Key notes from Beamer press conference
- Been a busy two weeks to end January recruiting high school players, in 11 states and 31 schools to visit prospects.
- Lost several support people to other schools, has hired several new people to replace the departed.
- Things are going well in the weight room, first day of spring practice is March 4th and will wrap up the second week of April.
- Really likes the group of Portal signees they have, lots of people to thank for helping get that group together because it’s a whirlwind during that recruiting period.
- Brought in 43 free agent visitors in 14 days.
- Always start with high school recruiting, but had some major needs and needed to attack the Portal, brought in experience and production without entitlement, a good group of young men.
- Completely blindsided when Josiah Thompson called him after Christmas to say he was entering the Portal, both moved on on great terms, Thompson then reached out to him and talked about coming back, he’s turned down others who left and wanted to come back, he makes them better.
- TE Michael Smith contacted him and expressed interested in returning after signing with Syracuse. Since Smith is now at another school, he declined to talk further about that situation.
- Would not anticipate a spring game inside Williams-Brice which is going through renovations.
- Brought in a lot of guys from the Portal who are willing to step and lead and have captain like qualities.
- Was looking for guys with talent, not looking for entitlement and willing to compete.
- Believes the penalty for tampering in free agent recruiting should be severe, all coaches are waiting to see what comes of the Ferrelli/Ole Miss/Clemson situation (without naming them), and if nothing is done, it will be wilder than they’ve ever experienced.
- Cool mentality with the new offensive linemen, bunch of guys who have a strong work ethic and a hunger to get better, bringing back some talented OL as well to go along with the new free agents.
- Had to address the running back room, and the free agents they signed will add a lot, only had four running backs returning and that’s not enough.
- Dabo Swinney calling out Ole Miss and head coach Pete Golding was the next step towards dealing with tampering in free agency recruiting.