Hokies conduct in home visit with Florida Commit Rick Wells (WR)

By: french60wasp
on December 7, 2015, 10:37 PM | 67 comments

2016 Florida wide receiver commitment Rick Wells tweeted the Hokies coaching staff visited for an in home visit.

247Sports rates the 6-0, 185 pound high schooler as a high three-star prospect.

Wells' senior highlight film is from his HUDL.

Wells is a smallish receiver who excels on screens, jet sweeps, and seam routes that Coach Fuente loves to utilize. Early in his film, he scores a touchdown from a stacked twins formation quick screen that Fuente used several times last season. He will likely be a slot receiver in Fuente's system and was part of a similar offensive system to Fuente's at the high school level.

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Comments

07VawterPayneFoxridge11's picture 07VawterPayneFoxridge11 | 10 years 7 months #

"Hookies"?? Of Virginia....Tech....?? *smh*

Oh well, we can set him straight (although probably just a really unfortunate typo). Let's poach some gators!

"Stick it in, stick it in, stick it in!" - William Addison Caldwell, 1872

Musky's picture Musky | 9 years 11 months # ^

"Wit"?

Even when you get skunked; fishing never lets you down. 🎣

wisec4g's picture wisec4g | 10 years 7 months #

I like it!

VT '10--US Citizen; (804) Virginian By Birth; (979) Texan By the Grace of God.

Rick Monday... You Made a Great Play...

I also root for: The Keydets, Army, TexAggies, NY Giants, NY Rangers, ATL Braves, and SA Brahmas

yak_butter's picture yak_butter
| 10 years 7 months #

Doesn't play "smallish," has reach like Jayron Hosely. Not sure the level of competition in the film, but if decent I'm surprised he's only a 3-star.

Shoog's picture Shoog
🤔
| 10 years 7 months #

There's a whole lot of Fla Gator swag on his twitter page-UF commit.
Interesting aggressive change in the recruiting strategy already by the staff?

ryane26vt's picture ryane26vt | 10 years 7 months # ^

Wouldn't it be funny if our pitch was "Hey, want to play for an offense that actually scores points?" -- Funny how things change.

*I'm making the (safe) assumption that Fuente improves our offensive efficiency.

Mooreheads Axe's picture Mooreheads Axe | 10 years 7 months # ^

Even noticed the gator chomp after TDs. If they swing this one I'll be really impressed.

Hokie_x3_Hi's picture Hokie_x3_Hi | 10 years 7 months #

Wells is a smallish receiver who excels on screens, jet sweeps

Wait, I thought we weren't retaining Loeffler?

VPIhokieME's picture VPIhokieME
'_'
| 10 years 7 months # ^

I know you're joking, but I'm going to say this anyway just in case you've missed it. Mason has been dropping little hints that he's been catching up on some Fuente game film and he has noted that he runs an offense with a very similar playbook to Loeffler. The difference seems to be that the execution of his offense is much more crisp.

Onward and upward

Hokie_x3_Hi's picture Hokie_x3_Hi | 10 years 7 months # ^

Oh I know. There's going to be a lot of similarities. I had a hard time deciding whether to make the joke about Loeffler staying or whether to comment about waiting for the praise in execution of the jet sweeps and screens and similar plays that failed during Loeffler's tenure. I went with the sarcastic joke instead.

GUNTAR's picture GUNTAR | 10 years 7 months # ^

This site is going to melt down, but I wouldn't be surprised if Lefty is kept on as a co-coordinator..... GASP!

FOSTERS: Australian for defense

kosuch8's picture kosuch8 | 10 years 7 months # ^

As long as he isn't the one calling the plays, I wouldn't be against it. That said, I really do not see him sticking around. We really need to create a new identity on the offensive side of the ball. It would not be perceived well if we kept the guy responsible for our horrid offense on staff.

VPIhokieME's picture VPIhokieME
'_'
| 10 years 7 months # ^

I doubt it very much but I wouldn't hate it. I think Fuente is smart enough to be able to put his staff in the best positions for success. If he sees value in Loeffler and can find a spot for him I'm sure he could make it work. I think Loeffler could stand to learn from a guy like Fuente who has a proven track record. Lefty obviously has the acumen to be a successful OC, I just think there may be 1 or 2 elements missing from his coaching arsenal. Perhaps a couple years working for a successful offensive minded coach could do wonders for him and his career. I wouldn't mind seeing Scot succeed, here or elsewhere.

All that being said, I really don't think Loeffler is retained and I really don't have any problem with that. I think we're going to be in perfectly capable hands with Fuente and his hand-picked staff.

Onward and upward

Max Power's picture Max Power | 10 years 7 months # ^

Pass the spliff bro

"Give me a fu¢king beer", Anonymous Genius

Little City Hokie's picture Little City Hokie | 10 years 7 months # ^

He gone. And he was pissed when they told him...but he gone.

vtfly's picture vtfly | 10 years 7 months # ^

If only those 4 or 5 plays would've worked...

"We judge ourselves by our intentions and others by their behavior" Stephen M.R. Covey

“When life knocks you down plan to land on your back, because if you can look up, you can get up, if you fall flat on your face it can kill your spirit” David Wilson

VPIhokieME's picture VPIhokieME
'_'
| 10 years 7 months # ^

He gone. And he was pissed when they told him...but he gone.

#sauces? I really don't buy your story that he was pissed when they told him. If 1) they had to tell him and 2) he was pissed about it, then I'd be pretty concerned about his future in any profession. The writing was on the wall....He should have been putting out feelers as soon as Beamer announced his retirement. I just don't buy that he would be surprised/pissed by this move. That doesn't make any sense. He knows how this profession works and he's had to pick up and move before. This is nothing new to him.

Onward and upward

Little City Hokie's picture Little City Hokie | 10 years 7 months # ^

lots of good sources in the building said he was pissed....many thought he wouldn't coach the bowl game...but feel free to use as you like...just relaying some info I heard....

Hokie Fireman's picture Hokie Fireman
🚨 🚒 🔥
| 10 years 7 months # ^

It also doesn't mesh with the interview he gave prior to the LOLUVA game. He knew he wasn't coming back and seemed fine with it. Even saying something to the effect, "I'll get hired somewhere"

Edit: http://www.roanoke.com/sports/colleges/va_tech/virginia-tech-football-as...

Offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler, who was hired a little less than three years ago, knows better than the rest how itinerant the profession can be, with five stops in eight years since he was forced to leave a relatively secure gig at Michigan following Lloyd Carr's retirement in 2007.

"I'm a 30-for-30 special. I have four of these," Loeffler joked, referencing Carr's retirement, Urban Meyer's resignation from Florida, Gene Chizik's firing at Auburn and now Beamer's retirement.

"In all seriousness, that's part of the business. That's where the business is going. I got to stay at a place at my alma mater [Michigan] from 1993 all the way to 2007. Very similar to this situation. And when I walked out of those doors, I knew it'd be different. And it was extremely different. ...

"You're going to win or you're going to move. Or you're going to win and you're going to get a better job. So it's a crazy industry."

Wet stuff on the red stuff.

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VPIhokieME's picture VPIhokieME
'_'
| 10 years 7 months # ^

yeah it sounds like overblown petty gossip to me. Who would be happy that they are losing their job and will have to relocate their family? No one. So I don't expect him to be happy about it. At the same time, I doubt very much that he was pissed. Disappointed? Sure. I'd buy that. Pissed seems kind of extreme. That sounds more like people assuming that he's pissed that he's not going to be around any longer. But, I'm not working in the athletic department and I don't know how Lefty carries himself. Perhaps he blew up when he was told officially. I have my doubts but I've been wrong before. Plenty of times.

Onward and upward

Little City Hokie's picture Little City Hokie | 10 years 7 months # ^

fair enough....just had a few different folks saying it....maybe someone else heard same. If not...no worries.

ShockWave's picture ShockWave | 10 years 7 months # ^

Heard the same from multiple places. There was also a question of him even coaching the Bowl Game.

cds7c's picture cds7c | 10 years 7 months # ^

Thanks, we don't need #sources for every single tidbit on this board. This forum has responsible enough contributors that we know not to make up shit and post it. If that does start to happen, the community will self police it. I don't have any reason to believe you made that up and outing a source isn't good business for getting future I go.

Thank you for your contribution.

coach mcguirk's picture coach mcguirk | 10 years 7 months # ^

I've been participating in message boards for maybe 20 years (mostly recruiting). I have met a lot of "insiders" and guys with true info, or at least relaying info that the coaches believed to be true. You can kind of tell when a guy has the goods, and Little City Hokie...well, I pay attention to what he is posting. So, yeah, thanks for your contribution, LCH, and keep it coming.

A picture is worth a thousand words. A gif is worth a million.

DBU's picture DBU | 10 years 7 months # ^

alright, so hypothetically speaking here, let's all agree that Loeffler was pissed that he wasn't going to be retained and stormed around Merryman in some kind of tirade...

This is the kind of useless insider gossip that brings nothing positive with it. If you hate Loeffler, celebrate, he's leaving no need to post something else negative about him. If you are going to miss Loeffler why post something negative about him.

If you're trying to establish cred as someone with insider connections... do better.

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Little City Hokie's picture Little City Hokie | 10 years 7 months # ^

Not interested in the insider cred. Just passing on what was out there.
There was discussion about Loeffler coming back. My response: "He gone. And he was pissed when they told him...but he gone." Not sure how that is negative but that's my opinion. If I said he was happy is that better for you? I thought it was worth noting but I don't speak for the site.

DBU's picture DBU | 10 years 7 months # ^

*shrug* just stating that he's gone is enough in my opinion. Not sure what the part about him being pissed is supposed to add. It's irrelevant and I think its unnecessary to comment on people's private reaction to being fired. Let them comment publicly on their own terms.

Wiley, Brown, Russell, Drakeford, Gray, Banks, Prioleau, Charleton, Midget, Bird, McCadam, Pile, Hall, Green, Fuller, Williams, Hamilton, Rouse, Flowers, Harris, Chancellor, Carmichael, Hosley, Fuller, Exum, Jarrett

1985Hokie's picture 1985Hokie | 10 years 7 months # ^

Here is Memphis O last year vs. BYU- commercial free. There seems to be a lot of different stuff here if you watch this possession.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AftZj1mOik

'Its easy to grin, when your ship comes in, and you've got the stock market beat,
but the man worthwhile, is the man who can smile, when his shorts are too tight in the seat'

Mason Naumann's picture Mason Naumann | 10 years 7 months # ^

For what it's worth, I clicked on the link and randomely clicked on the time line. Very first play I saw was 13:50 (backed it up a little, play starts around 13:48). That's as "classic Loeffler" as a short yardage pass gets.

Mason Naumann's picture Mason Naumann | 10 years 7 months # ^

And the play before THAT was an inverted veer read, a play that Loeffler ran a ton with Logan Thomas and was the basis of his "Motley Package".

Musky's picture Musky | 9 years 11 months # ^

Do any of the Memphis players get punched in the balls, clothes lined or unexpectantly forearmed to the back of the head?

Even when you get skunked; fishing never lets you down. 🎣

StickItIn's picture StickItIn | 10 years 7 months #

Interesting that Fuente is going after players committed to other schools. Frank rarely did that.

If at first you don’t succeed, skydiving is probably not for you.

DsmeezyVT's picture DsmeezyVT | 10 years 7 months # ^

He would go after them until the player requested to not be contacted.

marcb2's picture marcb2 | 10 years 7 months # ^

I don't think this has been true since Loeffler, Shane, Grimes, Moorehead came aboard 3 yrs ago...maybe even earlier.

MPHOKIE's picture MPHOKIE | 10 years 7 months #

I'll send him one of these

IfishVTIam's picture IfishVTIam
| 10 years 7 months # ^

I really wish I had saved one of those old cups. My buddies and I still call them the Ho-ak-ies on occasion. Hard to believe the concession stands used those cups all year.

Reel men fish on Wednesdays

kosuch8's picture kosuch8 | 10 years 7 months #

This kid is good!!! He has excellent hands and catches the ball away from his body. He isn't afraid of getting hit while going over the middle. Seems like a guy that would push for PT immediately. Get him to the Burg Fuente and Co.

Choppin wood by the JUGS's picture Choppin wood by the JUGS | 10 years 7 months #

recruiting with a purpose and an actual fit in Fuente's offense ... can I get a hallelujah

Chris's picture Chris
TEEMING WITH INTEL
| 10 years 7 months #

The best offenses that everyone drools over Baylor, TCU, Clemson all use screens, all the time, from lots of different formations/alignments. It's about play design and utilizing them effectively.

cds7c's picture cds7c | 10 years 7 months #

We've got 4 WR commits: Kumah, Patterson, Deablo, Denmark. And Quillen could end up a WR.

Looks like we've identified at least 3 others that we are interested in. Seems we may be looking for more or a speed guy, which makes sense because I don't sense any of our four commitments are speed first guys.

But we could be taking in a class of 5-6 WR's this year. That's a lot for one class, but one of the things I'm sensing from Fuente is that he will sub his skill players in and out a lot. He may want 6+ WR's (TE's/Backs extra) catching a pass each game.

Max Power's picture Max Power | 10 years 7 months # ^

Didn't Quillen decommit? I thought he received a committable UGa offer, but that may have changed with Richt being shown the door.

"Give me a fu¢king beer", Anonymous Genius

Hokie_x3_Hi's picture Hokie_x3_Hi | 10 years 7 months # ^

I think we had a lot of stock in Holloway as our speed guy and so now that he's committed to Florida for track, we need to find someone else.

HDubya's picture HDubya | 10 years 7 months # ^

Denmark and Diablo both have some decent wheels

"Go Hokies!" - Thomas Jefferson
@HaydenDubya

jobushokie's picture jobushokie | 10 years 7 months #

Is it just me, or does he not look "smallish" to me. Either he's 6'2+ or everyone hes playing against is 5'5 or under. He doesnt necessarily tower over people, but hes clearly in the top echelon of height on the field. He's got speed for sure, that is clear.

edit: I know players over exaggerate their speed, height and weight on hudl, but Ive got to say, for once, Im questioning his height on the low-end. I know it states 6'0, but in the tape, the second play and that block he puts on early in the tape, he looks like Dez Bryant out there, so maybe hes just playing against small competition.

french60wasp's picture french60wasp
| 10 years 7 months # ^

Could just be the competition. Cam Phillips looked huge on film too.

Five star get after it 100 percent Juice Key-Playing. MAN

hokie07ME's picture hokie07ME | 10 years 7 months #

but did CJF say hello to Wells' mother?

Warning: this post occasionally contains strong language (which may be unsuitable for children), unusual humor (which may be unsuitable for adults), and advanced mathematics (which may be unsuitable for liberal-arts majors)..

Choppin wood by the JUGS's picture Choppin wood by the JUGS | 10 years 7 months # ^

I heard she gave Fuente a wink when she walked him out the door.

jollyman21's picture jollyman21 | 10 years 7 months #

Tech going after big name schools' recruits?1?!

We are now the one's who knock!

Keep calm, Gobble on

dmt260's picture dmt260 | 10 years 7 months #

I see Eddie Royal 2.0 in this kid!!

-Semper Primus

dragone's picture dragone | 10 years 7 months # ^

As long as it doesn't come with a Sean Glennon 2.0

Let's Go

HOKIES

Alum07's picture Alum07
🦃 LEG KING 🦃
| 10 years 7 months #

Don't look now, but it seems like we are making headway in flipping 4* WR (#16 WR nationally) DJ Matthews... He is currently a FSU commit.

This Fuente guy... I like what he's doing

"When I was growing up, Virginia Tech was a school that was kicking ass and taking names, and it's time we get back to that" - James Franklin

vtfly's picture vtfly | 10 years 7 months # ^

Its looking like WR is the new TE.

"We judge ourselves by our intentions and others by their behavior" Stephen M.R. Covey

“When life knocks you down plan to land on your back, because if you can look up, you can get up, if you fall flat on your face it can kill your spirit” David Wilson

Choppin wood by the JUGS's picture Choppin wood by the JUGS | 9 years 11 months # ^

will be swept under the rug per usual

Hokie Fireman's picture Hokie Fireman
🚨 🚒 🔥
| 9 years 11 months # ^

Nicky Saban could teach that class every day.

Wet stuff on the red stuff.

Join us in the Key Players Club

hokie07ME's picture hokie07ME | 9 years 11 months # ^

I heard it was a required seminar at the yearly SEC meetings.

Warning: this post occasionally contains strong language (which may be unsuitable for children), unusual humor (which may be unsuitable for adults), and advanced mathematics (which may be unsuitable for liberal-arts majors)..

mogwaiaredangerous's picture mogwaiaredangerous | 9 years 11 months # ^

A missile into a dwelling? Curious to see the story behind that (unless "missile" just means bullet)

ThePailHolder's picture ThePailHolder
💼🏈💼
| 9 years 11 months # ^

From your link

projection of a dangerous object at a building, vehicle, or vessel, with wanton or malicious intent.

Where you getting your sandwiches such that they are becoming 'dangerous' objects??

I told him I’d crawl on my hands and knees to be the DL coach at Virginia Tech. Now, all of a sudden, I’m sitting in this chair and I told him I’d still crawl on my hands and knees to work here. I just want to be here.
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Hokie Fireman's picture Hokie Fireman
🚨 🚒 🔥
| 9 years 11 months # ^

What if I threw a hot sandwhich at you while you where driving and it hit you in the face, that would have a strong potential of causing harm.

Wet stuff on the red stuff.

Join us in the Key Players Club

FudBoster's picture FudBoster
| 9 years 11 months # ^

"What are you going to do, stab me? - Quote from Man Stabbed

HokieJeep's picture HokieJeep | 9 years 11 months # ^

with wanton or malicious intent.

Now I'm just hungry for wonton soup...

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VThokies904's picture VThokies904 | 9 years 11 months # ^

that's freaky fast!

andddd just because its Monday!

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MPHOKIE's picture MPHOKIE | 9 years 11 months #

Have they been sweating outside or in air conditioning?