Can Georgia Tech pull in a 5-star offensive lineman this year?
DressHerInWhiteAndGold: Favorite summer getaway?
Ben: I wasn’t always a beach guy, but over time, I have really grown to love the beach. Not even just the beach itself. I kind of love beach towns. When I eventually retire, I would love to go live in a small beach town.
Logan: Big fan of staying inside and doing nothing most of the summer. When I travel in Summer I like the beach, I also like mountains but that feels more like a Fall trip to make.
Jake: Easily the Northwoods, particularly Wisconsin. Perfect temperatures, and beautiful, clear lakes are hard to beat.
TkTheGoat: Two questions both related to each other…Can we pull a 5 star recruit in the next 2 to 4 recruiting classes? We made a 2025, 5 star lineman’s top 5 this year and he is yet to commit anywhere, what are the chances he chooses us? What does that do for the program if he does commit?
Ben: Can it happen? Yes, and it may well happen with Josh Petty in a couple of weeks. Will we consistently pull in 5-stars? Probably not, but I think the chances are certainly better that we will continue to be in contention for some 5-stars.
Logan: It’s not like its never happened before. I think we can and will pull more 5 stars in the future. I wouldn’t expect a ton of them but I think if we focus on recruiting specific athletes and continue to so success on the field I think we can get a few 5 starts over the next few years.
jabsterjacket (via Partywaggin): Are the Candy Canes the ACC team that consistently underachieves the most based on their level of talent?
Or do they just have the best hype machine in the conference?
Ben: I would say either Miami or UNC are the teams that most consistently underachieve. They are both teams that have a lot of name brand and thus hype. I don’t know that they are doing anything letting their fanbases generate that excitement.
Logan: I think of Miami that way. The last time Miami won 10 games was in 2017, which doesn’t feel like 7 years ago but apparently it is. Since 2017 the Cane’s best season was 2020 when they won 8 games. Despite this, every year I get to hear about how the Canes are going to be one of the top teams this year based purely on the talent they have on the field. At least UNC played for an ACC Championship 2 years ago. Before last year I would’ve said Texas was in the same boat as the Canes, but the Longhorns seem to have finally figured things out. When it comes to college football I can’t think of a team that consistently sets their fans up for more disappointment than Miami.
Yeller Bug: Aside from maybe a dozen elite programs (or even include them), do you think there is greater parity in college football today than say 20 years ago?
Ben: As you get outside of those elite institutions, I think there’s more parity, but I as a whole, I would say there is less parity at the top than 20 years ago, but more at the bottom.
Logan: I actually think parity is growing across the board as we are seeing new teams challenging for the top, but it certainly hasn’t changed which teams we end up watching in the playoffs at the end of each year.
Jake: I think we need to let a years of the new paradigm settle in before I’d say I have a good feel on that question. However, I’m cautiously optimistic as we look to start the 12-team era.
Yeller Bug: Follow on question: Do you think NIL and the relaxed Open Portal rules, et al will enhance parity or cause a greater riff?
Ben: None of the schools outside of that elite group are going to be able to compete with them. That divide is only going to grow, but I think the lower tiers will have enhanced parity.
Logan: I think it will make things worse to an extent. Whoever has the most money signs the best players… by that logic any school that doesn’t have money will be facing an uphill battle.
Anuj Bhyravabhotla (via email): Time for my yearly tradition of asking this question. Of the freshmen we signed this year, who:
- has the most upside?
- will see playing time this year?
- will have the most impact this year?
Optionally, any sleepers that could emerge this year (like Eric Singleton last year)?
Ben: Most upside is probably a guy like Troy Stevenson or Isiah Canion. I would also include Aaron Philo in that group. I’m really excited for what Philo brings to the table at quarterback. They could potentially play this year, at least sparingly, but I think Anthony Carrie is probably the most likely to play this year. He could also have the most impact this year. Sleepers are tough to pick in that you are inherently not expecting them to do much, so if I pick someone, they would by definition not be a sleeper. It’s a cop out, but I’m taking it.