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About the coaching

Boy, that Frenchie over at The Key Play really knows his X's and O's. I can remember when he was National Coach of the Year at.... um... help me out here Knawaz, it slipped my mind. I can't wait for Whit to fire Bud and hire French. I'm sure he's on the short list. The coaching was so bad that they had an unranked VT team leading at halftime against the first ever unanimous preseason #1 team. Meyer made a great halftime adjustment, though..."get Brewer out of the game". Since OSU's coaching was so superior, I guess if they had our players, and our coaches had theirs, they still would have won....NOT!


Is it really so hard to give the devil his due? Corey Marshall was man enough. " We were really prepared for this game, but man, they really have some playmakers." Case in point- when Miller made that crazy TD run, we had a guy (D. Clarke) exactly where he was supposed to be, but he couldn't make the play. Marshall was hustling his ass off, trying to make the tackle downfield, but Miller made the spin move and was gone. Maybe he WILL give VT some credit if he wins the Heisman, he's good enough (you know who this is for). And so is Elliott, and Barrett, and Jones, if they played on different teams where they could get enough touches.

If you want to complain about the recruiting, there's a case for that. But all these people talking as if they know so much more than our staff... what a bunch of pompous asses. There are some here who used to be thoughtful posters, but who are unfortunately buying into the Hatetrain that has infiltrated this board.

Chris Durkin Possibility

Guys, I mentioned it on the chat earlier, but there is definitely a possibility that redshirt sophomore Chris Durkin could play elsewhere besides quarterback. Durkin will get a shot at quarterback and will likely play at some point tomorrow against Furman.

But the VT staff is currently weighing the option of using Durkin in more of an H-back role. Offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler, who recruited Durkin, believes that he's too good of an athlete to not use in some capacity.

Nothing is set in stone, but it's certainly something to watch going forward.

Farrell Nails it

"The Hokies don't currently have any of the state of Virginia's top 10 committed for 2016 and landed only two in 2015 and 2014 respectively. And when local stars such as Jonathan Allen, Josh Sweat, Derrick Green, Da'Shawn Hand, Jalyn Holmes, Derrick Nnadi and Levonta Taylor keep getting away, it's a perception problem that carries over. Heck, UVa has had more big-time in-state commits over the last few years than the Hokies and it is 11-26 in its last 37 games. Something needs to change, either the approach or perhaps new blood. Now prove to me I'm wrong."​

Since 2008 when we lost out on all of the top QB's in the state of VA I've stated that VT recruiting simply isn't good. I try to be circumspect about it because I don't know all of the reasons why recruiting has taken a nose dive, but it has... big time. We find ourselves in the company of Houston, Wake Forest, and Miss St. We also find ourselves in the company of Nebraska which is probably something Beamer never could have imagined he would see in his life-time.

VT doesn't have a scheme problem. VT simply does not have the athletic and physical talent that play callers can take advantage, which in turn makes the play calling look good. A lot of the success on the field is about putting the best players in a position to make things happen.

The last two years were a step in the right direction, but we probably have 4 solid contributors in this class. That's to my chagrin because really only 2 would have seen the field between 1995 and 2008.

That fact that for almost a decade we have missed on the big time recruits in our state is absolutely infuriating. The fact that we might pick up only 1 top 10 recruit in the state of VA over two years is mind-boggling.

The facilities are fabulous. The school support is in the top tier. The schedule is great. The position coaching is very good (NFL scouts like our coaches!!). Is what's missing perception? Buzz? People say Beamer's age is used against him, but recruiting has been down for almost 10 years. Why can't we convince any of best recruits to stay and play for their home state? What were we able to do with Tyrod?
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Recruitment set to take off for 2018 QB Sitkowski

I caught up with 2018 QB Artur Sitkowski the other day to talk about his recruitment. Right now he has offers from Rutgers and Maryland but many more are on the way. Sitkowski plans on visiting Rutgers for the Ohio State and Michigan State games, Penn State for the Rutgers game and Maryland for the Michigan game. In the future he would like to hear from UCLA, Florida State, Michigan and Michigan State.

Video: Recruitment set to take off for 2018 QB Sitkowski

The latest with 4-star Fuller

I was at Old Tappan High School yesterday to watch 4-star Jordan Fuller practice. Afterwards we talked about what's next in his recruitment. Fuller said that Ohio State, Penn State, Notre Dame, Michigan, Stanford, TCU, Rutgers, Virginia Tech and UCLA are all in the mix. He has not set any official visits yet but expect him to reveal a short list as soon as next week.

Video: The latest with 4-star Fuller

***INsider: Shane Beamer***

Guys, as many of you know, I'm involved with the Blacksburg Sports Club and each week, a coach speaks at the weekly luncheon. This week, the guest was Shane Beamer. Here's some notes of what he said:

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.

*QB Michael Brewer has been in the coaches' offices each of the last few days. His mother has stayed with him this week and will stay through part of next week to help him. Beamer said Brewer has vowed to the staff that he'll return for the NC State game, Oct. 9, but I'd say that's wishful thinking.

**Beamer said the Hokies had more 'legit' recruits Monday night than he's ever seen them have. Beamer said the feedback the past few days has been great and they've all been talking about the atmosphere. Also thought I would note that with the travel schedule, the next time each of the assistants will be out on the road recruiting, watching games will be the Friday before the East Carolina game, Sept. 25.

***Shane said he was pleased for the most part with the play of the offensive line on Monday. He specifically spotlighted Wyatt Teller, who he said had one hold, but also 14 knockdown blocks. That's twice as many as any other VT offensive lineman. Beamer also thought Yosuah Nijman played well, aside from the miscommunication between him and Augie Conte, that led to the hit on Brewer that broke his collarbone. The seventh OL remains Parker Osterloh, while he said he thinks Eric Gallo needs to correct his low snaps. There were no pre-snap penalties, though, which was big.

****Beamer said he believed the Hokies brought kickoffs out of the end zone too much last season. He cited making better decisions and better blocks. One of those decisions should have been made by Travon McMillian, who stiff armed Ohio State's kicker on one return. Beamer wanted him to outrun the kicker and not worry about a stiff arm, to let the defense catch up.

*****Injury wise, Beamer said aside from Brewer there were no major injuries from the Ohio State game. He said Sam Rogers rolled his ankle and Kendall Fuller and Mook Reynolds are a little 'banged up' but will play Saturday.

***9.11 VT INsider Chat Details***

Guys, it looks like this will be my only opportunity for a 3 pm chat this month, so for this week's chat, we'll be at that time on Friday. But LOTS going on, after the wave of recruits on hand at the Ohio State game Monday, plus plenty going on at quarterback and on defense. Take advantage of and get the very most out of your subscriptions and come chat with us!

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

Also, this is another test run, to see if we will continue to have chats at 3 or go back to our 12:30 slot.

HEADS UP: The next two weeks, the chats will be at 12:30 pm Thursday because of my traveling to Purdue and East Carolina.

***INsider: Justin Foster On VT Visit***

Guys, I spoke earlier with Crest (NC) 2017 four-star LB Justin Foster, No. 43 in the 2017 Rivals100 and No. 1 player in North Carolina. He was on hand Monday for the Ohio State game, the first time back since the July 26 VT camp.

Foster said he loved the atmosphere. This was the first game he'd been to at VT and safe to say, the Hokies are in better position now. "Just how the game was, it was pretty loud and pretty great," he said. Foster said he arrived at VT late in the afternoon, a few hours before the game and in time to eat in the dining hall with all the coaches and players. Foster said he did leave in the fourth quarter, to get home at a better time and to avoid some traffic.

In the past few days, Foster said he's touched base with assistant coach Shane Beamer on Twitter. Beamer thanked him for coming and Foster said if Michael Brewer didn't get hurt, the game would have likely been different.

When I talked to Foster at the July 26 camp, he told me the three schools stood out: VT, Tennessee and Clemson. That's still the case. Foster actually visited Clemson Saturday for the game against Wofford. He said the trip was great talked to a lot of the coaches and a number of the players there that he knows. With Tennessee, Foster is actually visiting this weekend for the Oklahoma game. Foster said he likes it there "a lot" but he wants to get a better feel this weekend.

Still pretty early here, but VT sounds to be in great position, getting him on campus twice in about a month and a half. No other visits planned right now, but some time this fall, he wants to visit LSU, Florida and Alabama. Foster said official cuts will be coming after the season.

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.
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