I remember Big No 65 ....John Davis did't have a real close relationship but I know him. Forgot he was out of Tech. He actually retired my first year there. GT is losing out on players because of the following:
*Kids are young and they light style. They seem to gravitate to Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour . Not Russell (sad but true)
*Kids are frightened away by the emphasis placed on the tough academics. Someone needs to place emphasis on all the assistance that is available
*As you know, every kid desires to go to the NFL. They look for that experience on the coaching staff.
*Fan excitement at the games. Kids look for the fans to be excited about their team. This is demonstrated through attendance
*Ga Tech has a reputation for running a offense that will not prepare kids for the league. I know that this may not be totally true but it it the rumors that is out there. This played a important part for Isaiah Ford choosing Louisville over Ga Tech. Even though he and Lynn Griffin are cousins, he just wasn't feeling the program
*Observation about the program. Kids look at things such as equipment provided to players, cleats, gloves, practice gear. The more they have access to the more they feel the program cares
*Players who provide visitors with a tour have to seem excited about the program.
*Coach Johnson is portrayed as being a grumpy old coach who is out of touch with the new way of playing the game. I have not has any negative run ins with him but other teams are using this rumor against him.
*They have to Win the big games. Clemson, Va Tech, Georgia, BYU, Miami, FSU. This will show the program is turning the corner
*We fans that are on social media must do our part.
*Ga Tech needs to increase their effort in getting kids to attend their camps. Maybe collaborate with the administrative department and include the school in some of summer college tours.
*Get Nike to put on a camp at the school. If this is a conflict interest, the convince Russell to put one football camps. One program that is really making a impact with kids in Jacksonville is Nthegame.org. They provide academic assistance with players
*Get to know Lonnie Marts (former NFL Linebacker). Most if the kids in Jacksonville ha trained at his facility. Lonnie is big on the Nike training circuit and was trained by the No 1 trainer in the NFL. check out his site Godspeedelitesports.com. Lonnie not only trains high school students but he also works with players from the CFL, NFL, and AFL. He does a weekly radio show and has a football segment on a local TV news show called Lonnie's corner. Lynn Griffin's parents introduced him to Coach Owens but this relationship needs to be strengthened.
*Marketing, Marketing, Marketing. No one sells GT items here in Jacksonville unless it is special ordered. When in GA I can only find the apparel or other GT items in the GT bookstore and Walmart. There may be other outlets but the marketing is very poor. There needs to be some excitement built up in Jacksonville. I am not sure the NCAA would allow it but maybe schedule a game hear in Jacksonville against an opponent. Give free tickets to high school students, They can play Florida A&M, Bethune Cookman, or Jacksonville University.
Just some input from what I hear from kids and my idea of exposure. Before anyone goes off . Remember these are kids and it is what it is