherly love and happiness.
Often, Tech fans dread hat shows, but this one had a different feeling. As Dalton High School Catamounts head football coach Matt Land spoke eloquently about each player who signed to play at the next level, it was hard to ignore the cameras that were fixated on Gibbs, who sat quietly in a navy Polo pullover that inconspicuously donned a yellow, ahem gold, horse and jockey. The packed high school theater was filled with supporters of all the players, but Gibbs was the main event. Surrounded by his family, Gibbs time had come to finally make a decision that was nearly a year in the making. In no particular order, three hats were laid out in front of him. The University of Florida, Louisiana State University and Georgia Tech. Gibbs being a man of few words wasted no time in making his 40 year decision and overwhelming a fan base that has been starved of star power and national recognition for quite some time.
The hype and optimism surrounding this program is palpable and it’s obvious that all the fresh, new changes have caught the eye of prominent recruits across the country, but specifically in the Southeast. With all the bright and shiny changes in all phases of this historic program, expectations are certainly being raised. The product on the field must match the intensity and passion that Collins and Co. have established during his first full year on The Flats. Coach Collins vision is becoming clearer by the day and the fans who might’ve lagged behind, or been resistant to change, have slowly begun coming around to the idea that this team can be for real, they’re playing for keeps and they make no mistake about their identity as a unique program for unique athletes.
While The Boys of the 404 have a ways to go until they can match or exceed the firepower of Atlantic Division rivals and four time participants of the College Football Playoff, Clemson Tigers, the Coastal Division is as wide open as it can get. A division that has seen seven different champions over the span of seven years seems ripe to be dominated. Can the Yellow Jackets take the top spot in 2020? It is certainly possible, and only time will tell as we trudge through the dead period of college football in utter anticipation of Toe Meets Leather.
Until The Boys of Fall tee it up again at Bobby Dodd Stadium and we’re all able to raise a toast and sing that beautiful fight song, let us look forward to the process, progression and celebration of the team that is so near and dear to us all.