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Mr. Blake. They will not touch you.- Manu Manu the Slender.
This is an interesting pickup, especially because it is so far off the radar. And, while Durkin definitely has talent, this also raises a bunch of questions, some of which many of you have raised.
1) Durkin is a power house interior runner and is being used repeatedly on quarterback power leads and inverted veer that Loeffler utilized with Tim Tebow at Florida. At the same time, he has many of the bad habits you see in the mechanics of great athletes being used at the quarterback position, but the running ability, toughness, and arm strength make for a great first step.
Yet, this brings me back to a question I plan to address after the bowl game. How does Scot Loeffler see the future of his offense? Andrew Ford plays from a spread, but he is a pass first guy who will be doing much more handing the ball off (most likely in pistol formations) than running true options. Then, you have Durkin, who is clearly a true "fullback playing quarterback" who forces the defense to focus on both options.
It is almost like Ford is the pro-style "Tom Brady-Michigan" style QB that Loeffler tried to incorporate at Temple (where he had elite tailbacks) and Durkin is his "Tebow-Florida" style QB. Both offensive systems varied widely, so which one really is his preferred system? This question has major ramifications for the current QB's as well. Leal and Motley I think are more comfortable with the running back being the primary ball carrier while they attack via bootlegs. Hodges (I am not calling him a tight end until I see him playing tight end in the spring) would probably work better in the Urban Meyer single wing system.
2) The surprising additional offers means the coaching staff must expect some defections from the current roster besides the graduating class. Jarrett and Maddy have both asked to be reviewed by the draft board. Guys with injury histories that will have graduated like Wang and Benedict may decide it isn't worth the wear and tear. Upperclassmen that have been bypassed on the depth chart like Zach McCray and Kris Harley may decide to try and jump start their career elsewhere. There are positions where there are a surplus of players and limited available snaps (tailback, tight end.) And perhaps some of the 2014 commits will gray-shirt. But with offered players like Derrick Nnadi, Shai McKenzie, Raymond Minor, Melvin Keihn, and others still out there, there will be some attrition.
its nuts being able to say that vt has a legit quarterback competition. i wonder where bucky will fall into all of this. i always thought he may be our next starter but with all the new competition coming in itll be good to see the competition unfold
I watched both hudl vids. To me, Ford spins it better but Durkin is stronger. He can make the quick outs across the field. He's also a much more physical runner. IMO Durkin looks like a faster version of LT3. He could potentially be more accurate. His screen passes looked solid. But Ford is the better Pocket passer if you ask me. I think the starter will be somewhat determined by how much Loeffler wants to run the Veer and IV.
I agree
I would have to say that Ford is more polished like the guy above said, but Durkin is definitely more versatile, and doesn't have a polished arm, but does have one with power. I like them both, but lets be real, against our own defense, Ford is the type of QB we salivate over (pocket passer who doesn't seem to have the legs to leave the pocket). Durkin has a really good upside, plus he is two dimensional with a heavy shoulder. I can see why Loeffler would like him. There is going to be good competition between these two. I would definitely like to see Ford get bigger and quicker.
First RB and now QB. Put a lot of able bodies in the hunt, let the best men win, and live with any resulting attrition. It makes it more likely that we have the right guys at critical positions. I like it. Beamer and Co. are pulling out all the stops to chase the trophy in 2015/2016.
Got that right.
I love this move. These recruits and their families know the situation of the different schools and depth charts at their positions. He most likely knows what we already have and who has committed, and is willing to take on the challenge. You can never have too much talent. Let the competition sort itself out and if transfers occur, it's part of the process. Competition is always a good thing, let's see who's fire it fuels to win!
Hope it works out... the spring will be very enlightening
🎸OG LEG KING 🎸
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12 years 7 months
# | SURPRISE! 2014 QB Chris Durkin Committed to Virginia Tech Welcome to Hokie Nation, Chris! The wealth of incoming QB talent is like a breath of fresh air. It seems to me we're learning from the past and no longer putting all of our turkey legs in one smoker, so to speak. Having talent up and down the depth chart is a wonderful situation to be in.
Maybe Loeffler's trying to do an Oklahoma - one QB to get us into the Red Zone, and one to take it from there?
I'm starting to wonder if he's looking to develop a couple QBs with different skill sets, obviously focusing on one and the system that he will run, but maybe developing another to be a change-of-pace QB or used situationally, kind of like what Oklahoma did with Blake Bell last year or what Duke is doing this year with Boone and Connette. Not a true multiple QB rotation (which would be a mess), but something that gives an opponent's defense nightmares trying to prepare for.
Having watched both highlight videos, Ford seems like a much better passer to me... Unless SL wants someone who can run better.
I'm no expert on film, but I watched both and I still thought Ford's throws had a better touch and looked more accurate. I thought it looked like Durkin was throwing too high a lot but again that could just be me seeing things. I could easily see how Durkin's physical size and running ability could give him an edge in Loeffler's eyes though.
I watched the hudl highlights... He's a very good runner but Ford looks like a much more polished passer.
U now have 2 turkey legs
did you watch the hudl highlights or just the 2 min vid at the top of this page?
I mean if Ford isnt game to fight for the position do we really want him taking snaps? I wouldnt worry though he seems like he has the fire.
Whichever is closer to game ready plays and the other redshirts probably. Ford will have the jump on him I assume enrolling in January. Although the early playing time quote makes me wonder. But I mean compared to Spartys roster he does have a better chance of playing early at Tech.
Honestly, I haven't followed VT recruiting very much at all until last year. When's the last time we flipped a recruit to us?
Also, I hope that this isn't a negative for Ford. He hasn't seemed concerned about competition before (Leal, and at least a couple others). I don't see how another true freshman would change the picture significantly.
Watching his highlights I still think Ford is the favorite. But having young QB depth is never ever a bad thing.
Good question. I have no information on Bucky, but I have heard word from people I trust that the coaches are high on Motley. This ought to shake things up a bit. Lets see how it all plays out on the field come Spring and Fall practice.