Andy Bitter just tweeted that Bucky is wearing 82 and playing TE/WR for the scout team again this week. Do you think he could be the anti-LT? Maybe this paves the way for Andrew Ford to take over after a year of Leal?
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As much as I would feel bad for Bucky not playing QB, it would make sense because Ryan Malleck is leaving after next year. He has the size and athleticism of LT, and was meant to be the next big, mobile VT QB. On the other hand, Loeffler didn't recruit Bucky. He recruited Ford and that's the guy he wants to build his offense around.
"Not so fast my friend!"
I think Bucky gets a fair shot at QB, and Loeffler picks the best guy regardless. There's gonna be a QB competition next year, and possibly one the year after that. Bucky's (and Motley's) athleticism brings a lot to the table, and Loeffler's is not one to shy away from running the QB if that's what the defense gives. If Bucky or Brandon outshine the new Ford, he'll be parked on the bench for a year or two.
I see what you did there, parking the Ford.
I second this, but also want to add that the coaching changes that have been made have shown one big thing this year: the best player plays. Loeffler could recruit the best QB recruit but if he is outplayed then he is outplayed. I like this staff very much for that reason.
Malleck will be a R-Jr. next year. He will have two years of eligibility remaining after this season. I feel like he and Kline could form a nice 1-2 punch with Malleck playing as a true tight end and Kline more of an H-back type. I would not count out Bucky at QB or even TE at this point. Talented kid.
It's the scout team, so he probably simulates the size/speed of some opposing TE very well. I wouldn't read anything into the QB situation for next year, really until spring or even fall.
Isn't Pitt's best tight end #82. Garner or Gardner something. He is a junior I think. IDK.
Is that the guy who shredded us last year? I remember Shell obviously gashing us all game. But every time they had a key 3rd down they threw it up to a tight end and we couldn't stop them. Even put Exum on him at one point and they had no problem.
82 is Garner, but the guy that shredded us last year was Mike Shanahan. Fortunately he graduated and isn't there anymore.
To be honest, after seeing Bucky compared to Motley and Leal during the Fall, I wouldn't be opposed to him moving to TE if he could contribute there. Lots of mechanical issues to work out and the ball just doesn't seem to come out of his hand quite right. Add in that Ford is coming in as polished of a passer as we've ever seen at VT, and it looks like QB might not work out that great for Bucky. Then again, I had the same thoughts about Motley after last fall and he came out of nowhere with a cannon, so ya never know.
As others said, I think it may be a move that helps Bucky getting on the field. He could line up next to Cline and the poor opposing DC would never know that Bucky is a legit pass-catcher weapon after having films on Cline. Of course, Bucky will have to learn everything about being a tight end, but with his athleticism and deceptive speed, I think it is a move that would pay off in the long run.
I honestly hope Loeffler is able to coach up Bucky into a standout QB.
That way, a new era of Hokie Football is born!
Don't you mean this?
Dude has tons of potential, people seem to forget that he was as a 4 star and ranked as the 171 overall player by rivals and the number 10 pro style QB and was 114 overall and the number 4 dual threat QB by 247. Regardless, I think he will be a star wherever he ends up, although I hope it's at QB.
Does anyone else think, based on this description, that Bucky may find a role as a situational QB? I'm thinking along the lines of Blake Bell's role at OK.
Yeah I do. The Buckydozer, I like it.
Question for French (or anyone else who wants to answer):
You've said that you think Teller has great potential as a Left Tackle. Since Andrew Ford throws left handed, do you see him playing at Right Tackle instead of Left if Ford wins the starting QB position (especially if he wins it early) or would he still be better suited for Left Tackle with McLaughlin moving to Right Tackle?
If I had to venture a guess on what I've been told he'll end up at tight end. He may go thru next spring as QB still, but once all said an done ... TE.
I think everyone agrees it's way to early to tell, you never know what you actually have in Ford until he gets on campus...
But, if you made me guess... I would agree.
No, it's not a done deal by any stretch, mine is a guess as well. If he distances himself as the no. 2 guy from Motley, he stays for at QB ... for at least one more year.
I remember a QB from the 2001 Class nearly everyone wrote off during his first year. It was believed to be a sure bet that he was moving to Safety because he didn't have the arm strength to play QB. Well, he worked very hard on getting stronger and became the starting QB during the LSU game in 2002. He became one of the most popular players ever to play for Tech. His name was Bryan Randall.
The moral of the story is don't write anyone off too early in their career because they might just prove you wrong.
I was in the stands for what I think was Brian Randall's first game, a beat down of UConn where he played the 4th quarter. He was awful.
By the end of his senior year he was outplaying Jason Campbell in the Sugar Bowl. Randall still holds the record for most passing yards in the Big East. What a competitor!
A record that will be his and VT's for the ages, considering the Big East is now defunct.
Bucky will get a shot at QB. End of story