Georgia Tech Football: Five Impact Players - DT Adam Gotsis

Adam Gotsis, Junior, Defensive Tackle

When he was recruited, Adam Gotsis was seen as an anomaly in a lot of recruiting circles. "Why would Georgia Tech want some kid from Australia? The competition down there isn't any good, so his film is bogus," they all said. Then Gotsis showed up, and immediately proved that he was worth every dollar of scholarship money he was offered. After starting once as a freshman and playing in 12 games, he started all 13 games at defensive tackle in 2013 and was second on the team in sacks behind the new San Diego Charger Jeremiah Attaochu. (For the record, a defensive tackle that's noticeable in the pass rush is fairly rare to come across.) At 6'5" and around 300 pounds (136 kilos for the boys back home), Gotsis is a load to handle for opposing offensive linemen. Worse news for them is that he's spent the offseason reportedly working his tail off getting into the best shape of his life -- supported by pictures on his Twitter and Facebook.

Gotsis is of massive importance to this defense as the role of the defensive line will be magnified with the Front 7 turning into the Front 6 as the Yellow Jackets move towards a 4-2-5 base set. Not only that, but Gotsis is also the only returning starter from last year's defensive line, meaning he'll need to be the guy leading that group in meeting rooms and creating the most havoc for opposing offensive lines. If he is able to do that (and by all means, he should be able to), Gotsis should be one of the best defensive tackles in the ACC and a candidate for the All-ACC team.

Is Adam Gotsis a difference-maker on defense? Will he be in All-ACC considerations by the end of this season? Isn't he deserving of a cool nickname?