Freshman defensive end Emmanuel Dieke, a part of the 2009 recruiting class, enrolled at Georgia Tech in January and is taking part in spring drills for the first time. Dieke hopes to get a head start on academics and conditioning for next season. Coming in at 6’7″, 226 lbs., he will add depth to a defensive line that lost three starters to graduation and Dieke hopes to become an important part of that line. There is no doubt he will bring athleticism and size to the end position. We got a chance to catch up with Emmanuel after his first couple of practices.
Q. What has been the biggest difference between the high school and college off-season for you?
A. More to learn, more intensity, and the pace is faster.
Q. What is your major and how are you adjusting to classes at Georgia Tech? Any favorites?
A. My major is Biomedical Engineering and I’m adjusting to just more work and getting up and getting to class on time. Not really any favorites yet.>br>
Q. What teammates have been most helpful to you in adjusting to college and college football?
A. I would say number 1, Morgan Burnett, because we went to the same high school. Also, Michael Johnson before he left, and Anthony Egbuniwe.
Q. What are your strengths and what areas do you need to improve upon to prepare for the season?
A. My strength right now is my speed and I feel stronger since I came out of high school. My areas of improvement would be my stance and trying to locate my pad level lower.
Q. What were some deciding factors for enrolling early at GT?
A. I just wanted to get a chance to play early, so I thought me coming in early and getting a chance to catch up, learn the play book faster and be able to step on the field my freshman year.
Q. What playing weight are you hoping to get up to and how is the weightlifting program going?
A. I’m trying to play around 245 to 250 and be able to keep my speed at the same time. The weightlifting program is good. Coach (Eric) Ciano is really pushing us in the weight room, pushing us every day to get better.
Q. Did you have a game day routine when you were in high school and do you think you will continue with it or try something new?
A. In high school my game day routine was to sit in a quiet corner and listen to my iPod, just getting ready for the game, getting focused and just thinking of the game through my head.
Q. GT football has a rich history. What are your expectations for when you first run onto the field behind the Ramblin’ Wreck?
A. Win. That’s it, just win.
Q. Do you know the words to the fight song yet?
A. No, I’m still learning it, but I will.
