Analyzing the Top 4 Quarterbacks on Virginia Tech's Roster

No position on the Hokies' depth chart is more scrutinized than the quarterback spot. Fairly or unfairly, Tech fans are accustomed to elite, athletic quarterbacks that can make chicken salad out of chicken trash. Scot Loeffler's offense demands a high level of athleticism, but now Tech's QBs must be heady and able to make all the throws required in a mature passing scheme. Michael Brewer's up-and-down 2014 season left many to believe spring ball would feature an open competition for the quarterback position. Instead, despite missing some scrimmage work with an injury, Brewer solidified his standing as the clear cut starter for the 2015 campaign.

R-SR Michael Brewer (6-0, 196 pounds)

I was as frustrated with Brewer's erratic performance down the stretch as anyone else, but it's easy to forget how outstanding he was against Ohio State. Tech's offensive line was a sieve much of that game, and Brewer masterfully worked underneath the Buckeyes' Cover 4 coverage with deep-in and deep-out routes to Isaiah Ford, Cam Phillips, Bucky Hodges, and most importantly Ryan Malleck. Malleck in particular made several huge third-down catches on deep flag routes that required hard, precision throws from Brewer. Brewer took plenty of licks against the Buckeyes, and the physical toll on his body increased over the course of the season as the lack of a rush attack and poor pass protection compounded game-to-game.

Opponents adjusted and played zone covering underneath to take away quick pick routes. Corners hid in short zones dropped back under longer comeback routes. On this play, Georgia Tech tricked Brewer into throwing a critical interception.

The Yellow Jacket corner has Cam Phillips in a cover 2 zone on the quick curl. The corner is reading Brewer's eyes. Brewer reads that the corner is in man and covering Phillips, so he throws to Hodges on the post-corner. The Yellow Jacket corner dropped back underneath Hodges and Brewer never saw him.

Brewer also neglected the middle of the field as Malleck became more involved in pass protection. Slant and crossing routes were almost non-existent. Coach Loeffler attributed some of those issues to receivers running incorrect routes. However, Brewer was clearly more comfortable with throws near the sideline or breaking outside than ones over the middle. His struggles in blitz recognition only contributed to what appeared to be an unreported upper body injury.

After a brutal performance against Wake Forest (15/18 126 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT, 5 sacks), many fans called for Brewer to be benched against Virginia. However, he remained at the top of the depth chart. Against the Hoos, Brewer was pummeled in the first half, and he was sidelined after UVA defensive end Mike Moore delivered a blow that popped out his shoulder. Brenden Motley (8 rushes, 28 yards), who saw action earlier in the game, spelled Brewer for a series, but he was knocked out of the game. A battered Brewer returned and completed 8 of 18 passes for 154 yards and 2 touchdowns en route to a 24-20 Hokies win.

Coach Loeffler made a series of adjustments that helped Brewer lead a terrific comeback. To shore up pass protection, Augie Conte moved outside and replaced Wade Hansen at right tackle, and Caleb Farris was inserted at right guard. Loeffler also utilized a two tight-end, two wide receiver spread look.

When Virginia played in a base defense, defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta moved his best pass rusher, Max Valles, out into coverage on Bucky Hodges and UVA couldn't muster the same pass rush. When Tenuta moved Valles back inside to stop J.C. Coleman and the running game, Brewer was able to find Cam Phillips and Hodges against backup safety Wilfred Wahee for big plays. Brewer showed playmaking ability and a ton of grit to put the worst game of his career behind him, and overcome an injury, to lead Tech to another Commonwealth Cup win and bowl berth.

In the spring, Coach Loeffler and Brewer looked to improve the vertical passing game. As Ford, Phillips, and Hodges beat the young Hokie corners time and again on double moves, Brewer separated himself from Brenden Motley by being more accurate on deep throws. If the Hokies can add more of a vertical passing element, that opens up even more space for an improving running game. Brewer seems poised to be significantly improved stretching the field.

Brewer's 15 interceptions must be reduced for the Hokies to win the ACC Coastal. It could be a special season for the Hokies if Tech can combine together: an improved run attack, more experience at the skill positions and the Brewer we saw in the Horseshoe.

R-JR Brenden Motley (6-2, 223)

Brenden Motley's effectiveness on inverted veer and play-action from the Hokies' "Wild Turkey" package left many fans clamoring for Motley to replace Michael Brewer prior to the Virginia game. A shoulder injury to Brewer midway through the game gave Motley the opportunity against the Wahoos. However, Motley was injured before he could establish an offensive rhythm.

Motley exited 2014 spring practice as Tech's No. 1 QB (beat out Mark Leal, prior to Brewer's arrival), and had a strong spring this past April. He is an athletic weapon in the read option game, and his experience in the Wing-T system at Christiansburg High School makes him excellent on ball fakes. Motley has a strong arm and looks like a slightly smaller version of Logan Thomas with his cannon on intermediate throws.

Last season, Motley fell down the depth chart due to missed practice time as result of a class conflict. The lack of reps made it impossible for him to practice the entire offensive playbook. Motley worked with both the No. 1 and No. 2 team offenses this spring, and performed well, however his occasional inaccuracy on deep throws damaged his chances of supplanting Brewer. For example, Motley had Isaiah Ford wide open for a sure touchdown in the spring game and overthrew him badly.

Those throws, and Brewer's outstanding performance, relegated Motley to the backup spot.

Motley comes into the season as a solid No. 2 who has the ability to be a very capable ACC quarterback if called upon. The onus is on Brenden to stay healthy and be sharp on the full playbook. If he is, he could be the best backup (besides the whole Tyrod/Glennon fiasco) since Al Clark backed up Jim Druckenmiller.

R-FR Chris Durkin (6-4, 221 pounds)

Redshirt freshman Chris Durkin has become a bit of a forgotten man. He came to Blacksburg in need of major work on his throwing mechanics, but Durkin's power and elusiveness as a high school player impressed me more than Tim Tebow's high school film. There was buzz around Blacksburg that Loeffler considered burning Durkin's redshirt after some impressive efforts in short yardage drills during fall camp. If he had, Durkin would have been the goal-line/short yardage QB. Ultimately, Durkin redshirted and traveled with the team as an emergency QB.

Durkin continued to impress with his power running during spring practice, and his mechanics have improved. Durkin isn't a threat to Motley as the No. 2 yet, however don't be surprised if Durkin ends up winning the job as the Wild Turkey QB. The kid can be a really unique weapon in the running game.

FR Dwayne Lawson (6-6, 207 pounds)

Hype has surrounded Dwayne Lawson ever since he flipped from Miami to Virginia Tech before signing with the Hokies. Lawson has remarkable elusiveness for his height, and that evasiveness is paired with tremendous speed and athleticism. Furthermore, Lawson has a live arm and great touch on deep balls.

Despite his tremendous skill set, Lawson is a work in progress. Scot Loeffler's offense is complex, and Michael Brewer has been working with Lawson on learning the system. Lawson will be expected to make many more sight adjustments at the line of scrimmage than he did in Hillsborough High's spread system. Lawson's mechanics also need work. He has a tendency to bring the football down near his waist on his drop backs, and his footwork sometimes breaks down. When his feet are not set, his accuracy suffers. In the Semper Fidelis Bowl, Lawson threw a beautiful deep touchdown to USC commit Tristan Payton, and had some nice gains on the ground, but he also missed some easy short throws and fumbled on a scramble.

It was impossible to go to any public event where the coaches spoke without someone asking if Lawson will beat out Brewer. To me, that is totally unfair for a very talented freshman. Lawson could contribute right away with his athleticism, however with three talented quarterbacks ahead of him (all of whom have used their redshirt year), I would expect Lawson to redshirt and travel much like Durkin did last season. The only way Lawson sees the field is if he comes into fall camp and his performance significantly exceeds Brewer's, Motley's, Durkin's and he convinces the staff that he presents the best opportunity to win. After the spring Brewer and Motley had, only a once-in-a-lifetime freshman could achieve that goal. Keep in mind, Michael Vick didn't burn a redshirt as a freshman. Tyrod Taylor only burned his redshirt(s) because of a horrendous pass blocking offensive line, and broken offense. I expect Lawson to redshirt, and then the battle between Lawson and Durkin will be fascinating to watch down the road. Both could be special players.