Despite how bad we've looked in non-conference play, we picked up a very nice overtime home win over NC State today. When it mattered most, we made free throws and NC State missed theirs.

Guys, if you missed my story earlier after today's game, coach Buzz Williams kept his team in the locker room for an hour and 46 minutes after the game. I asked a player, who will remain anonymous, after the game what went on for that long and he told me, "I don't know, just a bunch of bullshit. I tuned half of it out." It is kinda hard to wonder what took so long.

Here's the full story: http://rvls.co/1YTFiO3

Guys, interesting comments by Buzz Williams after the game today. He wasn't even asked about his meeting with his players after the West Virginia game when he kept them an hour and 46 minutes, but started off addressing it: http://rvls.co/1NXYKpG

Full story coming, but as always, what's posted here, STAYS HERE. Don't de-value your own subscription by giving away information to others who don't pay like you do. It's also a violation of our terms of service and will result in the termination of your subscription.

Guys, I spoke earlier with Tampa Catholic (Fla.) 2017 four-star athlete Devan Barrett, whom VT offered earlier this fall. Barrett is No. 62 in the Rivals100.

Barrett was offered earlier in the fall, around the first of October, by assistant coach Torrian Gray. The Hokies are among his more recent offers, joining Ohio State, Alabama and Tennessee. With VT, Barrett said he doesn't know a lot, but he's talked regularly with Gray. As tweeted a few times, Gray and the Hokies have sent him notes on Twitter at points wishing him good luck. Barrett said he also likes that Gray "told me straight up what will happen if I went there. He’s a truthful person, a great coach. Even if I were to commit there, I know I’d be in great hands."

But it's much too early to say VT or anyone else is in better position with him. The only two visits he took were to Miami for the VT game and to Florida for the Tennessee game. But I honestly didn't get a sense that either wowed him enough to be high on his list.

This is simply one the Hokies will have to stay diligent with and stay in touch as much as possible. Barrett is a legit athlete at the next level and has been widely recruited to play on both sides of the ball. Many have offered him as simply an athlete, while Gray likes him as a cornerback.

The thing to keep in mind here is Barrett is coming off a torn labrum. He played most of the season with it and didn't know he even had torn it until he had soreness for about a month, had it checked after the season and discovered the tear. He had surgery nearly a month ago and starts therapy later this coming week. He'll have a six-month recovery time, so won't be able to participate in any camps.

I had a couple of games to watch myself...whatever Buzz said during his 2 hour meeting after our game must have had some value....if they keep playing like this maybe he should have food delivered to the locker room and keep them there all night.....Let's GOOOOOOO Mountaineers!!!!!!

Is there a forum where tickets are sold? Looking for 2 to VT-UVA

Losses in 3 OTs. Could not happen to a more deserving team. Glad the ducks got beat.

Full story coming, but as always, what's posted here, STAYS HERE. Don't de-value your own subscription by giving away information to others who don't pay like you do. It's also a violation of our terms of service and will result in the termination of your subscription.

Guys, I spoke with our Georgia site publisher, Radi Nabilsi, who has been a great source in the past. He confirmed the news that's been reported that Shane Beamer is still a candidate to join the Georgia staff. I reported here 3-4 weeks ago that he was a candidate, but that Frank Beamer thought it was best for Shane to be a head coach at a lower, FCS school, as a better way to get to a big-time FBS head coaching job, instead of being an assistant. But it sounds like Shane has swung and missed at a few spots, like Eastern Kentucky, Austin Peay and East Carolina.

So right now, it's still very much a possibility that Shane could go to Georgia. It sounds like right now, it would be as special teams coordinator, with the position spot still to be decided if it happens.

Also of note, Nabilsi said that former assistant coach Aaron Moorehead, who spent this past year at Texas A&M, is at least a candidate for the Georgia WR spot. That could happen, but as I told Nabilsi, it's unlikely. The main reason is that the main reason Moorehead went to Texas A&M to begin with is to be closer to his wife's family, which is in New Mexico. College Station, TX is still a good distance from New Mexico, but more manageable than Blacksburg. So in that regard, Athens, GA would be back in the same boat. Still something to monitor.

No news yet on Scot Loeffler, Bryan Stinespring or Cornell Brown, but I'll be continuously digging for more info.

Also told that new VT assistants Brad Cornelsen and Galen Scott will be at VT tomorrow. Coach Justin Fuente will also be back in town tomorrow as well. He and the rest of the staff have been out for holiday vacation, but will be back. They've all still done their fair share of contacting recruits I'm sure, but just weren't required to be in the office or working.

Plenty more to come when available.

Regardless of who wins, the 2 best teams are playing for nc, unlike some years.

Good to see Okies and the Big 10 gone.


Roll Tide

Just doing a little research and opining here; past 4 classes before this past season, 4 and 5 stars (or 5 star).

2011
K Jarrett, R Vandyke, Corey Marshall, Kris Harley

2012
Jc Coleman, J Caleb, Donaldven Manning, Trey Edmunds, Ken Ekanem, Deon Clarke, Drew Harris.


2013
Kendall Fuller, W Teller, Bucky Hodges


2014
Holland Fisher, Raymond Minor, Ricky Walker, CJ Reavis, Marshawn Williams, Cam Phillips, Shai Mckenzie, Melvin Keihn

In my opinion, a grand total of 4.5 of those have made a significant difference at VT or 20%. Without being too specific, I'll say 2.5 of them are from the 2013 class. I gave Teller a .5 because he's made a difference on the oline but not really huge and not as much as I think he could have or would have if left on dline.

I don't know the percentages at other schools, but this looks way below average. Injuries, departures, failure to develop, whatever... I hope the new staff can improve this area. A 10% improvement would be significant when you consider just one guy can change the dynamics of either side. Coveted Virginia DE Jonathan Allen was 2nd in the SEC this yr in sacks and starts in front of D Hand. He might have had 30 sacks in the coastal this year. That's a stretch but 2nd in anything and any conference is pretty darn good.

Any shot fuente goes after the Minnesota commit. Watching him in the under Armour game looks pretty good. I know the past staff wasn't convinced on him but we need recievers any chance jason??

I'm expecting us to b an underdog but what's y'all's opinion on how huge of 1 now as we speak . I know it's a little early but just curious.

back you will be hard to beat. Our defense is playing well right now but the lack of a true point guard (torn acl) might bite us later on.....good luck

Based their recent recruiting, Alabama should be even stronger the next three years.

2011 - 3 5*; 13 4*; 5 3* with 8 at top 10 in their position
2012 - 3 5*; 12 4*; 9 3* with 10 at the top 10 in their position
2013 - 4 5*; 13 4*; 9 3* with 11 at the top 10 in their position
2014 - 6 5*; 13 4* 7 3* with 14 at the top 10 in their position
2015 - 4 5*; 15 4*; 6 3* with 10 at the top 10 in their position
2016 so far 2 5*; 7 4*; 7 3* with 6 at the top 10 in their position

http://www.roanoke.com/sports/colum...cle_08d82878-ae52-11e5-957a-b75ccb050bfb.html

Good read. I don't know how much he has to gain by staying another year in school... it may be in his best interest to leave now and not chance injury or getting lost in a new offensive scheme that doesn't utilize TE's much (that is assumed).

Guys, I didn't have time to post an INsider before New Year's eve festivities yesterday, but I spoke with Sapulpa (Okla.) running back Dae Williams. I haven't seen a lot of him personally because I don't look a lot at midwest guys, but even though we have him two stars, he has Arizona State and Louisville on him heavy, too. VT offered last month, but Williams has been committed to SMU since this summer.

I get the sense that right now, VT is in third here, behind Louisville and SMU. He has visits set to those two, but not the Hokies. Vance Vice has stayed in touch and Williams likes him, but it hasn't pushed VT ahead for now.

The thing to watch here is that he has one official visit weekend open, Jan. 29 and said he'll visit either VT or ASU, but sounds like the Hokies at this point. That's the final weekend before signing day, which could be a huge plus if VT can get him on campus.

Here's the full story: http://rvls.co/1PB7Hb1

Full story coming, but as always, what's posted here, STAYS HERE. Don't de-value your own subscription by giving away information to others who don't pay like you do. It's also a violation of our terms of service and will result in the termination of your subscription.

Guys, I hadn't talked to Stonewall Jackson (Va.) three-star safety Devante Smith in months. Smith committed to VT in July and there really has been zero talk of him since then. Plus, with SJ going winless this season, I wanted to wait until after the season.

Smith said he still stays in regular contact with assistant coach Torrian Gray. He said they've talked more lately and Gray has talked to him about new coach Justin Fuente, while also talking about how he can still help the Hokies' secondary. I thought it was a little odd, but Smith still has not talked to Fuente yet. Smith said that Fuente visited the school to see his teammate, Reggie Floyd, but Smith was busy in track practice and didn't see him.

Nevertheless, Smith said he's still very firm with the Hokies. He visited for the Ohio State game in September, but hasn't visited anywhere else. Smith also hasn't heard from any other coaches by phone or in person. He told me he has received mail from Notre Dame, Purdue, Boston College and Pittsburgh, but hasn't spoken to anyone from there.

Smith plans on making a few visits this spring to junior days, but the only one planned is to VT Feb. 6, the weekend after signing day. He's currently in the middle of the indoor track season, where he runs the 300m and 4x200m relay. And I can tell you that Smith isn't going anywhere. I wouldn't read too much into Fuente not talking to him yet, as his focus has been on 2016. But I still thought Fuente would have talked to him by now.

Did anyone watch the UNC defense get burnt for 650 yards on the ground last night with a Baylor team that used 5 quarterbacks. Baylor put up over 700 yards of offense with their 2 top QBs, wide receiver and running back all out with injuries.

Thank you J C https://www.instagram.com/p/_-ZxfvPRETUjQEh_FJHHveM3esN9iUz-Jw9Wo0/

Happy new year! It's out last chat of 2015 and we're ready to send it out with a bang to deliver all the latest going on with the Hokies. At 12:30 pm ET tomorrow (New Year's Eve), we're answering all your questions. So before you celebrate the new year, come get the latest from us and get all the info you've been dying to find out!

Chat link: http://bit.ly/1VpUkL2

Just saw on Facebook that he has passed away. Brother posted a very long well written tribute to him. He apparently has dealt with drug and achohol abuse.

If people can remember he used to put together some excellent highlight videos of VT football games. Always loved watching those until they were taken down. He defied lots of agencies in getting that video.

Any noos on how he's doing?

Full story coming, but as always, what's posted here, STAYS HERE. Don't de-value your own subscription by giving away information to others who don't pay like you do. It's also a violation of our terms of service and will result in the termination of your subscription.

Guys, I just got off the phone with Raines (Fla.) four-star WR Rick Wells. He's been on Virginia Tech's radar for some time now, but has only recently expressed very high interest, with Justin Fuente's addition. Assistant coach Charley Wiles and new WRs coach Holmon Wiggins have also been on him hard.

First off, Wells said "I'm still strong with Florida," where he's been committed since January. He said he talks to the coaches there nearly every day and feels like he can "do my thing" and go and play early there. But he also has a little doubt, so he's opened things up a bit.

It's now down to Florida, Virginia Tech and South Florida. Wells seems to really like Fuente and he's also close with sophomore receiver Isaiah Ford, who's also from Jacksonville. Wells said he played on the same seven-on-seven team as Ford and that Ford has told him there's "a good vibe" at VT." Wells said Ford also told him that the Hokies need playmakers and "That's all I needed to hear." Wells was very much aware of Ford's accomplishments this season and how Ford just became the single season receiving leader. Wells will be visiting VT officially Jan. 22 with his teammate, three-star DE Jaquan Bailey. Wells said he's talked three or four times with Fuente and that Fuente also has called Wells' dad.

With USF, Wells kept going back to his relationship with assistant coach Ron Dugans, who played in the NFL and at Florida State on the team that won the national title over VT in 2000. Wells said he likes the vibe and the family feel he gets from USF. He hasn't set an official there yet, though he said it will likely be Jan. 19, because he's playing in the Blue-Gray All-Star Game in Jacksonville on Jan. 16.

The other official he has set is to Florida Jan. 29, so the Gators will get the last crack at him. Wells said he plans to have a final decision on signing day, Feb. 3. He said it's gonna come down to how his officials go and how his parents feel about each of the three finalists.

I do think it's neck and neck with VT and Florida, but the fact that the Gators get his last visit definitely helps them over the Hokies.

He's 6'3" and 319 lbs and played center at prep school this Fall.

He says he's the first member of his family to go to college and he always wanted to attend VT.

Welcome Austin, at VT you'll be given great respect as a walk-on and the opportunity to develop into a starter.

Guys, you've gotten to hear Skip quite a bit on our podcasts, but this week, I also got my buddy James Gayle on with us to talk about the bowl, coach Frank Beamer's final game and more: http://rvls.co/1SoBAvK