Technical Tidbits 5/3: Evan Cole is Commitment #4, Dedrick Mills is GRAVEDIGGER

Josh Pastner scored a commitment on Tuesday from South Forsyth PF Evan Cole. After signing with UNC-Wilmington back in the fall, Cole was granted a release from his LOI last month after UNC-W head coach Kevin Keatts was hired away by N.C. State. In the time since, the three-star forward received offers from the Wolfpack & Yellow Jackets, as well as Vanderbilt. It’s interesting and exciting that Cole was given an opportunity to play for Keatts at N.C. State after previously committing to play for him at UNC-W, and instead has elected to stay closer to home and play for Coach Pastner. Cole is a big man who stands at 6’8” and 200 pounds, though he plays with a ton of athleticism and isn’t afraid to shoot from distance.

The commitment brings Georgia Tech’s first recruiting class of the Josh Pastner era to four commitments, as Cole joins Jose Alvarado, Curtis Haywood, and Moses Wright. The Jackets still have room to add more players (transfers or from high school), and still may do so in the coming days and weeks. Stay tuned!

You may have heard this story before, but ESPN posted a story yesterday about Dedrick Mills, focusing on his upbringing and family. For those unaware, Mills and his brother Kenny worked at a local graveyard in high school, digging graves to help support their family. It was the sort of deep experience that influenced Mills in how he approaches life, inspiring him and driving him to be a better player. The article also discusses the unique eye-training exercises that Mills has been working with strength coach John Sisk on this offseason, which should really help Mills in his development as a runner.

The more I learn about Dedrick Mills, the more I like about him, and the more proud I am to see him representing my alma mater. I'm guessing I'm not alone in feeling that way.

Yesterday, it was announced that Alabama gave OLB Coach Tosh Lupoi a $400,000 raise, making him one of the 20 highest-paid assistant coaches in the country. He becomes the third coach on the Crimson Tide’s staff to be paid higher than Georgia Tech’s highest-paid assistant, DC Ted Roof (who is among the top-30 assistants nationally at $750,000/year). Aside from being a position coach, Lupoi is an ace recruiter for the Crimson Tide and was a major reason that multiple top-notch recruits ended up in Tuscaloosa this year.

In the words of famous Alabama running back Forrest Gump, “That’s all I’ve got to say about that.”

Here’s to hoping we all get $400,000 raises today.

Have a great Wednesday!