As y'all know, I've been as positive as anyone on the current staff (not least of which because the standard they're being held to is not the standard that was being upheld when they arrived in the first place). But their drawbacks in personnel management are really beginning to look to profound to me to overcome:

The impact: Portal-palooza returns to Blacksburg

For Babcock to sit in front of the media Tuesday and tell us the program health is strong, and then have this sort of thing happen within two days... it's an interesting look.

Great work with endless effort over the last several days. Thanks for bringing all of us this coverage. You gotta be tired by now. But I’ll speak for everyone when I say thank you for your tireless hours put in to this!!!! Mucho props

Don't want it to get lost in the Fuente thread. More to come when Head Hokie is done speaking.

...was basically a foregone conclusion with the day his season went. Bittersweet nonetheless from a Hokie perspective.

Christian Darrisaw declares for the NFL Draft

Unfortunately, not a surprise with the way the season ended. Nightmare scenario for QB depth:

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We'll get final word on Justin Fuente soon enough.

At this point, I'm leaning toward Fuente being fired, but it really is that close (and the only person who knows for sure is Babcock - people immediately surrounding him have different takes on the decision he'll make).

The 247 board seems to think Fuente is gone with all their insiders. Insiders that used to be here by the way. I just don't know if that is economically realistic as Tim has said here. I know there aren't many happy with the state of the program overall, but we did get hit hard by covid this year. Bottom line is that we not only have to come up with buyout money for Fuente but all his coaches and find new money for new coaches, which less face it won't be cheap and will probably also include a large buyout clause. All in a year where we are suffering from a revenue shortfall due to the pandemic. Where is the money coming from to do this? We are not exactly a program that can raise that kind of green. I gotta wonder if we are not just fooling ourselves here. I put my faith in Whit not matter what. I think he has taken it on the chin from our fanbase but I think we are so lucky to have him.

Follow along with all the action here. LOIs as they come in and all updates from me and the rest of the Rivals network.

Starting momentarily. We're also expecting the coordinators.

Will work on a fleshed-out commitment post later this afternoon:

Da'Shawn Elder is a Hokie!

Getting a previously-uncommitted player or two out of FUMA each year is a smart call.

Who are our QBs going to be next year?

Lost pledge for the Hokies:

Hokies lose Canon Boone commitment

As y'all know, I was not a huge fan of his (though the Hokies' staff really likes him, so there's a decent chance I was wrong). Still, a position group that needs a ton of help in this class... now has much more work to find on the trail before February.

Getting the Gamethread going a little late, my apologies.

Updates to come here.