More on Georgia Tech’s “top secret” recruit from Australia
DT Adam Gotsis from Australia
Here’s some more information on Georgia Tech’s “top secret” recruit from Australia, Adam Gotsis.
He’s the 6-foot-5, 295-pounder from Melbourne, Australia, who is taking an official visit to Georgia Tech this weekend, has been offered a football scholarship, and may commit to the Yellow Jackets the end of the weekend.
Gotsis was recommended to Georgia Tech by Paul Manera, who represents Australia on the Technical Committee for the International Federation of American Football.
“My connection to Georgia Tech is with coaches Paul Johnson and Mike Sewak,” Manera said in an email. “Coach Johnson recruited me from a [Mississippi junior college] to play offensive tackle for him at Hawaii, where I lettered from 1989-91. During this time, Coach Sewak was my offensive line coach and we have stayed in touch with each other over the years. I recommended Adam to Coach Sewak as a person that I believe can play Div. I football.”
Note: Johnson was Hawaii’s offensive coordinator from 1987-94, while Sewak was an assistant at the same time. Sewak has served as Georgia Tech’s co-offensive line coach the past four seasons.
Back to the Australian football prospect: What makes Manera think Gotsis can play? “I have watched Adam play and he is very competitive. He is very determined and coachable. He plays with a lot of heart, which is something you cannot measure in a weight room. He has the raw tools to excel and just needs to be in an environment where he can compete on a daily basis. He is also very coachable and I believe that he will be able to master the skills needed to play his position … Adam is a good athlete. He has good flexibility and coordination for football. Adam has also played basketball and Australian rules football, so through this process this has enabled him to do a variety of movement patterns. Adam has good size, he’s nearly 6-5 and weighs 295 pounds, and he has a big frame to carry it as he does not look 295. Adam has a good nervous system and he will adapt very well to the strength and conditioning program at Georgia Tech.”
We tried to catch up with Gotsis over Skype or the telephone earlier in the week, but ended up exchanging emails due to the time differences and other logistics. Here were a few questions over email with Gotsis:
- What interests you about Georgia Tech? “I am very interested because coming from Australia we don’t get these type of opportunities.”
- What position is Georgia Tech recruiting you at? Offensive or defensive line? “They want me to play defensive tackle.”
- Have any colleges other than Georgia Tech offered you a football scholarship? “I have spoken to a few schools but Georgia Tech pursued me the most, and made the recruiting process as easy as possible for me.”
Go here for more background on the Australia DT. We can confirm that Gotsis arrived safely from his long journey from Australia to Georgia Tech because a couple of reporters noticed him while leaving a press conference on campus. They said he looked every bit of 6-5 and 295 but lean and muscular. Also, Georgia Tech’s coaches were reportedly upset that word got out about Gotsis visiting this weekend because they were hoping to keep him a “secret” from competing colleges until National Signing Day.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- Georgia Tech withdraws scholarship offer of its first 2012 commit
- More on Georgia Tech’s “top secret” recruit from AUSTRALIA
- Will UGA be able to flip the commitment of one of Auburn’s top recruits?
- Georgia Tech is almost finished: Florida DB is commit No. 16
- G’Day Mate: Georgia Tech welcomes football recruit from … Australia
- UGA loses DE to NC State only hours after meeting with Rodney Garner
- Will RB Mike Davis still visit UGA and Clemson? He’s committed to South Carolina but …
- Updates on 3 ex-Tennessee commits from Georgia
- Why Dalvin Tomlinson did not make UGA visit … other UGA and Georgia Tech notes
- Nick Saban hits town to recruit top juniors at Atlanta high schools … and a gym?
- Good news for Georgia Tech with state’s top uncommitted prospect?
- Atlanta RB “still committed” to Alabama but considering options
- Ex-Atlanta Falcons coach Jim Mora lands another Atlanta recruit for UCLA
- Georgia QB flips to ACC school after pep talk from new coach
- Nick Saban to Atlanta RB: You can’t sign with Alabama until …. 2013
- Josh Harvey-Clemons’ grandpa predicts “photo finish” between UGA and SEC rival
- Will Vanderbilt DE recruit flip to UGA after visiting Bulldogs?
- OL commits to Georgia Tech; cancels official visit to Florida Gators
- Nephew of ex-NFL star Dexter Manley commits to new ACC member
- RB Mike Davis goes public with his “secret” commitment; Guess who??
- Todd Gurley: Analysis of UGA’s newest recruit and … remember Tim Worley?
– By Michael Carvell, AJC Recruiting Blog
Got an item? mcarvell@ajc.com
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159 comments Add your comment
reebok
January 21st, 2012
7:33 am
Big, coachable and a good athlete…kind of unconventional, to say the least, but sure, why not?
Jacket Man
January 21st, 2012
7:46 am
Sign him up baby! With a year in the weight room and extra football study this guy can be that stud NT at 6′5″ 325 we need for the 3-4.
Keep it coming PJ! This is going to be a great class and drive Tech to 9+ win seasons for the next 4 years.
All UGA trolls please type insults now………
GT Fan
January 21st, 2012
7:46 am
He’ll make one hell of a DT for us! Go Jackets!!!!
GT Fan
January 21st, 2012
7:48 am
And he’ll probably be on the field sooner than later, since we are VERY slim on quality DT’s…
bhamwreck
January 21st, 2012
7:53 am
If we get Tomlinson, Mcalister, then with Kallon and the Aussie we should have a solid d-line for the next few..
footballfan365
January 21st, 2012
8:01 am
Maybe thats a very old picture but that kid is nowhere near 295lbs! I give him 265lbs on a good day!
Dawg Style
January 21st, 2012
8:40 am
Hey Michael Carvel,
Can you please give the contact information for this young man to Mark Richt? Thanks.
Tad
January 21st, 2012
8:43 am
Really……I read about this 2 weeks ago. and this is my weekend story.
Jacket Man
January 21st, 2012
8:53 am
He can also dunk a basketball; not too shabby for a 6′5″, 295 lb defensive tackle.
Jacket Man
January 21st, 2012
8:54 am
He’s already committed to the Jackets.
Jacket Man
January 21st, 2012
8:54 am
Don’t be surprised to see two more commits coming out this weekend as well.
KeepDreaming
January 21st, 2012
9:00 am
You’re gonna need more than just one recruit from down under to save your fledgling football team nerds!
Muffin
January 21st, 2012
9:01 am
Gotsis is a STUD !!!!!!
CPJ is on a mission, no doubt.
Told you to “HIDE AND WATCH” ……………..
Agree with Jacket Man, more to come……
Clemson hires top quality DC this week, we need to be one step ahead. They could be a legit NC team within 2-3 years.
SansWorld
January 21st, 2012
9:11 am
“Adam has a good nervous system ”
one of those intangable qualities every OLineman needs
Paul Hogan
January 21st, 2012
9:13 am
Perhaps he will one day lead Tech to the Outback Bowl
DesignerJacket
January 21st, 2012
9:14 am
KeeDreaming, it’s not fledgling. It’s as old as any in the South and has a better and more illustrious history than that one up in Athens. As for recent success….I think the word you might be looking for is “struggling” or maybe “lacking.” But not fledgling. We have a strong coaching/scheme base right now, we just need to plug in better talent and watch it continue the upward trend.
As for Gotsis, that is one big dude! His videos show a 6′ 5″ guy who can MOVE! His weight is in his musculature, which means he can add more before he sees a D-1 playing field. I really hope we get him locked up today!
GT ATW
January 21st, 2012
9:27 am
This is great news and hope they close the deal this weekend. For all the naysayers on this blog who constantly bash CPJ for signing a few players who were only offered by schools like Southern Miss, Troy and Georgia Southern—this should easy your anxiety a bit as coach is reaching out as far a Australia to bring talent to the flats and he’s having success doing it! And just another little fact, he is the only GT coach to win 8 games in three of his first four seasons. Need to finish in bowl games, but that will come. The future of GT football looks very bright and this is the best recruiting class of the last four years.
DawgFan1
January 21st, 2012
9:32 am
Those Aussie’s are tough, would hate to tackle him on a rugby pitch. Nice find Tech, hope it works out for the best for you and the kid.
Bringitonsports
January 21st, 2012
9:34 am
Adam is a genuine 295 pounds and he looks evry bit of 6 Feet 4 and a half….. The Good news is he is a lean 295 pounds and you can visit our facebook site for Bring It On Sports and you will see him wearing a Georgia Tech Jersey # 92 which was taken yesterday.
Gorilla Biscuit
January 21st, 2012
9:35 am
Next up a kicker from Tanzania.
BigTimeTECHfan
January 21st, 2012
9:41 am
great update, thanks Micheal.
If he signs that will be great, He’ll be fan favorite like Luuuuke.
Like every recruit he’ll have to work hard to be a impact player. Kid looks like great pickup.
Current class is great
get Gotsis and it will be awesome class
add Tomlison and/or McAllister it will be far and above any class
back to back very nice recruiting class for Tech, CJP is really good recruiter
Gorilla Biscuit
January 21st, 2012
9:42 am
“CJP is really good recruiter”
Frankly
January 21st, 2012
9:44 am
Great opportunity for the kid but you have to admit this is a slight gamble and a project for sure. Very hard to judge his ablility given the competition level in Australia. Good luck Adam if you sign with gtu in all except the last game of the regular season.
THWGT
HighTech
January 21st, 2012
9:44 am
Tanzania, New Zealand, Australia, Paulding County, I don’t care where he comes from as long as the kicker can kick the ball into the end zone and make the clutch field goals.
collegeballfan
January 21st, 2012
9:45 am
DesignerJacket
Wasting your time on the high school kids like KeepDreaming. Your comments are way over his head. The use of the word “nerd” as an insult only shows the lack of education and/or life experience.
The Aussie kids looks almost skinny in the videos. And he does move well.
The being “coachable” is a big deal. There are a few guys on the team who are not very coachable.
They appear to be no better today than when they were as seniors in high school.
If the coaching staff thought they would keep this secret they are really naive.
And on occasion one must take a chance on players. Remember Marco Coleman? Two offers coming out of high school but made All American and was a first rounder in the NFL draft (12th overall). 13 year NFL career. Tech took a chance on him.
Muffin
January 21st, 2012
9:49 am
Studs like this need to not take “a chance” on TECH , but seize the opportunity.
2012.
THE SWARM BEGINS.
nuff said.
HighTech
January 21st, 2012
9:52 am
Kallon and Gotsis on the Tech DL. They will be the International Wrecking Crew.
THE Dixie Redcoat Band
January 21st, 2012
9:56 am
He’ll have a “wake-up call” when he sees where the gt campus is located.
Very little crime down under.
Muffin
January 21st, 2012
10:02 am
@dixeye redgoat band……….
hung-over I see……..
jod
January 21st, 2012
10:03 am
I see the dogs continued hated for anyone who doesn’t talk them continues. The only minorities they know or like is the ones that dawn their uniform. After that the hoods are back on.
gtfanfrom1951
January 21st, 2012
10:05 am
SEC cheaters for over signing. Its time for this practice to come to an end!!!
DawgFan1
January 21st, 2012
10:06 am
Dawn their uniform?
DawgFan1
January 21st, 2012
10:12 am
Nice Jod… “is the ones’…. Impressive. I’ll assume you are still in middle school and not just uneducated…or Southside Steve. I have to go “dawn my shirt” when I get out of bed.
Gorilla Biscuit
January 21st, 2012
10:13 am
jod, please tell me you are not enrolled or a graduate.
HighTech
January 21st, 2012
10:16 am
You Dwags leave jod alone. Spelling is obviously not one of his strengths.
Rick James
January 21st, 2012
10:18 am
I think Tech may have outdown Georgia on this one.I have yet to see a UGA recruit discribed as having a “good nervous system”. I think you only need to hide this player from Conference USA schools.
HighTech
January 21st, 2012
10:18 am
Outdown, Rick? Do you know jod?
BigTimeTECHfan
January 21st, 2012
10:25 am
“Maybe thats a very old picture but that kid is nowhere near 295lbs! I give him 265lbs on a good day!”
He’s bigger now, below is video of him lifting, you can see he put on weight
http://shirespeedandstrength.com.au/
scoll down to NEAR and FAR blog
Muffin
January 21st, 2012
10:38 am
mutts just’eww and ahh’ over this stud..
Eat your heartworms out !!!
Destin Dawg
January 21st, 2012
10:55 am
good for GT.. fun to watch you guys play and win just not in one game !
Rick James
January 21st, 2012
10:56 am
HighTech
ha ha..”outdone” I’m so nervous about this guy playing against Georgia that I cant spell..I’m thinking down under.
Muffin
January 21st, 2012
11:00 am
rick james…….. SUPER FREAK ………
Go Jackets!
January 21st, 2012
11:05 am
UGA had a guy named Sardis and I believe he was from France. I could make some useless and insulting comment about UGA and France but I’m better than that. If I remember correctly Sardis was an All-American defensive lineman for the dawgs.
I hope Adam can do the same for the Jackets.
Go Jackets!
January 21st, 2012
11:15 am
DixieRedCoat, the expert on crime in Australia! Nah, just someone looking for a clue.
Rick James
January 21st, 2012
11:17 am
@Go Jackets!
Richard Tardis..Was a monster and sprent a few years with the Rams..Tech may have another here.
Rick James
January 21st, 2012
11:17 am
~spent~
Go Jackets!
January 21st, 2012
11:18 am
Rick, if he was committed to UGA you’d be saying he’s a “DGD”. Double standard much?
Hayseed Dixie
January 21st, 2012
11:22 am
Seen this happen all the time- a kid gets around guys at the same level, skill wise, and just blows up.
Plus, if you’re playing American football in Australia it’s obvious you have a love for the game. That should rub off on your teammates.
Great find, and I’m very impressed by the efforts at Tech to put together a quality D-line.
Go Jackets!
January 21st, 2012
11:22 am
Rick, I know you are just talking a little “smack”. Have a nice day.
Jacket Man
January 21st, 2012
11:33 am
http://www.facebook.com/BringitonSports