Technical Tidbits 5/8: Medical Issues Cut Careers Short for Gray and Stickler

Gray and Stickler Medically Retire: Monday was a sad day on The Flats with S A.J. Gray and OT Jake Stickler both having their football careers cut short due to medical issues. Stickler made 10 starts last season at right tackle and was set to be a key component of the rotation on the offensive line in 2018. His condition has not been announced at this time. The loss of Gray to a heart condition is a huge blow for the defense. Gray, a two year starter at free safety, was going to be the lone returning starter in the secondary and a leader on a defense transitioning to a new scheme. In three seasons, Gray played in 33 games and recorded 147 tackles, a sack, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries, one ACC DB of the Week award. Both players will remain on scholarship to finish their degrees but will no longer count towards the team’s scholarship limit.

Austin Twins Prepare for Falcons Audition: Though no Yellow Jackets were drafted in the 2018 NFL draft, 8 alumni were signed as undrafted free agents or invited to rookie minicamps. Two of the latter were CBs Lance and Lawrence Austin, both of whom will attend the Atlanta Falcons’ rookie camp. The twins have played together at every level and their joint efforts to make the hometown team make for a pretty good story (just ignore that they called Georgia Tech “The Plains”).

Okogie Works Out for the Hawks: The Austin twins aren’t the only Yellow Jackets to get a look from an Atlanta professional team. Josh Okogie, Georgia Tech’s star basketball-er, worked out for the Atlanta Hawks on Monday. The Hawks were Okogie’s third and, as of this moment, final workout ahead of the NBA Combine later this month. He has also worked out in front of the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets. Okogie hasn’t given any indication whether he intends to stay in the draft or return to The Flats but will make the decision following the combine and after weighing input from NBA scouts.

Clean, Old Fashioned Hate Heads to SunTrust: The final game of the 2018 Clean, Old Fashioned Hate baseball series will take place tonight at SunTrust Park, home of the Atlanta Braves. The #12 Bulldogs emerged victorious in both of this season’s earlier meetings, winning 4-0 in Athens and 8-3 in Atlanta. Tech is expected to send redshirt sophomore Tristin English to the mound to face freshman C.J. Smith. First pitch is at 7:00 pm. If you can’t make it out to the park, the game will be broadcast on SEC Network.