Georgia Tech added a personal touch when recruiting offensive lineman Mikey Minihan.
Before the 3-star offensive guard from Honolulu, Hawaii completed his senior season at the St. Louis School, Minihan received handwritten letters from Georgia Tech’s coaching staff.
"I remember a couple weeks before I committed, I got handwritten letters every week from every coach on the (Georgia Tech) staff,” Minihan said. “That was a big plus for me because coaches were taking time out of their days to write me handwritten letters. I just really appreciate that."
The most memorable letter Minihan received was from offensive line coach Mike Sewak and co-offensive line coach Ron West before Minihan and the Crusaders competed in the 2016 HHSAA State Championship game against Kahuku High School on Nov. 19.
"I thought it was really cool,” Minihan said. “They just gave me encouragement and all that stuff. It was my favorite letter."
The Crusaders won the 2016 HHSAA State Championship over Kahuku 30-14— the fourth state title for the St. Louis School since 1999.
Minihan, 6-foot-3, 285 pounds, committed to Tech’s 2017 signing class in July 2016 and signed his letter-of-intent on National Signing Day.
The rest of the Q&A with Minihan can be read below:
What was your funniest memory with Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson?
Minihan: "When we went on my official visit, at the end he sat down with me and my parents and he talked for a really long time and he told us the story about how he used to play college basketball. It was a really funny story. It was about his first day at basketball practice and he just got balled all over by this other guy."
Which school was the greatest disappointment to you?
Minihan: "Honestly, University of Hawaii. I was offered by them and I went to visit and I just didn't like it that much... The coaches were all really nice and everything but the facilities weren't that good. There were great coaches and everything but the team wasn't that good at that time so I really just wasn't that interested when I went and visited."
What advice would you give a junior about recruiting?
Minihan: "Just enjoy it. Don't rush it because stuff like this, it only happens once in your life. It's never going to happen again, so just take your time and find the right place for you."
Would you do anything differently if you went through the recruiting process again?
Minihan: "I wish I enrolled early actually. I think it would have given me a step ahead on everything."
Why didn't you enroll early?
Minihan: "I didn't have my English credit. I was looking into it but I couldn't finish my English credit so I had to stay."
Which college coach was the hardest to turn down?
Minihan: "Probably (Hawaii's passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach Craig Stutzmann) because the guy that offered me, he kind of fought for me to get offered. To turn him down hurt me a little bit. I'm sure it hurt him as well, but what can you do?"
What are Georgia Tech's expectations for you as a freshman?
Minihan: "My expectations, I can't speak so much for the school but I can speak for me, I'm expecting myself to go in and compete. It doesn't matter if I start or I play, I just want to go in and put my best foot forward and my best effort and do what I can to help the team."
What do you want Georgia Tech fans to know about you?
Minihan: "I want them to know that I'm a team first kind of guy. My own personal gain is not something I'm after. I love playing football, I love being part of a team, I love being in the trenches. I'm just going to work hard and not give up."
Which game are you most looking forward to next season?
Minihan: "Georgia of course."
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