Though last week's ACC media days did yield a legendary Snapchat photo featuring Paul Johnson as a lizard man, the result of a media poll at the event proved much more dubious and nerve-wracking for Tech fans: the Jackets were picked to finish sixth out of seven teams in the ACC's Coastal Division. The bad news here is that the team has now officially undone any increase in national respect that it had built up following the 11-win 2014 campaign, though there's a pretty convincing argument that such a threshold was crossed at the conclusion of the 3-win 2016 season. The good news, however, is dual-faceted in that 1) preseason polls mean absolutely nothing and 2) the team has often found solace in low expectations since the beginning of the Johnson era. It's not that having a horrible perception is a good thing, just that it isn't inherently bad either. The only people capable of judging the program are those currently around it, and word is that the staff members are much more comfortable right now than they were at this point a year ago.
Georgia Tech picked up commitment number eight of the 2017 football cycle yesterday afternoon when three-star offensive guard Demetris Harris elected to attend Tech over his two other finalists, Wake Forest and South Florida. Harris, a native of Florida, is the latest in a growing line of Jacksonville-area players to choose Tech; he joins Step Durham, Vic Alexander, Antonio Simmons, and others as J'Ville products on the current roster.
My commitment ❗️ pic.twitter.com/Vz7QxoeeZP
— Demetris Harris (@Meech64_) July 25, 2016
Congratulations to Demetris on his commitment, and welcome to Tech! Hopefully he can feed off of the energy from his Floridian brethren and have a productive football career.
Georgia Tech announced that this year's annual Fan Day will be held on August 6th at Bobby Dodd Stadium, providing all fans with an excellent opportunity to interact with coaches and players in advance of what should be an interesting season of football. The event, which is completely free of charge, will feature an autograph event on the field with all of the various players and Paul Johnson for those willing to brave the heat and potentially long lines, depending on whose autograph you're looking to secure. There will also be a school supplies drive for local children in need of back-to-school amenities with collection boxes scattered around the event. Be sure to come out and get to know the 2016 Jackets before the season kicks off!