Guys, just a few things to pass along here, as we get closer to signing day. As I've mentioned plenty of times before, at least one, if not two of the remaining spots that VT has will go to OL.

Yes, Salem (Va.) two-star Zach Hoyt was offered yesterday by the Hokies. But as of right now, that offer is NOT a grayshirt. There's a strong possibility it turn into a grayshirt offer, but it depends on how the rest of the class finishes and how the numbers work out.

I'll be talking with Hoyt fully for a story here in a bit, but Hoyt does still plan on officially visiting BYU this weekend before making a decision. He'd already bought the plane tickets out there (schools will refund what is spent for the recruit and a family member on officials) and because he and his family are Mormon, they want him to at least visit and see BYU. But looking very, very good for VT in this case.

Also, three-star OL Trent Levell is off the table. It appears that he's not gonna qualify at this point. The Hokies knew it would be close, but still thought he could get in. So at this point, he is NOT officially visiting this weekend, as originally planned.

Also, as has been mentioned, LSU and former VT assistant Jeff Grimes did offer Mike Arnold. But assistant Stacy Searels and assistant Charley Wiles visited Arnold this morning and he's told them he's still 100% with his Hokies commitment. I'm told, from sources at Winter Haven HS (Arnold's school) that Arnold's coach wasn't too happy with Grimes' attempt either. Apparently, they'd reached out a while ago and he had no interest until now and is trying to steal Arnold. But sounds like it won't work.

Also, the VT staff hasn't given up on former commit Fred Johnson. He's already visited Miami, but didn't pull the trigger. Though he still seems to be leaning that way a bit, the Hokies coaches will be making an in-home visit with him tonight. Still looking like a signing day decision or possibly a decision this weekend.

More coming when available, 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.

VT has offered 2017 DB Deon Jones

Meant to post this already, but in case anyone missed coach Buzz Williams' presser after VT's win last night, here it is:

Buzz post Pittsburgh

(About Howard Cosell, and only a summary and only Cosell is quoted)

Tommy LaSorta's Dodgers had been eliminated from the playoffs in 1983 he joined Michaels and Cosell in the both. Before the game and after a little chit-chat about the 2 previous games between the Cardinals and Braves, and just before going to commercial break, Cosell said:

"O.K. throwing out the ceremonial first pitch are the children of the late Cardinals third baseman Kenny Boyer, who succumbed a fortnight ago, at the age of 51, to the ravages of lung cancer. Kenny Boyer fought that insidious disease tooth and nail, to the very end. He went to Mexico for laetril treatments and absorbed more radiation than anyone thought humanly possible."

"So when you look at the long and storied history of the St. Louis Cardinals franchise, ...with your Roger Hornsby, ...Joseph (Ducky) Medwick and Jay (Dizzy) Dean as well. You can take Albert (Red) Schoendienst and , yes even the Man himself, Stanley Musial of Donora, PA. because when it comes to the embodiment of the St. Louis Cardinals franchise, look no further than the countenance of one Kenton Lloyd Boyer. He was a man's man, and we'll miss him."

Cosell then lowered his voice and said, "We'll be back after this."

Michaels said he heard sniffling and looked over and Tommy LaSorta had tears running down his face. He told Cosell he had never heard such a wonderful thing said about his good friend and that Cosell was the only one who could have done it.

Cosell leaned back, with a cigar in his mouth and said, "Hey Tommy, just understand one thing. Kenny Boyer was a pr...!"

This post was edited on 1/28 7:06 PM by BigDaddyHokie

Final in OT.

Jason, is there a reason my Shield went from 140 some odd months to 1? This is really insignificant but didn't know if something was reset or if I have been ostracized for my bland and non-confrontational posts?

Hokies finally break through with a conference win!!! Buzz has us going in right direction. Guys play hard every game.

Guys, this one isn't a huge update, but I've got more coming, as the search for the new wide receivers coach marches on.

There's another name to add to the final mix, former Texas wide receivers coach Darrell Wyatt. He sat out this past season, after coach Mack Brown stepped down after the 2013 season. Wyatt coached under Brown from 2011-13, adding co-offensive coordinator to his title for 2013.

Wyatt has been in touch with the Hokies staff, including coach Frank Beamer, though it's not clear yet if he'll interview this week. Wyatt himself reached out to Rivals.com last night, inquiring about the position, so there's certainly interest from his part.

This is another interesting development, due largely to the fact that Brown and Beamer are so close. That's one of the reasons why VT hired Stacy Searels last year (Searels coached under Brown from 2011-13, with Wyatt).

But like our update last night on Georgia's Tony Ball, Wyatt is an older guy at 48, who has a ton of experience and would command a bigger paycheck. Wyatt has also coached wide receivers at Kansas, Southern Miss, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Baylor. He coached WRs for the Minnesota Vikings in 2006 and was the receivers coach with the Sooners when they were BCS runners-up in 2003 and 2004.

Wyatt, though, is a midwest guy. He played at Kansas State, is from Texas and has spent most of his coaching career in the Big 12. He's a fantastic coach, but it's tough to see how he fits in, recruiting-wise with what VT does, somewhat like Ball.

Ball is still in the top two, along with Old Dominion WR coach Zohn Burden, but Wyatt has emerged as a darkhorse now. Ball is still also the hold up, as it's unclear if and even when he might interview with the Hokies. Right now, Burden still looks to be the best candidate and perhaps the best overall fit, but Wyatt is another coach who is making this position more and more interesting for VT.

More info coming as soon as it's available, 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.[/B]

Guys, just wanted to pass on that there's been some reports that offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler has been interested in the head coaching vacancy at Central Michigan. Loeffler was one of four finalists for the same position four years ago.

My VT staff sources, though, have indicated that Loeffler is "not involved" with the position. That could always change, but as of right now, that's what I'm being told.

Guys, I've got some new information that has made the coaching search take a little bit of a twist. It now looks like Old Dominion wide receivers coach Zohn Burden isn't the lock we thought he was.

A new name has emerged that's a bit of a familiar one. I'm told now that VT has been in contact with and has interest with Georgia receivers coach Tony Ball. Hokies fans might remember him as the receivers coach at VT from 1998-2005. He left for Georgia in 2006 and has been there ever since.

The key thing here is that Ball has not been to Blacksburg since the WRs coach position came open and has NOT interviewed yet. That's the hold up. We still haven't been able to gauge if Ball wants to go full in and put himself in the running for the Hokies' spot. It sounds like he might be kinda sitting on the fence, as he's been out recruiting for the Bulldogs and was in New Orleans doing so last night.

Our Georgia site, UGASports.com, says they have not heard that Ball is looking to leave. After all, coach Mark Richt just signed an extension that keeps him at Georgia through the 2019 season just last week. But we are told that there might be some tension with Ball and some members of the coaching staff, which could be reason to leave.

Basically, the two finalists right now are Burden and if Ball goes all in, him. And right now, we're also told that the VT staff is split on which of the two they'd prefer. It's gonna come down to coach Frank Beamer and who he wants.

There's a few reasons for Ball, like he does have familiarity with VT and Beamer. He actually coached Shane Beamer for his final few seasons playing for the Hokies, coached with assistant Bryan Stinespring for that whole duration with the Hokies and also briefly coached with assistant Stacy Searels at Georgia. Plus, Scot Loeffler has long shown an affinity for the SEC and coached there.

Now, it's very unclear when a hire will happen, because of the uncertainty still with Ball. It's a big contrast with Ball and Burden. Ball is 56, Burden will be 31 next month. Burden also was paid around $75,000 last season, while Ball would command upwards of $250,000.

It's a very interesting turn and we'll keep you updated on all the latest, with more information as it becomes available.

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.[/B]

This post was edited on 1/26 6:28 PM by Jason Stamm

Guys, I spoke just a few minutes ago with Nash Central (NC) three-star DE/LB Houshun Gaines. He officially visited VT this past weekend, but also had an in-home visit from Vanderbilt tonight.

First, with the VT visit, Gaines said he had a great time and loved hanging out with the other players and early enrollees, especially Adonis Alexander and Mook Reynolds, fellow NC guys. Gaines also sat down with coach Frank Beamer, Bud Foster and Charley Wiles, to talk about where they see him fitting in the program.

Tonight, Gaines had an in-home visit from the Vanderbilt coaches. He said that also went well and that it was good to talk to them man to man. He said they also came to meet his mother and grandmother, since only he and his dad made the trip to Vandy last weekend for the official.

The other big news here is that Gaines said he's cancelled his UVA visit for this coming weekend. So he's now between VT and Vanderbilt. He told me he'll be going over a lot of things the rest of the week, like where he feels most comfortable and where he thinks he'll fit best and a lot of that will be talking with his family.

Wiles will be making an in-home with Gaines on Thursday, so VT will get the last visit. Gaines said he wants to have his mind made up before signing day, so he can have just one hat and one set of papers to sign on Feb. 4, national signing day.

Right now, I think he stays with VT, especially with Wiles getting the last visit, but we'll see. That wasn't the case last weekend after his Vandy official. It's a very, very slight edge to the Hokies.

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.[/B]

Houshun Gaines profile

Seems as though each year, a redshirt freshman burst onto the scene as a major contributor. Who will it be this fall for the Hokies? McMillan? Fisher? Ford? Durkin? Minor?

Does anyone know or where to find the spring football schedule ?

TONS of info right now over on The Gobbler on everything going on with the coaching search, commit reactions and remaining offers, but here's a more in-depth look at who some of the main targets are for the WRs coach position open:

Hot Board For WRs coach

They just went Big Time and It's About Time . News will be all over the place here Soon...Sit Back and ENJOY it with Me

Kind of a big loss in my opinion. He was the best offensive coach that we had, but he was the lowest paid coach as well.. In the time he has been here The line stayed bad, the running backs regressed, and we all know the QB situation. The WR core did improve and Moorehead made sure he put the best players on the field no matter the class or loyalty. was also a good recruiter. Really hated to hear the news but money talks in the real world wish him all the best.

Haven't seen any posts, just checking on you.

OSU was young and/or inexperienced at QB, offensive line, linebacker, and defesnsive backfield for the VT game this season. Also was missing the starting tightend due to injury. VT's coaches took advantage of it. I think that the loss however, helped the coaches in developing the players. I don't think the Buckeyes win the conference, which means no Sugar Bowl or National Championship, without the loss.

Obviously the Buckeye team that lost to the Hokies isn't the same one that ran the Big 10 including beating Michigan State, destroyed Wisconsin, then beat Alabama and Oregon. I thank the Hokies for being a major part of that improvement.

Remember those guys who gave us fits?

I found these senior highlights. He is very heavy but solidly built, and light on his feet and can run. Many of his tackles are in pursuit across the field:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3XGEhGb_2c

Dang I hope he gets the grades.

This post was edited on 1/2 10:29 PM by BigDaddyHokie

To rally from the VT lose and dominate Oregon with a 3rd string QB is a great coaching job.......Nicky Satan can eat his heart out......the Big 10 is taking over.

Best of luck Coach Moorehead at Texas A & M . You did a great job in your 2 short years at VT. Hopefully someday you may return to Blacksburg.

Good article by Andy Bitter on VT's win over Ohio State. VT's win wasn't really an upset at the time. Makes one wonder where that team disappeared to after the game. We should have never lost to the teams we lost to, none of them.

Guys, just wanted to pass along that Rivals.com has been adding to and testing our severs in preparation of national signing day. That was the reason for a few glitches some people might have noticed yesterday.

One of the final phases is occurring tonight. At 1 AM ET, all users will automatically be logged out of the system. Every single user will then be required to log back[/B] in with their username and password[/B] that they are registered with - as they would normally log in on any day. That should be the only issue any of you should experience.

If you continue to have any issues, please email me or contact Subscriptions@Rivals.com and we'll quickly assist you with any issues you may have.

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

Guys, we've done these before and we're ready for round two. Former Hokies defensive tackle Antoine Hopkins (whose mug you've seen grace the message board ads) will be holding another Q&A session this Wednesday RIGHT HERE. We'll post on the front page early in the morning and throughout the day, Antoine will be answering any questions you have for him about the Hokies, prospects for next season, the bowl game, coaches and anything else VT-related.

Take advantage of your subscriptions and beginning on Wednesday morning, post your questions HERE for Antoine to answer!