Tennessee Primer: The Offense December 17, 2009 Virginia Tech will be facing a Tennessee offense that has improved as the season has progressed. The Vols are similar to the Hokies in style and philosophy, though they do throw the football a bit more. However, the key to stopping Tennessee is the same as the key to stopping the Hokies: shut down the running game. more
Top OL Commits to Virginia Tech December 16, 2009 One of Virginia Tech's top remaining 2010 class targets made his college choice earlier this evening. The news is very good for the Hokies and especially Bryan Stinespring, who adds a big-time offensive tackle prospect to his offense.
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Tennessee Primer: Season Recap December 16, 2009 If you don't get a chance to watch a lot of SEC football because of your travels to and from Virginia Tech games, you might not be all that familiar with the 2009 Tennessee Volunteers. Today we'll give a quick recap of their season, game-by-game, and later in the week we'll take a more in-depth look at their offensive and defensive personnel. more
London Eyes Impact on State Recruiting December 16, 2009 Those wondering if new University of Virginia head coach Mike London would make in-state recruiting a priority had their question answered quickly. Last Monday, at his introductory press conference, London reached out to high school coaches all over the Commonwealth. more
Ricardo Young Updates Recruitment December 15, 2009 H.D. Woodson (Washington, D.C.) quarterback Ricardo Young has been committed to Virginia Tech since May with plans to enroll next month, so it was a surprise when it was reported by the Washington Post that he was now also considering New Mexico. The 6-1, 170-pound senior signal caller was reached for comment Tuesday night. more
Shuman, Arkema Praise Character of Players December 15, 2009 Whether it was in support of his brother, former Virginia Tech offensive lineman Ryan Shuman, or to make a recruiting visit, or simply to check out a game, Fork Union Military Academy (VA) offensive lineman Mark Shuman has been to Virginia Tech numerous times. He returned this past weekend for an official visit, perhaps seeing Virginia Tech for the last time before February's signing day. more
Standout P/PK Takes Official to VT December 14, 2009 Gulf Coast (Naples, FL) punter/place-kicker Conor Goulding was at Virginia Tech over the weekend, making an official visit and hoping for an official scholarship offer. The 5-10, 170-pound senior, a first-team all-district performer at punter this season, did not receive the desired offer but will have an opportunity to earn one should he choose the Hokies. more
Lewis, McCray Excited About Future at Tech December 14, 2009 Bishop Kearney (Rochester, N.Y.) tight end Jerome Lewis and Brookville (Lynchburg, VA) defensive end Zack McCray had communicated frequently before meeting face to face for the first time this past weekend, when the prospects were in Blacksburg along with eight other Tech 2010 class commits. As it turns out, the 6-5, 230-pound McCray and the 6-4, 230-pound Lewis have a lot more in common than just similar height and weight. more
Lewis, Host of Other Commits to Visit December 11, 2009 Virginia Tech is expected to host 10 commitments making official visits this weekend. At least one recruit - 6-4, 230-pound tight end/defensive end Jerome Lewis - will be making his first ever trip to Blacksburg. Lewis, a top recruit out of Bishop Kearney High School (Rochester, N.Y.), looks forward to celebrating his 18th birthday in style. more
VT One of Five Offers for Bayside CB December 10, 2009 Junior Demetrious Nicholson is now up to five official scholarship offers, including one from Virginia Tech, which offered the Bayside (Virginia Beach, VA) cornerback/wide receiver almost three weeks ago. The 5-9, 165-pound cornerback/wide receiver is open to any school that wants to offer, but he is high on Virginia Tech and one other ACC school at the moment. more
2009 Review: The Defense December 10, 2009 Bud Foster's defense took some heat for part of the season, particularly following back-to-back October losses to Georgia Tech and North Carolina. However, the defense played much better down the stretch, and now it's time to take a look at their season as a whole. more
Romero, Taylor Top Phoebus' 2011 Class December 9, 2009 Phoebus (Hampton, VA) once again features one of the top high school football teams in the state. The undefeated Phantoms, which will take on Stone Bridge in Saturday's Group AAA, Division 5 final, boast a top defense guided by top juniors Daquan Romero and Caleb Taylor. more
2009 Review: The Offense December 9, 2009 Perhaps no unit in college football has taken more heat over the past several seasons than Virginia Tech's offense. Bryan Stinespring and the offense needed a good year, and they got one. How good was it? Arguably the best of the Stinespring era. The Hokies got improved production from nearly every position, and the results were obvious on the field. more
Recruiting Notes: Gough and Perez-Means Are Ready December 8, 2009 Virginia Tech grey-shirt recruits Kory Gough and Duan Perez-Means have used the extra months before enrolling at Tech to their advantage. Gough, a former Liberty (Bealeton, VA) offensive lineman, has added bulk to his 6-6 frame, while Perez-Means, who starred at Hermitage (Richmond, VA), is healthy after summer shoulder surgery. Both are excited and ready to enroll at Virginia Tech next month. more
Monday Thoughts: Championship Saturday Helps Put 2009 in Perspective December 7, 2009 What a Saturday of football! Unfortunately, only one of the teams I rooted for won (East Carolina), but for the first time all season, I got to veg out in the recliner, fire up the picture-in-picture and the DVR, and gorge on college football. I couldn't have picked a better day for it, and when all was said and done, I felt a sense of closure on the Hokies' regular season. Watching the games Saturday put things in perspective for me. more
Around the ACC: December 7, 2009 December 7, 2009 Georgia Tech defeated Clemson in the ACC Championship Game on Saturday night, and the Yellow Jackets will represent the conference in the Orange Bowl. Six other teams also qualified for bowl games, and postseason football will begin for the ACC on December 26. more
Young's Next Stop: Virginia Tech December 7, 2009 Ricardo Young's stellar high school football career ended on a good note last month, when the 6-0, 170-pound senior signal caller led H.D. Woodson (Washington, D.C.) to its second consecutive DCIAA Turkey Bowl Championship. For the season, Young, who will head off to Virginia Tech in a month, passed for 2,459 yards and 24 touchdowns and added 650 yards rushing and eight scores. more
Fuller Gets Good News, Eyes Visit December 4, 2009 Senior standout Kyle Fuller missed Mount St. Joseph's (Baltimore, MD) final seven games of the 2009 season, only able to watch from the sideline as his team finished with a 2-8 record. The 6-0, 165-pound Virginia Tech cornerback recruit received some good news yesterday, though, learning that he will be able to play in the Crab Bowl on December 19th. more
In-State Juniors Adding Offers December 3, 2009 With college football seasons coming to an end, high school juniors can expect recruiting to pick up. This has been true for Menchville (Newport News) athlete Clifton Richardson and Dinwiddie defensive lineman Corey Marshall, who are considered two of the top juniors in the state of Virginia. more
Virginia Game Analysis: Hokie Talent, Adjustments Conquer Hoos, Groh December 2, 2009 It was a surreal environment in Scott Stadium on Saturday evening. The game was no longer in doubt as a close battle early transformed into a little bit of chippiness and a lot of frustration. By that point, a near 50/50 split in the stands had become dominated by Hokies - same as the game on the field. As the clock ticked off its final seconds, my eyes were on UVa's soon-to-be-ex coach Al Groh. more
Williams Ready to Start VT Career December 2, 2009 In a little over a month, Chase Williams will officially be a Hokie. The 6-3, 240-pound linebacker prospect out of Loudoun County High School (Leesburg, VA) had planned on enrolling in January, but the realization that he will soon become a college student has recently started to set in. more
Monday Thoughts: Virginia, Part 2: Groh's Departure Heralds Change December 1, 2009 When Al Groh took the head coaching job at Virginia in the last days of the year 2000, the Hokies were still playing catch-up to the Cavaliers in many ways. As 2009 winds down and Groh makes his exit, the Hokies have clearly not only caught the Cavaliers, but have passed them by. When Virginia makes a new coaching hire some time in the coming weeks, the battle for in-state supremacy will begin anew, and Virginia Tech needs to prepare for the challenges that will be made by Virginia's next head coach. more
Leal Looks Toward Virginia Tech November 30, 2009 Mark Leal enjoyed a stellar career at Atlantic High School (Delray Beach, FL), finishing as the school's career passing yardage leader with 5,087 yards and tying the career mark for touchdowns with 49. Former Bowling Green star signal caller Omar Jacobs, who was the previous holder of those two records, has served as Atlantic's quarterbacks coach the past two seasons and has certainly helped Leal's development. more
Monday Thoughts: Virginia, Part 1 November 30, 2009 In some ways, what happened Saturday has become run-of-the-mill. The Hokies defeated the Cavaliers for the tenth time in the last 11 games, and they did it in convincing fashion, once they got cranked up. That wasn't new. But about 24 hours later, Virginia dismissed their coach, Al Groh. That's anything but run-of-the-mill. Virginia has only had two different coaches in the last 28 seasons, and when they hire a new one, this rivalry will shift and redefine itself yet again. more
Around the ACC: November 30, 2009 November 30, 2009 It was a rough week for the ACC's divisional champions. Clemson and Georgia Tech were beaten by two middle of the pack SEC teams, which takes a lot of the air out of next Saturday's ACC Championship Game. more
Virginia Tech will be facing a Tennessee offense that has improved as the season has progressed. The Vols are similar to the Hokies in style and philosophy, though they do throw the football a bit more. However, the key to stopping Tennessee is the same as the key to stopping the Hokies: shut down the running game.
One of Virginia Tech's top remaining 2010 class targets made his college choice earlier this evening. The news is very good for the Hokies and especially Bryan Stinespring, who adds a big-time offensive tackle prospect to his offense.
If you don't get a chance to watch a lot of SEC football because of your travels to and from Virginia Tech games, you might not be all that familiar with the 2009 Tennessee Volunteers. Today we'll give a quick recap of their season, game-by-game, and later in the week we'll take a more in-depth look at their offensive and defensive personnel.
Those wondering if new University of Virginia head coach Mike London would make in-state recruiting a priority had their question answered quickly. Last Monday, at his introductory press conference, London reached out to high school coaches all over the Commonwealth.
H.D. Woodson (Washington, D.C.) quarterback Ricardo Young has been committed to Virginia Tech since May with plans to enroll next month, so it was a surprise when it was reported by the Washington Post that he was now also considering New Mexico. The 6-1, 170-pound senior signal caller was reached for comment Tuesday night.
Whether it was in support of his brother, former Virginia Tech offensive lineman Ryan Shuman, or to make a recruiting visit, or simply to check out a game, Fork Union Military Academy (VA) offensive lineman Mark Shuman has been to Virginia Tech numerous times. He returned this past weekend for an official visit, perhaps seeing Virginia Tech for the last time before February's signing day.
Gulf Coast (Naples, FL) punter/place-kicker Conor Goulding was at Virginia Tech over the weekend, making an official visit and hoping for an official scholarship offer. The 5-10, 170-pound senior, a first-team all-district performer at punter this season, did not receive the desired offer but will have an opportunity to earn one should he choose the Hokies.
Bishop Kearney (Rochester, N.Y.) tight end Jerome Lewis and Brookville (Lynchburg, VA) defensive end Zack McCray had communicated frequently before meeting face to face for the first time this past weekend, when the prospects were in Blacksburg along with eight other Tech 2010 class commits. As it turns out, the 6-5, 230-pound McCray and the 6-4, 230-pound Lewis have a lot more in common than just similar height and weight.
Virginia Tech grey-shirt recruits Kory Gough and Duan Perez-Means have used the extra months before enrolling at Tech to their advantage. Gough, a former Liberty (Bealeton, VA) offensive lineman, has added bulk to his 6-6 frame, while Perez-Means, who starred at Hermitage (Richmond, VA), is healthy after summer shoulder surgery. Both are excited and ready to enroll at Virginia Tech next month.
What a Saturday of football! Unfortunately, only one of the teams I rooted for won (East Carolina), but for the first time all season, I got to veg out in the recliner, fire up the picture-in-picture and the DVR, and gorge on college football. I couldn't have picked a better day for it, and when all was said and done, I felt a sense of closure on the Hokies' regular season. Watching the games Saturday put things in perspective for me.
Georgia Tech defeated Clemson in the ACC Championship Game on Saturday night, and the Yellow Jackets will represent the conference in the Orange Bowl. Six other teams also qualified for bowl games, and postseason football will begin for the ACC on December 26.
With college football seasons coming to an end, high school juniors can expect recruiting to pick up. This has been true for Menchville (Newport News) athlete Clifton Richardson and Dinwiddie defensive lineman Corey Marshall, who are considered two of the top juniors in the state of Virginia.
It was a surreal environment in Scott Stadium on Saturday evening. The game was no longer in doubt as a close battle early transformed into a little bit of chippiness and a lot of frustration. By that point, a near 50/50 split in the stands had become dominated by Hokies - same as the game on the field. As the clock ticked off its final seconds, my eyes were on UVa's soon-to-be-ex coach Al Groh.
In a little over a month, Chase Williams will officially be a Hokie. The 6-3, 240-pound linebacker prospect out of Loudoun County High School (Leesburg, VA) had planned on enrolling in January, but the realization that he will soon become a college student has recently started to set in.
When Al Groh took the head coaching job at Virginia in the last days of the year 2000, the Hokies were still playing catch-up to the Cavaliers in many ways. As 2009 winds down and Groh makes his exit, the Hokies have clearly not only caught the Cavaliers, but have passed them by. When Virginia makes a new coaching hire some time in the coming weeks, the battle for in-state supremacy will begin anew, and Virginia Tech needs to prepare for the challenges that will be made by Virginia's next head coach.
Mark Leal enjoyed a stellar career at Atlantic High School (Delray Beach, FL), finishing as the school's career passing yardage leader with 5,087 yards and tying the career mark for touchdowns with 49. Former Bowling Green star signal caller Omar Jacobs, who was the previous holder of those two records, has served as Atlantic's quarterbacks coach the past two seasons and has certainly helped Leal's development.
In some ways, what happened Saturday has become run-of-the-mill. The Hokies defeated the Cavaliers for the tenth time in the last 11 games, and they did it in convincing fashion, once they got cranked up. That wasn't new. But about 24 hours later, Virginia dismissed their coach, Al Groh. That's anything but run-of-the-mill. Virginia has only had two different coaches in the last 28 seasons, and when they hire a new one, this rivalry will shift and redefine itself yet again.
