[Michael Shroyer]
Justin Fuente announced Jerod Evans will start at quarterback for the Hokies against Liberty. Evans, a JUCO transfer from Texas' Trinity Valley Community College, ultimately beat out fifth-year senior Brenden Motley and a late push from freshman Josh Jackson, to earn the nod in Virginia Tech's season opener against the Flames.
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Comments
Glad he got the job. I've been looking forward to seeing what he can do.
When I saw the movie, I interpreted that as a different digit.
I always thought that anything other than a thumbs up wouldn't make sense in that situation.
I was imagining all of the beeps as bleeps. Droids can be rather foul mouthed.
I always thought it was a thumbs up
It is a thumbs up.
I don't know about the rest of you but that looks like a good cigar lighter to me
Really WTF is that?
Getting psyched!
UT will be completely unprepared for Lawson to take the field at Bristol now.
OMG...all the legs!!!
I hope ^this^ comment goes plaid
With this news he'll probably transfer.
I wish I could like this more than once.
This is the only one of these so far that I have found funny. Have a leg
No worries, Lawson could come back secretly as a walk-on and claim the starting job at the BaB in plenty of time, since Jerod is only "guaranteed" to start against Liberty...
This maybe the most legged comment I've ever seen...Joe is it possible to create a page with the most legged comments of all time or is that impossible from a coding standpoint?
Someone has suggested before a "comment of the week" and either idea would be a cool feature.
I second this motion.
I think it would be fairly easy to add a line of code turning comments plaid once they eclipse 100 TLs. They already turn green for going +10 and blurred for going -10. How much more difficult would it be to make them go plaid at +100?
I used to work with a programmer that would look like this whenever anyone used that phrase.
I just finished adding a feature to software I am writing. Can confirm that it is either that or the following:
This made me giggle...
As a software engineer, I concur.
As a software engineer, are you offended by the term "programmer" applied incorrectly?
As a software engineer, we don't know if the person in question is a programmer or an engineer. ;)
In celebration of summer coming to a close:
That would be the mayer of deceit! UT still has very little to go on with Evans. Excitement is in the air.
Now we can sneak the Ekannibal in on a goal line qb sneak.
Two explanations:
1. Wyatt is the entrenched starter and Colt is just getting reps.
2. Doghouse (I think we saw this with Searles last year)
My emotional state right now.
I think there's something we're all missing about Teller.
Seruously, he is clearly our best loneman, but this is the second year in a row that he just ignored by the coaches and not playing with the ones. What gives?
Its because our offense need team players, not lonemen
Big, if true
Leg for the gif...
... but what if ^^ is absolutely right?
How could you possibly interpret that as missing the joke lmao?
Haha idk I'm surprised so many people agreed that you had missed the joke.
TKP is trigger happy with the "joke over head" gifs. Half the time there aren't even relevant haha.
I legged that post because of how awesome the gif is. I had never seen it before and because it was so nerdy I loved it.
Pretty shocked that Fuente won't tell(er) what's going on.
Teller? I barely know 'er!
Leg
You brought her, you Teller.
Teller? She's my sister!
Teller in the front
Disappointing.
Teller needs to get it going. I like that the staff is giving opportunities to hard working kids.
How do you know Teller isn't working hard?
It's about freaking time
Finally...
Awesome. His unknown qualities lend to a much more exciting opener.
As a Carolina Panthers fan, this picture automatically makes him a winner.
I mean it's even essentially in the Panthers font...
Did anyone else notice the sneaky writing on the wall for this when on @hokiesfb July 18th post of the intro video when Evans was featured and Motley wasn't. Why you gonna feature one but not the other, whoever the starter may be? Surely you wouldn't feature the back up qb and not the starter...
*note, if mentioned before, I haven't seen it. So if so, apologies.
Talent beats out seniority... We truly are in a different era of Hokie football
Yeah, Beamer always started the seniors no matter what. Except for Ford, Phillips, Rodgers, Bucky, Teller, Glock and other examples from this nearly identical team.
Wait a minute, talent over seniority, 1 vs 2 QBs, AND no TEs? A different era indeed.
Hokies had NO depth at wide receiver, running back and QB for the past 4 years. Of course Beamer played young guys. There was NOBODY else.
Name 2 circumstances where Beamer played someone who was older versus someone who was better. Frank deserves better than that type of revisionist history. If there is any knock against Frank, it's that he made the right move (changing offensive staff) about six years too late.
and I'll say, the only reason Justin Fuente is rolling into the loaded offensive situation he is (besides Evans) is because of the solid staff Frank brought in. Don't forget your damn roots. Come 10 years, you may find yourself pining for the leadership that he brought to the program.
I'm not sure what you call loaded, and if this is loaded then be prepared to re-write that definition in a few years.
Athlon ALL ACC Preseason 1st & 2nd Team
Only Offense Players Selected
Edit - Recruiting
2- and 5-Year Recruiting Rank 32 / 25
Not sure if this is meant to be negative or positive. If you mean to imply the cupboard is bare, I disagree. See all the ACC with new coaches, and a few without, for a talent comparison. If you mean it in the context of the coaching and/or schematic change will bring even better talent, I hope that happens. I have to admit my hackles go up when people fail to appreciate Beamer. I know opposing fans (my age) who HATE VT. But they respect Beamer as someone who did It the right way and was good at it. When fans for other teams have more respect and appreciation than fans on here (not saying you) It really bothers me, and makes me, and apparently a few others, overly defensive.
Over the past 20 years, whenever I thought about criticizing Beamer, my mind goes back to the week following the Temple loss in '98. The local (Atlanta) sports talk station was talking about the past weekend's games and I called up to complain about how Frank could have possibly let us lose that one. The host listened to me rant about Beamer's coaching and responded very simply with, "If not for Frank Beamer, we [the station] wouldn't even be talking about Virginia Tech games, win or lose". Keep in mind, that this was BEFORE the '99 run. That's made an impact on me then, and still does. It's why even with the dip at the end of his tenure, he'll always be legitimately remembered as one of the greats in college football history.
Frank Beamer is the reason the hype train is focused on more than just beating an in/out of state rival to have a successful season, let alone trying to make it to a bowl. An that is not an exaggeration. Your comment is right on the mark.
The best oline group VT has had in years, and should be a solid one by any teams standards, Bucky, Isaiah, Cam, Shai, Marsh, Travon, Rodgers, a true Freshman who competed for a starting role in camp, and don't forget a guy named Divine Diablo.
Perhaps not loaded but CJF is setting pretty nicely now with quality talent to develop and that is a direct result of Franks leadership.
FIFY
Grant Noel over Bryan Randall
Sean Glennon over Tyrod
Randall had a lot of detractors before he came into his own in 2004 and had a great year. So that's a very different situation. And also to the contrary, MV5 started over Randall in 2005.
The Glennon/Tyrod situation was a mess. But they split time, so it is unfair to say that Glennon necessarily was being put on the field instead of Tyrod. They both played, and Tyrod needed time to learn.
I will agree, but Randall was far and away the better option over Grant Noel. Noel had no chance at all of starting his senior year over Randall and a redshirting MV5. I would also hope Marcus started over Randall in '05 with the latter being a UDFA with the Falcons that year.
Yeah, that MV5 starting over Randall in 2005 comment had me scratching my head. I always thought once Randall assumed the starting QB duties, he was probably one of the most proficient QBs we've ever had, discounting MV7 and his outstanding 1999 season. MV5 may have had some raw talent, but even at the top of his game he wouldn't have been capable of beating out Randall in my opinion.
But he did in 2004 before the suspension, didn't he?
(I just assumed he meant to type Glennon in the 2005 comment)
My only Grant Noel memory was when he kind of sacked himself in the endzone for a safety (possibly against Syracuse at home?)
Good times
My only Grant Noel memories are from the 2001 Miami game...
My only memories of the that game are Noel and Ernest MF Wilford
same memories of MV5 in the 05 Miami game
My Miami game memories come from 2003...
Randall graduated before the 2005 season and his VT career was done, so I'm missing the 2005 Vick comment (that was Marcus' team wire-to-wire).
Re Glennon/Taylor, Glennon had the job to start, lost it because he wasn't performing, and was forced back in to service against Duke that season because of whatever was going on with Tyrod that day (I can't recall if it was an injury or just really poor play for Tyrod that forced the issue). The result was a dual Qb system the rest of the way that season.
And I was a big Glennon fan, btw, and always felt like he got a bad deal out of his time at tech and was never in a great position to succeed. Whether it was the line performance, or the offensive scheme, he rarely got in to a rhythm and it was unfortunate because he had the talent, IMHO.
My memory got a bit hazy, it wasn't 2005, of course. In 2003, though, MV5 and Randall split time though. So again, it's not like the more senior guy was out there and the young, talented hotshot was stuck on the bench. And probably the reason MV5 didn't see the field more (hindsight being 20/20 and all) was because of maturity/character issues that ultimately undid him. I knew some people around the team during those years, and from day 1 they said that MV5 was insufferable.
Tyrod was awful in that Duke game. If they hadn't completed more passes to Macho than any of their receivers we would've lost that game. Glennon wasn't great but he played well enough to win it.
2007 season Tyrod got hurt against Duke and missed the unspeakable rain game and then came back to a dual system though he did single handedly beat Fla St because Glennon got hurt at the beginning of that one.
2008 season was when Tyrod was awful against Duke.
Did you watch Noel play though? It was obvious.
Beamer wanted Tyrod to redshirt, but played him out of necessity.
And, he was right to want that. Think of how 2011 could have been with a RS Sr Tyrod... nice experienced O line, David Wilson in the backfield, and Sr WRs Coale and Boykin.
We could have watched the Hokies vs the Cousins in the OB, instead of that pathetic boat race with Clemson.
Tyrod being there in '11 could have been great, but then I have to take away what happened in '07. I think we honestly lose a game or two more that year without a young Tyrod, and I doubt we have that ACC championship year.
Yep, exactly. This is what people forget about that year, the impact Tyrod had on an ACC championship team. He ran for two TD's against UVa in a pretty tight game, one that was for the division. I definitely wouldnt risk that to trade for '11. Logan played pretty good that year, and there was 38-0.
No, we still would have been watching the Hokies in New Orleans, but it would have been a week later.
Kenny Lewis until he got hurt over Evans.
and i cringe in 3 2 1......
I usually defend Frank, but I can roll out a handful-
1) Lamont Pegues over Shyrone Stith
2) Brandon Manning over James Anderson
3) Andrew Lainer over Laurence Gibson
Nice. I hear that. My problem is that the implication of the original statement is that Frank did this to the point of being something that significantly held VT back, which I can't say I ever noticed. Then again, I am not as honed in as you are on the details.
You asked for them specifically. No coach is perfect.
And not every younger, more talented player is going to automatically more effective on the field than a less talented but more experienced player ahead of them on the depth chart.
Well said, and while we fans love to second guess coaching decisions we do it with only the smallest amount of information and in most cases much less experience. But like Geico says, we're fans, it's what we do.
I think what helped Manning was that he made every tackle like the guy just slapped his momma. I remember when they put the sensors in the helmet, they had to pull him out of the game 2 or three times per contest.
*breaking* Evans to TE, pushing Bucky back to QB
what? a RS JR beat out a RS SR. That's hardly a difference in seniority.
Mike Vick, Marcus Vick, Tyrod Taylor are all examples where YOUNG talent beat out seniority.
CJF did not dog him in the past to not play him.
Like OMG...jerod...u da Man
I like this. Namely because we have 3 guys that were "in it" for spring, summer and most of fall camp. Now that it's Game Week though (HALLELUJAH!!!) the named starter can get good reps and mental preparation knowing he's going to have the first snap of the season in his hands for the Hokies.
Congratulations to Jerod and I hope the others are ready to step in.
Holy shit it's game week
Dare I say it? He went with Jerod...
I logged in just to give you a leg. Well done
Right on, let's win some football games.
So anyone else find it very interesting that a decision to redshirt Jackson has not taken place yet?
Not at all. The decision to redshirt anyone hasn't taken place, or been made public for that matter. I'll go ahead and say travelling-RS for Jackson.
Redshirts for talented QBs is a thing of the past.
Luck, Manziel, Winston and Boykin come to mind off the top of my head.
Right that's what I'm saying. It's interesting that a decision hasn't been made. Almost as if if Evans goes down Jackson is in instead of Motley.
Probably a situation where both guys are ready to be #2. If Evans is injured long-term against Liberty (think Brewer last year), in goes JJ. If Evans stubs his toe or loses his helmet, or gets injured late in the year and we're out of the conference race, Motley it is.
Identical situation in 05: Marcus was the starter, Glennon was redshirting/emergency backup if Marcus was hurt long term, Corey Holt was 2nd string.
Or if Evans goes out for a drive to two, Motley would play, but if a multi-game thing Jackson would go. Could be motivational, but I doubt it. You need your to be ready to go at the drop of a flag. Or he was so focused on a started the first time he thought about the back-up start was when asked the question, so he just stalled.
Why would you commit to redshirting a kid when you don't have to? The only time Fuente has to make any commitment on that is when he decides to put JJ in a game.
Glad a decision was made, but I am guessing he will be looking over both shoulders with how close this went to the wire. Hopefully it keeps him frosty...
Frosty and not jittery would be ideal. Want your QB to be pushed to his potential, but not looking over his shoulder so much he forgets to actually go out and make plays.
A good reason to post this story about Evans family again from the Dallas newspaper.
Super likeable kid and family. It's worth your 4 mins to read this.
Side note: it sounds like Marshawn is suspended the first two games.
There were a couple things like that mentioned. Interested to see who's actually gonna play the first few weeks, even only on special teams (and yes, it matters. Ask Bama from 2013).
Am I really the only one that thinks this may be an academic issue?
No
That video was horrible. I could barely hear and whoever was holding the camera had the shakes or something.
Anyone got a transcript?
I guess we are finally at Liberty to discuss Evans as starter
*monkeydrumgif*
This is exactly how I assumed the QB situation would play out: Evans is incredibly talented, yet unproven. He's Fuente's guy, and the top JUCO QB. Film shows he's an exceptional athlete with size, very proficient in the option game, yet may have some accuracy issues. Motley is a known quantity as a 5th year senior. Way better suited in this offense, has game experience, yet a lower ceiling than Jerod.
JJ has impressed the coaches and is likely the best pure passer we have. Talented, but still a freshman. Should redshirt unless a major injury occurs.
Folks, we have a great QB situation right now. Three great options, now let's start jumping.
Apparently, recently in practice, Evans has really started to get his game together. Probably why he was named the starter today. I think he can be scary good if he can put it all together but we will have to wait and see how it plays out. Hopefully his numbers this season closely mirror his JUCO stats from last year. That would be awesome to see.
He's got allllllll the talent in the world to be a legitimate great QB at the D1 level, he just needs to learn what limits there need to be on acceptable risk on a given throw or play.
From what I hear all Jackson is really missing is arm strength. Give him 2 years in a college level strength training regiment and he'll be ready. We redshirt him one of these next 2 years and we've got at the very least an excellent foundation at qb for the rest of the decade.
I've heard similar. He's apparently been better than Motley and Evans for most of Fall camp with decision making, release, and accuracy, but he needs to build up arm strength and a little more body mass before starting. Maybe next years starter? #sauces
Exciting for the team to have a new signal caller!
Feel bad for Motley because he's worked so hard and seems
like a good guy. I feel like he'll see the field at some point this year.
But Evans is a heck of an athlete and player. Seeing him at the spring
game he seemed to have a talent level above what I've seen.
Getting Leal'ed
I'm sure this has been asked, but is his name pronounced Jared? I keep seeing references to "Rod" and wondering if I'm wrong...
It's pronounced "Kevin"
Actually, it's listed here
From the 2016 media guide, it is "juh-ROD" so emphasis on the "Rod" part.
That's what she said....
Juh-ROD. Or JeROD.
The first part is pronounced just like "gif."
I said it from the beginning, Fuente had to play this situation exactly as he has done. You don't come in as a new coach taking over for a 29 year tenured coach and then kick the players you inherit to the curb without "giving them a fair shot". Fuente knew all along that he would start Evans, he is the guy Fuente brought in, but in making this into a race that went down to the last week of camp, Coach empowered every other player on the field, including Motley, to give it their all and feel like their hard work and talent would trump all, whether they were a Fuente guy or a Beamer holdover. Not to mention, this team very likely will NEED Motley at some point during this season, Motley is a RS SR who will undoubtedly be upset by not winning out, but who will now do what is best for the team no matter what, all because Fuente did right by him as much as he could throughout from day 1. Fuente gets it, this was flawless management of young men given the circumstances.
This ^^^^
Bravo well said.
I think that's the most likely scenario, and if so, it has been handled very well. But there are two other scenarios:
1. Jackson really was that good that it made it difficult. That would be awesome if that was the case, that we have at least two good QB's in the system currently.
2. The scuttlebutt on Evans is that he lacks a little bit of the necessary arm strength and throws it to the other team too much. We pretty much know what Motley can do well and not so well. Jackson is 18 years old and played HS football against marginal competition on Michigan. In others words, all were flawed and Fuente left it open so someone could take it but in the end, just had to pick someone.
That latter scenario probably happens a lot more than we think. Coaches talk up a position battle an the eventual winner, but are concerned about the talent at the position going into the first game.
38 TDs to 3 INTs does not strike me as throwing it to the other team too much. Can I ask where you've heard/read that?
JUCO is also not FBS
I'm skeptical of that particular skuttlebut but I'm also not ready to assume that Evans is going to have nearly the same production at this level
I'm in wait-and-see mode
Perhaps this is not a reflection on Evans as much as it is on the defense?
Haven't heard about the lack of arm strength, but have heard the concern of throwing it to the wrong guys too often. He could have been pressing and trying to do too much. Jackson is the one I've heard with the arm strength concern.
I'm wondering if he was going for the jugular too much in practice, trying to make the tough big play instead of the easy play, to show how good he was. Then when the coaches promoted Jackson into the QB1 competition, Evans took note that they were serious about the QB going for the easy play, the 'predicted outcome' rather than going for the big, but risky plays and changed his approach.
* complete conjecture based on disparate anecdotes read on the internet
So VT Athletics just posted a quick interview with Jerod about the announcement of him starting against Liberty...
Very well spoken, but still seems young even with 2 years experience.
And looks like Laze got a new shirt!
(reference: Jon Laaser's shirt)
Great interview and glad to have him representing VT.
That black polo is def nice.