As the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets gear up for their annual White and Gold Spring game, which is just 16 days away on April 13, 2025, the excitement is palpable. The team was back on the practice field today, and cornerbacks coach Kobie Jones took the opportunity to share his insights with the media following the Yellow Jackets' seventh spring practice.
One of the standout observations from Coach Jones was the level of effort displayed by the cornerbacks. "Yeah, I think the guys obviously when you watch you know you watch the games from Georgia Tech last year those guys play with tremendous effort you know they play hard and that was the thing I was expecting you know when I got here and that's the thing they do they play hard they play extremely hard obviously we gotta cleanup technique and some of that stuff but as a coach you don't coach effort right those guys either got it or they don't right and that's the one thing I haven't had to really coach as much right those guys are going hard they give great effort so that's the biggest thing is that what I seen on film is what I'm getting right now obviously we'll clean up the rest of the stuff and play with better technique but the efforts there you know the tenacity is that they play way is there," Jones stated.
Jones, who has been preparing for this coaching role since the beginning of his career, expressed gratitude to head coach Brent Key for the opportunity. He said, "Yeah, I mean, it's it's kind of what I've been preparing for. I was always taught you know work like the job for that you want so I've been preparing for this position since the day I started coaching It's been I'm blessing to be here obviously and to be able to show that I can I know a lot of people are going to doubt me, you know, young coach, but I'm prepared. I'm confident. I got to work with the greatest DB coach there ever was, you know, Coach Saban working with Coach Saban. So I'm extremely confident in the knowledge that I have in the game and especially the DB plays. So just grateful for Coach Key being able to give me this opportunity to show what I can do."
Reflecting on his journey into coaching, Jones shared a personal story about his transition from player to coach. "I would get into coaching because so I'm... short story I was I played ball at Alabama State and I didn't really start learning football until my junior year when I transitioned from quarterback going to safety my DC there he really I've really started understanding football and I'm like dang I could have been a lot better two years ago so I have a lot of younger siblings and I have a younger brother right now he's down at IMG Academy playing safety and I'm just he was younger at the time obviously and I'm like man I can, I can get back to him and he could be better than I was at that age, then it clicked like, okay, you can touch, you can impact more kids than just him. So that was the biggest thing, being able to know that I can impact the lives of other kids. It started with just football, and then when I got, you know, around more kids, I'm started with just football, and then when I got, you know, around more kids, I'm really changing their lives outside of football. So that's really what kept me in coaching and got me into it, you know, just to impact the lives of younger athletes," he explained.
Jones also praised his collaboration with defensive coordinator Coach Gideon, noting that it has been a smooth transition. "It's been great, man. I mean, he's very detailed in everything he does and how he wants stuff. He demands the room. The guys have a lot of respect for him from day one. You can feel that energy when he's in there. So it's been great. You know, we worked with similar people, Coach T. Robb. So we GA both for him, so we know similar things. So it's been smooth transition. It's felt like I've known him from years and when I was down at IMG coaching he actually recruited some of my players there got some of those guys down when he was at Texas so it's been good it's been a joy to work with Coach Gideon. I love like I said the tenacity he brings I think it matches the program and what Coach Key was looking for the program so I'm excited to work with him to see how the season goes."
When discussing the team's standout players, Jones highlighted Ahmari Harvey's leadership on the defense. "Yeah, I think naturally those guys are drawn to him from his aura, his energy he brings. But yes, he's the leader of the team, of the group, and of that defense side of the ball. He's one of those leaders on that side. Those guys really look to him. He starts every drill off. He's the first guy. You know, I make a point when I'm making corrections, I make it harder on him because he is the he's got to be able to take that and other guys that they know if I can do it to him they got to understand it can happen to them as well So having a Ahmari out there is a blessing. It's not don't got to coach much, you're right clean up the technique and stuff but he has the want to in the world to want to get it done and want to be a great player all those guys man all those guys in those room in that room they want to get coached hard and they want to be better players so I'm loving a Ahmari and loving the rest of the room as well," Jones remarked.
On the topic of new arrivals, Jones expressed optimism about the integration of new players into the team. "Yeah, I think, I mean, you wouldn't know Daiquan (White) wasn't here. You know, he fits in with the guys, they have a bond already, playing really well, one of the best technicians we have on the team, he's doing really well, he'll be up in that rotation for the season. The rest of the guys are coming along well, you know, Elgin Sessions, freshman, really, really surprising me. Playing like a vet, actually, as a true freshman. So I'm surprised to see how his journey, where it takes him, you know, Nehemiah, he does some really good things, all those guys, man, they're good at certain things, and we're just building the rest of their game up. So that's the biggest thing, but all those guys, they have something, you know, and we're working with that, and we're gonna build off of that, and make those guys complete DBs at the end of the day," he said.
Lastly, Jones reflected on Zachary Tobe's development, noting his growth as a player. "Yeah, I think it definitely helped. Now he's not a young guy anymore. He's a veteran now. And having those games, those game reps definitely helped him. He's stepped up and kind of in a leadership role now, kind of getting reps with those ones and twos up there in the starting rotation. And he's taking it all well, right? He's taking the coaching. The guy lets you get on them pretty hard, and he don't blink an eye. So I'm excited to coach him. I think he's going to be a really good player for us."
Meanwhile, the buzz surrounding the Yellow Jackets extends beyond the practice field. In a recent article by ESPN writer Adam Rittenburg, quarterback Haynes King was ranked as the No. 9 quarterback heading into the 2025 season. King, who led the Yellow Jackets to a 7-5 season, has become a household name among college football fans. Despite missing full games against Virginia Tech and Notre Dame due to injury, he managed to throw for 2,114 yards and 14 touchdowns, while also rushing for 587 yards and 11 touchdowns.
As the Yellow Jackets prepare for the upcoming season, they are counting on King to lead the offense once again. With a more favorable schedule ahead, fans are optimistic about the team's prospects. Ever since his arrival, King has been seen as a budding superstar, and it seems that the rest of the college football world is starting to take notice.
As Georgia Tech approaches the spring game, all eyes will be on the players and coaches as they look to build on last season's success and make a strong statement in 2025.
