Monday Thoughts: The Reasons This Game is Important August 31, 2009 It's opening game week. And this year, it isn't Northwestern, Central Florida, Arkansas State, or even East Carolina the Hokies open the season with. It's Alabama. The ESPN hype gods have lined up a huge week of promotion for the Chick-fil-A Classic, and the Hokies are at the center of it, matched up with the Tide. It's Tech's biggest season opener since the USC Trojans in 2004, and it has galvanized Hokie Nation to look forward to the season opener more than ever before. How important is this game? Let us count the ways. more
Around the ACC: August 31, 2009 August 31, 2009 The summer is over, and college football is here. The season kicks off in prime time on Thursday night with a big ACC-SEC battle, and continues on Saturday with an even bigger battle between the two leagues. ACC teams will also be facing foes from the Pac-10 and Big 12 during the opening week of the season. more
Alabama Update: Crimson Tide Have Questions at Quarterback and Offensive Line August 28, 2009 You've spent the month of August learning about Virginia Tech's football team, but you might be curious as to what's been happening in practice in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide have been preparing for this football game as hard as Virginia Tech, and today we'll bring you an Alabama update. more
Robinson Puts Recruiting on Hold August 28, 2009 Recruiting has taken a backseat for Alcoa (TN) tight end/defensive end Tyler Robinson, who is now focused on finishing out his high school career in style. The 6-3 1/2, 255-pound senior, Class 2A Mr. Football lineman in Tennessee last season, looks to help Alcoa capture its sixth straight 2A state title. more
2009 ACC Football Preview: Projected Standings August 28, 2009 With every other website and newspaper making their preseason predictions, it's about time for TSL to jump on the bandwagon. Here are the projected records and standings for ACC football in 2009. more
2011 Profile: Osbourn Park's Dominique Terrell August 27, 2009 Dominique Terrell has emerged as one of the top overall prospects in the state of Virginia's 2011 class; in fact, he is rated number one overall right now by VirginiaPreps.com. College coaches have taken notice of the 5-10 1/2, 165-pound Osbourn Park (Manassas, VA) standout, who has been verbally offered by Liberty, Maryland, Pitt, Tennessee, Virginia, Virginia Tech and West Virginia. more
Andy Ross: Representing Hokies in the NFL August 27, 2009 Four long years ago, TSL ran an interview with Andy Ross, a sports agent with the Octagon Agency. A Virginia Tech grad, Ross represents several high-profile NFL players, including four Hokies. His four Tech clients are Xavier Adibi, Duane Brown, Brandon Flowers and Macho Harris. Ross checks in to update their status, as well as to describe his relationship with them. more
Bonner Talks VT Visit, Senior Season August 26, 2009 Three of Virginia Tech's 2010 class recruits committed to the Hokies before ever stepping foot in Blacksburg. Two of those prospects, including Luella (Locust Grove, GA) cornerback Detrick Bonner, have since visited Tech. And like Atlantic (Delray Beach, FL) quarterback Mark Leal, Bonner left Blacksburg with a good feeling. more
2009 Preseason Practice Report: Top Storylines August 26, 2009 After another week of practice, the Virginia Tech coaching staff has almost set their playing rotation. The Hokies have decided that five true freshmen may have a chance to travel with the team and play this year. All five will have one final shot to impress the coaching staff during today's scrimmage, which is in Lane Stadium and closed to the public. more
2009 ACC Football Preview: All-ACC Team August 26, 2009 After yesterday's ACC unit rankings, today it's time for the 2009 TSL Preseason All-ACC team. The Hokies are represented on offense and defense, and 11 of the 12 conference teams have at least one player on the list. more
2009 ACC Football Preview: Unit Rankings August 25, 2009 Unit rankings aren't easy to do, and you'll rarely find any two individuals who will be in complete agreement. Nevertheless, they are fun to do. Here are TSL's ACC unit rankings for the 2009 football season. more
Hargrave Notes: Norman and Rhodes Looking Good August 25, 2009 There is no question about it. Theron Norman and DeAntre Rhodes would much rather be suiting up for the maroon and orange of Virginia Tech than the black and orange of Hargrave Military Academy. But both prospects, recruits in Tech's 2009 class, are embracing the Hargrave experience as much as possible... and they are determined to enroll at Virginia Tech in January of 2010. more
Time for Tech to Get Back on Track with QB Development August 24, 2009 For the third season in a row, Virginia Tech is planning on redshirting a backup quarterback. Those plans were scrapped the last two years, but this is the year it needs to finally happen. Logan Thomas needs to redshirt and develop, and hopefully one day he can be a 5th-year senior starter. Believe it or not, the Hokies haven't had a full-time 5th-year senior starter at quarterback in this decade ... and this decade is almost over. more
PreSeason Check-in: FUMA's Mark Shuman August 24, 2009 Fork Union Military Academy (VA) left offensive tackle Mark Shuman put in the time in the weight room this off-season, improving his strength and size while keeping the footwork and athleticism that helped make him one of the most highly recruited rising seniors in the state. Fork Union prep head coach Micky Sullivan has noticed the different in the 6-7, 290-pound Shuman's game as a result. more
Scrimmage Report: Ju-Ju Clayton Named #2 Quarterback August 22, 2009 The Hokies held their second open scrimmage of preseason practice on Saturday in Lane Stadium, and a big crowd was on hand. They saw a scrimmage that was mostly controlled by the defense, thanks in part to a running back corps that is depleted with injuries at the moment. The Tech coaching staff also named Ju-Ju Clayton as the #2 quarterback, and announced plans to redshirt Logan Thomas. more
Acree Out for Season, Will Remain at FUMA August 21, 2009 Top 2010 class prospect Nick Acree entered his senior season with high expectations, looking forward to a season under Fork Union Military Academy (VA) prep head coach Micky Sullivan and playing alongside future Virginia Tech teammate Mark Shuman. Unfortunately for the massive 6-6, 310-pound defensive tackle/offensive lineman, a summer knee injury will keep him out for the entire season. The next time Acree takes the field, he'll be a Virginia Tech Hokie. more
2009 ACC Football Preview: Virginia Tech August 21, 2009 On paper, Virginia Tech should be a much stronger team in 2009 than they were in 2008. The 2008 Hokies were somewhat fortunate to win the ACC, with such a limited offense. This year's team has many weapons on the offensive side of the ball, and Bud Foster's defense also returns seven starters. more
2009 Virginia Tech Football Preview: Special Teams August 20, 2009 Virginia Tech puts emphasis on special teams every year, and this year has the potential to be one of the best special teams years in Tech history. The Hokies have a lot of talented athletes who are ready to contribute in some way. Not all will make the playing rotation on offense or defense, but they will have a chance to make their impact on special teams. more
In-State Recruiting Analysis, Part 4 August 20, 2009 Nothing stirs debate among recruitniks more than player rankings. Because of the subjective nature of recruiting, fans from rival schools will endlessly argue about the winners each year. Recruiting classes are rated based on the rankings of recruits, which leads to expectations, albeit unrealistic ones, from fans. In this article I will discuss the various methods for ranking players and some different perspectives on player ratings, as well as provide my own player ratings for the last recruiting class in Virginia. more
4-Star Zwinak Down to Two August 20, 2009 Virginia Tech is in the final two with Linganore (Frederick, MD) running back/linebacker Zach Zwinak, a 4-star prospect rated the top fullback in the country by Rivals.com and Scout.com. The 6-1, 225-pound rising senior boasted over 20 FBS scholarship offers before whittling his list down to two earlier this month. more
2009 Preseason Practice Report: Tech Establishing Depth at Key Positions August 19, 2009 Another week of practice is in the books, and except for the injury to Darren Evans, things are going smoothly for the Hokies. There are still a few spots on the depth chart that are up for grabs, but some other questions are starting to be answered. more
2009 ACC Football Preview: Wake Forest August 19, 2009 Wake Forest lost some major talent on the defensive side of the ball, with two linebackers and two defensive backs selected in the 2009 NFL Draft. However, they do return nine starters on offense, and should be one of the better offensive teams in the ACC behind senior quarterback Riley Skinner. more
Preseason Check-in: DE Justin Taylor August 19, 2009 At the urging of his cousin, current UNC freshman defensive back Terry Shankle, Justin Taylor came out for the varsity football team only two weeks before the start of last season. Taylor, now a senior, had never played football before, but South Stanly (Norwood, N.C.) head coach Luke Little found a role for the athletic 6-4, 220-pound prospect.
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Brookville Coach High on Thomas' QB Potential August 18, 2009 Brookville (Lynchburg, VA) head coach Jeff Woody has always been high on Logan Thomas' abilities at the quarterback position, so he was not surprised to see his former star in the quarterback mix at Virginia Tech this summer. The 6-6, 230-pound Thomas probably wasn't surprised, either.
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2009 Virginia Tech Football Preview: Quarterbacks August 18, 2009 Quarterback is the most important position on the field, and the Hokies have yet another controversy there this year. This time it's not for the starting position, but rather it's a battle between Ju-Ju Clayton and Logan Thomas for the right to be Tyrod Taylor's top backup. more
The summer is over, and college football is here. The season kicks off in prime time on Thursday night with a big ACC-SEC battle, and continues on Saturday with an even bigger battle between the two leagues. ACC teams will also be facing foes from the Pac-10 and Big 12 during the opening week of the season.
You've spent the month of August learning about Virginia Tech's football team, but you might be curious as to what's been happening in practice in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide have been preparing for this football game as hard as Virginia Tech, and today we'll bring you an Alabama update.
Recruiting has taken a backseat for Alcoa (TN) tight end/defensive end Tyler Robinson, who is now focused on finishing out his high school career in style. The 6-3 1/2, 255-pound senior, Class 2A Mr. Football lineman in Tennessee last season, looks to help Alcoa capture its sixth straight 2A state title.
Dominique Terrell has emerged as one of the top overall prospects in the state of Virginia's 2011 class; in fact, he is rated number one overall right now by VirginiaPreps.com. College coaches have taken notice of the 5-10 1/2, 165-pound Osbourn Park (Manassas, VA) standout, who has been verbally offered by Liberty, Maryland, Pitt, Tennessee, Virginia, Virginia Tech and West Virginia.
Four long years ago, TSL ran an interview with Andy Ross, a sports agent with the Octagon Agency. A Virginia Tech grad, Ross represents several high-profile NFL players, including four Hokies. His four Tech clients are Xavier Adibi, Duane Brown, Brandon Flowers and Macho Harris. Ross checks in to update their status, as well as to describe his relationship with them.
After another week of practice, the Virginia Tech coaching staff has almost set their playing rotation. The Hokies have decided that five true freshmen may have a chance to travel with the team and play this year. All five will have one final shot to impress the coaching staff during today's scrimmage, which is in Lane Stadium and closed to the public.
There is no question about it. Theron Norman and DeAntre Rhodes would much rather be suiting up for the maroon and orange of Virginia Tech than the black and orange of Hargrave Military Academy. But both prospects, recruits in Tech's 2009 class, are embracing the Hargrave experience as much as possible... and they are determined to enroll at Virginia Tech in January of 2010.
For the third season in a row, Virginia Tech is planning on redshirting a backup quarterback. Those plans were scrapped the last two years, but this is the year it needs to finally happen. Logan Thomas needs to redshirt and develop, and hopefully one day he can be a 5th-year senior starter. Believe it or not, the Hokies haven't had a full-time 5th-year senior starter at quarterback in this decade ... and this decade is almost over.
Fork Union Military Academy (VA) left offensive tackle Mark Shuman put in the time in the weight room this off-season, improving his strength and size while keeping the footwork and athleticism that helped make him one of the most highly recruited rising seniors in the state. Fork Union prep head coach Micky Sullivan has noticed the different in the 6-7, 290-pound Shuman's game as a result.
The Hokies held their second open scrimmage of preseason practice on Saturday in Lane Stadium, and a big crowd was on hand. They saw a scrimmage that was mostly controlled by the defense, thanks in part to a running back corps that is depleted with injuries at the moment. The Tech coaching staff also named Ju-Ju Clayton as the #2 quarterback, and announced plans to redshirt Logan Thomas.
Top 2010 class prospect Nick Acree entered his senior season with high expectations, looking forward to a season under Fork Union Military Academy (VA) prep head coach Micky Sullivan and playing alongside future Virginia Tech teammate Mark Shuman. Unfortunately for the massive 6-6, 310-pound defensive tackle/offensive lineman, a summer knee injury will keep him out for the entire season. The next time Acree takes the field, he'll be a Virginia Tech Hokie.
On paper, Virginia Tech should be a much stronger team in 2009 than they were in 2008. The 2008 Hokies were somewhat fortunate to win the ACC, with such a limited offense. This year's team has many weapons on the offensive side of the ball, and Bud Foster's defense also returns seven starters.
Another week of practice is in the books, and except for the injury to Darren Evans, things are going smoothly for the Hokies. There are still a few spots on the depth chart that are up for grabs, but some other questions are starting to be answered.
Wake Forest lost some major talent on the defensive side of the ball, with two linebackers and two defensive backs selected in the 2009 NFL Draft. However, they do return nine starters on offense, and should be one of the better offensive teams in the ACC behind senior quarterback Riley Skinner.
Brookville (Lynchburg, VA) head coach Jeff Woody has always been high on Logan Thomas' abilities at the quarterback position, so he was not surprised to see his former star in the quarterback mix at Virginia Tech this summer. The 6-6, 230-pound Thomas probably wasn't surprised, either.
Quarterback is the most important position on the field, and the Hokies have yet another controversy there this year. This time it's not for the starting position, but rather it's a battle between Ju-Ju Clayton and Logan Thomas for the right to be Tyrod Taylor's top backup.
