BREAKING @CoachFuente names @joshiejack17 starting QB.Stay tuned for full coverage#Hokies pic.twitter.com/pDMdwhulUi— VT Football (@VT_Football) August 14, 2017
Not a surprise.
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Beat me by 26 seconds because I was trying to figure out how to embed -___-
Not a surprise with his extra year learning the offense but I hope we see some packages with Bush this year. You can't teach his athleticism. Either way so excited for this year! 1-0 starting with WVU.
Hooker gets his red shirt year and I think we see AJ Bush in some specific scenarios and packages. He has too much to offer.
But I think the best news to take from that is if JJ goes down, AJ is fully competent to come in and run a modified offense.
AJ will be our Braxton Miller. Incredible athleticism and moving from... Quarterback to Tight End?! What fresh madness is this...
Live look in Blacksburg:
Get your Mighty Ducks and Dawson's Creek memes ready.
How dare you forget Fringe
Never saw it
Great show. You should check it out.
I never thought she was terribly qualified for the Scully role.
-Josh Jackson (probably)
I wonder how Benkert will take this...
What about my boy Jack Vick?!
Don't worry. My money says he still throws 2-3 touchdowns to Hokies before the year is over.
This comment should've went plaid instantly.
It's almost as if he never even got a chance.
BOOM!

I expected this because of his redshirt experience last year. The future of VT football is bright!
A little bit sooner than when Jrod Evans was announced starter last season. He must have really run away with it.
Good. Plenty of time to develop him and reap the rewards of his gained experience while Hooker and Patterson learn and eventually compete for the vacant throne
Assuming they both stick around
Glad we got to enjoy the potential of a new starting QB being named for 90 minutes without speculation on if the true freshman or unsigned recruit would transfer.
Wasn't Jackson coming in the catalyst that led to Lawson transferring, or was that Evans?
I think it was more of winding up at the bottom of the depth chart after spring practice. Even without Evans in the mix, Jackson and Motley were far ahead of Lawson.
Well, someone had to say it eventually. I mean next year, if Hooker sticks around, we'll have the incumbent starter RS sophomore Jackson, redshirt freshman Hooker, and true Freshman Patterson. These guys all have NFL aspirations, and the reality is that in order to have a chance, one of them will have to go elsewhere.
Not necessarily. Welcome to FBS football. Every top 25 team has 3 quarterbacks who were 3-4 star recruits (sometimes 5star) and have NFL aspirations. Also, there are 120+ teams, 360+ QBs, and 32 NFL teams and about 4 new QBs on average who "make it" in the NFL, each year.
Yep, and for each of our 3 guys to give themselves a shot to be one of those 4, one of them will have to showcase their abilities elsewhere, unfortunately.
Unless, of course we get 2 years out of Jackson, and he's good enough to go pro then, we'll have RS Soph Hooker step in in 2019, with Patterson as a RS Freshman backup. If we get 2 years out of Hooker, then Patterson takes over in 2021 as a redshirt junior and we get 2 years out of him...I personally don't see it playing out that way, but who knows.
You mean every 4* QB does not become a NCAA starter and go pro early? But we have a system now! /s
The truth - in our new system, 100% of our starting QBs turn pro after just one season.
EXCITED. I'm hoping the fact that this is decided so early is a great thing.Pumped to see how this season unfolds.
Triggered.
The first person to photoshop in Josh Jackson into "The Famous Jet Jackson" artwork wins my t-shirt business.
Feel like this is a really good sign that Jackson is progressing the way coaches would want him to.
Was not expecting this announcement so this early. But I'm glad it's him so we can at least have forcasted starter for a couple of years.
Looking forward to seeing replays on the new big screen of Jackson running into the end zone....
" A scoring Josh Jackson, ooooo, that is for real"
Early call = good news.
I'm trying to tie this news into some sort of Ford pun...
when in doubt just go with a Dwayne Lawson joke.
Well, good point, since I'm not quite sure how Lawson feels about Jackson being named the starting Tight End this year...
I don't think that kind of humor would transfer well to this site.
Looks like Josh Jackson was able to edge out the competition.
"Josh Jackson came into fall camp focused on being named the starter early."
Many wonder if Jackson has the mobility to escape blitzes, only time will tell
He isn't a statue.
Not yet. Maybe after he wins us a couple national championships...
I COULDNT COME UP WITH A BETTER PUN I'M SORRY.
Hey I live right near there (Grand Rapids)
This isn't getting enough upvotes for actually working Ford in.
You could say the Jackson family had quite the Fiesta when the news was announced.
#VTEngineeredMotorCityBred
Wheeled straight off the line in Saline, MI, with GT40 speed
Congrats to him. Looking forward to the complete dismantling of the cousins using what I can only hope is now coined the flying turkey offense.
It would be cool to have McMillian run the Wild Turkey offense
As God is my witness ...
Leg for one of the funniest episodes in tv history.
A Cincinnati favorite!
speaking of cincy, you coming over to O'Briens and Molly Malone's to watch football games this year?
I could be there 'Brew! Haven't been to Molly's for quite awhile. Do you regularly purchase Makers on the rocks for your Hokie brethren at such places?
I just set it up, I ain't buying too. I should also clarify that it will be at the Molly Malone's in pleasant ridge, not the covington location. See Cincinnati Hokies facebook page for dates, times, locations of game watching parties
Didn't expect an announcement this soon, but hey... works for me. Let's get it JJ!
Let's look at the long-term implications of this decision too. As a RS-Freshman, that means that he could very well be the starter for the next four years (but competition is necessary and a great thing)! Future is looking oh so bright!
Just relieved a decision was made. I don't know if I preferred any of the three over the others.
Josh Jackson, NFL first round draft pick.
*in 2021
I hope this isn't like Lynch's freshman year
If it makes you feel any better:
http://247sports.com/Player/Paxton-Lynch-17712?PlayerInstitution=28792
http://247sports.com/Player/Josh-Jackson-78026
Josh Jackson getting the call after winning the starting job.
Spread the word!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hype train!
WTF is that second clip?
Orange Blossom Expess!
Its our stinkin' hype train!
Tight End
Dwayne Lawson
Kurt Benkert
Rubble rubble rubble
Fuck WVU. Lets do this.
Jackson has been in the program since January 2016, comes from a football family, nearly won the job last year, and is an extremely intelligent young man.
He's ready.
And I literally watched mighty ducks yesterday

JJ x Lamar Jackson

Did anyone else hear a cheesy 90's electronic guitar chord in their head watching the second clip?
Just me?
Would Teller or Settle be Fulton?
Why not have both?

Hey is that Foggy from Daredevil?? Cool
Yea Fulton cleaned up his act, buckled down in school, and got that law degree
What is a Pimp(leton) to do without his Hooker??
I guess all the Hooker taking a sack Puns will have to wait another.
Everyone knows you don't just trot out your Hooker the first day of your new job.
Got to make sure you loosen your hookers up and break them in before they take a pounding?
.....I'll see myself out.
Seen on Twitter:
Now put Frank's face over Mufasa
And Bronco Mendenhall as Pumba?
Maybe that's too harsh to animals that roll in mud and eat bugs?
Nah Bronco at this point is Ed the Hyena.
But who could we use as Scar?
Fuck(in) Pat Narduzzi
Nah, my vote would be Paul Johnson. Scar just pisses everybody off with HIS way of doing things, which is essentially Paul Johnson.
And (spoiler for anyone who has lived under a rock the past 26 years) the hyenas turned on Scar much like QBs have turned on CPJ lately.
Narduzzi would be an equally good choice though, because reasons.
If pumba and timone are there, wouldn't that be simba, not mufasa?
You've had this ready for a while, haven't you?
Probably actually got it from this:
Yup! Props to Ryan
I'm only surprised that they announced it this early
I was thinking the same thing. I mean, why announce it, instead of just increasing the first team reps and not mentioning it to the media?
I guess it's so everyone is clearly on the same page. Also, you probably get more press now than you would closer to the season start.
What harm is there in announcing it? It's not like there is any film on him for anyone to study.
Maybe it's a decoy so they don't study Bush
I've heard that WVU hired Freeze just to help them study Hooker.
Freeze(r) burn. Nice.
This will probably increase hype of the game, possibly more respect from writers and ranking folks without really giving up any info for WVU to gameplan on us with. I think Bush will see the field and do good things though.
I think he will be solid.. a Bryan Randall type that will only get better.
Bryan Randal lead VT to their first ACC title. I'll take it.
Burnop agrees
I'm noticing how he places is non throwing hand in front of his chin in his throwing motion. Can anyone tell me what that is about?
Gotta keep that elbow tucked in!
Uh, Al Clark? Hope not...
I just got settled into my hotel in Louisiana and this surprised the heck out of me. Jackson must have had one hell of a scrimmage this weekend. However, like I have said all along, if Fuente feels that he has playmakers on the outside, efficiency in the passing game trumps what Bush can do with his legs. And, Jackson is a good runner. He just may not be a guy who can carry the number of times that an Evans could.
Don't worry about Hooker. He even wowed me in the spring, but the reality is that true freshman QBs rarely make a big impact. This article does a great job highlighting how rare true freshman QBs making an impact happens. This basically gives Hooker a year to grow. I think he will continue to work with the regular offense instead of the scout team. Jackson and Hooker will have one hell of a fight next year. Hooker has every tool to be great.
Folks- this is how great programs were back in the day. QBs developed, and starred as juniors and seniors. There is strong depth there, something that the program has lacked since Druck and Al Clark battled it out for the starting job. It is tougher and tougher with kids wanting to transfer and play, but having multiple people who can win a game is a great thing. And, if by some chance Will Grier gets dinged, you will see why. WVU's backup is BUTTS.
Also, anyone in Lafayette have any pointers for things to do? I have 48 hours and only 5 are spoken for.
Drink?
Probably bourbon?
I once went wandering around Louisiana on a scooter. One of my favorite places was Black's Oyster House in Abbeville. About a half hour away I think.
You can check on my mother-in-law for me, she lives about 6 blocks from Lafayette High.
My friend Tommy and his brothers, "Les Freres Michot", usually play at Prejeans (http://prejeans.com/) on Monday eve. Authentic cajun music (which may or may not be your taste).
Learn when it is appropriate and not appropriate to say "Poo Yie!"
Regardless, find some really good food, you won't have to look far. Highest density of good food/square ft anywhere in the U.S.
Has Blue Dog Cafe for lunch. Etoufee and crab and corn bisque. It was solid.
You've probably figured this out by now but Lafayette, despite the cuisine, should not be on your list of potential cities to relocate to.
Houston perhaps. Jacksonville perhaps. Anything in between those 2 points on I-10 (or I-12), nope.
I lived near Lafayette for 9 years. If you like Tabasco sauce, you can visit nearby Avery Island. There is always a swamp tour if you are into that. Try Prejeans for good Cajun food. Also, great fishing down there.
French got himself that good stuff for dinner.
No slaw, extra toast.
ALWAYS
I miss it
Zaxby's?
Looks like Zaxby's to me.
Zaxbys doesn't use same toast or have Canes sauce.
I don't think I'm passionate enough about my fast food fried chicken chains. Definitely not in a Chipotle/Pie kind of way. Before a game this year, I'll have to get some Zaxby's, Raisin Canes, Bojangles, and Popeyes and do a blind taste test.
Boganles and Popeyes are not like Canes or Zaxbys.
Let's leave it to science to anecdotally decide that during the taste test!
They don't serve the same kind of food. Canes is a chicken finger joint as is zaxbys the others are just chicken as in bone in mostly.
Then there's the gold standard of fried chicken: kroger food court (ducks)
I'll take this into consideration when I'm out gathering samples as there's a Kroger right next to my 'Jangles
honestly I was just trying to piss off HF since Canes is so near and dear to his heart. That said, I have done lunch at the South Main Kroger food court more than a few times in the 'burg...
If any of ya'll spend time in California, there are these magical salt & pepper fried chicken wings that you can get at some chinese restaurants...it's crack chicken because I would order a large plate to have for myself and not share...I had a bunch while I was visiting San Diego (which is German for "Whale's Vagna".
Can we agree the Louisville Yum center does not belong in this conversation?
Maker's Mark can help you with the blind part.
Zaxby's has Zax sauce, which is the same as Cane's sauce, which is the same as Sawyer Sauce (Knoxville) which is the same as...(next fried chicken restaurant with crinkle fries and Texas toast and thousand island based pepper sauce)
Well then, I hope to see lots of Butts in a few weeks. (Because of suckage rather than injury, of course)
Imagine the euphemisms if Butts were our backup ... aaaaand my work here is done.
Now it's our turn to have a rFreshman take over the ACC :)
Side note: It's crazy how long it's been since we had a freshman play QB for us. Not since Tyrod.
The last freshman to start the opener for VT was some guy named Mike Vick.
Who?
Mike Jones
He means Mike Click.
Ron Mexico?
I think you meant Kevin.
Kyrie is gonna be disappointed...
I think more Tahj Boyd type than Randall . Boyd was a duel threat QB out of high school good runner and good passer exploded first year in Morris offense . People forget Randall had his struggles was more recruited safety slash athlete QB . Bunch VT fans was on his case really played well his last 10 games . The reason I say Boyd is I expect he is more QB ready than Randall was early and he has done nothing but play QB and has similar body type throwing running ect about the same size .Everyone wants the flashy guy, great next best thing but Jackson may prove to be a good one especailly with this offense and being coached by JF and Corny
Great call on both of the QBs you mentioned. We'll be in great shape if he's Tahj Boyd level.
Not sure what's more shocking - that this came out this early after all indications that it would be lengthy or the fact that it's been 10 years since Tyrod's freshman year at Virginia Tech.
This is great news for anyone that needs a new Tech football jersey since they switched over to selling a jersey with the number that reflects the year (last year #16 for 2016). So we totally lucked in to #17 this year!
Ha....hadn't thought about that.
If only they actually sold our jerseys online... Seems like you end up on page 3 of a google search before you find a new jersey.
Yea it would also be nice if we got a little redesign. Even with the slight change in font I probably can't justify picking up a new one if it looks 90% like my maroon #11 (Fuller) jersey from a few years back.
It's easier to find on Google Maps.
In all seriousness, this was most likely always going to be the case. Jackson really was that close to winning the QB battle last year, and if he was able to develop further through practice last year, we have absolutely nothing to worry about with him at the helm. The one thing I remember from last year was how the coaches raved his ability to make the smart play and not force the ball into places it shouldn't go. With the playmakers we have, that's all you really need out of the QB to make things go. The fact we have literally seen no highlights of him so far leads me to believe there's something good cooking up in camp, especially with him being named the starter 3 weeks out.
In recalling these comments from last year, does anyone think that CJF gave the starting job to Evans last year to give JJ the redshirt and would take whatever the panned out for him in his first year as HC? So he thought JJ was better last year but thought it would be better in the long run for him to redshirt and thus started Evans....who was no slouch but maybe not truly the best option we had. Thoughts?
No
Agreed. Evans was almost guaranteed the spot last year with his experience. I think Jackson really has impressed the coaches but it's really hard for a first year HC to start a true freshman at QB. Evans was the safe pick and the correct pick in my eyes.
This is definitely Jackson's team this year and we'll get to see a heck of a QB battle next year with him and Hooker.
Evans was the clear choice and best option when they made the decision.
I think the lack of a strong running game may have impacted things last year along with Jackson being a true freshman.
For me, this says that our running game may be looking good this fall and that the bigger need (that Jackson brings) is a QB who can put it right on the numbers with touch to ensure the WR's catch it. Either way, I am pumped that he gets a few weeks in August as the #1.
I agree. I tend to think that this decision also reflects a certain comfort level with the surrounding cast and a reduced dependency on the QB to manufacture the majority of the rushing game. JJ by all accounts seems like a very cerebral QB who can dissect the defense and make the right throw in a given situation with accuracy. If we have an improved run game and reloaded receiving corps to build around him, look out. This could be a very, very good offense.
I do, however, think we will still see Bush in some capacity like many others have stated. I think he's simply too good an athlete to leave sitting on the bench.
Nah, its hard to argue the choice they made last year the way things played out. Evans was the right guy for the job last year.
I'm very interested to see how this all plays out. We have Jackson now starting as a RS-Frosh, Bush in the fold to allow Hooker to RS the year, and Patterson coming in next year. Each successive recruit came in as a higher rated prospect than the last, but all are projected to be very good.
Its entirely possible we could be in a place where we are able to withstand each of Jackson and Hooker to leave after 2 or 3 years without missing a beat. Which... is nuts.
Anyone else hear Fuente and Cornelsen talk about needed more playmakers to step up around JJ and that RB will be by committee this year?
Pretty much what we all expect and what we've been hearing since the spring
Peoples and Holston are the 2 RB's that I've seen them talk about in the articles I've read, At WR it's been Phillips, Grimsley, Patterson, Pimpleton, Carroll, Kumah. I've seen a little bit about Cunningham mainly that he took the weight room seriously this off season and Keene playing this year at TE/HB/FB. That is all I have seen and know of.
I think we will see McMillan, McClease, Peoples, and Holston all get touches this fall. Those 6 wideouts you mentioned are probably going to see the field most and you can throw savoy in the mix as well. Cunningham, Keene will be TE/H-back material but most interested to see how the right guard shakes out. With Jackson being the starter, we will need to have a better year rushing with running backs since I guarantee he won't carry the ball 204 times like Jerod did last year.
Savoy, Murphy, Denmark, and Clark would give us 10 WR's and we could stay at a fast pace if the coaches trust all these guys. Some of these guys that have been here for a few years have to be ready to play by now. I know Clark is only here for a year but he should be able to help out somehow. Hopefully coaches are going to let him be a big surprise, but I am curious why we haven't heard much about him. I hope Deiuliis turns out good as well.
A few points:
1) the beginning of this thread included some off the charts world-class gifs, reminding us all of the intellect and creativity of our TKP community.
2) Not shocked our QB1 is JJ, but shocked a decision was made this early. Will allow the offense to rally around him as the leader over the next 3 weeks, reminding us all of the geniuisness of Coach Fuente.
3) Jackson just sidelined 2 freakish atheletes and we have another coming in next year, reminding us all of just how bright our future will be.
Bush might be a freakish athlete but honestly his QB play on film leaves quite a bit to be desired. I think a Fuente can develop talent and I'll be cheering for Bush regardless but I feel relieved that Jackson seized the job.
I'm humping the sofa the first time JJ hits his third read with a bullet.
via GIPHY
Omg I can't stop laughing at this exchange!!!!
I'm good with this as long as you give your couch to the cousins afterwards for proper burning.
But that's the beauty of Fuente. The scheme makes it so he'll never have to get to a 3rd read without someone being open.
And Musky's couch breathed a sigh of relief, free from the fear of being violated. Another inanimate object saved by Fuente & Co.
Inanimate? Man, if Musky's gonna hump it, and you say it's breathing...
Classic Musky.
Note to self - DO NOT sit on vtandy's couch (or Musky's)
I was feeling really good about this until this morning. Then I got caught the pessimism flu and thought "Oh f*ck! What if all of the QBs were performing at such a low level that Fuente made the call for JJ to start so he could get even more practice! Sh*t!"
The Pessimism Flu is the result of the entire 2012-2015 seasons + 2016 Tennessee + 2016 Syracuse + 2016 Georgia Tech
I'm no doctor, but I'd prescribe a heavy dose of the second half of the Belk Bowl for that pessimism flu.
I'd also recommend more cow bell...
Nice Reference
You might want to see a doctor about that.
Generally speaking, the symptoms of O'Stineffler should clear up naturally after 13 months.
Been waiting on Jackson to take the field since the day I saw his HS tape. Me likey. I think Hokie nation will likey soon.
I was excited about his film too, especially how he stayed solid in the pocket.
I will say the "nothing flashy" attribute that keeps getting thrown around with him isnt a bad thing. The best quarterback I would say that I have seen live was Taylor Heneckie (sp?) from ODU, I was at the game he threw for some 700+ yards or something and nothing of what he did was flashy. He read the play right, threw an accurate ball, didnt force anything and had the ability to escape the pocket when needed. Only after once everyone realized what he did were they like, dang, he was really really good.
I always wondered what Tech would look like with a QB like that, I think Evans showed it a little bit last year and Im excited to see what Jackson brings.