Jalen Hampton, Virginia Tech Running Back, has entered the transfer portal @247SportsPortal https://t.co/NBLHu4LVDA— VTScoop247 (@VTScoop247) April 29, 2022
#Hokies RB Jalen Hampton has entered the transfer portal, @TheAthletic has learned. A 2020 signee, he didn't appear in a game for VT. That gets the running back room down to six scholarship players. He joins Jordan Brunson, Marco Lee and Tahj Gary as RBs who entered the portal.— Andy Bitter (@AndyBitterVT) April 29, 2022
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Maybe one more? 5 seems like a good number for RBs.
No. Three of the remaining dudes are freshmen and future studs.
I think Pry said his goal was 6. Not saying more won't enter under their own volition but this is probably where it settles unless he wanted to bring in a more experienced back from the portal
Since the start of this month, eight Tech players have jumped into the portal. Their combined number of non-VT power five offers? Eight.
Yikes. Definitely says a lot about the current state of the roster. Oh how the mighty have fallen.
I would love to been a fly on the wall in Fuente's room when discussing offers going out to RB's and how many to go after... Like none of it makes sense.
2 more open schollies to pursue some portal help! Trust the process!
Jerry Kill openly said the staff had no idea how to break down a running game. So you are seeing how this also affected player evals- they were terrible. These kids aren't acc backs, that's why it was a dartboard recruiting approach.
Source?
So I wasn't going to poke at you because you went radio silent for 4 days and I didn't want to be that guy that accuses another user of ducking a question only to get a "dude, he died this weekend" or something like that...
However, since you're back online and active, I'll ask again, SOURCE? Because I don't recall Kill holding a press conference accusing the coaching staff of ineptitude. Was it in an interview?
I mean, I completely believe Kill had this stance. However, it's one thing to call out the coaches in a private staff meeting when you've knocked back three too many, but it's an entirely different thing to say it openly. If Kill did not choose to do the latter, then you shouldn't say that he did.
I'm gonna play devil's advocate here and suggest that, while DC could have phrased that differently, he likely said it because Kill's animated criticism in that meeting has pretty much become common knowledge at this point.
But, if you're arguing semantics...
Being technically correct is my favorite, but I don't think it's semantics. DC used the extent of Kill's disdain for the coaches to bolster his argument of how bad they were at their jobs. I'm saying the fact that he didn't feel strongly enough about it to go on record flaming them shows a limit to his disdain, which is kind of a big distinction.
Why is it we pounced on Bronco saying he didn't have ACC caliber players even if we all knew it was true? Because it showed not only his lack of faith in the players but his utter disdain for them that he'd say the quiet part out loud. Making the choice to air the dirty laundry is taking it to a whole new level. Saying someone did when they didn't is sensationalism.
Well...
If you really want to get into the weeds with this, Kill did say it OPENLY in said meeting.
Leg for letterkenny.
I was super late to the Letterkenny wagon, but it is my new favorite show. It is so danged funny.
Just because
I'm pretty sure Chris Coleman at TSL has openly talked about what DC mentions above on numerous occasions. You aren't going to find a quote in the paper or anything if that is what you are looking to be "technically" correct.
JUGS dropped the scoop on TKP. I found out from a recruit's dad. Kill got out of Dodge the second he had a chance. Kill is the reason our offense was actually effective in the middle of 2019. Hendon Hooker helped too.
And, of course Kill won't go on record. He's actively trying to continue coaching despite his epilepsy. He already has that against him. He doesn't need a punch with a brainless QB coach to tarnish his rep.
EDIT: I'll add at the beginning of 2020, the offense looked different and we were running Herbert. Once Corny found a groove, he went back to his bullshit, and...our run game floundered. Hooker up the middle on 1st down. Again on 2nd. Oh, 3rd and long? Let's run Hooker up the middle again. It amazes me we had talent capable of scoring with him in charge. Ugh.
I'm glad to see that Kenji Christian has stuck around (so far). It will be interesting to see if he is able to showcase his talents some now that we don't have so many RBs on the roster.
Said it before, he was a steal from SEC country. Hope he sticks around long enough to be on the field. The COVID year is screwing up the numbers too.
King and others who should have graduated will still be playing this fall
King was a true freshman in 2019 so he would have still had eligibility. Holston would have exhausted his for sure though.
Best wishes to all the players who have entered the portal. I hope they find the right fit and complete their education and go on to become great men.
So we're down to King, Thomas, Holston, Black, and Christian. Those were probably the top 5 guys I would have picked before all of these transfers anyway.
I think all of them have a chance to play next season, with Holston and Thomas being the top 2.
Bryce Duke may want to have a word about that whole top 5 thing
Thomas, Black/Christian, King, Holston/Duke (going with Holston due to game experience). I like Holston but I feel like what we have seen is what we will get. Much like some of the DE's that have been on the roster forever (Adams and Griffin), at this point it is known what they are and what they aren't. Did Bryce Duke have any other P5 offers other than Va Tech?
yes, 1 from Duke
The top 4 backs in the spring consistently included Thomas, Black and Duke according to TSL, Bitter and the other media guys who had access to practice
Did he not play in the spring game? Don't recall his name getting called
Bryce Duke had at least 1 carry that I remember
Black could play some in the slot as well. Gonna see if Holt can teach King to hold onto the ball; he put yet another one on the ground during the SG.