The portal giveth, and the portal taketh away.
PRAISE PORTAL.
We will undoubtedly see some of our beloved Hokies entering their names into the transfer portal based on the changing coaching staff. Let's set that aside and focus on the players that Pry may focus on bringing to Blacksburg.
Based on the current roster situation, expect Coach Pry to be quite active in getting experienced players out of the transfer portal.
I'm going to begin a not at all comprehensive, non-exhaustive list of guys that make sense for Pry to focus on.
Factors I'm considering:
- Recruit Location
- Virginia Tech's interest during their initial recruitment
- Need on the current roster
- 247 rating of recruit
Offense
Quarterback
4* James Graham (Class of 2018 - Georgia Southern)
Recruited by James Shibest in 2018, did receive a VT offer. Signed at GT, transferred to Georgia Southern and entered his name into the portal in August, 2021. Held offers from a long list of impressive programs: Bama, Arkansas, Cinci, UGA, Kentucky, Michigan, Miss St, OK State, Ole Miss, UCF, etc. A dual threat QB, originally committed to Paul Johnson's triple-option offense. 6-1, 180 lbs.
3 * Bryan Maurer (Class of 2019 -Tennessee)
Enrolled at UT in 2019, saw limited snaps in 2019 and 2020. While not recruited by VT, held offers from BC, Cinci, Indiana, OSU, Texas A&M, UCF, USF, and WVU. Set the Marion County single-season passing record in 2018 with 3,543 yards and 34 touchdowns. Finished his high school career with a county-record 7,664 yards and 64 touchdowns. Projected by 247 as an "upper tier Power 5 starter and potential mid-late round NFL draft pick."
3* Charlie Brewer (Class of 2017 - Utah)
Michael Brewer's younger brother, and former Baylor enrollee & Utah transfer. Tallied 9700 passing yards, 68 TDs and 31 INTs at Baylor. Concussion issues are notable, apparently making Baylor's staff nervous about allowing him to play. Recruited by VT, but was not offered. Offered by SMU, BGSU, Hawaii, ULM, UNT, and Southern Miss.
Wide Receiver
4* WR Khafre Brown (Class of 2019 - UNC)
(Signed with USF)
Recruited and offered by VT, Brown signed with UNC. Posted 15 receptions for 337 Yards and 2 TDs in 2020. Originally offered by Bama, FSU, Tennessee, UGA, Michigan, OSU, Oregon, USC, Wisconsin, and USCe. No. 7 player in NC and 32nd ranked overall player in the country (ESPN). A long-striding speedster, could be a good replacement for Tayvion Robinson.
3* WR Emery Simmons (Class of 2019 - UNC)
UNC Signee, also recruited by PSU in addition to getting offers by ECU, Duke & Indiana. Appeared in 211 games, but recorded only 4 receptions for 72 yards and a lone TD. Another speedy WR, he clocked a 4.47 40 in 2019.
4* WR Cam Johnson (Class of 2018)
Recruited & Offered by PSU, Cam Johnson also held offers from Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss, USCe, & Tennessee. He compiled 124 Receptions for 1,233 yards and 10 TDs over 4 years. A 6-0 182lb wideout, he was a top 50 WR during his original recruitment.
Defense
4* S Tyler Rudolph (Class of 2018 - PSU)
Recruited and offered by VT, signed with PSU. Pry is not listed as a primary recruiter, but assuredly has familiarity. Saw limited action in 2020-2021, but the 6-0, 200lb safety from CT is a "physical specimen", and was originally projected as a "multi-year starter".
4* LB Eugene Asante (Class of 2019 - UNC)
A likely high priority for Brent Pry, Asante's commitment effectively came down to Hokies vs. Heels. A Westfield (Chantilly, VA) product, Asante has mostly had a special teams role thus far in Chapel Hill, but had 7 tackles against VT in 2020 and a team high 10 tackles against Texas A&M in the Orange Bowl.
4* DT Marcus Bradley (Class of 2021 - Vandy)
Recruited and offered by VT, this Gaithersburg, MD native would add some beef to the DL at 6-3 270. Appeared in only 2 games for Commodores, due to an unspecified disciplinary issue.
5* LB Terrence Lewis (Class of 2021- UMD)
Recruited and offered by PSU, Lewis was the top LB in the country and the 5th best recruit in Florida in 2021. Did not play for the Terps this season, and is in the transfer portal.
4* S Enzo Jennings (Class of 2020 - PSU)
Not recruited by Pry, but an athletic Top 150 S from Michigan who has familiarity with Pry's system. Highly recruited out of HS, with offers from Pitt, Kentucky, Bama, Auburn, Clemson, UF, UGA etc.
---
Happy to put up profiles of other guys, will continue to surf the portal and update as necessary.
Comments
I asked this question on the post about Bronco's departure from uva, would there be any wide receivers from there that we might want?
Take the TE they have.
You forgot Brennan Armstrong.
I dunno... has a ginger QB ever had success at VT?
The guy can throw a pass, and isn't afraid to run.
I would not say no if he wanted to upgrade from Lane North to Lane. Particularly if he brought Wicks with him.
I'd love to see some pretty passes being thrown by a VT QB, while they play for VT, I mean.
Is he capable of making the switch from wine to beer/bourbon?
Not sure about him, but I just did after dinner and I am no athlete.
I don't play any sports, but does it count if I eat like an athlete?
"Por que no los dos?" - Taxedermia, 2006
James Graham was actually a VT commit as an ATH, then he went to GT since he was promised to be a QB. He switched to WR at Georgia Southern but never appeared for them that I can tell.
I unfortunately think Charlie Brewer is done with football. It's not worth turning your brains into scrambled eggs.
That looks to me like a whole bunch of overrated guys coming out of HS by the ratings services.
I wonder how many would rate better than a mid-3* now?
I do know that Lewis tore his ACL. Doubt we even sniff his recruitment though.
Pretty sure French liked Asante coming out of HS so it may be a fit problem. I'm not sure.
I mean we're not going to be competing for top tier guys with no connection to VT, PSU, or the coaching staff most likley.
Getting 4* studs and underperformers are not the only options.
VT has it's portal niche. It should be mostly targeting former 3* who have performed at lesser programs, but are looking for better exposure, facilities, chance to win, etc. So VT should be (and has thankfully) targeted the Khalil Herbert's and Tae Daley's and Raheem Blackshear's of the world.
Or the J.William's who may have been a little overrated, but were really just caught in a numbers game at an elite program.
Wait, so we get a guy as a head coach who is evidently a very good recruiter and we turn around and say we don't think we can get good 4 star guys from the portal, we should shoot for solid performing 3 stars??? Maybe we don't get 4 star guys on offense, but given Pry's success on defense, I'd think he could/should be able able to pick up at least a couple good 4 star guys on the defensive side.
looks like there's some nuance to me -- don't target guys in the portal just because they were 4* out of high school. a 3* who proved to be a high level contributor and is looking to step up in program might be a better fit and has proven it on the field.
Yeah, read Hendon Hooker's situation. Performance/happiness at first school related to coaching and scheme. Still a heck of a player just not in an ideal situation.
Fair enough, and maybe my comment would have been more applicable to HammerTime's comment. But I also don't want to fall into the trap of thinking we can't get good 4 star guys just because Fuente wasn't good at getting them to come to Blacksburg.
You're focusing on stars. Star ratings coming out of high school make for great message board wishful thinking but after a couple of seasons, they're fairly meaningless.
If VT can get a good player who also happened to be a 4* or 5* as a 17 yr old...woo hoo! But it's pretty small pool of those guys to begin - and the pool gets really small when you start looking at other factors like geography, system fit, depth charts, NIL, etc. - let alone having to compete with blue chip programs for them.
I agree with you. Give me the 2 Star that has great tape over a 4 Star that is trying to figure it out if they're coming from the portal. Stars aren't the end all be all.
Agree - it's called old tapes. His rating years ago isn't his rating today.
What they should do is rerate kids in the portal based on college tape - business expansion.
I thought they do re-rate the kids. Just checked the 247 transfer portal page. They have mostly HS ratings, but a small handful of transfer ratings. So they apparently do it for some, but not sure about the circumstances when they do it.
They do re-rate them now. It's a relatively recent addition to 247sports, last year or two.
It's probably also got a lot to do with whether there is anything to re-evaluate. Not much to look at if it's someone who has been buried on the depth chart and either hasn't played in-game or has only had a few snaps. Current players aren't going to camps like recruits would be, so any re-eval would have to be from current in-game or practice footage, most likely.
Richardson the QB out of UF is who I would go after.
RIchardson isn't transferring, Emory however might
After watching that FSU game, I don't think we'd want him.
Adrian Martinez QB from Nebraska and all time offense leader, entered transfer portal.
From Fresno, CA. Not recruited by Tech or PSU. Not sure that he (or Rattler for that matter) are options.
When it comes to QBs I don't know that prior connections matter as much. They'll go wherever the best opportunity to start and put up numbers is regardless of connections (eg Burmeister, Brewer to us had no obvious connections). Could also use Jordan Williams and Khalil Herbert as proof that it applies to most upperclassmen transfers. Most players just care about PT and showing out for the league.
Solid no thanks on Martinez. Great Athlete but leaves alot to be desired in Passing Game.
Similar player to Burmeister, IMHO.
Frost's loyalty to Martinez has been one of the things that has really drawn the ire of Nebraska fans and put him firmly on the Hot Seat.
Martinez is more accurate than BB but he's given wayyyyy too much freedom and 0 seconds to throw the ball with the OLine he's had. It makes for some very very awful decisions which his stat column will show you leads to a lot of picks.
So Sean Glennon?
Martinez is more accurate than BB but he's given wayyyyy too much freedom
So he needs Cornball to tell him where to throw every play?
This is simply a grass is greener thought. Sounds promising until it actually happens.
But it's a moot point. VT would not be a good fit for Martinez either.
Khafre Brown to USF. You can take him off the list
Brennan Armstrong isn't going pro?
Sure makes sense for him to go.. And without him then I think those receivers leave as well. Wicks and Lavell Davis are studs we should look at
I am on record as not being interested in Asante for what I have seen from Pry's defensive scheme so far. Asante started against VT, but he probably should have been second team behind Echols or Gray (currently starting in Asante's spot.) He is like Tisdale, a guy who is a good athlete but he runs himself into the wrong place. A lot of VTs successful cutback runs were because Asante ran himself out of the plays.
I don't want to spoil my film reviews, but being gap sound is critically important in Pry's defensive scheme.
Damn spoiler alerts!
Thanks for correcting my previous statement above then. I had watched some film and as you stated, gap soudness seems crucial.
Sounds familiar to certain legendary DC's scheme...
Question due to my ignorance:
Is there a scheme that does not rely on guys being gap sound? Or is it more that not all schemes require it to stop scoring plays?
The way it seemed the last 4 years was for Bud's defense, if guys miss their gap the other team is either chased down from behind or scoring. For JHam's defense, the safety usually cleans up the mess after a 6+ yard gain.
Two gap fronts let the LBs run around. Of course, finding a legitimate 2 gap tackle coming out of high school is mighty tough.
One reason why I'm glad we didn't pick a coach running the 3-4. There just aren't enough good 2-gap tackles coming out of high school, and those guys pretty much all go to Bama or Georgia. Much prefer an aggressive single gap 4-3 defense which it sounds like is Pry's style.
my sad attempt, someone else do it right.
Meanwhile the The NCAA's Division I Council announced Thursday that it approved a blanket waiver request to allow FBS teams to count two wins against FCS opponents and UVa.
But wow, first Pry, now Mendenhall, next up leaving Corn on the tarmac at the Gasparilla bowl, does O&M World get any brighter. GO HOKIES!!!!!
PS. For those of you who have lived too long in Twitterverse (Twitter Universe) the NCAA announcement is a joke that I made up.
Right click on your image in imgur.
Select "Open image in new tab"
Use that url instead. https://i.imgur.com/BxyCdjq.jpeg
Not sure why but that's the easiest way to embed here.
via GIPHY
so just how much Dr Pepper are we bringing in next year?
Enough to make Art Keown go delirious.
Great pull.
Wow - I got that one and it has been 24 years since I took his class! Leg!
If my wife's family is any indication... All of it.
Isn't CamRon Kelly due for a portal entrance?
I'm 800% sure he probably got enough burn at UNC to stay.
he got burned so much he's toast by now
Yeah, Auburn fans are quite pleased that CamRon left them after they saw his play at NC.
Gonna be some good QB's in the portal.
Is he actually good though?
Ewers is still a legit question mark as to good or not. OSU had probably the most stacked QB room in the country with Stroud, Miller (pre-DUI), Ewers and I think there's another that's escaping me. Only got a couple of snaps, but he was supposed to be a high school senior this year. Graduated early to get paid via NIL.
And,.... he may have taken a LARGE sum of NIL $$$ with him. If so, is this the attitude we want??
Not to mention, he's from Texas and his top 3 apparently are UT, A&M and T Tech. He's easily getting another huge chunk of money for year 2 as well.
Easiest business decision of all time. I could go back to high school OR go to Ohio St collect $1M then transfer to another school where I'm more likely to play. NIL will level out eventually
and this is money that did NOT go to OSU
A lot of it to him yet either. He is transferring because his NIL deals require him to start so many games and he isn't going to at OSU with Stroud.
I know players like competition, but this was so god damn predictable... Reclassify to 2021 and compete against another 5 star recruit who's also a freshman.
Got his 1 million NIL deal(s) though
Not really getting that 1 million as it seems to have had some contingencies on him actually playing, which is why some think he is transferring. I am sure this is how the NCAA imagined the NIL withing, players transferring to ensure they meet the conditions in the NIL contract. That and people dangling NIL money to anyone who transfers to a specific school (aka free agency).
2020 4-star safety Enzo Jennings just hit the portal...out of Penn State. Just saying...
https://247sports.com/Player/Enzo-Jennings-91737/
Don't watch much football outside VT, but I am sure Chris has some thoughts on this guy
Clemson back-up QB also in the portal
Son of a gun I thought DJs' last name was hard to pronounce
Dabo just trying to win the all name team
This one is pronounced Puma-chon, for the record. I don't think we will need to worry about learning it though because I think he his headed down a level.
Ladson, yes please! Don't think it will happen though
Breakneck speed but we need a QB that can get it downfield to him.
I'd absolutely take Ladson. They just have like eight guys of his profile as a WR at Clemson and he has had trouble staying healthy. There is still a lot of potential there to like, even if his ranking coming out of HS (near 5* .9800) was too high.
Unfortunately, I also agree we are an unlikely destination unless we land a major QB transfer.
How bout this obscure QB, Bryce Young? Would he like to take his talents to Blacksburg?
He is the opposite of Ewers at OSU. He is a freshman who is actually getting his $1m in NIL since he is going to the Playoff
The Penix Mightier
Whichever program gets him is sitting on a gold mine
Than LeSabre
With a name like that he must be really good at football.
Reminds me of Richard Gurth that played LB for East Hardy. People used to stand at the fence and yell "fill the gap, Dick"
If he wasn't made of glass, I'd be all about us trying to get some Penix
I've seen a lot of discussion on here about trying to get a QB through the portal, but have a question. I realize this is going to sound like a foreign concept given the past 6 years, and so it might be difficult to envision this, but what if we get some actual, competent offensive coaches who could really develop BB, Bullock, and Orji? I used to hear about working on mechanics with QBs, which helps them, you know, actually get better. We haven't seen that for a long time, but could developing BB and implementing a GOOD offensive scheme get us competitive until we can bring in a stud QB?
It's 2 fold. You have to have the X's and O's and the Jimmys and Joes. BB is what he's going to be most likely. Average (on a good day) passer, great runner. Bullock seems like a full unknown still, same with Orji if he sticks. If you have an OC/QB coach that actually do develop talent and help these guys build on their talents then yes that's quite significant. However if you can get a guy from the portal who can win games for a year or two while Bullock/recruit QB develop into starting ACC caliber QBs, then you snag one. Wins are important for a multitude of reasons (crootin, donations, perception) and if you don't have a good QB it's much harder to do that.
Thanks for the response. I guess maybe a better question would be (and sounds like you already answered it) is what is BB's ceiling? For QB development, I imagine there are 2 factors - what is the QB's ceiling and how good is the coach at developing the underlying talent and getting them to the ceiling.
Another factor is how well a QB can run a particular scheme given their strengths (think Paul Johnson's triple option vs. a Big 12 air raid type). And to some extent, as others have mentioned - a good/great coach will figure out how to put together a scheme that the talent you have can run (but having a QB that can do more would obviously be better).
There's also other factors as well that affect QB performance - developing the WRs, having an effective run game (RBs vs QBs), OL effectiveness, etc. How much more effective could Burmeister be if the coaches could improve some of those areas?
Obviously if we can get an awesome QB from the portal, I'd take that in a heartbeat, but was just wondering what we could make of what we have with actually developing players and a better scheme. Because I don't think we did hardly any QB development, the WRs didn't seem to develop at all (at least to me), we didn't seem to have a very effective run game except last year with Herbert (how much of that is because of having capable RBs vs scheme vs OL capability?).
Honestly, I feel like we have enough talent to do a lot better than what our offense produced this year, so just wondering what we could get out of it with development of our players and a different scheme. Granted, we're losing some players as well (really sad to see TT go). I feel like I'm rambling now, but appreciate any thoughts on this stuff. I know we don't even know who the offensive staff will be, but I have to think they'd do better than what we've seen for the past several years.
I think BB's ceiling - if healthy - is higher than what we've seen. But not a lot higher. And healthy is a big IF for him.
Nevertheless, I would not have a problem entering '22 with him as the starting QB and one of the younger guys as a real back-up to let BB take his foot off the brakes a bit. If none is ready to step into a game next year in the likely event if a BB injury, VT has bigger problems going forward.
I think he's done about as good as he can do. I don't think coaching will help the lack of touch on the short routes out of the backfield, change his ball flight, improve his arm strength/speed, or significantly improve his ability to recognize defenses and check down to other receivers. We had a really simple passing structure, yet open receivers were often overlooked; and there were too many poorly thrown balls on short passes....really, really bad actually.
I think he's a gutsy player but he is what he is...probably a better slot receiver.
Of course, if he's allowed to actually throw to the open receiver, even if they're not the intended target, without fear of getting chewed out by the coaches...
This is the only point I don't fully agree with you on. Cornelsen dictated who the ball was thrown to pre-snap and if BB went to the open receiver but it wasn't the guy Cornelsen wanted him to hit pre-snap BB would get railed in practice. I don't think we can say, definitively, that BB's ability to recognize defenses and check down to other receivers is an area he can't improve. He clearly didn't have the opportunity to display that type of skill under Cornelsen.
That said, BB's arm talent is very clearly limited so even if he's able to recognize where the ball should go post-snap I don't know that he's able to get it there reliably.
BB is absolutely a tough-as-nails fighter and he's really left everything out there on the field. I admire and appreciate him for that. But he's just not a P5 caliber QB. Super athletic and could definitely be a weapon but just not at the QB position.
Probably a better slot receiver? On what basis are you coming to this insight?
he's the fastest player on the team, supposedly. You like to have speed at the slot receiver position. Size isn't as important. He knows the plays. If he could show any sort of ability to run a route and catch a ball he'd be a fantastic weapon from the slot.
IF he could show any ability to run routes and catch? Those are two pretty big IF's - and a massive leap of faith to claim "probably a better slot receiver".
As for the speed, this is Cole Beck logic. He had speed to spare, but from one look at his HS tape, it was clear he was never going to see the field at anything other than maybe a kick returner.
There are different kinds of speed. Punt and kick returners are both speedy, but good punt returners don't necessarily make good kick returners and vice versa. BB does not have slot receiver speed.
Then there's the injury history, if he's fragile as a QB, how durable is going to be as a slot receiver?
Just because a guy is small, fast and white, it doesn't mean he's a slot receiver.
I think it's more wishful thinking because he has speed and has made some exciting plays with the ball in his hands, however not many of them came from him throwing the ball.
So then you try to think about other ways to get him the ball because he could be a weapon. He isn't going to be running between the tackles as a RB or beating guys 1on1 outside, so slot receiver makes the most sense. Does it make more sense than having somebody who was recruited and has practiced for years as a slot receiver? IDK but I think it's generally more interesting than running it back next year with him as QB1
you make a lot of valid points. I wish you'd apply that sort of logic to your own statements about him as a QB. Just because a guy is small, fast and white, it doesn't mean he's a quarterback.
You're essentially saying that IF BB can throw the ball better he can be a good QB. But then you turn around and eviscerate the idea of him being a slot receiver IF he can run a route and catch a ball? Double standard.
I think we agree that he's athletic. He's not a P5 caliber QB. He might not be a P5 caliber slot receiver either but we don't have any data to prove that or otherwise. We have plenty of data proving that he's not cutting it as a QB at this level. Yet, you are determined to argue otherwise. I don't get it.
I don't see how much of what you say in the 1st paragraphs has anything to do with my comments about BB as a QB. Everything I've said about him as a QB is based on watching him play 15 games (or whatever) without O&M glasses and knowing he's been playing injured (and, I suspect, a lot more injured than we know).
I think it's clear he's a P5 QB. Not a great one. Has a below avg arm, spotty decision making in the pass game and gives up on the pocket too early at times. But he is well above avg ability in the option game (which suits VT well) and is much better as a passer when he can utilize play-action of some sort. So roughly an average QB overall if healthy, IMO, which is much better than the hyperbole the pitchfork crowd emotionally grades him.
His biggest issue - and it's a huge one - is durability, not ability.
It'll be interesting to see how he looks in the bowl with a few weeks rest (albeit without his best receivers). It'll also be interesting to see if he enters the portal.
the last one is debatable. But even if it's true, you're essentially saying that he's a glorified running back. Nothing about what you say would qualify him as a real P5 QB.
You've got some good points here.
To further them, I think it's difficult to know about his decision making when we believe he wasn't allowed to make any other than throw it to the targeted receiver, throw it away or give up on the pocket.
Arm strength is a concern but from week 1 I felt he was battling a shoulder issue (always rotating his arm to loosen it up).
Pretty sure Cole Beck took matters into his own hands and knew what he wanted and cared most for. They definitely wanted him in the field and not just for the return game
I have no doubt Beck took matters into his own hands and went in a direction of his preference. But there is no evidence "they" wanted him on the field.
Definitely seems that coach Fu wanted him on the field from excerpts that you can do your due diligence on. Fact of the matter is that he was always going to be a track guy. Committed to tech to do both but ultimately chose track
Was the "white" descriptive really necessary?
Surprised it took so long for a pearl clutcher to show up.
Yes I did, because I believe that's why he suggested slot receiver - and not wide receiver (for which he is an equally bad fit IMO).
Dude, wtf is wrong with you? Maybe take a break and get back in a better head space.
Get the hell out of here with this name calling bullshit. I get that you're upset about our new DC hire but you can be better than this.
What does me not being crazy about the DC hire have to do with anything?
I've seen it suggested multiple times in different threads that BB should move specifically to "slot" receiver. Why always slot receiver? I was just pointing out the bias, not supporting it.
They knew damn well why I put "white" in the descriptor. And so did everyone else.
To bait people into an entirely unnecessary and against community guideline discussion?
Slot is exactly where you put a possession guy that isn't a typical WR build. Generally if you're going to move positions on offense to WR you're going to slot.
Yeah us whites really need to step it up /s. Say what you really mean.
Seems to me James Mitchell lined up in the slot some too. Just sayin...
In case all the downvotes aren't clueing you in, your general attitude is not appreciated in this community. I know you think everyone is hating on you because you're the only one "brave" enough to question the coaching hires, but that's not it at all. It's your overall negative attitude and adversarial writing style. There are plenty of ways to ask the questions you're asking without pissing everyone off, and the downvote mechanic is there to give you a sign that you've chose the wrong approach.
Name calling other posters and bringing up race, religion, politics, etc is against the terms of service and is not acceptable here. There are plenty of other forums on the internet for that kind of thing.
I honestly wonder if BB has EVER been totally healthy from the stepped on foot last year, ribs and whatever this year. But that in and of itself may be the issue- can he stay healthy
Here's a great example of the point rottingmind13 is making...
Say Fuente arrives and Jerod Evans doesn't transfer to VT. What do you think would have happened if the Hokies had to roll with journeyman Brendan Motley or true Freshman Josh Jackson with the new CornFu offense? I shudder to think...
I loved Motley and taught him in high school.
I think we'd have gone 8-4, with additional losses to Notre Dame and Duke. It'd create a 4-way tie for first in the Coastal, but we'd have wins against all 3 others.
We'd still lose to Clemson, and it wouldn't have been close. At best, we finish 9-5.
Fu probably doesn't get the extension, because it'd be closer games all season.
This would have been his last season, anyway, if he hadn't been fired within the previous two seasons.
Not me. I would have put in Leal
What about Lawson?
I think BB is serviceable but you cant teach an old dog too many tricks and I'm not sure he has many more gears to go up after watching this seasons tape. His injury record is a big worry and regardless of who we have on the depth chart we absolutely need QB bodies for next season if Bullock isnt ready we will be in big trouble. Unless we keep Orji and find a good backup for BB I dont see how we have a serviceable offense without finding a decent QB in the portal to be honest. It would be nice to see a coach develop a QB but it isnt going to happen with just one offseason with the current stable of guys at the QB position.
How about some of the Clemson targets now that Venebles is gone. :)
I agree with the Senator here, and say we must plunder Clemson's riches as much as possible!
Good timing on our plan to reclaim the state and Venables leaving for OU. We can't be losing all the Clelin Ferrell's, Sheridan Jones's, K'von Wallace's, Jordan Williams', Covil's, etc. defensive battles to Clemson.
After another discussion about getting VA players to stay home and go to Tech, I looked at the top players in VA. I was astounded that 5 of the top 6 are going to UNC. Last year 7 of the top 10 went out of state, and UVA had 2 of them, and the one we had was number 10. I know there was the argument that VA wasn't pumping out as much talent, but if that was true, then why are all these other schools from out of state taking them? And we haven't been taking much at all of the top talent in VA (to your point). But Clemson hasn't been the one beating us in VA, it's been UNC, Penn State, and Ohio State hitting VA hard. Even FSU has taken some of the top players over the past few years. It's ridiculous who we're losing talent to, and it's encouraging to see the hires Pry has brought in and how effective they've been at recruiting.
VA2VT please
Based on what I've heard the last few days I'd settle for VT2VT at this point
I want both....
And more
How well have those recent top 10 guys been doing?
I haven't paid much attention to them, but VT's record with top 10 VA guys has been more miss than hit over the years IMO (which is why I haven't paid much attention to the guys lost). And that was before the depth of talent thinned out appreciably in VA.
the depth of virginia talent hasn't thinned out appreciably overall, it's just that the 757 isn't the perennial hotbed of blue chip talent it had been and is really hit or miss. see this post I made a few weeks ago addressing this.
https://www.thekeyplay.com/comment/1090649#comment-1090649
A lot of the misconception I think comes from John Iezzi's Sons of Saturday podcast appearance where he addressed tech's awful 2020 class by a) blaming chuck cantor for being the entire organizational recruiting brains and then leaving suddenly without having an effective transition and b) the state of virginia being down on talent and the staff not wanting to offer and take in-state kids just to offer and take in-state kids.
in 2020, there were 8 blue chippers (incl Tony Grimes who reclassified up a year) and 4 were from 757 (incl Tony Grimes who reclassified up a year) -- which was a pretty average year for talent and a bit higher ratio for 757 blue chippers to the overall state. Grimes reclassifying up happened after Iezzi's comments, so that makes him look a bit sillier in hindsight than he was in the present -- but it's not like we didn't have good talent in 757 and in VA overall that year. We really wanted Chris Tyree (after missing on Slade and Ford), we really wanted Antwaun Powell, we really wanted Malcolm Greene and we really wanted KeAndre Lambert (who is related to Kam Chancellor).
The problem, again, is you equate recruiting ratings with results.
I think if you look at the results, IMO the depth of VA talent has noticeably declined and even top 10 talent is more miss than hit.
classic message board comment, applying all hindsight to everything always!
Yeah, looking at actual results is crazy talk.
lol you keep saying results without actually presenting results that you're referencing
you even said "i don't pay much attention to them but they aren't good"
Fair enough. I haven't looked at it comprehensively. I'm just going on my general impression when looking at the top 10 in recent years - and even not-so-recent years.
Honestly, my sense is VA talent has always been a bit overrated - and even more-so recently. And my sense also - without real evidence to back it up - is Offensive Line has not been a strength in VA.
Ehh back in our hey day we were cleaning up on top-10 VA players. We routinely would grab at least 4-5 of the top ten players. One or two would go to UVA and a couple would go outside the state.
Only once has Tech taken more than half of VA top 10 recruits. There has never been a lockdown on talent in the state. If Pry can do that it would be huge.
Half may be a bit optimistic and I'm going off of memory and not looking anything up but I do remember getting a decent amount of in-state recruits back in the day. Pretty much before social media and all that recruiting is now.
I believe we've taken half of the top 10 once this century.
Edit: need to read more than one post in a conversation
if my problem is incorrectly equating recruiting ratings with results as an indicator of talent, your problem is incorrectly equating on-field results in college with talent at the high school level.
ratings are projections based on tape and measurables and football players can underperform those projections for any number of reasons that have nothing to do with their talent. your argument seems to boil to that if a player didn't develop into a contributor, it's because he wasn't talented.
I'm not in any way equating on-field results with talent at the HS level. I'm equating on-field results with successful recruiting. How is looking at on-field results in college "incorrect"? Isn't that the point of it all?
The general overall objective of the star ratings systems is to project the future prospects for a recruit at the college and pro level. What's better...a projection of results or actual results?
The fractional differences in the subjective ratings of 17 yr olds by keyboard experts have little meaning with portal players. Maybe that drives some folks crazy because it's harder for the imagination and wishful thinking to run wild?
Take a cue from baseball...all other things equal, an accomplished player is worth a whole bunch of prospects.
One big reason might be fit in a scheme. Use HH as an example - looking at his stats over the years, he has almost double the amount of completions this year as he had in either year at Tech, for twice as many touchdowns as he had in either year, higher overall completion percent (69%!), while maintaining low interceptions (3, on 261 attempts!). Now, he didn't suck here, but he seems clearly better than what he was allowed to demonstrate here. Sure, some high star guys don't do well, then transfer and still don't do well, but I don't know how often they're busts. This comment (link) shows star ratings compared to draft rates - easier metric to look at rather than college performance compared to star rating.
And performance in college is not always reflective of talent. There's talent, skill, fit in a scheme, football IQ, motivation/drive, athletic ability, and even personal factors. Skill being techniques you're taught and can get better at; talent being what you're born able to do; scheme should be obvious, football IQ - being able to read a QB if you're a DB, or instincts for finding holes if you're a RB, etc.; motivation - are you willing to work harder than other people, spend more hours in the gym; athletic ability - some guys will always be faster and able to put on more muscle than other guys, be more agile, etc.; and personal factors are maybe a kid's personality clashes with the coach, so the coach makes him ride the bench. There are so many things that can affect performance, and star rating measures just a couple.
Generally, stars are better than not, but they don't guarantee success, and doesn't mean some lower star players can't/won't be more successful than some 5 stars.
Wow the shock waves from that hilarious loluva 3rd down play call keep rippling
Also of note the center and noah taylor just hopped in the portal too
The Center is a Rimington Award finalist as well, so he's no slouch. I also would not be mad if Noah Taylor wanted to switch sides.
Yeah I was going to type his name but even in the off chance that he does transfer to VT I think I'm gonna stick with calling him 'The Center'. Olusegun Oluwatimi is a lot to type.
Guess he likes schools where it's preferred to pop your collar.
Well that's just disgusting an ex hoo Tarheel
He's a Hoo, who, well, Heel not be much of anything at all, really.
Lloyd Summerall; UF; R-So; 6-5 247 DE; listed as OLB at UF
Primary recruiter was Brent Pry
https://www.on3.com/db/lloyd-summerall-79603/recruiting/97573/interests/
Hoping Pry and Price revisit the lack of offer to Xayvion Bradshaw of Graham, the OL Meadows there too. His feet aren't the best on contact but 6'6 280 doesn't grow on trees either. With Venables bolting Clemson, they better go visit Sherrod Covil (Chesapeake-OF Smith) and Daylen Everette's familys(IMG by way of Norfolk-Norview). St. Chris WR Andre Greene, King William RB Demond Claiborne and Clover Hill DE Bryson Jennings were my favorite VA prospects this cycle. Greene just committed to UNC, Claiborne blew up in Spring and committed quickly to Wake. Jennings is the legacy that we were bridesmaided by. Want to say Pry was GA when Bryson's dad was playing. Has to be worth a shot IMO.
Honestly, if they are going to flip a DE, I would prefer Gobiera from Chantilly over Jennings. Jennings fits Hamilton's defense. Not sure he is a good fit with what Pry does.
Agree on Meadows. I want SWVA kids to do well. I just don't see the feet. Of course, I didn't see the feet with Mekhi Becton and he turned into a 1st round pick.
Pry needs to offer Abdul Carter ASAP. I get loyalty to your old boss, but VT needs difference makers and Carter is a serious difference maker at a spot of need.
I am curious to see if Brandon Smith considers following Pry. Kaleb is related and at VT and Smith was starting for Pry.
There are some Virginia kids currently committed that I don't think are fits. I am curious if Pry is all in on the state to prove a point this year, and takes some kids who may be square pegs in round holes. Offensive recruiting is tough without having the staff in place.
Understanding your point of some kids not being a take, and I'm assuming that is talent/skills related to intended playing style/scheme. But for some of them, how much of it is just needing bodies right now vs getting the right people in? So if we just really need people at certain positions, I'm assuming it's better to keep a recruit, even if they arena take, unless we could flip another recruit that is a take at that position. I hope I said all that so it was clear and not sure whether it really applies or not.
Accidentally posted in the wrong thread. Should be in recruiting.
If we didn't have like 12 RBs, yeah
I would expect some attrition towards the transfer portal there.
Yes but I would guess after spring ball. They will get an idea of the rough pecking order there and some guys at the bottom will move on. It will also likely depend on the OC and style of run game.
https://twitter.com/nickevers12/status/1468439155046764546?s=21
https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2022/nick-evers-258777
Nick Evers (QB) apparently de-committed from Florida.. Had an offer from VT (via Corn).
Edit: Argh.. this is the portal thread. Haven't had coffee yet. That's what I get.
Nah I say this a good place for decommits for this year class as well
LSU QB Max Johnson enters portal, four-star TE brother Jake Johnson decommits from Tigers
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/ncaafb/lsu-qb-max-johnson-to-transfer-f...
https://247sports.com/Player/Max-Johnson-89241/
https://247sports.com/Player/Jake-Johnson-46052164/
I would add Shawn Asbury to the list. Was a hokie commit last year until he flipped to BC. also from VA
Scanning the transfer portal a few familiar names have popped up, Shawn Ashbury was a one time VT commit is in the portal, Litchfield Ajavon a former 4* from VA
Landon Jackson: I remember seeing a video of him doing a drill with bags and it looking like he was slapping someone, anyways he is in the portal
Landon Jackson and Tyreak Sapp #Future50 pic.twitter.com/7Hbqzryi9H— Mike Farrell (@rivalsmike) January 2, 2020 " target="_blank">
Lol that's the kid everybody clowned on after this tape got released
Yeah, not sure how often bitch-slapping is all that useful on the field.
Often results in a penalty.
I do miss that Midnight Oil guy, though. He had that cool song about beds burning.
Very useful if you played for the 1970s Steelers
DT from Richmond is visiting.
https://richmondspiders.com/sports/football/roster/kobie-turner/4655
https://virginiaviews.com/richmond-star-transfer-dt-kobie-turner-set-on/
If you go back to my film review of the Richmond game, Turner and the DE (who is a senior unfortunately) wore the Hokies offensive line out that day.
https://www.thekeyplay.com/virginia-tech-football/2021/09/21559/pee-ew-r...
Play 2 in the review really highlights Turner's mobility. He stunts to his left, beats an attempted scoop block by Kaden Moore, and stuffs the play in the hole three gaps to the left of where he lined up.
Solid player.
He chose wake
https://twitter.com/TurnerKobie/status/1473843385043755010?t=oL5-g7mBFT8...
Two interesting points here:
-Clawson used to coach Richmond and recruited the players that Timecop took to a natty.
-Apparently, Richmond and Wake compete for students as they are similar academically. (At least according to my UR alum wife.)
Probably doesn't mean anything, but just interesting little connections.
Apparently we have an actual offer out for a WR from FIU.
He is fast.
Chambers, or Holt for offering a recruit that fast?
VTU. Those damn Pinstripe Bowl shirts have sunk us
Bo Nix anyone?
Good move for Bo, and good for Auburn; but Bo would not be good for VT. Not that it would be in the realm anyway.
Remember this guy? Is Auburn really trying to run him off?
https://www.theplainsman.com/article/2021/11/column-is-auburn-trying-to-...
Feels like Auburn fans might want him to start. Also a recent Instagram story of his seemed like he was 100% Auburn. Doubt that would change if his path to starting next year just opened up!
Regardless of a talent standpoint, is he a fit for the new coaching staff should he become available? Who knows.
I saw a lot of AU football this year, and it made no sense why DD never saw the field for a single play. He was certainly on a par with their top two QB's even as a true freshman, and they had him at 4th string all year. Seems like he doesn't fit with Harsin's system or style, and DD may fall behind a really good 4 star incoming recruit.
I'd hate to see DD leave the Plains, but if there is any chance to get him to VT, do it.
I don't know, remember, Auburn is a "good academic" school and apparently Tech is not (at least according to the parting words of DD as he de committed).
DD's a good kid, a smart kid, and a damn talented kid, Likely zero chance of it, but if there is, bring him to VT. He'd start day one.
Certainly academics and not his dad getting a job in Auburn is why he decided to flip
Kinda mind boggling that Auburn had two blowout wins and they didn't put in the freshman just to get snaps/actual game experience. I mean, why wouldn't you get those freshmen players on the field, especially any promising ones?
He's fantastic to watch when he plays for another team. Not sure if I want the heart attack inducing Bo Nix show in Blacksburg.
Yeah he is a great playmaker, but a very inconsistent QB = heart attacks for fans of the team he plays for, entertainment for neutrals.
No Bo Nix show for us, he announced that he's going to Oregon.
We were never getting Bo Nix but this is a HUGE blow to our hopes to get Cameron Ward. Was looking like Nix would go to Ole Miss and this kind of came out of nowhere.
Would take D Davis back in a heartbeat. Dont care what he said about our academics, wouldnt care if he shaved President Sands cat. Come to Bburg buddy.
I don't see him in the portal. There are a ton of QBs in there though.
How do we feel about a Taquan Roberson? QB out of penn state followed by our head coach and OC
I watch a lot of Penn State games and he was...not good.
Granted most of his action this year was on the road against a great Iowa defense without preparation as a starter, but...he didn't look any better than Burmeister, just completely ineffective. I'd like to think we can find a better option.
In a scenario where we can take on two transfers (Bullock transfers or Orji flips) I wouldn't hate him as a developmental guy though. He has plenty of time to grow with good coaching. But as the 2022 starter...we're in a bad spot if that's the plan.
With the games I saw, I think this hits the nail on the head. I would say he did not look as good as Burmeister even. At this point, I am all for adding bodies, but would take the potential upside of Orji and Ferrell over Roberson.
USC QB Kedon Slovis and aTm QB Zach Calzada both jumped into the Portal today.
Pry is going to have to bring in at least one, if not two QBs.
QB room needs help.
Cameron Word, from Incarnate Word? Rated as a 4*
Which USC? USC or South Carolina?
USCw
So USC...thanks.
So... like he said in his original comment?
Or just SC, as it's referred to by Alums, fans, and locals.
Calzada to Auburn
He does not look very happy about.....
I feel like ward should be top QB target. Another player I would look at Ajou Ajou WR from Clemson. I feel like we can swing a couple receivers with playing time in the portal
One of Coach Pry and Jones' most recent follows on Twitter. I'm just sayin
Edit: Marve and QB coach Glenn following as well keeping my fingers crossed we land a ⭐️
Which one? Ward or Ajou?
Ward
Word
Ajou Ajou adieu. He's headed to USF
😭
Was 0% happening for us, but Rattler to SCAR seems like a little bit of a surprise. Reunited with Shane
They got a few OU transfers. 4* recruit earlier today too. Shane doing well.
This is the bad side of us having to wait until January for Bowen to join the staff. We need to be after some quality transfer QBs in the portal right now. Not saying it's the end of the world but I'm also not sure why we are waiting so long to get an offensive staff fully in place. But we will have to see how things play out. I don't know if I can stomach another season with the QB room we have right now.
Based on what I've seen a lot of people on here say, it sounds like we're most likely going to be a shove it down their throat run offense (with actual RB's, not QB keepers). If we can assert a run game that the D has to respect, that should open up more of a passing game. From the play calling this past year, even when we were having success running the ball, it still seemed to be the preference to have the ball in BB's hands looking for a pass play.
I think we can have success with BB, but with a lot of other stuff - especially better play calling. Maybe not a lot more success, but more than what we got out of him with Corn.
And my guess is, as much as we want a good QB, we may not get one this year. I mean, we could always go the route of picking up QBs, have them not be exactly what we wanted, and therefore not having one QB start two full seasons for the past six years. I'd rather the coaches find exactly (or near as possible) what they want out of a QB, who has enough upside, and has enough eligibility to build an offense around. Or maybe the coaches think Bullock or Orji could be it, so don't necessarily NEED a QB this cycle. They may have higher priorities, like filling some gaps that we are already thin on.
I think we actually do NEED a QB this year from the Portal, especially with Orji's status being a complete toss up now. Even if he stays committed, its unlikely he can play year 1. So that's what, 2 QBs on the roster (BB and Bullock). You need at least one more for depth. And with so many pretty good options in the portal as is, be aggressive. Go out and grab a starter for a year (or more).
Honestly, I think we should be aggressive in the Portal beyond just QB. You look at the roster and almost every position could use a boost. Let's Michigan St this thing, open up the Portal gates, and get a competitive team out there while we wait for Pry to get us back up where we need to be (and beyond) with recruiting. You want playing time? We got it. VT is open for business
Part of my concern was that, given that transfers count against the 25 class limit, and we're pretty close to that, I wasn't sure what our highest priorities would be to fill those few extra spots. I didn't realize they they'd passed a waiver, allowing schools to replace up to 7 transfers. That will give us extra spots to play with.
As of now, our recruiting class is 21 commits, with crystal balls for Burgos and Meadows, which would bring us to 23, assuming there are no flips or decommits before ESD. That gives 2 slots to fill, plus 4 transfers out, so 4 more spots (you only get to replace transfers out, not early draft entrants). So we have 6 more slots to fill unless there's some additional turnover. Part of the challenge is knowing if any of the draft entrants might change their minds. The deadline is Jan. 24th if I'm not mistaken, so we have to assume they're all gone. That's a lot of starters we're losing, so wasn't sure if we'd try to get some more experience at any of the defensive positions, maybe specifically LBs and D-line? That could eat up spots in a hurry. Like everything else this year, it will be interesting to see how it unfolds.
I would imagine we'll get at least a couple running backs that transfer out to get us to 7 transfer slots. 10 in the room, 2 commits. Forgive me for not knowing if any are out of eligibility, but I feel like that would only be like 1 or 2 at most.
I don't think many guys are out of eligibility. I feel like our roster is a mess for various reasons. Not sure why so many guys are entering the draft or transferring - I get offense where there seems to be such a big question mark, but I'd think the defensive coaches have great reputations and we're keeping Smitty and Price. But our team was pretty young to start with - looking at the depth chart, we seem to have a lot of sophomores playing. We have a lot of RBs and oddly haven't seen any names from that position leaving, but we are losing two major contributors at receiver. Our LB play hasn't been stellar, and don't know how much talent is waiting there. Between that and the DLine, I feel like we have a lot of gaps for what the coaches are likely hoping to field.
I get wanting a QB, but then there's also the challenge of not having proven receivers for the QB.
I think it would be sweet to go back to pro style power I
I thought that Shane guy couldn't recruit? 🥴 Won't mind rooting for USCe as long as they're not playing us.
Eh...not when Darth Shane is going after our recruits and our recruiting territory. Best of luck to him, but he's building his own empire.
I think there's two things at play here:
1) Shane is leveraging his relationships with the OU guys transferring out that he developed during his time in Norman. Good on him, but that's a temporary thing given those OU relationships will fizzle out in a couple years.
2) As far as recruiting VA, if you put stock into the rumor mill, Shane did burn a few bridges in the commonwealth during his time in Blacksburg. But when you can parachute in to VA from SC to land a highly-regarded recruit here or there, you don't need to maintain the same types of relationships across the state that you would at VT. You can focus all your efforts on the particulars of the VA recruit you want.
I don't mean for any of that to come off as sour grapes. I think he's doing really well so far at USCe in what is traditionally a pretty tough job. I didn't realize until I just checked, but they've only ever had FOUR seasons with 10 or more wins, and 3 of those seasons came under Spurrier in consecutive years with generational talents in Alshon Jeffery, Marcus Lattimore, and Jedeveon Clowney.
Only four 10 win seasons ever?!?! That seems crazy. That's gotta be one of the lowest in the country, right?
We have Jordan Brunson, Jalen Hampton, Gary, Chance Black, Marco Lee all at RB. What if they give spring FB a chance then after assessing situation we lose 4 of them? That's 4 spots right there correct?
Assuming Thomas and Kenji Christian jump ahead with Ramon Brown in the fold.
We need a grad center badly
Do any of our current RBs have the talent/ability to switch to WR?
That's not a move you see very often. I can't think of any who could.
Burmeister
Sure, except he's not a RB and doesn't particularly have a WR skill set.
Has caught a touchdown pass...
That's more than most of our remaining WRs can say.
All but Kaleb Smith can't say that.
He's the only active player we have left who has caught at least 2 touchdown passes for his Hokie career.
I think it's going to be important that we all (I'm preaching to myself here) give Coach Pry and Co. a lot of grace here... This roster has been mismanaged in an awful way. It's going to take a ton of energy and creativity to fill in the gaps on this roster.
I don't think you'll find much argument here.
But give it a couple of years, and the natives will get restless if VT isn't winning.
More like a couple of games!
Already seen comments because of portal entries and decommits and no big name commits. It's crazy how short a leash some people have for this.
I would say 5 years is a good leash right? 1 year to transition and 4 years to see your recruits through the life cycle of a college player in this day and age.
The first jet sweep Pry's team runs and this place will implode! /s
Yeah, people react to news as it happens, what a concept. Just because Pry makes one mistake, or loses one battle doesn't mean he won't find success here.
He just lost Ramon Brown and it looks like letting Bowen finish the year in the NFL could be a mistake.
In Fuente's first year it was clear the Tajh Capehart situation was a mistake and it turned out to be pretty bad one. Most of us still thought Fuente would succeed long term, but at the time it was still clearly a screw up
i am not sure he is "letting" bowen finish the NFL season. i don't think NFL coaches can leave before the end of the season. there must be some kind of steep penalty or fine if they do...otherwise, i am sure jacksonville would have no assistant coaches at this point, with all the meyer shit going on right now :-)
Yea, the phrase "Letting him finish the NFL season" is wild. Contracts exist, people.
If he gets one big name commit in 5 years he is doing insanely well. KJ, Marcus, Macho, Tyrod, and Kendall our VTs 5* recruits. And not all services had Macho as 5*.
Gunner Givens is the 32nd best rated VT recruit if all time (since 2000). Thats is a star from VTs historical perspective
Mark Stoops went 2-10 his first year at Kentucky trying to win with a roster that Joker Phillips destroyed. I wouldn't be surprised if we are in for a similar experience.
As a new resident of SATX, I've started following UIW and UTSA Football. Would be nice to beat out LK for him.
Would be the biggest get possible. Would love to beat out Kiffin for him.
Still, there are other QB transfers out there. If not him, we definitely need someone under center that can deliver in the passing game consistently
We do have a history of beating Kiffin.
Oh man that GIF from that peachbowl, someone please find it and post.
I was living in Knoxville at that time, and no one would even talk to me in the office the next after all the smack they talked before that game.
Watched that game with a friend from Tech and her husband who is a Tennessee fan. We decided that we'd take shots when the opposing team scored. He was not loving life by the end of that game. I had the whole second half to sober up and drive home.
Beautiful.
That drive right out of the half, where we broke their spirits was a goddamned work of art.
We're giving it to 34. Stop him. 7 straight carries for 71 yards. The last six were run to the left side of the OL
Stinespring made Kiffin his bitch
That backfield, Williams, Oglesby, and Wilson, would love to have a couple of that talent at the same time again.
I forgot how absolutely loaded that team was. Wow.
low key one of my favorite Hokie games
Quite a bit of coaching acumen on the Tennessee sideline there, I'm talking about Ed Orgeron and Monte Kiffin. The jury is still out on Lane Kiffin (IMHO). He seems to be an incredible recruiter but also seems to be someone who has no loyalty to anyone but himself.
Had a really great experience at that game. It was the first bowl game I attended as well.
Rumor has it that Auburn is all over Mr. Ward, as well. They're feeling confident, but I'm all for seeing him again in the Orange and Maroon.
If so, DD
Russel Wilson's OC from the Seahawks gonna be loving DD at AU.
It worked out last time they paid a qb transfer
Rumors down here in NC that Josh Downs may go into the portal
Josh Downs would be a game changer - he looked like the best player on UNC
If he just gets out of UNC that's amazing, out the the ACC even better, comes to VT best case scenario
Downs is going somewhere with a proven QB - he caught 100 passes or so this year and loses Howell.
Yeah, he ain't coming to VT, didn't want to get any hopes up
Jeez I hope he goes to Syracuse so I can say Downs In Dome. Or he gets NIL from a drone company so he can advertise Downs 'N Drone.
what
Yeah, this really isnt funny. I mean, i teach my 8 yo not to make fun of people for things they cant change, Very low hanging fruit in my opinion. Poor taste
Bruh
I would be really confused if that happened. They have an offense that throws the ball (specifically to him, 98 catches) and the smoke on Drake Maye is that he can play.
Maybe he wants to win. I would respect him for that at least.
Emory Jones RSJr QB from Florida has entered his name into the transfer portal as well.
Have not watched any film for Emory Jones, but stats look nice except interceptions were on the high side. Looks like a legit dual threat QB with 2 years eligibility.
To me, there is no reason why we can't pull one of these bigger name transfer QBs
All for a big name QB if one is still on the market after CBP names a QB coach. Think it may be tough to get someone in demand until that happens. Frankly, I wouldn't mind if we picked up 2, if at least one has 3-4 yrs eligibility.
Annnnnnnd we picked up our QB Coach/Passing Coordinator! Let the hunt for QB Transfer begin in earnest!
his QB from 2020 is in the portal tho he lost his starting job early in 2021
Just read an article on Cameron Ward. Small town kid that loves fishing. Seems like he could fall in love with Blacksburg. French needs to be primary recruiter and set up some fishing for his OV.
Article is here:
https://247sports.com/college/ole-miss/Article/Transfer-portal-QB-Camero...
We need to see if we can get Michael Brewer in his ear too
Good point. Our last Texas fisherman was pretty good.
The last transfer QB from Texas worked out well, too. I hope we can convince Ward. Sounds like he can't go on another official visit until January so he should be able to meet our OC if we can get him on campus.
More like Sergio Render
Sergio render would be the perfect primary recruiter for him!!
QB Max Johnson off the board, goes to aTm.
A new QB goes onto the board, Casey Thompson leaving Texas
You can scratch Charlie Brewer off of the list. He is transferring to Liberty.
Dude should probably not be playing football at all, pretty sure Baylor recommended he medically retire due to concussions. Also couldn't win the job at Utah, I'm pretty confident we could do better.
What we needed to do was get Brewer and then have him transfer. Baylor is #6 now that Brewer is gone and Utah got to #10 after they benched him and he transferred.
Penn State Wide Receiver, Norval Black, enters transfer portal. He's originally a 3* from Germantown, MD (DMV). Wonder if he has Blacksburg on his radar?
https://sports.yahoo.com/penn-state-wide-receiver-enters-104333114.html?src=rss
Pitt picked up Kedon Slovis (formerly at USCw) yesterday. That move makes me a little antsy. We'll see if he picks up where Pickett left off.
I think he'll have a good opportunity to put up good numbers - they return their entire starting O-line as well as their best WR. Not sure who Pitt will hire as OC since Whipple left, but there's talent on offense there.
Was the last home grown/HS QB to start for Pitt Rod Rutherford? geez
Pretty sure it was 5-year starter Kenny Pickett. He was the QB during our 2017 goal line stand
Yeah without Whipple who knows. Pickett is a good QB but he's not a Heisman finalist without Whipple.
FWIW, Slovis had a worse QBR and passer rating than Burmeister this year.
Kobie Turner (Richmond DT transfer) going to Wake Forest. That was one we absolutely needed, big swing and a miss
Hokies appear to now be after Gary Smith from Duke who is a DT.
We tried this yet?
https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32934502/wyoming-cowboy...
I like the looks of that QB transferring from Wyoming.
https://247sports.com/player/levi-williams-46051235/
Off the board now - to Utah State.
Jason Brown of South Carolina, there could be some mutual interest here.
Story from TLP
Chancellor High in FxBurg > St Francis > South Carolina > ??
EDIT: just got a crystal ball. TIL 247 puts out crystal balls for transfers
He's got a bit of Willis in him (the good and the bad). That said, I'd take him over any of our current crop of QBs.
I haven't watched him play. If you look at the stat lines, he is .1% lower completion rating than Burmeister. Less than half the attempts; did he have a slow start that leads to the following stat line?. 8:6 td:int vs 14:4 for Burmeister.
Is he an upgrade?
From Blumrick - yes. Probably from Tahj also, since he hasn't played a snap.
He beat Auburn and Florida (albeit shit Florida).
The stat lines from his time at St Francis are a bit better to get a grasp of his capabilities:
Link
From a USCe student and fan. "He is not good. FCS level. You can have him you want. Not accurate, and takes a lot of chances. We would trade him for BB if we were not trying to get someone better."
This guy get beat by a GA who was done playing football?
Edit: No, he did not. He got injured
A crystal ball, eh? I mean, at this point, I'll take whatever QB we can get but he wouldn't be my first choice. Are we just not even gonna try for Casey Thompson or Zach Calzada? I know we offered Cam Ward, maybe he's more of an Ole Miss lean?
Wasn't impressed with his stats until I watched the videos. Six out of the seven passes were when he was flushed out of the pocket and throwing under pressure. One from an actual clean pocket. Might do a lot better with a little protection.
Still would prefer Max of course. Hoping he is watching our bowl game and checking out the void that needs to be filled.
Dear Transfer Portal,
It is time you held up your end of the deal and start sending players our way.
Respectfully but growing impatient,
HokieNation
Jadan Blue, WR from Temple received an offer
tVT
"The University of Virginia (pause for effect) Tech!!!!!"
I always hated it when our PA announcer used to do that at games.
Then you really don't want to listen to John Laaser. "Touchdown, Virginia!!!............Tech Hokies."
Isaiah Neyor, WR from Wyoming received an offer
I'd take the QB Williams too
I was trying to convince myself that I was being overly-pessimistic, but the roster card for tomorrow's game is going to be quite telling as far as the rebuild Pry has on his hands. We have no significant proven production at any of the offensive skills positions. We need a QB. We have some decent potential at RB with Thomas, but he slight, and nobody in that group has a full season under their belt. The portal focus on WRs is obvious (Kaleb Smith is our leading returning WR) and we'll also probably need to do something at TE.
We are returning 2 starters on the OL, but I'm not sure there is a left tackle on the roster. My guess is that Clements slides over. If Silas stays and can be serviceable at right tackle, we may have a decent core group of linemen with Clements, Moore, Silas. We'd still need to fill in the Center and left guard spot (maybe Jesse Hanson, Bryce Goodner?). There are a lot of freshmen bodies on the OL depth chart, but not a whole lot of names that standout.
Defensive line is also a big concern. With the mass exodus at DE, and lack of true P5 talent at defensive tackle, I look for that to be another area where we really lean on the portal.
Not trying to be overly negative, but thank goodness for the portal (fingers crossed) and the fact that we have our easiest schedule in a decade in 2022.
WR from Hawaii.
Also interesting, if you haven't seen that program is a mess right now due to Todd Graham apparently being a huge jerk. High number of transfer entrants and saw something where other guys have just straight up quit football because of him. Their AD and Graham released a statement yesterday basically saying "This is fine."
Hawaii to Bleaksburg will be quite the adjustment.
Huge upgrade to be honest. Why would you want all that tropical weather, when you can have some beautiful mid Atlantic mountains?
True, at least fire doesn't come shooting out of our mountains.
Unless it's a meth lab exploding in Grundy
Only a true asshole would fuck up the Hawaii HC job by being... an asshole. I mean, how could you not be happy as a pig in shit out there doing what you supposedly love with that kind of incentive package in that kind of environment. And if you're at all successful and likable, the whole community probably gets behind you. Last I heard, they love football in Hawaii. June Jones was practically a demi god there. Jesus, even if you decide island life isn't for you there's always an option to move somewhere else.
Todd Graham seems like a true asshole. I'm really only surprised that yet another program hired him to be an HC.
a) Is Todd Graham about to be relieved of his duties? or b) Is Todd Graham that big of a dick that even his kid wants to leave? or c) Non-dramatic standard answer of he is looking for playing time.
I mean, if he's a prick to everyone else, it's not a stretch to imagine he's a prick to his kid as well.
6'6" receiver who averaged 20 yards per catch? Yes please!
There is a place for that on our roster for sure lol. I'll take it.
Besides QB, what are our 6 other priority positions? WR is apparently one, because we have offered several.
DT because we have offered a few. I would expect LB. Best available for the other 3?
I would expect some DB offers. We aren't real deep there.
DB, QB, OL, DL, WR are all positions of need.
Really we need able bodies at every position to develop where we're young. Without a serviceable OL we're gonna struggle no matter who the QB is. We have more holes to fill on DL than OL.
Crucially need depth at CB and WR.
I haven't been paying real close attention, but I don't think I've seen that we've offered any DBs yet.
We probably don't really need a DB. Just going to really lack a lot of experience there
Todd Graham is a d bag of the highest order.
He makes Pat Narduzzi look like Mr. Rogers. If he'd been at Pitt for more than a cup of coffee, this board would hate him like no other.
I knew I had seen this before and couldn't find it. Jacob Cowing, UTEP WR has an offer.
Cowing, who was named to the All-Conference USA First Team in 2021, was UTEP's best player on offense this past season, etching his name in the record books along the way. Cowing's 69 receptions this season was the fourth most by a Miner in a single season, and his 1,354 receiving yards currently ranks seventh in the nation (second-most in program history).
https://www.ktsm.com/sports/college-sports/utep/utep-wide-receiver-jacob...
But also...
Anybody else notice the tag on that one? That's interesting
Hunter Nourzad, grad transfer OL from Cornell has an offer?
Made the Top 5. Rudolph, bring us a late Christmas present please.
Jared Verse, Albany DE, has an offer.
Out of the top 21 portal entrants - those with a score of .9 and above - there are 5 uncommitted. According to their twitter accounts, VT has offered 2 of those - Ward and Verse.
The next 20 have a score of .88 or higher. There are 6 uncommitted. VT has reportedly offered 1, Jaden Blue.
The next 20 have a score of .86 or higher. There are 8 uncommitted. VT doesn't appear to have any offers out to this group.
The Next 20 have 8 uncommitted also. Didn't bother to check how many we offered. The last 8 of the top 99 have 5 uncommitted. Just for completeness.
We're offering a lot of head scratchers for sure.
I think we just desperately need bodies to fill the backups let alone the starters.
One reason I have been doing this exercise and looking into the new transfer rules is to try to guess at some things. For examples: What do the coaches think are positions of need? Why don't we have any commits yet? Do we really have a chance with the highest rated players?
So from the offers we have out, I think we can see QB (we all knew that), WR (again, so surprise), DL (duh) and OL (also clear). I'm a little surprised that we don't know about LB or DB offers yet, because as others have said, we desperately need depth there if not replacements. The highly rated players that we haven't offered? Probably we put out initial feelers and were rejected, or they don't fit the system, etc. I might worry if there were more of these, but I think the proportion of the the unsigned tier 1 and 2 guys of a little less than 50% is about right.
The fact that we offered some players that don't seem to have a connection to the program, from across the country, makes me wonder. I get it if the player is highly ranked, like top 40 players. Find a guy that matches what you want and put the offer out there and try to sell them.
It's the other guys that I don't know. Did they express an interest first? Did we see something that others didn't? Are they just a fit with what we want?
If I'm right and we can only replace 4 players so far until more players enter the portal (and 3 of them might count against our FR signing class), it makes sense to hold off on signing until you know what the portal will look like after all the bowl games. We probably would sign Ward, Verse, and Blue immediately if they wanted to come to Tech. The others might be less firm of an offer at this time.
I think it's worth watching this for the next 3 weeks, at least.
That's fair, but we only get so many portal usages
Two guys VT should take a look at transferring from NC State:
DE Terrell Dawkins - battled some injuries and wasn't a fit in the 3-3-5. Reminds me of a House Gaines type of DE
S Khalid Martin - was between VT and NC State during HS recruitment, returning from neck injury sustained last year at VT game.
Both guys have great upside and injury derailed them a bit
Dawkins visiting FSU. If he doesn't commit and enroll by 1/5, VT is a strong option.
I think we go for two Portal QB's so if Jason Brown is one, I don't expect us to stop pursuing other, possibly higher level options.
Yeah, I don't see Brown as the balm of Gilead option. And it won't hurt for us to have another qb on the roster.
Yeah he's proven he's at least a capable P5 player. He hasn't done anything spectacular, but a good guy to have in the QB room, or roll out as a QB2 if necessary.
I am interested to find out which options outside of him we are prioritizing. Cam Ward would be an enormous recruiting (portal) win, but if he goes elsewhere who are the other high priority targets?
As of Dec 30, SI reports UIW QB Cameron Ward holds offers from Virginia Tech, Washington State, Ole Miss, Arizona, Indiana, Houston, North Texas, and Prairie View A&M. His head coach at UIW, Eric Morris, has been hired as OC at Washington State, so that probably gives a big edge.
If we get big-dogged by North Texas or Prairie View A&M, I may find a ledge some place.
After Houston's bowl performance against Auburn, I'x say they have a shot if he wants to stay in TX. What I read about him earlier sounds great though.
Here's 247sports transfer portal tracker, which can be filtered for position, school, etc.
247sports transfer portal tracker - uncommited QBs
This kid is listed as crystal ball to VT - 3* from Marshall
https://247sports.com/Player/Grant-Wells-84702/
Number of commits is starting to pick up steam. Hope we start hearing some stuff soon.
GT got a QB transfer from Akron.
EXCLUSIVE: Former Akron QB Zach Gibson set to transfer to GT
https://georgiatech.rivals.com/news/exclusive-former-akron-qb-zach-gibso...
Another offer, this time to a DB from CMU.
Antwane Wells - JMU WR received an offer
My father in law swears by this kid. Says he is dominant. Apparently, Cignetti said he is the hardest worker he's coached since Julio Jones.
Would love to see him end up at VT.
A lot of our players are re tweeting this
He broke multiple single season receiving records. Would be a great get for the team but he is going to want a good quarterback to sling the ball to him.
Us along with the rest of P5 offering him.
Sign me up for the Wells to Wells connection
Brad Glenn connection
Does he have 1 or 2 years of eligibility remaining?
Little guy. Slot receiver most likely. Would take him. Also the JMU receiver would be an easy take. Kids a baller.
More QBs added to the Portal:
https://247sports.com/college/virginia-tech/Season/2022-Football/Transfe...
Robby Ashford Looks Interesting and was highly rated coming out of High school
Welp. Calzada is off to Auburn
And Demetrius Davis moves further down the depth chart...
And Demetrius Davis moves further down the depth chart...
He probably would have been at the top of our depth chart. Karma bites back
Exactly
Former VT target and brother of Woody
Beat me to it. Wonder if Pry will reach out? I think Baron was between UT and VT. His dad was on the UT staff...I think.
Pre-existing connection to VT. 6-5 260 seems like it fits one of Pry's DE spots. He was a productive player Tennessee. I hope we reach out.
Oh buddy I would not mind this at all.
With us being his #2 in HS, the family connection, his abilities and scheme fit, he's got to be at the top of our defensive portal board. Would love to have him! With only 7 spots, hopefully we can land the following positions; QB (2), WR(1-2), OL (2), DL (1-2). The starting QB is most important, I'd follow with OL, WR, DE as most immediate needs.
we have more than 7 spots... the 7 number is floating around because there are 7 additional transfer spots in the 21-22 offseason, on top of the regular 25 limit of FR + XFR additions
we've signed 21 FR, so we can add another 11 players. we have 2 soft commits so that leaves 9 spots for transfers
That's big. If we can land 4-5 starters (QB, OLx2, WR, DE) and 4-5 depth guys and we get some competent QB play, we could be better than people think.
So i guess the rumor is Baron to Kentucky.
Yeah, that's what I saw in a couple places after I posted this.
Apologies if I missed it above, but how many spots do we have open? I see us offering all these kids but how many could we realistically take?
I'm pretty sure you can take up to 7 transfers and 25 freshman for a total of 32
The numbers always work out
Bezelek is off to Indiana Hoosiers
We need to a QB freakin soon.
Well we've got two with heavy smoke and crystal balls (Brown and Wells), but nothing official yet. It sorta feels like we're waiting to see what Cam Ward decides first.
EDIT: Lol, nevermind. Both guys committed literally as I was typing this.
Stephen Gosnell (Benji's brother) has a CB to VT from Watkins as of yesterday
Adding a 6'2 210lb WR to play with his brother seems like a no-brainer.
Marshall QB Wells and SCAR QB Brown both committed now.
This whole 2 QBs in less than a minute thing is nice
Leg for Kronk
Defensive End from Stanford
247 profile
I like him...mostly because he got the school name right!
If you're at Stanford, you're playing school, too.
He probably thinks that's grammatically correct.
Or you could think that it's commendable that he returned to school and graduated.
And he has a sense of humor. That's also admirable
With the QB's in the fold all of the sudden a decent season this year looks possible. Wishlist: 2 game ready OL, 1-2 game ready DE's, Wells and McCoy at receiver. We get all of those we just might be able to have a pretty good year
Well, there it is. I'm ready to be hurt again.
Don't, don't...slow it down. There is A LOT that needs to happen just to make a bowl game come this time next year.
I'm more open to talking about season expectations once spring ball wraps up.
Then again, I'm ready to be hurt. Again.
Sorry, the hype train has already left the station. FULL STEAM AHEAD! CHOO CHOO! 15-0 here we come!
If by decent you mean 6-6, then yea maybe I can see that. But we need all of those transfers to happen.
and we need a cohesive integration with who is already around and everyone needs to learn new schemes. not holding my breath
I'll be thrilled with 4 wins and clear improvement throughout the season.
ODU, Wofford, Liberty(without Malik), UVA and Duke. That should be 5 wins right there with any sort of play calling and scheme improvements. BC, WVU, NCSU, GT. We should be able to get 1 or 2 wins from that group. Pitt, Miami, UNC will likely be big Ls. I see 6-6 most likely with our ceiling at 8-4 for next year.
I'll buy what you're selling, but not convinced we can chalk up ODU, Liberty, or Uva as guaranteed wins!
I like the way you think and I have no issue with your logic. However 8-4? If Pry pulls off 8-4 next year we may have to put up a statue.
Or at least renegotiate his contract to include a huge buyout.
I would love to see some DL. We have been getting mauled on defense and need some beef and depth.
Can we start a new Transfer Portal Thread? This is becoming tough to navigate
TKPers are encouraged to go ahead and make a judgment call on when threads are becoming difficult to navigate or have long load times, etc. usually 300-400 comments is typical, especially when the thread has stretched out over a few weeks (or a month+, as this one has)
i'll go ahead and pull the trigger on a part 2