The Denver Broncos, to the surprise of many, selectedAdam Gotsis 63rd overall in the 2016 NFL Draft. For Gotsis, the path from Australia to the National Football League, has been equally surprising and now gratifying.
“It has been an unreal process the whole time, from the moment I got to college to right this moment,” Gotsis said via phone almost immediately after being selected by Denver. “I’m glad to be a Bronco and I think a lot of hard work is paying off and it just a beginning to a new chapter.”
Gotsis, originally from Abbotsford, Australia, started nine games in 2015 at defensive tackle for the Georgia Tech Yellowjackets before suffering a season-ending knee injury. He finished the year with 31 tackles (five for a loss) and two fumble recoveries. His knee is still very much in recovery and he stated that he is roughly six months away from being fully ready to play football but has been able to keep lifting as well as some strength training on the knee.
“Once I get up to Denver, the team doctors can check out my knee and go from there,” he said. “At the moment, I am just completely thrilled to be a Denver Bronco and can’t wait to get up there.”
He started all 27 Yellowjackets’ games during his sophomore and junior years and saw playing time in 12 contests as a true freshman. His college totals include 110 total tackles (27.5 for a loss), 12.5 sacks five passes defended and two fumble recoveries. If he ultimately makes the team and plays in an NFL game, he would be just the fourth non-kicker from Australia to play in the NFL. His Australian coach reached out to Georgia Tech and after head coach Paul Johnson watched some film Gotsis was headed to the United States to play collegiate football on a scholarship.
“I think they kind of recruited me as an athlete for O-line or D-line but they ended up putting me on the defensive line because they didn’t have too much depth there and they knew I played a little of it back home,” he explained. “It just all worked out for me and I worked hard and it is just awesome seeing it pay off.”
Gotsis will join newly acquired Jared Crick, Vance Walker, Kenny Anunike and Derek Wolfe at defensive end and will have an uphill battle recovering from the knee injury. He’ll also have to adjust to the talent level and schemes of the NFL but he watched the historic Denver defense this last season and is excited go join the group.
“I pride myself on playing defense and to become a part of the best defense in the last 30 years or so is an awesome feeling,” Gotsis said. “I watched the Super Bowl and I watched the way they played with pride and passion. You know they play for each other and I think that is the most important thing at the end of the day. They won that Super Bowl as a unit.”
That unit now has their newest member.
