University of Georgia Athletics
Q&A with Coach Richt
February 03, 2006 | Football
Feb. 3, 2006
ESPN has told the stories of how you have greatly affected the lives of some of your players, but never mention how all these young athletes you coach and mentor affect your life, does any one story stand out in particular to you?
"There are a lot of guys that have really blessed my life over the years that I have coached. I know D.J. Shockley and how he handled his career waiting for the opportunity to play for Georgia and while waiting just growing as a man. I can recall one Thanksgiving day during a quarterback meeting we went around the room and everyone talked about what they were most thankful for and D.J. said he was just thankful to be at Georgia and be around coaches he trusted and he knew loved him and that he knew in his heart he was growing and maturing as a man. That is the kind of thing that gets you fired up about coaching."
How do you see the future of D.J. Shockley in the NFL?
"I think D.J. will have a great career in the NFL. I think he certainly has what people call a great "up side". I think the more he plays, the more he will improve. If somebody is a little bit patient with him they are going to have a gem on their hands."
Besides talent, what's the first thing you look for in a prospect?
"When we look at talent, once we see the talent and we see the academics we then have to find out what kind of a kid he is. Is he the kind of guy that is going to come to work every day with a great attitude and a great worth ethic. A guy that enjoys playing football and respects authority. Those types of things are what we look for in a prospect. "
What do you plan on focusing on during spring practice especially with some recruits already enrolled?
| |
