More than getting a chance to play quarterback, former Hillgrove standout Synjyn Days is motivated by something more.

While 6-foot-2, 220-pound Powder Springs native would certainly like to start behind center when Georgia Tech takes on Virginia Tech in its season opener on Labor Day; there are more important things in life motivating Days.

“Family, that’s a big thing for me,” he said. “My Dad has always said family first and that’s what me and Jabari (Hunt-Days) have always lived through, even if it’s something coming between us. Family is something that will always be there. And it motivates me knowing that Jabari is working out hard and I’m working out hard. We’re just trying to provide the best opportunity to succeed whether it’s through football or through dentistry. That’s really it.”

Synjyn’s brother, Jabari, is a teammate once again after both played together briefly in high school. This season, Synjyn is vying for playing time on the offensive side of the ball, while Jabari could be starting or getting key playing time at linebacker in the Yellow Jackets’ 3-4 base defense.

Although both brothers have worked hard during the offseason in order to have a shot at playing college football this fall, they have also spent time at home working against each other, with their father and with their former high school coaches.

For Synjyn, those workouts are sometimes about more than just getting better at football. Beyond those workouts, family works as his ultimate motivation.

“It’s great knowing that my brother will be out there,” he said. “I know that my first game against Western Carolina, when I scored my first touchdown (last season), I was looking for him on the sideline and he was smiling from ear to ear. Knowing that he’s out there making plays, too, I’m going to be smiling from ear to ear.

“We really do feed off each other, if one of us is having a bad day or a bad game, one of us would always say something to pick (our) head up, like ‘Help me Jesus.’ That was one thing our Dad told us when were growing up and we were in trouble or anything.”

While family is also a motivating factor, Synjyn has other ways to get himself pumped up during workouts or during practices prior to this season. With so many players on Georgia Tech’s roster coming from Cobb County, Synjyn can look to more than just his brother on the sideline for a way to pick himself up.

“It’s great having those guys, just knowing that we are putting on for Cobb and going like this,” Synyjn said, motioning with his hands in the form of two C’s. “That’s kind of our thing that we do when we see other on the field. We’re all hard workers. It’s just how Cobb is. A lot of athletes that come through there are hard workers. That’s just how it is.

“The dream is to get it from (former Kennesaw Mountain standout) Jay (Finch), pitch it to (former Harrison star) Robbie (Godhigh) and he would throw it to (former North Cobb star) Darren (Waller). If all of us could touch it like that in one play, that would be amazing.”

Though the dream scenario isn’t likely, Synjyn could find himself playing in multiple roles. Going into the season, Tevin Washington, the incumbent in the position, is the most likely starting quarterback. However, head coach Paul Johnson and the rest of the coaching staff are looking for any way to get Synjyn onto the field.

“I’m not sure how it’s going to be,” Days said. “I think probably, if I’m not starting the first game, (Johnson) wants to get me on the field. He’s not saying he will switch my position or anything, but will stand by me at any position. I just look at it as another way to get on the field and help the team win another ACC championship.”

Though Synjyn would certainly prefer to start at quarterback this fall, he has worked out this summer at A-Back, B-Back and wide receiver during the summer indicating that he could play a multitude of positions. For Days, that can only mean that he is more likely to see the field. But where would he feel most comfortable, if not at quarterback?

“Probably for Tech, A-Back,” he said. “Growing up, I always wanted to play wide receiver because I thought I had good hands catching the ball.”

But he also warned that he could be useful at B-Back as well with his combination of size and speed. When asked how opposing defenses such as Virginia Tech would respond to Days carrying the ball straight up the middle from the B-Back position, Days said, “I think it would intimidate them” with a smile.