ATLANTA, Ga. — Josh Tukes and Jaquan Henderson got a glimpse of their future Friday night.
The Newton Rams pair of football standouts were in attendance Friday during Georgia Tech’s annual Gold vs. White Spring Football game at Historic Bobby Dodd Stadium, and it did nothing but whet their appetite for what’s to come as they’ll step on campus as freshman this summer.
Henderson, a four-star prospect, ended up signing with Georgia Tech after dalliances with UCLA and Tennessee, while Tukes is coming on board as a preferred walk-on after a solid career on Newton’s defensive line.
Sports editor, Gabriel Stovall, chatted with both future Jackets about their experience Friday night and expectations going forward.
Q&A with Jaquan Henderson
The Covington News: Describe the experience you had at Georgia Tech’s Spring Game. What impressed you most? What were you most excited about?
Jaquan Henderson: “It was a great day for me to be there. I saw them compete hard and it made me happy to see that. The thing that most impressed me is the turnout of the crowd that came out to support us. I think what excites me most is just that I can’t wait to get out and help prove the people wrong that’s doubting this team right now.”
TCN: What are you most looking forward to about playing at Tech next season?
Henderson: “Competing. Just being able to compete on a new level. I’m ready to go out there and start competing for a national championship with some very humble and hungry guys.”
TCN: How will it feel to know you’ve got a Newton brother in Josh Tukes with you when August comes?
Henderson: “Man, it’s going to feel great knowing that I have a family member out there that’s going to work hard with me and who’s going to grow together with me as a man.”
TCN: What did you like about the way the team played on the field Friday night, and how do you see yourself fitting in?
Henderson: “Just that the guys played hard, even through their mistakes. And even though it was a spring game, they really competed. As for how I see myself fitting in, I want to see myself as a cover guy.”
Q&A with Josh Tukes
The Covington News: Describe the experience you had at Georgia Tech’s Spring Game. What impressed you most? What were you most excited about?
Josh Tukes: “The experience that I had Friday night was like no other. I was most impressed by the effort that the players showed. They were really out here competing for their spots, and you could tell they wanted it. I was most excited about watching this game with the thought of me putting on a Yellow Jacket uniform in the years to come.”
TCN: What are you most looking forward to about playing at Tech next season?
Tukes: “Im mostly looking forward to developing my body and my skill set, and learning the defense. It’s all going to be a major process, and I’m just looking forward to getting this process started.”
TCN: How will it feel to know you’ve got a Newton brother in Jaquan Henderson with you when August comes?
Tukes: “Knowing that I’ll have Jaquan there will calm me down a bit, actually. Having someone I’ve known pretty much all my life is going to feel like I have someone that I know has my back from the jump.”
TCN: What did you like about the way the team played on the field Friday night, and how do you see yourself fitting in?
Tukes: “I like the fact that they actually competed and didn’t take any plays off, from what I saw, even though it was a spring game. I really see myself fitting in by getting a role on special teams and by maybe blocking some punts or something like that, and hopefully working my way into the defensive line rotation once I develop some more.”
