Time for Tech to Get Back on Track with QB Development August 24, 2009 For the third season in a row, Virginia Tech is planning on redshirting a backup quarterback. Those plans were scrapped the last two years, but this is the year it needs to finally happen. Logan Thomas needs to redshirt and develop, and hopefully one day he can be a 5th-year senior starter. Believe it or not, the Hokies haven't had a full-time 5th-year senior starter at quarterback in this decade ... and this decade is almost over. more
PreSeason Check-in: FUMA's Mark Shuman August 24, 2009 Fork Union Military Academy (VA) left offensive tackle Mark Shuman put in the time in the weight room this off-season, improving his strength and size while keeping the footwork and athleticism that helped make him one of the most highly recruited rising seniors in the state. Fork Union prep head coach Micky Sullivan has noticed the different in the 6-7, 290-pound Shuman's game as a result. more
Scrimmage Report: Ju-Ju Clayton Named #2 Quarterback August 22, 2009 The Hokies held their second open scrimmage of preseason practice on Saturday in Lane Stadium, and a big crowd was on hand. They saw a scrimmage that was mostly controlled by the defense, thanks in part to a running back corps that is depleted with injuries at the moment. The Tech coaching staff also named Ju-Ju Clayton as the #2 quarterback, and announced plans to redshirt Logan Thomas. more
Acree Out for Season, Will Remain at FUMA August 21, 2009 Top 2010 class prospect Nick Acree entered his senior season with high expectations, looking forward to a season under Fork Union Military Academy (VA) prep head coach Micky Sullivan and playing alongside future Virginia Tech teammate Mark Shuman. Unfortunately for the massive 6-6, 310-pound defensive tackle/offensive lineman, a summer knee injury will keep him out for the entire season. The next time Acree takes the field, he'll be a Virginia Tech Hokie. more
2009 ACC Football Preview: Virginia Tech August 21, 2009 On paper, Virginia Tech should be a much stronger team in 2009 than they were in 2008. The 2008 Hokies were somewhat fortunate to win the ACC, with such a limited offense. This year's team has many weapons on the offensive side of the ball, and Bud Foster's defense also returns seven starters. more
2009 Virginia Tech Football Preview: Special Teams August 20, 2009 Virginia Tech puts emphasis on special teams every year, and this year has the potential to be one of the best special teams years in Tech history. The Hokies have a lot of talented athletes who are ready to contribute in some way. Not all will make the playing rotation on offense or defense, but they will have a chance to make their impact on special teams. more
In-State Recruiting Analysis, Part 4 August 20, 2009 Nothing stirs debate among recruitniks more than player rankings. Because of the subjective nature of recruiting, fans from rival schools will endlessly argue about the winners each year. Recruiting classes are rated based on the rankings of recruits, which leads to expectations, albeit unrealistic ones, from fans. In this article I will discuss the various methods for ranking players and some different perspectives on player ratings, as well as provide my own player ratings for the last recruiting class in Virginia. more
4-Star Zwinak Down to Two August 20, 2009 Virginia Tech is in the final two with Linganore (Frederick, MD) running back/linebacker Zach Zwinak, a 4-star prospect rated the top fullback in the country by Rivals.com and Scout.com. The 6-1, 225-pound rising senior boasted over 20 FBS scholarship offers before whittling his list down to two earlier this month. more
2009 Preseason Practice Report: Tech Establishing Depth at Key Positions August 19, 2009 Another week of practice is in the books, and except for the injury to Darren Evans, things are going smoothly for the Hokies. There are still a few spots on the depth chart that are up for grabs, but some other questions are starting to be answered. more
2009 ACC Football Preview: Wake Forest August 19, 2009 Wake Forest lost some major talent on the defensive side of the ball, with two linebackers and two defensive backs selected in the 2009 NFL Draft. However, they do return nine starters on offense, and should be one of the better offensive teams in the ACC behind senior quarterback Riley Skinner. more
Preseason Check-in: DE Justin Taylor August 19, 2009 At the urging of his cousin, current UNC freshman defensive back Terry Shankle, Justin Taylor came out for the varsity football team only two weeks before the start of last season. Taylor, now a senior, had never played football before, but South Stanly (Norwood, N.C.) head coach Luke Little found a role for the athletic 6-4, 220-pound prospect.
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Brookville Coach High on Thomas' QB Potential August 18, 2009 Brookville (Lynchburg, VA) head coach Jeff Woody has always been high on Logan Thomas' abilities at the quarterback position, so he was not surprised to see his former star in the quarterback mix at Virginia Tech this summer. The 6-6, 230-pound Thomas probably wasn't surprised, either.
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2009 Virginia Tech Football Preview: Quarterbacks August 18, 2009 Quarterback is the most important position on the field, and the Hokies have yet another controversy there this year. This time it's not for the starting position, but rather it's a battle between Ju-Ju Clayton and Logan Thomas for the right to be Tyrod Taylor's top backup. more
Embrace the Hype ... and Other Musings August 17, 2009 It's the preseason, as the old saying goes, and everyone is undefeated. Optimism abounds. The Hokies are picked to win the ACC, are in the discussion for the national title, and have matched their highest preseason ranking ever, at #7 in the coaches' poll. The hype is strong. Should you embrace it? Sure. Give into it. more
2009 ACC Football Preview: Virginia August 17, 2009 UVA has a new offensive coordinator in Gregg Brandon, the former head coach at Bowling Green who developed quarterback stars Omar Jacobs and Josh Harris. The Hoos will employ this new spread style offense this year, though they don't yet know who their quarterback will be, and they are breaking in a new group of wide receivers. more
Dew Schedules Two Unofficial Visits August 17, 2009 First Colonial (Virginia Beach, VA) safety/linebacker prospect Nick Dew is happy to be back on the gridiron, practicing with his teammates for the 2009 season. Being out on the field is not only fun for the 6-2, 195-pound rising senior, but it's also a nice break from the sometimes stressful recruiting process. more
Young Players Stand Out in Opening Scrimmage August 15, 2009 Virginia Tech held the first of three open scrimmages on Saturday afternoon. There were several standouts on each side of the ball, and one young player continued right where he left off during the spring. more
2009 ACC Football Preview: NC State August 14, 2009 NC State was the surprise team of the ACC last year, winning their last four regular season games to qualify for a bowl. Leading the way was r-freshman quarterback Russell Wilson, who threw 17 touchdown passes and just one interception. The Wolfpack are much more experienced this year, and they are considered the sleeper of the ACC's Atlantic Division. more
Checking in with VT Recruit Jerome Lewis August 14, 2009 A commitment to Virginia Tech didn't deter other college coaches from pursuing Bishop Kearney (Rochester, N.Y.) tight end/defensive end Jerome Lewis. According to the 6-4, 230-pound rising senior, three programs - Colorado, Oklahoma and Penn State - offered after he committed to Tech back on May 26th. He has been firm on his commitment, though, and seems set on following through and signing with Frank Beamer and company. more
2009 Virginia Tech Football Preview: Running Backs August 13, 2009 On Tuesday, Tech fans got the disturbing news that Darren Evans has been lost for the season with a torn ACL. The Hokies lose a player who rushed for over 1,200 yards a season ago, and they must replace him with inexperienced players. Those players have a lot of natural ability, and the upcoming scrimmages will decide how the depth chart shakes out heading into the Alabama game. more
Countdown to Signing Day: 2010 Class Almost Full August 12, 2009 Even though football season hasn't begun yet, the Hokies are almost finished with their 2010 recruiting class, which doesn't sign until February. Chris Horne updates us on who has already committed to Tech, and who else is on the radar.
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2009 ACC Football Preview: North Carolina August 12, 2009 North Carolina is a very talented football team, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Butch Davis has been able to recruit very good players to Chapel Hill, and they hope to challenge for the Coastal Division title this year. The Tar Heels will have to replace three NFL wide receivers, and that will be a challenge. more
Menchville Star Rising Junior Claims Six Offers August 11, 2009 Clifton Richardson, a 6-1, 195-pound rising junior who has seen action at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, free safety and returner for Menchville (Newport News, VA), figures to be an important piece if the Monarchs are to rebound from three consecutive 2-8 seasons. A confident Richardson believes the team can be in for a breakout year. more
2009 Virginia Tech Football Preview: Wide Receivers and Tight Ends August 11, 2009 Last year, Virginia Tech had to get through the entire season with a group of wide receivers who had never played a down in a college game. It was a struggle, and the passing game was non-existent for much of the year as a result. This year there is more experience, as well as a few talented backups who are ready to step up. more
Star Defensive End Discusses Final Five August 10, 2009 Roanoke Rapids (N.C.) star defensive end Kareem Martin narrowed his list of schools to five last week. While he doesn't appear close to committing anywhere, one thing is for certain...he'll play college football in the ACC. Clemson, Duke, Georgia Tech, North Carolina and Virginia Tech made the short list for the 6-6, 240-pound rising senior. more
For the third season in a row, Virginia Tech is planning on redshirting a backup quarterback. Those plans were scrapped the last two years, but this is the year it needs to finally happen. Logan Thomas needs to redshirt and develop, and hopefully one day he can be a 5th-year senior starter. Believe it or not, the Hokies haven't had a full-time 5th-year senior starter at quarterback in this decade ... and this decade is almost over.
Fork Union Military Academy (VA) left offensive tackle Mark Shuman put in the time in the weight room this off-season, improving his strength and size while keeping the footwork and athleticism that helped make him one of the most highly recruited rising seniors in the state. Fork Union prep head coach Micky Sullivan has noticed the different in the 6-7, 290-pound Shuman's game as a result.
The Hokies held their second open scrimmage of preseason practice on Saturday in Lane Stadium, and a big crowd was on hand. They saw a scrimmage that was mostly controlled by the defense, thanks in part to a running back corps that is depleted with injuries at the moment. The Tech coaching staff also named Ju-Ju Clayton as the #2 quarterback, and announced plans to redshirt Logan Thomas.
Top 2010 class prospect Nick Acree entered his senior season with high expectations, looking forward to a season under Fork Union Military Academy (VA) prep head coach Micky Sullivan and playing alongside future Virginia Tech teammate Mark Shuman. Unfortunately for the massive 6-6, 310-pound defensive tackle/offensive lineman, a summer knee injury will keep him out for the entire season. The next time Acree takes the field, he'll be a Virginia Tech Hokie.
On paper, Virginia Tech should be a much stronger team in 2009 than they were in 2008. The 2008 Hokies were somewhat fortunate to win the ACC, with such a limited offense. This year's team has many weapons on the offensive side of the ball, and Bud Foster's defense also returns seven starters.
Nothing stirs debate among recruitniks more than player rankings. Because of the subjective nature of recruiting, fans from rival schools will endlessly argue about the winners each year. Recruiting classes are rated based on the rankings of recruits, which leads to expectations, albeit unrealistic ones, from fans. In this article I will discuss the various methods for ranking players and some different perspectives on player ratings, as well as provide my own player ratings for the last recruiting class in Virginia.
Another week of practice is in the books, and except for the injury to Darren Evans, things are going smoothly for the Hokies. There are still a few spots on the depth chart that are up for grabs, but some other questions are starting to be answered.
Wake Forest lost some major talent on the defensive side of the ball, with two linebackers and two defensive backs selected in the 2009 NFL Draft. However, they do return nine starters on offense, and should be one of the better offensive teams in the ACC behind senior quarterback Riley Skinner.
Brookville (Lynchburg, VA) head coach Jeff Woody has always been high on Logan Thomas' abilities at the quarterback position, so he was not surprised to see his former star in the quarterback mix at Virginia Tech this summer. The 6-6, 230-pound Thomas probably wasn't surprised, either.
Quarterback is the most important position on the field, and the Hokies have yet another controversy there this year. This time it's not for the starting position, but rather it's a battle between Ju-Ju Clayton and Logan Thomas for the right to be Tyrod Taylor's top backup.
It's the preseason, as the old saying goes, and everyone is undefeated. Optimism abounds. The Hokies are picked to win the ACC, are in the discussion for the national title, and have matched their highest preseason ranking ever, at #7 in the coaches' poll. The hype is strong. Should you embrace it? Sure. Give into it.
Virginia Tech held the first of three open scrimmages on Saturday afternoon. There were several standouts on each side of the ball, and one young player continued right where he left off during the spring.
NC State was the surprise team of the ACC last year, winning their last four regular season games to qualify for a bowl. Leading the way was r-freshman quarterback Russell Wilson, who threw 17 touchdown passes and just one interception. The Wolfpack are much more experienced this year, and they are considered the sleeper of the ACC's Atlantic Division.
North Carolina is a very talented football team, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Butch Davis has been able to recruit very good players to Chapel Hill, and they hope to challenge for the Coastal Division title this year. The Tar Heels will have to replace three NFL wide receivers, and that will be a challenge.
Last year, Virginia Tech had to get through the entire season with a group of wide receivers who had never played a down in a college game. It was a struggle, and the passing game was non-existent for much of the year as a result. This year there is more experience, as well as a few talented backups who are ready to step up.
Roanoke Rapids (N.C.) star defensive end Kareem Martin narrowed his list of schools to five last week. While he doesn't appear close to committing anywhere, one thing is for certain...he'll play college football in the ACC. Clemson, Duke, Georgia Tech, North Carolina and Virginia Tech made the short list for the 6-6, 240-pound rising senior.
