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"he is a clear drag on the program" really? We just got one of our best recruiting classes ever. I am not sure what your qualifications are to make that bold statement, but based on this post, it looks like a troll.
As everyone else has stated, a great speech and just what HC Beamer or someone else high-up on the Coaching Staff needs to say publicly to calm the fans.
Yea, it sucks we missed out on all of UVa top recruits, but we got a lot of great players and these players want, I mean WANT, to be a Hokie! That should trump those missing *s any time.
I'm impressed with this class for the way the program has expanded into different areas of the East coast. I think this class filled needs at many key positions and we will see immediate competition for starting spots against veterans. This should be applauded.
However, Beamer and his staff can not be content with missing on the top players in the state of Virginia.
Something is wrong with the recruiting approach when the best team in the state (by far) doesn't close on at least one or more of these guys. Hand, Blanding, Brown, Holmes, Nnadi, Kamara, Henderson... VT wasn't even in the discussion at the end with these guys, except Nnadi.
Top programs cleanup in state
Ohio State - 5 out of top 5 in Ohio
Georgia - 3 out of top 5 in Georgia
Florida State - 2 out 4 ***** guys in Florida
South Carolina - 3 out of top 5 in SC
Auburn/Alabama - 13 out of top 15 stayed in state
OK/OK state - 7 of top 10 stayed in state
Virginia Tech will not meet its lofty expectations without winning the recruiting battle in its own state - period.
Well said. I'll even add... When it comes to losing out to the likes of recent NC Bama and last year's NC FSU, it's not a real head scratcher. Kids want to play for big named programs. To a degree, I can understand losing a top player or two to UVA (e.g., kids grow up rooting for a given team). My frustration in the past was losing out on players to inferior teams that are out of state (e.g., 3 years ago UNC and Clemson).
This class seems to be another step in the right direction. Last year's class had more signees who played their 1st year, than any other in VT history. This year's class seems to have that same potential. I like what I see and expect recruiting to continue to improve, esp as the offense improves (I also have a theory that it's tougher to recruit on both sides of the ball if one side is viewed to be a mess).
Despite the signing day misses, I'm also fairly happy with the class. I think it's better than 2009-2012 classes and on par with last year. And as noted, getting a QB with the potential to complete more than 55% of his passes should be huge.
To French's final point about actions to help male the program better, the elephant in the room is putting a Beamer exit strategy in place. He is a class act an a legend, but in my opinion he is a clear drag on the program. He has lost whatever energy he once had, and does not appeal to recruits.
To that end I hope the fan base can start to exert pressure on Babcock to begin the exit strategy. I would hate to become Penn State circa 2005-2010 (some might say we already are).
Signed,
Debbie Facking Downer
hey French - isn't the Foster scheme issue kind of a chicken and egg thing? Couldn't Foster conceivably wind up with a better (or just as good) D by running a scheme like Saban's with better athletes? Is Foster's scheme a self-fulfilling prophecy? Conversely, you can't argue with results and Foster gets the job done year after year ....
If you were in Foster's shoes, what would you do?
Oh gosh, this is terrifying.
Experts agree: adding depth and competition at every position on offense, yields a good offense.
That being said, Seminoles, the good rapport we had during the championship and Clemson games this year is over! Why didn't you poach a DT from some SEC school? You will NOT be invited to my birthday party this year!
Hopefully the coaches can see where they missed or messed up and learn when they go out recruiting the Class of 2015 tomorrow
Excellent post. Missing Nnadi to me is really the only "big" disappointment of this class. Thought he had a chance to be a really special player at VT. As it stands, he has a great chance to be a really special player at FSU. When we talk about defensive recruits, as good as Bud Foster is, lets not kid ourselves, Nick Saban and Jimbo Fisher are as hard as it gets to recruit against when you are talking about defensive track record (to the NFL especially).
Harrison flipping stings, but I think landing Ford and Phillips (and Shai as well of course) are big gets for our offensive future, and it really can not be overlooked at the stellar success that was had bringing in some real honest to goodness offensive lineman with this class.
If things pan out, we honestly could be seeing our starting offensive backfield and skill position players (almost forgot Burke there) brought in in one class in addition to a potential O line that can start together for years and adding some defensive players that could become absolute studs under Foster's tutelage.
Time to start focusing on bringing in front 7 players for 2015. Go get em Hokies
Why thank you. I had heard the probability/overall success argument for the rankings, but the math is irrefutable. There's always some chicken and egg theory involved with recruiting vs wins, but that's a very compelling reason to care.
I would probably quote Lombardi and John Wooden. And the two quotes would likely conflict with each other. And then my players would laugh, ask "who is John Wooden?", and then get beat by 40 while I insist on running fullback trap until we execute it correctly like some kind of disgraced former college coach trying to find himself coaching high school in a tiny Indiana town where nobody ever leaves.
Hell, I'm ready to run through a brick wall at the end of a film review. This kind of pep talk might cause destruction to the greater DC/Metro area.
And, while there are dirty tricks and resource issues, getting elite defensive tackles will always be tough for Foster with this defensive system. ALWAYS.
I nominate French for "Most likely to give a pregame speech".
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12 years 5 months
# | I'm new here and love this site, just wish I had known about it earlier. Great job! WELCOME. HERE IS A GUIDE TO THE KEY PLAY
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I was a bit butthurt on the misses today but... whatever, we are winning a national title every year.
My opinion:
With Foster's defense, VT needs be successful at recruiting the QB and O-line. We got a nice haul there. The talented receivers and RBs are also a nice addition. This team will be better. Success + great recruiting will yield even better classes. For where the program is now, this was a very good recruiting class. I expect a solid recruiting class in 2015 and much better recruiting classes in 2016 and beyond. (pending future coaches...)
I like our direction, we missed some targets but no one gets everything they want.
I view it like we got a car for our 16th birthday, and although it's not a Camaro, it's still sweet. We missed out on having arguably the best recruiting class ever by two or so players. It stinks, but I think we have guys that will step up and attempt to fill those shoes. A bittersweet signing day, but overall pretty damn good.
PREACH, BROTHA!
Don't tell that to French
Well said. Can't wait for the spring game.
Well said frenchie! I especially like this:
"The moaning over the guys who signed elsewhere and will not be in the program is hurtful and dismissive of the young men who chose to become Hokies and will give their blood, sweat, and tears to the program. We got an outstanding class of players, and while sometimes we don't always get every present on Santa's wish list (I am still waiting on my X-Wing fighter), the gifts we did get can be pretty badass."
And this:
"...congratulate the players who spurned the Hokies on starting down the road to success and higher education. Support and encourage the new Hokies to work their tails off and make those recruits who took different paths regret their decision with losses every time they play the Fighting Gobblers."
VT has built its Blue Collar reputation on many, many great recruits over the years whom have not gotten the accolades from national recruiting boards year in and year out. Prior to the past 2 years, the product has been BAD ASS in total! And it will be again!
This class is absolutely a step in the right direction. Welcome New Hokies. The Sky's the limit!!
LETS! GO! HOKIES! Time to work!
I go back and forth on this myself. It can be a total rabbit hole. But invariably, one "result" is the number of front seven Hokie starters in the NFL. How many are there?
I can think of only James Anderson because I'm not sure Tapp counts as a starter.
Who was the last DL or LB we had drafted?
My question is what is it about the scheme that would turn off elite recruits?
Or is it a personality/coaching issue?