Not only did Justin Fuente announce his opening game starter, but he acknowledged the demotion of Virginia Tech's top o-lineman and publicized two more players sidelined for games.
Jerod Evans is the Hokies' QB1, for now. Justin Fuente tabbed Jerod Evans as Virginia Tech's starter at quarterback against Liberty, but the Trinity Valley Community College JUCO transfer will have to produce to keep his spot. Fuente didn't rule out playing multiple QBs, and either Josh Jackson or Brenden Motley could serve as Evans' backup.
#Hokies OL Augie Conte: "We'll probably see a combination of the three quarterbacks throughout the season."— David Teel (@DavidTeelatDP) August 25, 2016
This move seemed less Fuente going all-in on Evans, and more one of the three has to start. If Evans performs well, don't expect him to relinquish the role. If he struggles early, expect Fuente to go to his bench.
"Well for right now I would say that we've had a few more predicted outcomes in terms of executing," Fuente said regarding the decision to start Evans. "He's a good athlete and that plays into it as well. I will just say for now, there've been a few more of those predicted outcomes."
Predicted. Outcomes. In short order, Fuente's established "predicted outcomes" as his personal "get after ya". At the heart of the phrase is a trust issue. This is what Fuente told Alex Koma about the subject in May.
"Whether the ball is caught or dropped, the result of the play is secondary," Fuente said in May. "What I want to see, and what I instruct them to do on a consistent basis, I want to watch the play and see the ball delivered to the spot it should be delivered. The decision that should be made, I want to see that made."
Do as you're coached, don't improvise. Among the three QBs, Evans has been deterministic more regularly in practice. On September 3, he'll have the opportunity to demonstrate he can produce similarly in a game.
Backup left guard Wyatt Teller. Teller (18 career starts) is currently working with the second team behind Colt Pettit (4 career snaps).
"Colt was playing better," Fuente said. "It can always change."
🤔
This is what Pro Football Focus wrote about Teller's spot on its preseason All-ACC team.
Wyatt Teller is more one-dimensional, but he's an ideal tone-setter for an offense intending to exert their will. So much so, he made our All-American first team after posting the top returning run blocking grade amongst Power-5 guards.
Teller is Tech's best offensive lineman, by a longshot too. Reminder, the pancake machine wound up in former OL coach Stacy Searels' doghouse around this time last year.
Take Fuente at his word and consider Teller's talent level, either Wyatt's underperforming during practice or the Hokies have two All-ACC caliber guards on the roster. The former seems much more likely.
Hurdles. Juice Williams is a scratch for the Liberty and Tennessee games. Fuente called it a "hurdle", noted it's not a behavioral issue, Marshawn's done what's been asked of him, and the situation predates Fuente's tenure at Tech. Jahque Alleyne will miss the Hokies' first four games due to a similar situation.
Comments
That is not encouraging about Teller. I hope he can get things straightened out sooner rather than later.
Maybe they are just giving him a chance to grow his mullet back?
I wonder if it could be a personal issue with Teller. Fuente really danced around the questions about what was going on with Wyatt. If so, I hope he gets everything figured out for his own sake as well as for the team. He has an NFL future and we need his dominating run blocking.
It sounded like an attitude issue, bit of an ego. Wyatt need to buckle down and just practice/play like he is capable off doing.
This just made my heart hurt. I'm really going to miss Frank.
Would be nice for Fuente to throw a couple "get after ya" references to ween the fans off it. Tough to go cold turkey (pun intended)
slow clap...well done sir. well done.
Said it before and I'll say it again, this is all Wyatt's mom's fault for making him cut the mullet.
But the mullet got him demoted last year. Shaved it off...voila, 1st team again.
I wonder if the demotion is related to something wacky like performance or effort?
No matter what, he seems to be a guy who requires a lot of maintenance.
some players just need a kick up the but to get going again after a long summer/fall camp. They have all the talent and everyone knows it.
Could very likely be Teller's issue. I'm sure he will be ACC 1st team come end of the year
Agreed, I heard a lot of room in those comments for Teller to still be named the starter. There are a wide range of issues that might have landed him in the dog house possibly related to performance possibly not. Either way, I expect him back starting in short order.
Is that picture of Juice??? He looks like he's in great shape. Looking forward and hoping he and Shai can contribute to the level of their potential we saw as freshmen.
Its been a short while since we had a stable of three running backs that were that good.
That depends on who you're asking
Hope for good things from juice this season. Had so much potential for a
great season that 1st year. He's a talented back.
Maybe its just me, but "a kick up the butt" just sounds so much....different than "a kick in the butt" which is what my mind was trying to read. Sorry to parse your wording, it just gave me a MUCH more vivid mental picture. #phrasing, #Iam39,butsophomoricinmanyways, #pleaseSept3,getherefast.
You forgot #kickbetweentheuprights
Sigh...sometimes I feel like we have the most secretive team in college football. Good article, thanks for clarifying the facts. And I respect the professional method of limiting your own opinions. Yall run a clean site.
ESPN did a whole round table discussion yesterday (Thursday), about the huge numbers of teams that have really limited media coverage, are not sharing depth charts and won't name starting QB's.
Yeah, it's stupid. It's college football, it exists for the fans. Let them in. It's not a matter of national security.
I'd rather be kept in the dark all offseason and win football games than feel like Coach Fuente and I are on the same wavelength in August
They aren't mutually exclusive though...
I'd argue that less public information could lead to more wins. Key word being could.
Eh, unless they start making the playbooks available for pdf downloads I think it is fine haha.
Well no one knew wtf was happening in Loeffelers offense and we all saw how that turned out...
It is hard for me to deal with all the Fuente coach non-speak. Don't get me wrong, as it is not meant as a knock on Coach, but there was something comfortable about Frank's predictability, and, well, frankness, that I really miss when I hear interviews like this. "he just showed a little bit more out there" just rubs me warmer than"more predictable outcomes"., probably for the reason old jeans are more comfortable than new ones. "He's got stuff there he needs to work out, but he's a real good kid and a great player, and we're all rooting for him to back out here" versus "he's got a pre-existing hurdle". The times they are a changing.
It's funny you say that, I actually read those comments the opposite way. "Pre-existing, non-behavioral hurdle" is more specific than "some stuff to work out". The same goes for explaining that Evans won the job by being more reliable with predicted outcomes, vs. "Well, gee, we just kinda, at the end of the day, we felt pretty good with both guys but a little better with one guy..."
I agree, I love frank to death but to me this actual real coach speak. I prefer hear from the coach that a player is starting because he is making the better decisions with the football than his competitors (limit turnovers and get the ball to the player the play is designed for and let him do his thing) these are keys to winning especially with the talent around the QB at the skill spots. 2ndly as far as the pre-existing non behavior hurdle I take that maybe more to mean that marshawn is still trying to get back to 100% and we don't think he is where we want him yet so a couple more weeks and we think he will be good kinda like shai last year when he missed the 1st couple and he wasn't 100% yet and same with alleyln something happened hes hurting hes not telling us whats hurt but he will miss the 1st 4 weeks while he recovers maybe a pre existing injury as well?
I don't see how you can interpret the statements about Williams and Alleyne as anything other than "they are suspended for a violation of team rules"
A great example of how Fuente throws in some coach speak sometimes. Instead of saying 'suspended" he says "miss a few games".
Of course in the past, suspensions of backup players would never have been mentioned in the first place.
The was he said "preexisting" made me think academics. Which I guess would fall broadly under "violation of team rules".
he said it wasn't something "behavioral" maybe its just me but I would think academics would fall under that? I guess maybe not but maybe youre right. a 4 game suspension is pretty harsh though for grades? unless they are in danger of not being illegible. who knows lol. I guess maybe you are right it is coach speech haha.
That's what I thought but not sure how you clear that up in 2 weeks (or 4 weeks). Maybe it was bowl game trip related.
I was not intending to imply that I preferred the way Frank did it, just that hearing the change in terminology really made the coaching change hit home, and that something that was comforting in its familiarity is gone forever, and made me a little sad while listening. I like Fuente as a coach so far, and trust him to say/do what is best for the program. Whether he actually said more or less does not make that much difference to me.
Makes sense, I misinterpreted your comments. It's going to feel wierd without Frank for sure. I almost dread the day we no longer have LPD even more.
In hindsight the lead in leads to misinterpretation. Buzzed posting. (Then and now) Thanks for understanding. Leg.
It's the same thing , just different words. Frank was the master of saying 50 words without answering a question. He was known by reporters for Frank speech that said nothing.
Reporters might get fewer coach-speak answers if they asked fewer reporter-speak questions...
I think it's just a matter of adjusting for us, really. This time next year, or the following year, we'll hear what Fuente has to say and we'll be able to read between the lines.
Although I would still like to know what the hurdle is/means
Hokies are really good at overcoming hurdles.
Nevermind, read your comment wrong.
While we are speculating on Teller, hasn't he had issues with penalties and could that be part of this? He might just be the original ADHD baby. I don't really want to get inside his head. The kid's a baller and will be on the field punishing defenders. It is nice to see another one of the Fab 4 moving forward.
Agreed. I believe Teller has ADD/mental focus issues. But he makes up for it with raw, bulldozing talent.
I'll never understand how Wang managed to not block a single human being on that play.
Everyone was so focused on Teller, anyway.
Lots of film study of Marcus Davis....ooooooooh
I think that's Marcus Davis right behind the guy that Teller flips...but instead of successfully blocking someone, he just lays down behind a guy so the guy trips over Marcus.
This actually might be MD's most effective block ever captured on tape.
That's Bucky.
Which is obvious considering the earthquake caused when he hits the ground immediately knocks no less than 2 Duke defenders off their feet.
Ah, nice. Thanks
It amazes me the sheer power that went in to that hit! That guy was off his feet before he even touched our guy laying on the ground so that was all tellers hit that made him grow wings
Teller reminds me of the new kid on Ballers. Doesn't look good anywhere but on the field b/c he doesn't focus enough but on game day it's a different dude
some kids just don't practice good. its frustrating as a coach and you want to see them make that leap but when a guy is a gamer you've got to let him go out and be a gamer. I fully expect teller to be the starter come game time.
Personally i think this is more making a point with wyatt, just like last year, rather than petit moving forward. Hopefully the first string reps will help him eventually, but wyatt is our LG.
I guess we are taking RB toss pass out of the playbook for the 1st 2 weeks. then huh?
This may be one of the greatest gifs I have seen. The dumbfounded look on the guys face with the ball is absolutely glorious
He looks like he's looking around to see if an usher is going to come take it from him. I hope they let him keep it.
Sorta like the ushers in Lane used to do when in the mid 2000s when they didn't have the large Aflac net and the kickers would boot PATs into the student section. I recall on more than one occasion myself or my friends catching the ball and passing it around letting those ushers try to find it amongst a group of bourbon fueled college kids. Ahhhh college....
It does not seem very Fuente-esque to use three QBs in a season. If Evans performs average against Liberty, I want him the QB1 for the season. Even if subpar performances occur, you don't go to Motley. Stick with him for two years... Build an offense around him.
my biggest concern now that we named evans the starter is PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't burn JJacks redshit for a few snaps!
Legs for big brother reference? Ha
Wow! That's Ian! Didn't recognize him until you said Big Brother.
The mental image of burning a redshit is making me laugh entirely too hard. Think I need more sleep
Why hasn't Fuente addressed the biggest question that is on every Tech fan's mind? What about Lawson?
Lawson left the team a few weeks ago. It was predictable after Evans signed
I choose to believe he knew it was a joke and instead purposely answered it seriously so as to throw a curveball.
Stop downvoting this poor guy. He just missed the point, is all. No punishment required. I offset the first, hoping it was a mistake, but now it seems intentional. There's no violation of the Community Guidelines here.
Is ignoring a tired and terrible joke REALLY missing the point?
Actually I'm not able to get on here like I would like to b/c I drive for a living and I don't do the drive get on the internet thing. So when your working like 80 to 85hrs a week I don't do the forums much just read the articles and pass out. Lol so I didn't know it was a running joke. Just happened to read and comment. Haven't been on the forums in a few months. So to the people who think I'm a idiot. I'm not just work too Damn much
Leg for you. Hopefully you can take a vacation sooner than later and enjoy football season!
This joke... is the most overused phrase on TKP now.
Which is impressive considering how many jokes TKP runs into the ground
hey buddy, as the founding member of the "fuck Matt Ryan club", some jokes need to be stated on a continual basis...and fuck Matt Ryan
Fuck Matt Ryan is no joke!
This. "Fuck Matt Ryan" is never uttered in jest.
Seriously...FUCK MATT RYAN!!!
Hi welcome to TKP. We discuss Hokie football, share Emma gifs, and run jokes into the ground4. We're glad to have you and hope you enjoy your stay!!
Shit, now Lawson is definitely going to transfer
Yea but I bet Lawson will be an afterthought once Harris gets to town...
You must be pretty new then...
Duh...Lawson's playing TE now.
I think he moved to H-back.
Regarding "We'll probably see a combination of the three quarterbacks throughout the season," it's going to be fun when all 3 run out at once. Announcers be like: 'Evans to Motley to Jackson to Ford ... Touchdown for the Good Guys!!'
A little razzle-dazzle-matazzle... it's a play right out of Paul Johnson's playbook!
Only if Wyatt does a chop block
Wait something's not Clicking... Ford?? didn't Andrew transfer or was it the Lawson guy? no maybe his dad??? Didn't someone go with the Leoffler to BC??? Its all so confusing.......
Man, our offensive coaches just get it right now...
Teller was our best OL last year in run blocking for sure. He made some mistakes in Pass Pro but they all did. Is it possible with the new offense and new staff, he just isn't executing as well as Colt? It sounds like they are expecting the technical aspects of everything to be right so that they can go fast effectively. If he is a bulldozer that has 1 gear but can't do the things Vice is looking for on a consistent basis, he likely is just being out played. Everyone says he IS our best OL but right now, he only WAS our best OL from the previous offense. He has to prove that again with the new coaches and scheme.
it's got to be for attitude reasons. he is still our best/most physical OL. they are trying to prove a point/set the tone.
One of the sites had him grading out as the best run blocking guard in the country and named him an All American. With all due respect to Colt Petitt, this demotion isn't related to who the better football performer is.
Calling yourself "one of the sites" now, huh?
:-)
best I have watched this past year, but I have not watched many other teams closely
Based on my last run in with Teller, I wouldn't be surprised if something off the field or attitude had to do with this.
come on if you're gonna talk sh!t about a kid, do it*, don't try to veil it as if you're doing him or anybody some sort of favor, because the only person you're doing a favor is yourself. what you're doing is basically "I got to strongly imply he has bad character, but i didn't explicitly say it! And by providing zero context people can wildly speculate about a guy i think is a jerk"
*(i don't think people should be talking bad about these guys randomly btw)
yeah no need to throw shade
and it's easy to make stuff up
I could easily say that based on my run in with Teller he's not in the doghouse at all...the coaches are holding him back and trying to get the younger guys up to speed. They're looking for a 6th guy for the starting line and since they know what they have in Teller they're playing him with the twos...his effort will set the tone for the second group and hopefully push them to get better themselves*
*complete speculation, of course
edit: in case my point wasn't clear enough
based on my run in with Teller...Taco Bell
Based on my run in with Teller...I am now a pancake.
Did he batter you?
Ran into Teller? Almost killed 'er!
based on the fact/rumor that he won't start the liberty game I think that would be pretty far fetched, but you could go with that angle.
you're completely missing my point. I have no idea what is going on with Teller but I'm not about to toss him under the bus and imply that I have inside knowledge since I "ran into him"
I'm not trying to make any "angle" on the situation...just pointing out that this is the internet and people can say whatever the hell they want. Believe what you want to believe.
very true, but the guy posted something vague of a personal encounter that may have some merit behind it. Just saying he ran into him and he had a bad attitude isn't really attacking anyone (throwing shade) etc. we all have bad days. maybe wyatt just had too many in a row. something has gone on that's caused our most dominant OL, two years in a row, to not be starting against liberty though.
has it been explicitly said that Teller would not start against Liberty? If so, I missed that.
All I've seen is that he's getting work with the twos and that vague comment from Fuente that Petitt has been playing better in practice.
It doesn't give me confidence that he'll start, mind you, but I don't think that necessarily means he won't start either. He could have a great week at practice and earn a starting role. Or he couldn't. I don't know.
Oh, I wasn't tossing him under a bus or talking shit. It was rather a good run in with him. He was pleasant to talk to. However, the circumstances of the run may be an issue, and didn't want to share in case it causes some other drama.
Yeah, should have probably clarified a little, but was more worried about the latter.
You don't work for the VTPD do you?
The design/architecture link would be an odd choice for police, I'd think.
I've got it. Wyatt leaned against a wall in a campus building but accidentally destroyed it. He was holding up the rest of the building when Low Brau arrived to survey the scene. Mass destruction of property.
You may not be far from the truth. I know his mom and dad, and they have all had a sense of immaturity and entitlement from day 1 that definitely got passed down to him. I am not saying this is why he is 2nd string, but it wouldn't surprise me that it played a part for some off the field reason.... time will tell(er)
Ehhh this post is not going to turn out well for you...
I'll survive
You may know them, but if they see this, they're not gonna like you.
well maybe not, but thats why I don't have my first and last name up, but they are also not one for message boards either
So your gonna throw shade on kid's family and then hide behind anonoumity??? Wait there's a word for that.....
I'm just telling it how it is, call it throwing shade if you want
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