This may be pure speculation at this point, but this tweet is awfully cryptic. Malik Zaire coming to Virginia Tech. This would be great, especially with the rumors of Jerod going pro.
Justin Fuente's most recent follow is ND grad transfer QB Malik Zaire. Just throwing that out there.— Chris Coleman (@ChrisColemanTSL) December 31, 2016
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Yep
Please consolidate rumors in the appropriate recruiting thread, rather than starting a new topic. Commits, offers, and decommits merit new threads. Rumors should go in the monthly catch-all.
Seriously, already? C'mon dude, we don't have a January Recruiting Thread yet and the December thread had 550+ Posts. It's ok if someone starts a new thread regarding the most important position on a team even if it was talked about briefly in the middle of another comment section.
Yeah, seriously. I posted the January 2017 Recruiting Thread an hour ago (it's in Active Discussions) and the Zaire news has actually been posted in at least two other threads. I'm trying to encourage consolidation of information in what will be a very busy time. I'm not blasting anyone or anything, just trying to do my job as a mod and instruct people on how to most appropriately communicate information. There has been a ton of duplicate information all over the place recently, so I'm taking an opportunity to suggest the best path forward.
Just saw the new thread, My page hadn't uploaded since you created the new thread. Thanks for getting on that so qucikly!
Yea, regardless of guidelines, I prefer new threads for readability
I agree. Some of these threads are a bear to get through when you've been away from TKP for a day.
I'm gonna have to do a TKP poll or something, because the whole reason for the present protocol is because the decided majority opinion was that people hated having a million new threads every time somebody tweeted something. We had a huge amount of duplicate threads (creating a lot of work for Joe and I to curate). If we need to change things up because people prefer something different, I'm certainly open to thinking about it but I'm hoping we can at least get through signing day this year on SOP.
The "collapse thread" comment feature does wonders for this, though. If a thread is getting super laggy and you've already read a lot of it, collapse the previous threads.
just learned about the collapse thread thing a week or 2 ago. it is great and so simple even for a non-techie like me; really solves the issue.
i collapse the thread as i read and then no need to scroll forever the next time.
Yeah I mean I see both sides. There's certainly a line between too many threads and consolidating too much info. I don't think we need a thread for "VT target says Bud Foster is his favorite coach" types of headlines so it's kind of subjective. If there's good discussion threads won't get buried.
Personally, I think Zaire news is kind of bigger than the general recruiting thread. Especially if there's something going on.
The ability to filter the tracker would probably go a long way toward solving this problem. Being able to include or exclude the recruiting forum (or any other forum) would allow users to customize their feed to be more what they are interested in. Not sure how hard that is from a coding standpoint.
Two types of threads typically get a ton of comments, game threads and recruiting threads. Game threads are usually all text, so they aren't too bad to load. Recruiting threads have a ton of tweets, pictures, and gifs.
I like the idea of consolidating threads, we don't need a new one every time an 18 year old has a public thought (tweet) regarding VT. Have a monthly recruiting thread and when it reaches around 300 posts, create Part II with a link to the first thread. This would keep load times to a minimum.
Can we get a new thread for this topic? This sub thread is getting a little too long for my liking s/
I think the original post here is fine and deserving of its own thread. Given the impact Evans' possible departure would have on Tech's 2017 season, it's more substantive that a minor recruiting update or discussion. It's my fault for posting ambiguous instructions.
As long as the original topic is substantive, and the original poster follows the community guidelines, new threads are preferred in my book. It's much easier to discover new information on TKP when when it's in a thread and there is a descriptive title because you can filter by title in the tracker.
As it stands now, on almost every forum topic or article there's usually a comment with a link or well thought out point totally unrelated to the original post buried when it is worthy of a new post. I wonder if TKPers are, for lack of a better word, intimidated to start a new thread.
Given the offseason is here, I hope some new faces (avatars) will start and lead new threads and discussions. It crossed my mind to inquire if any TKPers were interested in becoming a "host" (not in the West World sense).
I was about to put my west world comment ...
On the other hand, we have the general "when do underclassmen declare for the draft" topic, which sort of spun off into the Evans rumor thread. Then you made an official article thread, so now there's two Evans threads, and then the Zaire info was already posted in at least one of those.
Perhaps if there was a way to "promote" some threads into official articles, that would also alleviate some of the duplicate concerns.
Some of us do. Especially when I'm at work and a Cell phone can't handle the Recruiting threads that last almost a month. EDIT: SOME!
Not sure why you think most do. I do not. Generally I only look at recruiting rumor stuff on weekends, when I have more free time, and don't mind wading through a lot of stuff. If someone is offered or commits I like to see it without wading through rumors, but don't want to wade through threads of rumors for other content likely as much as you don't want to wade through one thread for the one rumor you consider important. I respect your opinion,, but it is not the same as mine.
If he gets an offer or announces he is coming here or Evans makes something official then a new thread is warranted. We can't have new threads for every little thing or threads just a few hours old will get buried.Well Joe has spoken. So nevermind
Definitely gives the Jerod to the NFL rumors a little more juice.
Glad to see us try and recruit some big names.
Evans being serious makes me sad.
I like the idea of one thread for recruiting info. Maybe in busy season, we could start a new thread every time we get to a target number of posts. 500 is probably too high; 250 is probably too low. Maybe 350?
Try the collapse thread (downward facing carrot/arrow) for long subthreads you have already read. Reduces loading and scrolling time.
I just collapsed the two subthreads here about new topics/forum filters, and this posting is down to two comments!
I think this is a good idea, and is actually something that we kind of already did for December. This wouldn't create a ton of thread clutter and would help with having threads that are difficult to traverse because of the comment volume.
Hendon Hooker and Malik Zaire just followed one another on twitter.
This....is.....happening
Working overtime on this one. No promises
As much as I love Tyrion, this is an eerily disturbing gif.
Could be worse
You are very correct.
Dumb question: how good is Zaire?
Good enough to follow on Twitter!
Good enough to beat out Everette Gholson, not good enough to beat out Deshone Kizer.
In all seriousness, he's above average. Has a cannon and some pretty decent wheels. Not a whole lot of touch or anticipation. Kind of similar to Evans but smaller I'd say. Gonna have to fight UNC and Wisconsin hard on him though
THIS JUST IN..... My bother's best friend's sister's in law's roommate just saw Malik and Fuente take a piss at the same time in the same urinal.... IT MUST MEAN SOMETHING!!! #sauces
Light saber duel, eh?
I was thinking plasma guns!
I'm not sure I like this. If this happens, it will presumably be the 4th consecutive year our starting QB is a JUCO/graduate transfer. It's worked pretty well for us in the short term, but I don't think it's a recipe for long term success. If I'm a QB recruit (or a current VT QB), I'm probably wondering how I'll ever see the field if there is a revolving door of graduate transfers who are essentially defacto starters because of their previous experience at other schools. At some point, we have to start developing QB recruits and trusting them to play, no?
I'm not sure that I see it this way. If Evans leaves and Zaire comes in, current QB's on the team and recruits aren't in any different a situation than if Evans stays and Zaire goes elsewhere. Barring injury, 2018 will see a recruited QB (most likely JJ) starting. Hooker will also have been in the system for a year, so JJ and Hooker will have a real QB battle in Spring 2018. From that point forward, I see us back to having guys that we recruited out of HS at QB, unless we have injuries combined with early departures.
How many years of eligibility will Zaire have? If he only has one, then I agree with everything you said. If he has more than one, that kind of changes the equation.
Zaire started college in 2013, but did not play that year. His eligibility was used in 2014, 2015, and 2016, leaving him with one year left.
Although, since he was injured for most of 2015, he might get a medical redshirt, granting him a second available year.
IIRC, you need 2 years lost to injury to apply for medical RS, beyond the 5 year window that started in 2013.
You don't need 2 years lost for a medical redshirt, just one. That said, a medical redshirt would be useless for Zaire since he took a regular redshirt as well. A medical redshirt doesn't extend your 5 year clock. It's really only useful for a player that got hurt early in a season and hadn't redshirted previously.
There is also the concept of a 6th year of eligibility which you can apply for if you lose 2 or more seasons due to circumstances outside of their control, but that is not the same as a medical redshirt.
You need 2 years if your time extends beyond 5 years (the concept of a 6th year). Thank you for confirming that point, even though you state it isn't correct.
The point was you don't need 2 years of injuries for a medical redshirt, just 1. You need 2 medical redshirts (or lost years for another reason outside your control, i.e. not a normal redshirt) in order to apply for a 6th year of eligibility. Maybe that's what you're saying too, it's just not what I got out of the way your original post was worded. In any case, I think we agree Zaire isn't in position to apply for a 6th year of eligibility at current time.
Would he have to sit a year?
Grad transfer, so no.
Besides, no one's going to be transferring as an undergrad after using three years of eligibility.
Only one unless he is granted a medical redshirt
don't think this is a standard practice just necessary in first years. if her of stays then not needed. if he goes then good to have depth.
If Evans stays, it definitely will be the 4th consecutive year of a transfer.
But you have to look at it this way. There have been two offensive regime changes in the last five years. Both times, the new guy (Lefty, then Fuente) needed the short term answer to give them time to recruit and/or develop the long term answer. If it happens again, it'll be due to a change of plans.
I wouldn't be worried unless the streak of transfers continues into a fifth year.
I was (incorrectly) thinking Zaire had 2 years of eligibility, in which case, if he were to come here, the streak would probably be pushed to 5 years. I feel a little better knowing it'd only be a one-year deal. I realize, as Tony Romo would say, football is a meritocracy, but it would really chaffe me if kids who actually committed to VT weren't rewarded with a chance to play because their whole collegiate career was spent playing second fiddle to transfers, who gained their experience elsewhere.
I don't think anyone sees this as a long term solution. Evans was brought in because the new coaching staff did not have any QBs that they were comfortable with and they knew him from their recruiting efforts while at Memphis. Motley was the only guy with experience and they had to bring someone in to make us competitive.
The coaching staff really likes Josh Jackson, but they probably want him to start his 3rd year in the program. That would be the fall of 2018.
Zaire would be a bandaid for one year that would help with position depth and also set up the position. Josh Jackson would/should be ready by 2018 as a redshirt sophomore and Hooker would back him up as a redshirt freshman.
Losing Evans would be a huge blow to QB depth and the coaching staff knows it. They would really need to bring someone in to make us competitive this fall and help build depth for the future.
Zaire still deciding.
Wait which QB school in Arizona? Fuente just followed on twitter a QB school out there.
RichRod hosts a QB camp out here...
Totals attempts 157 completions 306 yards 2137 TD's 13 INT 12 RATING 116.1
That's team totals from 4 different passers.
Would you want to go a camp, school, pee wee game run by that guy?
Feels like something is missing in this post...
Meh screw that. I want our next QB to be here for spring ball. If JJ is as good as we are hearing, I don't see Zaire beating him out with only fall camp in Fu's offense. Both parties are wasting time IMO.
I agree but it would be worth it if getting Zaire on our roster (assuming JJ beats him out) allows Hooker to redshirt next year.
I'm guessing he's just waiting to see who goes pro and who gets what in recruiting. He wants to go somewhere he knows he will play, and right now UNC and VT both appear to be favorites. If Trubisky or Evans returns, that completely changes his thought process.
I think Trubisky leaving is almost a guarantee. Zaire will have plenty of options.
Did anyone's opinion on Evan's transferring change from a "aaaaahhhhh!!!" To a "meh" after reading that comment?
Not I, I prefer a QB in the hand than one in the recruiting bush, so to speak.
Scuttlebutt is that Zaire is waiting on UF, who can't get him in this Jan.
If Evans leaves...PLAY the qb's THAT YOU RECRUIT, or DON'T RECRUIT THEM!!! Jackson should be good enough and will only get better with time, same with Hooker.
Wasn't Jackson one of Loeffler's recruits?
Notice I never named Loeffler, or any other coach...he was recruited by Va Tech, the coaches change, but the school doesn't. I never named any coach!
He was recruited by a coach to play for the team. A team, a program, a university are made up of people.
The system Jackson was recruited for no longer exists, the people that recruited him are no longer here.
Well I hope Jackson can find a system that he fits in to and is able to find success.
He can likely fit into the one we have now, and Fuente would likely make any necessary alterations to ensure that he does, I was just using that to further point out that he wasn't recruited by the current staff and may or may not be ideal for it.
Fuente seemed to be pretty high on him in the summer just before the season started. I don't see Fuente as a "my recruit" kind of person. If they listen, heed instruction and perform, JF will use them.
Quite, I agree with you.
Fuente was pretty high on him. Many on this board, myself include, really believed Jackson was already the best passer on the team but needed time to learn the system and bulk up a little.
Really, I was just trying to make the point that Jackson was recruited under SL and CFB.
But our current coaches didn't recruit Jackson...
True... but.... this staff didn't recruit JJ.
Checkmate! /s
But seriously, we'll have a R-Fr and a Fr as the only 2 schollie QBs next year if Evans goes. I don't see a problem with bringing in a 1 year grad transfer.
I understand what you are saying to some extent, but this staff didn't recruit Jackson. Plus, if there's an opportunity to bring a guy in to compete for the job who has starting experience against the likes of USC and LSU, I take that any day rather than going ahead with a r-Fr with not a single snap of collegiate experience. I'm not saying you give the transfer the job outright, he has to compete and earn it. But we absolutely need experienced depth if nothing else. Two scholarship QBs with no experience on the roster is not a good way to roll.
Tech being interested in Zaire is not an indictment of Jackson, it's a statement about our QB depth. There is no way Fuente is going to lose the top 2 QBs from this season's depth chart and be satisfied heading into next season with a RS-Fr, True Fr, and a walk-on. It's far too important of a position. There is no doubt to me that Fuente would prefer that Evans returns, but in case he doesn't, he has to start putting contingency plans into motion. A graduate transfer is by far the easiest solution for the theoretical Evan-less situation where we really only need depth for one year to setup a 2018 depth chart of RS-So Jackson, RS-Fr Hooker plus 1 or 2 true freshmen QBs.
THIS. Evans leaving would screw up the depth. The plan should be for Jackson to start as a r-sophomore. It'd be the perfect way forward
So does that mean we need to find 2 graduate transfers that play DT because of depth there?
No because we have (at least) 3 DTs that have played this year. Entirely different situation.
Really? You've seen the guys waiting in the wings, right?
Sobzak and Hewitt better be ready for primetime because Settle and Walker can't play 70 snaps. And Fullwood needs to gain 20 lbs as well. We seriously need DT's now to develop longer term starters and near term depth.
Agreed. We are vulnerable at DT in 17. We aren't even sure if Settle can go More than 15 plays a game.
Have you considered that a grad transfer for one year could be in the best interest of Jackson? Fuente and co. Are known for developing QBs and Jackson needs time to develop. You allow him one year as the backup where he gets more reps for an entire season, gets some cleanup time during the season, and then he has much more experience as a redshirt soph.
It also makes it more likely that we are competitive in 2017 and 2018.
Having said all of that...I hope Evans is back. That's the best scenario.
Well if they want Zaire they will be recruiting him so does that qualify?
If Fuente wants him to come to VT, I want him to come to VT.
I want the best QB playing for this team, period. If that guy's a loyal recruit who commited here and waited it out, great. If that guy's a one year transfer and those recruits never see the spotlight, whatever.
So is all of this solely based off of Fuente following on Twitter or did I miss something?
Ummmm the second one
Just reading some chatter on Twitter and other boards, I'm really starting to think Evans leaving for the NFL is a certainty at this point. You'd have to think Zaire would jump at the chance to come work with Fuente and in his offense. Whether it's him or someone else we haven't heard about yet, we need to bring someone in to compete with Jackson and Click this spring. We can't go into spring ball with one scholarship QB. Not a good situation at all.
Yeah, I think Evans is gone. Obviously it's a long way to go, but I'm expecting Malik Zaire or Josh Jackson to be throwing TDs to Isaiah Ford (heard from #sauces he's leaning to coming back if he gets a 3rd round grade or worse) next season.
He's projected to be a 2nd
Yep, and he just declared for the draft so I guess he got that higher grade.
And he is now going pro. On twitter
Still would suck if Evans leaves, when we were winning games, he would be the won critics would point to as our "dude." This might affect our preseason ranking (regardless how little they mean). I think someone on twitter after the bowl game stated that if ford, phillips, and Hodges all returned next year then we might be ranked in the top ten and that was without considering Evans leaving.
It is still shocking to me that Evans is probably leaving. Another year would be huge for his development
Ford just announced he's gone, so you might want to check with your sources.
Guess he got a higher grade than 3rd round.
Well... I'd say Evans submitting for an eval is a certainty. Him making himself eligible for the draft? Not a lock.
Evans himself seems to be the only person in this story unable to grasp the reality: he needs another year. CJF knows it, Corn knows it. Hell, any fan with a brain in their head can see it. His reads, his ball security, his deep throws, his initial quickness on scrambles - there's a list of things he must improve. Otherwise, he's a project. MLB likes "projects". The NFL not so much. I fully expect their evaluation of Evans to reflect that.
And now that we find ourselves fully dipped in Zaire Rumor Magic, a whole other list of questions pops up:
Will Zaire wait to make his decision until Evans makes his? (UNC will be hovering - Trubisky is a lock to leave IMO)
Will CJF wait?? What if Evans gets bad news from the draft committee after after MZ is convinced to join The Good Guys?
Will we miss out on Zaire by sitting around waiting for Evans to make his move?
Is CJF using social media to get through to Evans? "Ok - if you think you're ready, best of luck. Virginia Tech is gonna be ready with or without you." Strikes me as very much NOT Fuente's style, but if I'm Evans, I'm looking at all this Zaire chatter and CJF following MZ and thinking "I'd better make a really good decision here".
Anyone else feeling like this could get kind of messy?
I think the more likely scenario is the Fuente and Evans had honest conversations and Fuente saw the need to pursue another qb. I don't think Fu would play games with Evans to convince him to stay. He's a too upfront kind of guy for that.
Ford just declared for the draft. May be playing into Evans' decision. Wow.
On the contrary:
Yeah, the April thing is code for Zaire waiting on a SEC spot to open up.
Only real QB sitchy is Florida though, right? And I thought they couldn't fit him numbers-wise until summer or next Jan?
Could be true, but I'm sure if Fuente and Zaire have had discussions, both parties would have mutually agreed to remain silent about it until Evans makes an announcement. I doubt Zaire is going to be giving every detail of his discussions with other schools to a beat reporter from the school he is leaving. I also don't think he would have followed Fuente and Hooker on Twitter just to say "Not interested."
I'd trust a ND beat writer before I'd trust another school's in this situation. They're closer to Zaire than someone like Bitter or Barber.
Malik obviously does not like Notre Dame / Brian Kelly. He probably doesn't like the beat writers, either.
Malik probably isn't talking to either ND or media directly. What I'm saying is those beat guys have enough channels to hear rumors around former ND players more than ours do. That make sense?
It's what happens when you have years of mediocrity, you have that successful season and everyone wants to make the most of it by jumping to the NFL.
I don't think that has anything to do with it at all. Obviously, that scenario can't apply to Evans. He wasn't around for the mediocre years.
As for the other two, their names have been circling the top of the draft boards for the last two years.
For Bucky, it sounds like he's been close to leaving as soon as he was eligible. Ford was already rewriting the record books before Fuente took over. Regardless of our record this year, he was probably going to be rewriting the rest.
Hooker is trying to enroll early. Really starting to
lean towards Evans leaving
Shane Morris transferring from Michigan:
Link Here
This is interesting news I suppose, but has zero impact on our situation. Would be an extremely poor fit for our system. 'Square peg, round hole'-type deal.
Square peg, round hole based on physical requiremenets of a Fuente QB?. He's an athlete
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxMknB34CEc
Has Evans submitted paper work for his grade? When should we hear? This week?
Probably while you were typing.
Yep!
Even though he's leaving, there was no point in him submitting paperwork. There is a zero percent chance he'd get a Rd1/2 grade.
Tsl has something about Zaire up now, not sure what it is...
What is actually going on with Zaire? If Kizer is going to NFL, why doesn't he stay at Notre Dame and try to win a job there? from reading several boards, both ACC and SEC transfer rules are complicated for him to actually step on a campus there.
I would love to see Josh Jackson Start
Because Notre Dame football is a...
via GIPHY
The transfer rules aren't any real barrier. He's a grad transfer, so he can go anywhere he wants as long as ND doesn't offer that degree.
Well then we're not getting him. I mean apparently we're the school that doesn't offer the degrees recruits want...
Honestly, if Zaire isn't interested than I take that as a good sign. It probably means that he thinks he couldn't beat out Jackson.
Add another QB for depth, and than all aboard the JJ train for me.
Well, that's certainly one way to spin it... he visited Wisconsin and North Carolina already and will probably be recruited heavily by Florida as well. I think VT was a little late to the party on this one.
He'd for sure start at all those places though (assuming Trubisky goes pro.) I can see why he wouldn't want to compete for a starting job too much after competing the past two years with Kizer.
Eh. Having an experienced quarterback would be nice, but I'd be content with starting JJ and getting Herndon snaps too. Future is now.
No way Hendon stick around if that happens. He'd have the exact same eligibility schedule as Jackson while starting at a disadvantage.
Don't really get all the negativity around getting a qb with game experience in to compete. either he comes in and wins the job because he can or he doesnt win the job and JJ gets it. is that a bad thing? considering Fuente's history with qb's I suspect he will make the right decision, even if that means choosing an underclassmen like Hooker and developing him for 4 years like he did with Lynch.
Fuente making the correct call for qb1 is the least of my concerns for 2017
I agree.
I am sure Fuente will make the best decision for 2017 and the future. Bringing in a QB would not mean that Fuente feels that Jackson is a bad player and has no future. It would be a security blanket for a year. The transfer would either play for a year or he'd be a backup.
Personally, I really want Fuente to bring in a transfer for a year. If Fuente likes a guy then you know he is going to be good. I said it above but it allows Jackson to backup next year, get a lot of practice reps, come in for mop up duty, and he should be good to go as a redshirt soph. It also allows you to redshirt Hooker and then he backups Jackson as a redshirt freshman.
I just think it lines up the dominoes for the future of the position.
I agree, plus, having only Jackson, who I am excited about hearing from what people are saying inside the locker room, but it is college football, he could get injured.
That would leave us with a true freshman on scholarship and two walk on quarterbacks. That's a tough situation.
Chase is hyped now
Yep, being able to redshirt Hooker is the key.
Could create problems in the locker room. Not everyone is an amazing teammate like Motley. True stand-up guy.
Can we get Andrew Ford back?
What about Lawson... dude really could've benefited from this.
Wish him luck at Illinois tho
I have to imagine he's kicking himself right about now
Maybe the dude was a bust? It sounds like he wasn't all that great at JUCO this year also.
Lawson left?
Subtle. I like it.
My hatred of all things ND makes me hope we've got Jackson taking snaps next year.
Now would be a pretty good time to start convincing Lawson to stick around
Iowa Western Juco AJ Bush just followed Matt Transue (Assistant Director, Player Personnel / Recruiting), Charlie Cantor and Thomas Guerry... and Fuente just followed Bush
Bush transferred from Nebraska to IWJC this summer. Athletic, 6-4 225, lefty with a sweet 'stroke'.
-EDIT- per below article "AJ Bush, who announced Thursday his plans to transfer from the Huskers, will spend one semester at IWCC then transfer to a four-year school, Alvin Bush said."
http://www.omaha.com/huskers/blogs/husker-quarterback-aj-bush-transferri...
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/3747685/57e0961cbd752016c06c1486
Fuente no longer follows Malik also FYI.
This crap is worse than FlightAware.
People are gonna start hacking into "find my friends" app to track coaches movements.
waits for someone to respond that this is already happening
THERE WAS A FLIGHT FROM BLACKSBURG TO CLEVELAND!!! EVANS CONFIRMED TO BROWNS!!!
NOT CLEVELAND!!! THATS WHERE QBS GO TO DIE!
That's not how it works! That's not how any of this works!
We should change this thread from Malik Zaire to "QB Transfer Rumors" so we can track them all.
I'm still seeing that he follows him on Twitter
Yeah, Fuente follows Zaire, but Zaire un-followed Fuente. At least, that's what someone screenshotted this morning; I didn't check it myself.
That is what I confirmed based on scrolling through Zaire's twitter for a few minutes. That's pretty damn telling, IMO lol. Fuente interested in Zaire --> Zaire no longer interested in Fuente/VT.
Wait, is Twitter news again?
I thought we decided it wasn't, but suddenly we don't need newspapers.
They'll get my newspapers when they pry them from my cold dead hands! Now, where did I leave my reading glasses?
I think they are next to the type writer and abacus.
Naw, man. That's where I keep my teeth.
And he's a lefty!
Alin Edouard also followed Matt Transue on Twitter within the past couples of days. His Twitter bio claims he is the #4 ranked Juco QB. Had originally signed a NLOI with Syracuse but "family issues" kept him in Florida.
Lets Pick 'em up!
I say pass on this kid. IMO, he has a run first mindset with mediocre arm strength. Looks like he's throwing a shot-put. Good mobility and size, but his passing game is mediocre, and was only a 2* commit in '14. If he were to come in, I'd see him as a serviceable backup at best. Give me JJ or HH any day of the week over this kid. Hell, I'd even take Click over him...
Good find for info, but I hope the staff passes on this one.
This is exactly what we need.
P5 offers: Nebraska, Boston College, Kansas State
G5 offers: Cincinnati, Temple, Marshall, Toledo, Troy
not much on-field performance to change that rating IMO.
Take a look at his JUCO stats and then decide. Those and the film are enough for me to say, Mehhhh. Further discussed in the Jan. recruiting thread, but I posted this before I pulled up his JUCO stats. Kid is a INT and fumble machine. I'd be shocked and in total awe if came in and unseated JJ or HH. Good for depth and competition, but don't foresee him coming in a getting very many significant minutes.
Not to confuse the issue, but I think I read that a TCU QB was transferring, but haven't seen anything else about him. Don't even remember the name, but it struck me that there might be some interest there.
Foster Sawyer. He is a soph and would have to sit one year prior to playing.
Why would any QB transfer not give a hard look at VT now? What other School lost both players in the two deep in the most important position?
I'm gonna go out a limb and say that many reasons that Evans had for leaving also apply to transfers not coming: dearth of experienced receivers, loss of talented fullback, spotty O-line, QB run happy offense. These guys had one year left to shine and will be very choosy about where they try to do that.
I think that the more salient point is that VT football already has a talented presumed starter in JJ and we are really looking for a competent backup to avoid burning Hooker's redshirt. Juco grads and grad students are likely looking for a starting position since their shelf life is so short.
Why?
We lost our top 2 receiving targets, who racked up a vast majority of the catches and yards for us this year. We have an offensive line that has been suspect at adequately pass blocking over the course of the season. Our leading rusher was our QB, not by design but more by necessity due to the inability to get yards from the RB spots. While there is talent in the wings, its very young, and there's a better than average likelihood that next year's starter is already on campus.
NSS
I had almost forgotten about him after all this time but it looks like Zaire is probably headed to Florida.