Everything From Defensive Backs Coach Travares Tillman After Monday's Practice

Tillman has an experienced secondary coming back for the 2023 season

The strength of the Georgia Tech defense could be in its secondary this season. 

Players like LaMiles Brooks, Myles Sims, Jaylon King, and Clayton Powell-Lee are back and are going to have a chance to make an impact in a big way this season. With the defense missing guys like Keion White, Charlie Thomas, and Ace Eley, the secondary might have to carry the load early on. 

The guy coaching the defensive backs Travares Tillman got a chance to speak with the media yesterday and here is everything that he had to say:

1. On having most of his group back and if it has made the transition easier...

"Yeah, I am not going to say it was easy, but it is like a well-oiled machine I guess. They all know what I expect, how to practice, how they should conduct themselves in the meeting room, how they should hold each other accountable. It has been good."

2. On the versatility of the group and the nickel position...

"Yeah it has been going well. In recruiting, that is the type I am looking for, that are versatile and able to move into different spots and it has been good so far this spring. It has been a time where guys get to go and learn other positions so when the time comes, they are able to just be plugged in there and play winning football and they take that. It has been a good challenge and they enjoy it."

3. On Jaylon King and his return from injury...

"He is still a hard-working, older vet that is dependable, even with the injury that he had. He is still coming back from it but no complaints from him. He is coming out every day and practicing the way he is supposed to practice. He is playing winning football and I am pleased with it."

4. On the competition to replace Zamari Walton at cornerback...

"It has been good competition. They know it is a competition so they know when they are coming out, not coming out complacent and not playing winning football and doing their jobs. It is their time right now. Every day is an interview, every practice is an interview and those guys know that. I try to be very transparent with those guys so they know exactly where they stand and what I am looking for. I am enjoying the competition."

5. On the young guys that got to play last year...

"They are getting better each day. Like I say, it is a process and they are getting better each day, they are still honing their craft and they are still young, this is their first spring so they are still learning that they really have to practice like a pro every day and they are going to be good football players before it is all said and done."

6. On what it means to him to develop tough football players...

"Mentally for one. Tough is coming out every day and trying to be the best version of yourself because sometimes you just don't feel like it. You don't even feel like being out here and just getting that mindset that you get to do this and not have to do this so that has been really good. This is a physical game and physical toughness is a must and mentally having those guys with the right mindset is something that I look for everyday."

7. On Sirad Bryant and Ahmari Harvey...

"They are coming along pretty good. Ahmari, I love the kids attitude everyday, I love watching him come out and he is a fire starter, he is always getting guys pumped up. He is a quiet kid but he comes out every day and works. No complaints out of him, he just comes out and works. Sirad is coming back over, he is a hammer back there, he is a guy that flies around and he is probably one of the athletes back there and I am excited to have him back."

8. On who is stepping up as a leader in the secondary besides LaMiles Brooks...

"Jaylon King obviously. Being an older guy, he leads really well for us and even CP, he tries to come in and for him it is leading by example more than anything, just the way that he carries himself and the way that he prepares and the way that he works in the football field and the classroom for that matter."

9. On ways he is trying to get better...

"The best resource that I have right now is Coach (Kevin) Sherrer. Being an older coach... I was actually a GA at the school down the road so I had a chance to work with him and it has been great having him in the room and hearing his knowledge and he has been around the game for a long time."

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