AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2005 > November > 01 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWalker beats the system
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A lot of recruits were on the field before Georgia Tech’s homecoming victory Saturday over Clemson. It made me think about last year’s recruits and how they’re doing.
So, how many of you were overjoyed last year when Tech got a commitment from a two-star-rated defensive tackle from Ft. Mill, S.C.? That was Vance Walker, the freshman who has made the biggest impact to date of the 2006 signing class.
Sure, Michael Johnson and Colin Peek and other more highly touted signees could turn out to be better college players, but Walker’s success right off the bat provides one more reminder that, especially in football, players can turn out to be a lot better than the so-called experts think.
Permalink | Comments (10) | Categories: Football
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By Chris
November 1, 2005 04:41 PM | Link to this
This is no surprise. Frank Beamer and nearly his entire coaching staff were there trying to get Walker right about the time he committed to GT. And we know that Beamer can evaluate defensive talent.
Gailey has been able to recruit the best group of defensive linemen we’ve seen on the Flats in years.
Just wait until Darryl Richard returns next year to go along with Anoai, Walker, and Wrotto at DT…
By GT
November 1, 2005 05:53 PM | Link to this
P.J. Daniels was a walk on and now he is a run over back.
By tony
November 1, 2005 09:01 PM | Link to this
Hey, Just wait until the spring when former Warner Robins High School Standout Nick Butler Enrolls. He was a pre-season first team all-state player his senior year and one of the top 5 d-lineman in Georgia in 2003. He now stands at 6’3 1/2 and weighs in at 315 lbs. He will be a transfer student from Savannah so he is sitting out this year. he’s currently enrolled in class at Georgia Military College.
By WaCoJacket
November 1, 2005 10:10 PM | Link to this
Nick Butler is coming to GT??? I never heard this until now… GT rarely gets transfers…
By Foot Ball
November 2, 2005 08:37 AM | Link to this
IS ANYONE ELSE WORRIED ABOUT WAKE FOREST OR IS IT JUST ME.
By JIM GROB
November 2, 2005 09:05 AM | Link to this
WF has the potential to throttle the Jackets this year. WF offense matches up well with GT’s defense, especially when GT jumps offsides so much. WF will be a tough test; hopfully the GT Offense will be ready for a tough battle. And do not forget about GT’s un-special teams. Could kick coverage get any worse? Why don’t GT just kick the ball out of bounds? I’d rather it be on their 35 than our 35, if GT can not cover and tackle.
By Foot Ball
November 2, 2005 09:58 AM | Link to this
Wake has run the ball on everyone even when their line had a lot of injuries.
Their coaching staff gets a lot out of very little. They have a harder recruiting road than about every body but Duke. Like Tech they have to bring players from all over. They are always well coached. They just don’t have the horses to finish with. National merit students yes. 3, 4 or 5 star football players no. Their coaches remind me of the old Bear Bryant saying , ” they can beat ours with theirs or theirs with ours “. Can we swap ours for theirs ? Coaches that is.
By Observer37
November 5, 2005 09:39 PM | Link to this
Halftime at Blacksburg: A reliable source reports that Chan called Frank and suggested he move M. Vick to DB or WR. “Too dumb to read the defenses, throws the ball up for grabs, and too emotional to play QB. Marcus may be uncoachable.” Beamer is reported to have told Chan that was his job to coach Marcus. Unsubstantiated reports are that Chan made a similar call to Beamer in the first half of the Sugar Bowl some years back with similar “advice” about Michael. That’s why we get players rated mid-minor prospects.
By techfowl
November 6, 2005 04:55 PM | Link to this
Why would Chan call Beamer with unsolicited advice? On Mike and Marcus Vick of all people? Chan wasn’t even a college coach when Mike was at VT, so why would he care?
Chan was also the guy that made a winner of a similar, but less talented, QB in Pittsburg named Kordell Stewart, so why would he suggest using another - much more talented player ‘away’ from the QB position?
I think that conversation never happened, and/or someone didn’t tell you the truth.
Chan does a great job evaluating talent. GT has as high, or higher, a success rate as any D1 school with previously unheralded achieving huge success on the field.
No need for stories that are not confirmed and likely are not true.
By techfowl
November 6, 2005 04:58 PM | Link to this
The more I read that post the more absolutley silly it seems.
Chan called another coach and talked to him DURING the Sugar Bowl? And Beamer just handed over the clipboard and took a phone call?
ok.