Catching up with Vad Lee
There are a lot of Georgia Tech football fans who are very excited to see what freshman Vad Lee can do this fall.
Lee had quite the career at Hillside in Durham. He was named the Class 4A player of the Year after leading his team to a 16-0 record and state championship. He completed 60 percent of his passes for 2,969 yards with 23 TDs and added 1,004 yards rushing.
He was on his way with a few teammates to watch the Hillside girls basketball team take on Green Hope on Wednesday.
He took a few minutes on the way there to answer a few questions.
Q: Are you looking forward to starting your college career?
A: I’m very excited about coming to Atlanta. It’s a great opportunity with football and with so many jobs that if football doesn’t work out I can get into a great business.
Q: There were a lot of rumors as we got closer to Signing Day that you were wavering on your commitment. How many of them were true and how many weren’t?
A: Some of them were false. Some of them were me trying to get my guys recruited. Most of it was false. I had some questions about Georgia Tech. At the end of the day I stuck with them. I stuck with them for six months. I just had to get adjusted with their language [about the quarterback].
Q: What are you doing to prepare yourself for Tech’s option offense?
A: I’m definitely preparing myself for the option. We have a running back committed to Navy and a defensive back committed to Navy and we go through drills. I have my workout book from Georgia Tech, trying to get bigger and stronger so I can compete for a starting job.
Q: Why did you decide not to enroll early?
A: I just wanted to experience high school life. I’m having fun. We are on our way to the girls [basketball] game with 20 other football players. We are going for a track championship as well. That’s something I’m looking forward to.
I wish I could do both.
Q: What specifically are you working on?
A: Basically the footwork drills. That’s the difference. It should be an easy transition. I’ve been watching plays on youtube and watching DVDs and stuff. It’s something I’ve been practicing the last week or two.
Q: It seems odd for a quarterback who played in a passing offense to want to come and play in an offense that’s different. What was the attraction to Tech and coach Johnson?
A: Coach Johnson knows to win the big one we’ve got to be more [effective passing] and that’s something he’s looking forward to getting into. I’m excited to get there and show what I can do passing the ball as well as running.
Q: Did you watch some of the hits that Joshua Nesbitt and Tevin Washington took last year?
A: I did. That’s one that everybody tried to get me with. I’m a tough guy.
Q: Of course, they also dished some out. Can you put some hits on defenders?
A: [Laughs]. I did a little trucking in my day.
Q: How big are you now?
A: I’m 6-2, 207. I’m trying to get to 210, that would be a good size.
Q: Have you been talking with any other option quarterbacks about what to expect and how to prepare yourself?
A: My teammate that’s going to Navy, he’s talked to Ricky Dobbs for me. He gave me a few tips. It’s a lot of hits, but it’s something that he enjoyed so I’m pretty sure that I’ll enjoy it too.
Q: What about at Tech? Have you been talking with those guys?
A: All of my 2011 recruiting class. They are awesome guys. They love me and I love them. I think we will be making some noise in Atlanta and showing that we can win the big one.
Q: Were you happy to see Tech sign so many offensive linemen?
A: The first guy I talked to was Trey Braun. I was extremely excited that he was coming. That’s a plus.
Q: As a guy who is enjoying the high school experience, how do you hope you will enjoy the college experience?
A: Just the overall experience of college and Atlanta. Atlanta might be my future home, being that I’ll be there for the next four years, and hanging out with my football [teammates] out of football.
Q: Tell me something about you that you haven’t told any other media?
A: Media may be tweeting that I’m a vocal guy, but I’m a really a quiet guy. I’m not that loud or anything.
Q: What is Vad short for?
A: Vad that’s my nickname.
My freshmen year many people couldn’t pronounce Lavaedeay.
– Doug Roberson, AJC
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144 comments Add your comment
wolfman
February 24th, 2011
4:17 pm
@ don: Let’s see – Tech has won its conference championship and been to a BCS bowl since UGA. Tech has won a national championship since UGA. UGA has better recruiting classes and under performs. UGA basketball hasn’t exactly lit up the NCAA tournament. Doesn’t sound like a whole lot to brag about!
ManUp...
February 24th, 2011
4:19 pm
Big Bad Vad! Work hard and prepare for your time at Tech. You can make a name for yourself and this team!
Ramblin Man
February 24th, 2011
4:23 pm
I hope GT has a better recieving core this year and on paper it looks good. Smith proved he could catch last season and Bostic is suppose to have good hands. Hill of course is a question, but Greene looks pretty good and Moore could be a factor now that he is healthy. Who knows Jackson seems to have pulled his head out of his arse and could see playing time as well. My main question is the o-line with a new center and new starters again. I also do not see Vad playing this year unless GT can actually manage a big lead. The O is way to complicated with only a summer to learn it, now if he had enrolled early that clould have changed things.
Larry the Tech Guy
February 24th, 2011
4:59 pm
Not sure if Vad will start or red shirt this year.
What I do know is if Tevin Washington is receiving the first snap of the easiest game of the year (Western Carolina) we are in for one long, long, season!…
GT Fan Class of 1989
February 24th, 2011
5:25 pm
I’m going to go out on a limb here and other Alum can chip in with their opinion…
We need a QB that gives our game and fanbase some excitement. If Synjyn can do that for us, then great. But if not, I say play Vad. Even if it means risking a few losses his freshman year, at least he will bring some excitement and fans back into Bobby Dodd stadium.
Ramblin Man
February 24th, 2011
5:26 pm
Dawginlex,
I do not know if GT will pass more this year or not due to nobody knows who the QB will be and the o-line will be young. That said I believe it was planed to have a more balanced passing attack last year but nobody stepped up to take Thomas’s spot. The receivers minus O. Smith dropped so many passes it ceased to be remotely funny and the line had trouble with pass rushing. No coach no matter the system is going to pass with the troubles GT faced last year. It has been rumored that CPJ has a pistol package similar to Air Forces but I do not know if that is true or if we will see it. I believe Days will be the starting QB and if the line can gel and the receiving core proves they can be depended on you will probably see a 70/30 run/pass ratio.
Neal
February 24th, 2011
5:37 pm
I think Tech fans would be more forgiving of CPJ if he went 6 – 7 next year breaking in a true freshman than they would keeping Tevin Washington as our number 1 QB in the rotation.
Definition of an Insanity
February 24th, 2011
6:06 pm
Definition of an Isanity – Doing the same thing over and over again, while expecting a different outcome.
CPJ is NOT insane and CPJ doesn’t want the same result as last year. That said, there will be noticeable changes on the field come Sept. 1st…
FSU ACC
February 24th, 2011
6:56 pm
Vad look forward to a career of sitting on the bench watching inferior players start instead of you because you can pass the ball.
How insane to have a QB that doesn’t run the ball al the time. I bet you never thought you would go to college and still run a high school offense.
threetrone
February 24th, 2011
8:39 pm
Vad Lee will come to Tech to play for an egocentric coach that refuses to use shotgun offenses. Every team in the US uses them, including Auburn. It’s just common sense that a cube has more time to find a receiver if he’s in a shotgun. CPJ has no such sense. His ground attack is dependent on stars like Dwyer was, with a star receiver like Thomas, and a good running cube. Here we have a passing cube from NC, and CPJ will force him to run it. Now is this a wise use of talent on the part of CPJ? No, it’s that CPJ wants to be the passer and get the glory. Also, Vad Lee might have to dress out in some form of solid black, usually knee socks, courtesy of CPJ. The team wears Georgia’s and Wake’s colors, and CPJ will be in white and gold, as if he is the star on the field. In other words, CPJ subconsciously looks for his own image in the players for tv play on ESPN and major networks, looks for big city stardom, and for national prominence that was proven to not be there last year for the running black and gold, while Auburn’s was there with white knee socks and Ted Roof not in black. Maybe CPJ has an inferiority complex about not being young like the players. I am a Tech grad of ‘73, and these are my views about what Vad Lee has signed up for.
Pistol Formation
February 24th, 2011
8:45 pm
@threetrone
Be patient. This spring, you are going to see a new formation added to the playbook. It’s not the shotgun, but close – it’s the pistol formation. It’s what Vad Lee ran in high school. It’ll make for a good transition to collegiate play for Vad.
Rodney Dangerfield
February 24th, 2011
10:13 pm
Threetrone – I think your brain is scrambled or you just like to post semi-coherent ramblings while drinking JD. You are one of those uniform freaks. What is the deal with the uniform freaks? You people are strange. At first I thought the whole “uniform” thing was just a joke. But some of you people are serious.
I picture you cussing and muttering under your breath while watching Tech football games because “in your eyes” they are wearing the wrong color of gold. Freak!
surfrider
February 25th, 2011
12:03 am
If Tech can complete 60% of it’s passes and say get 150 yards plus a game it may be unstoppable on offense. The idea of the Wishbone with a passing attack seems to be unbeatable. Tech under Pepper Rodgers never really had the QB of Jones, Hamilton, Dewberry, etc…that is needed. Thorw the ball 10 to 25 times a game, run 80 plays, get 500 yards, 40 points…..sounds like the Fridge’s #1 offense of 1999.
gtfanfrom1951
February 25th, 2011
7:45 am
Coach Johnson ran the ball because it gave the team best chance to win. Now that we are getting kids in that can pass and run the ball he will pass more. The A-backs need to catch the ball on the shot routes to help the QB out. Thats were we need to improve the passing game. I wish we would go back to the 1990 uniforms because we are not ducks.
ATLSN
February 25th, 2011
9:50 am
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We have team forums for the Falcons, Bulldogs, Hawks, Braves, Yellow Jackets, Thrashers, etc. Please register and post! Be apart of a huge site in the early days of existence. See ya there! We’re looking for posters, moderators, bloggers/writers. Join up if interested.
Buzz Me
February 25th, 2011
10:30 am
this kid is going to make us all forget Joe Hamilton…he may go down as the best to play QB at TEch ever…and he’s a good kid. welcome Vad !
Vad's SAT Score
February 25th, 2011
11:01 am
850
GT Support and Alum
February 25th, 2011
11:32 am
To WnE regarding Vad’s SAT.
He’s a good kid and he can throw and run like a scalded dog.
gt4ever
February 25th, 2011
3:02 pm
For all you haters that are saying that Josh can’t pass…… The offense we run has a direct impact. Period. Josh Nesbitt had just as many good highlight films out of highschool…… The biggest variable is if you can make the jump from highschool to college. It’s a lot bigger jump than most of you could make…. I hope Vad can make it, but he is at the same level that Josh was several years ago…. If he is 1/2 the QB that Nesbitt turned out to be, we will be lucky….
dawgfan
February 25th, 2011
3:06 pm
Is that true about Vad’s SAT score? Interesting. Not that there’s anything wrong with it mind you. I’m sure Vad has his head on straight and will be fine. Its just that when Vad does something unthinkable like say, lose to Georgia, Techies will claim that he is a future engineer and just plays football in his free time. You know, their usual pile of sore loser BS. 850 on the SAT Techies? Let’s hear your spin on this one.
Poor Vad. He has no idea what he’s gotten himself in to.
gt4ever
February 25th, 2011
3:23 pm
That SAT score seems about right, for a football player of his calibre….
Ozzy
February 25th, 2011
4:26 pm
Nice try gt4ever=WnE=dawgfan=D A DoubleU G = ……………………………….on and on and on.
Your obsession with Tech continues.
We’ll wait for your next installment, under whichever of your 30 or 40 screen names you’ll be using Logan.
THWG!
Tech fan plus
February 25th, 2011
6:49 pm
Doug, Thanks for your negative comments along the lines of: You know you going to get hit a lot in this offense and Why would you come to a running offense when you are good at throwing the ball. Not direct quotes but this is what I heard you asking. Don’t know of any other program that gets this type of question to its players. Just don’t think it is necessary. Don’t read this kind of thing from Coley.
Rodney Dangerfield
February 25th, 2011
7:30 pm
Tech fan plus – the kid already signed his LOI. Who cares what he is asked by a reporter? Some Tech fans are so touchy and defensive. They are legit questions.
gt4ever
February 25th, 2011
9:49 pm
Ozzy,
I have only ONE screen name…… Sorry to burst your bubble….
Ozzy
February 26th, 2011
7:18 am
Right Logan. Whatever you say bud.
woebegong
February 26th, 2011
8:09 am
I think Nesbitt’s problems as a passer were mostly due to the fact that he was not coached very good. He had all the raw talent but his accuracy was not too good. He was not suited to be the ideal triple option QB. He would have done better in a more conventional type of offense.
This young man looks like he will be a better fit as a quarterback. He will not throw the ball a mile, but in short and medium length passes he will be very accurate. This is what a triple option quarterback needs to do. It is all about ball control, and this young man sure seems intelligent enough to me, to learn the system and make it work. He looks like a fine young fellow with a good head on his shoulders. When CPJ was the Head coach at Navy, I can’t remember them ever being a long ball passing team. They simply played ball control, and ran the option to perfection. If Tech. can do it like Navy did and still does, this young man should thrive in this offense. The pass in the triple option is designed to keep defenses honest and to show enough variety so they can not just key on the running game. That is why, last year, without a true passing threat, teams were more able to contain Tech.
Wish him all the luck, except when he plays against his sister georgia school.
mwh6767
February 26th, 2011
9:14 am
Several things, number one, the passing problems last year where not just Nesbitts problems and not all the wr’s problems. The passing game was broken on both sides. One play Hill is dropping a ball in his hands the next play Nesbitt throws a quick out ten yards out of bounds(Go look at the last offensive play in the KU game if you don’t believe me). Second last year was a disappointment no doubt but jesus people CPJ is one year removed from a conf. title and should be given more than one year before you hang him up by his toenails! Tech is young and I look for improvement this year and don’t see anything that would keep that from happening. Lastly, I don’t agree with a whole lot of the junk that gets spewed out of the mouths of the toliet drinking nation but they do have one valid point. Tech fans its time to get out and support this program. Get your season tickets, no crappy schedule excuse this year and be at the t-day game. Good games this year, better games means better game times so more tailgating!
Paul Johnson
February 26th, 2011
9:16 am
We’ll still suck…our offense is a gimmick.
5150 UOAD
February 26th, 2011
9:34 am
Who are you going to interview next?
ACC Fan
February 26th, 2011
10:49 am
don – Tech’s baseball team beat Georgia 3 out of 3 times last year.
dawg
February 26th, 2011
12:00 pm
What’s the story on Matt Skole, All American baseball player arrested and jaield for DUI?
gt
February 26th, 2011
4:55 pm
O’Conner getting canned and Hewitt defending him, can things get any worse at Tech. You think O’Conner went to a division II team because he was a “good coach”? You think Hewitt let him go there because he was a good coach. If anyone needs a “good coach” it is Paul Hewitt. Going to make the boys tough. Forget they can’t shoot foul shots, or get a ball from out of bounds into the court for play. If Coach K or Roy Williams had done this I could give them the benefit of the doubt, but first of all they have not, and second they are winners. Caught red handed beating some kid up probably out of frustration over his own adequateness as a coach who can not communicate and then denies what the whole world saw, then wants another coaching job. Where do we find these guys, how did we get such screwed up people while under the previous athletic director. Rice was so good I guess we thought finding a good AD was child’s play. Now we realize how lucky we were to have a great AD, and what a nightmare it is having a bad one, just ask Georgia if you don’t see enough proof here.
Wreckmaniac
February 27th, 2011
12:05 pm
Don, as you and your family drive to the Clarke County lockup to visit your UGA thugs, don’t forget what Georgia team has the greatest tradition in football with 4 nat champs (clue: they ain’t in Athens),what football team has last won its conference championship, which team last played in the NCAA basketball final, which team has more current PGA moneywinners than we can even remember, etc, etc, etc.
You make it hard on yourself by being convinced that the UGA athletic record is even special. Accept reality, friend, and life will be a lot more fun. Its okay to be second. Just be humble.
Wreckmaniac
February 27th, 2011
12:09 pm
You would think that after letting a high school offense run all over them for three years, that UGA would start to figure it out. Maybe this kid Drew will help them put a respectable defense on the field. Maybe this UGA crowd will figure out that TD passes to AJ dosen’t win ballgames. You think ? Nah !
Wreckmaniac
February 27th, 2011
12:12 pm
Lee said that “if football dosen’t work out then …….” What, you mean there’s a recruit for a major college that dosen’t expect an NFL contract ? Good grief. UGA has over 100 certain NFL players. If you don’t believe it just ask this dream crowd that just signed. They’re all NFL greats.
Lee says he likes Atlanta. Makes sense. Lots of kids want to play at Tech in order to be in Atl. Thats been known for years. Beats being in the stix.
Stripes
February 27th, 2011
12:17 pm
Hahaha Dawg, thats pretty funny hounding (no pun intended) Tech people about that kid’s DUI arrest. But I don’t guess I can argue with you or any of your ilk since you are all experts about player run-ins with the law.
Speaking of that, I’ll be driving through Athens today to visit my brother in SC, would you like me to stop by the Clarke County jail and ask Caleb King how he’s doing? I’ll can get back to you with his answer at a later date.
Love for Jah
February 27th, 2011
12:25 pm
Wreckmaniac, a little edit to one of you’re posts…….you can take the NCAA basketball championship game out completely. UGA has only been to 1 final four and they didn’t even get to the championship game that year.
That aside, I think Lee with his skill set very well could be the front runner for landing the job. But even if he does so-so in practices they still have Days. I think though if both Lee and Days do decent, it would bring more to the table than what Tevin Washington has. Right now with Lee, Days, and even David Sims…..you gotta figure the chances of Washington being the starter come day 1 is a snowballs chance in hell.
GT average tenure for Football coach
February 27th, 2011
4:01 pm
Since 1967 and counting Bobby Dodd who was humiliiated by Florida in the 67 Urange Bowl, GT has run thru about 11 fb coaches over 43 years. Gulp. CPJ is right there in GT’s Heac Coach average tenure.
IF GT goes 6-6 or 7-5 he will be on thin ice. Vad Lee will only play for CPJ maybe one or two complete seasons. Sad. Such is the state of football at lil GT. Been this way since the mid 5os.
gt4ever
February 27th, 2011
4:04 pm
We need to take this time and hire Friedgen as our OC, while he is still in town…. That would really change our destiny in football…. Scrap that crap offense for a pro set, and let the Fridge work his magic… I can DREAM, can’t I…..
GT1765
February 27th, 2011
5:01 pm
@GT average tenure for Football coach:
This is exactly why CPJ is going to start Vad Lee in game 1 against Western Carolina. CPJ knows he is on thin ice and is going “ALL IN” this season. Write it down.
superDawg
February 27th, 2011
6:27 pm
Lord have mercy.
question
February 28th, 2011
4:36 pm
Moral victories are myths
If CPJ loses to UGA again at bobby dodd in 2011, his tenure will be shortened considerably
Wreckmaniac
February 28th, 2011
6:15 pm
If bulldawgs had wings they could fly