Guys, more video to try to give you a look at what the DL looks like this spring. Our viewing has been extremely limited this spring, but I'll try to get more video, including from our partners at WSLS, as much as I can.

Thoughts on the DL in spring practice?

Video Of DL

While listed at LB on his recruiting profile, he played more of a hybrid role in HS, and most of that was with his hand in the dirt. His profile also says he was 6'3" 220# coming out of HS, which we now know to be a farce. He (Melvin) himslef, as well as his H.S. coaches and even our VERY own coaches last year in Fall Practice said his style of play and athleticsm did not suit what we were trying to do with him at LB.

His High School coach even was quoted at some point during his recruitment as saying he was a DE and that it would be a very tough transition for him to turn into a stand-up LB. So I think this needs to stop, Keihn is a Defensive End at VT, he would be a DE at any school he signed with. Matter of fact he went to Bud Foster and the coaches after a practice last year and asked to move back down to DE.......a spot HE felt more natrual playing.

So yea, while it would be awesome to see him palying LB'er for VT, he simply does not have the body and certianly does not have the athletic ability to go sideline-to-sideline like we ask out LB's to do, and he damn sure cant cover a slot WR, so DE, for better or for worse, will be is position at VT.

Melvin, his family, his HS coaches and our coaches are VERY happy with him trying his hand at DE.....he was given a fair shot at LB, and he himself said no. That should tell you everything to need to know about Mr. Keihn. Lets just hope he can put on 25-35 more pounds over the next two years and turn into a speedster off the edge than can occasinally drop in to zone's ala Jason Worilds.



Sorry for the long post, but thought it needed to be said.

Guys, just to make you all aware, not a surprise, but VT four-star signee Chris Clarke has been named the Tidewater Player Of The Year by the Virginia-Pilot.

Clarke leads way

This is what l like to see this time of year.

Its also encouraging to see an offensive lineman and a defensive tackle so early because prior to last year they all committed in the 11th hour and were few in number.



This post was edited on 3/29 9:51 AM by BigDaddyHokie

As our Doug Bowman recaps in his weekly story, Hokies had a solid baseball week, but they nearly had one or two more wins at top 10 Florida State.

Around The Bases Week 7

Up to this point....,Hoos have tried everything they can---have played every card in their hand to flip the football table on supplanting Va Tech as the states premier football program - with limited success.in recruiting but no success on the field with VT, Their latest move is to hire a recruiter named Chris Beatty..per Rke Times report.
.
i believe-- if it is the same Beatty (found othe Beattys)- he has been recently associated with East Tenn St. staff But I also know, at one time (having lived in Tidewater area-)-- he had a strong presence/influence as a coach, adviser to players in terms of camps & recruiting at some point (in Tidewater 757 area). If so, VT will have to triple down on its recruiting efforts & staff and consider almost having an ongoing (live in? ) recruiting presence in Tidewater.

I believe this hire was a response to VT's recent hire of ODU's asst coach Zorhan (my apologies if name not spelled correctly).

Certainly, from what I hear --- UVA has ultra wealthy alums in Cville area --- anxious to do /paywhatever it takes to make it happen.

They tried bringing back former Hoo assistants - former tall red haired dude that left UVA to be head coach of NC ST.(forgot his name) ... and another former hoo def coordinator---- both just retired within last year....(sorry is late-just can't remember their names). I believe Beatty took one of those vacated positions -maybe combining the money from those positions to make strong salary move to retain & keep Beatty----as their recruiting warrior.. .

VT would be better off to increase/double down on their presence back into Richmond---& particularly tidewater 757. VT rise in state supremacy was built upon Tidewater....back at a time where /when Hoos kind of turned the nose up and anything except Lacrosse & basketball (Sampson effect)




This post was edited on 3/30 10:59 PM by vtdiehard

On April 3, 6-7, 295 lbs OL Zach Adams will visit VT. He visited UVA yesterday and the Cavs offered him.

All that talent and some games they look lost.

Congrats to NCS for showing up to play in Chapel Hill.

Sounds like you had plenty of offers and you just visited Clemson a second time with your parents before you decided on VT.

A little more info on one of the Hokies' new commitments over the past few days, DT Clay Dean.

Dean breakdown

Guys, I've been saying how Hopple might be most important commit thus far for VT in 2016 class. Get a more thorough look at why, here:

Hopple breakdown

Mooks Teamate

Guys, Rod Johnson and I spoke with the coach of Thomas Jarrett Hopple at Nansemond River, Davod Coccoli, who was very high on Hopple. This kid is arguably the best commitment so far and I believe he will be probably a high three-star at least, at some point. He's going to the Rivals camp in Richmond April 11, so I'll get a very good look at him there.

Here's my story on what Hopple's coach had to say.

Coach on progress

I like your motor and the 6'3" height with room to gain weight.

https://rivals.yahoo.com/video/recruiting-football/Rivals-Spotlight-Clay-Dean-1133599



This post was edited on 3/30 8:57 PM by BigDaddyHokie

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

Need a lot of that energy this fall!

Jarrett hopple comittes

I just heard that G Adam Smith is transferring to another school. This is puzzling. His new school will be his 3rd. He has a diploma, thus he eligible to play immediately.

What a win for Virginia Tech baseball as they defeat seventh ranked Florida State 8-3 in Tallahassee. Sean Keselica had his third straight stellar outing on the mound and Tech used a five run inning to take a comfortable lead. This is huge coming against a top 10 team on the road. Tech has a legit shot to take the series on the road now over the next 2 days.

Is there any coach availability after practice for the media today? Interested to see who stood out in pads today!

Virginia Tech announced today that guard Adam Smith would transfer upon graduation and be eligible to play immediately next season. Smith was Tech's leading scorer last year and a big-time shot maker.

It's a big loss when you think of it as a leading scorer, but Tech is loaded in the backcourt with talent and Buzz likely couldn't guarantee him a starting spot next season with Seth Allen, Devin Wilson, Jalen Hudson, Justin Bibbs, and Ahmed Hill returning along with the incoming recruits.

In the article linked below 2017 QB Alex Faniel talks about where he currently stands with Virginia Tech, N.C. State and Virginia, the three schools to have offered him. He also says that he will camp at Ole Miss, Georgia, South Carolina, Clemson and Michigan State.

Article

Good that we didn't get him.
http://www.foxsports.com/college-football/story/tennessee-volunteers-coleman-thomas-arrested-on-felony-theft-charge-032615

Guys, I just spoke a few minutes ago with new VT commit Clay Dean from Woodgrove (Va.). He had a bit of a surprise for most of us when he announced his commitment to the Hokies today.

Dean didn't have any other offers and said he hadn't heard from any other schools. Assistant coach Torrian Gray started talking to him during his sophomore season and then offered last month, on signing day. Dean attended VT's junior day Feb. 28 and said that blew him away. He also camped with the Hokies last summer, but the junior day really put VT over the edge. He also has two sisters at VT.

Dean has played nearly all defensive tackle in high school and thought he could play DE in college. But he said Gray told him this morning when he called to commit, that the Hokies want him at DT. Looks like he'll have to add some weight, as he's at 6'3" and 245 pounds right now.

Things always change, but Dean said he's also firm in his decision and doesn't plan on visiting anywhere else. He might make it to the Rivals Combine May 10 in DC, but isn't sure yet.

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]

Clay Dean profile

http://games.espn.go.com/flb/leaguesetup/settings?leagueId=111517 Here are the league settings

Is there a target board somewhere? Please direct me.

thanks