Embrace the Hype ... and Other Musings August 17, 2009 It's the preseason, as the old saying goes, and everyone is undefeated. Optimism abounds. The Hokies are picked to win the ACC, are in the discussion for the national title, and have matched their highest preseason ranking ever, at #7 in the coaches' poll. The hype is strong. Should you embrace it? Sure. Give into it. more
2009 ACC Football Preview: Virginia August 17, 2009 UVA has a new offensive coordinator in Gregg Brandon, the former head coach at Bowling Green who developed quarterback stars Omar Jacobs and Josh Harris. The Hoos will employ this new spread style offense this year, though they don't yet know who their quarterback will be, and they are breaking in a new group of wide receivers. more
Dew Schedules Two Unofficial Visits August 17, 2009 First Colonial (Virginia Beach, VA) safety/linebacker prospect Nick Dew is happy to be back on the gridiron, practicing with his teammates for the 2009 season. Being out on the field is not only fun for the 6-2, 195-pound rising senior, but it's also a nice break from the sometimes stressful recruiting process. more
Young Players Stand Out in Opening Scrimmage August 15, 2009 Virginia Tech held the first of three open scrimmages on Saturday afternoon. There were several standouts on each side of the ball, and one young player continued right where he left off during the spring. more
2009 ACC Football Preview: NC State August 14, 2009 NC State was the surprise team of the ACC last year, winning their last four regular season games to qualify for a bowl. Leading the way was r-freshman quarterback Russell Wilson, who threw 17 touchdown passes and just one interception. The Wolfpack are much more experienced this year, and they are considered the sleeper of the ACC's Atlantic Division. more
Checking in with VT Recruit Jerome Lewis August 14, 2009 A commitment to Virginia Tech didn't deter other college coaches from pursuing Bishop Kearney (Rochester, N.Y.) tight end/defensive end Jerome Lewis. According to the 6-4, 230-pound rising senior, three programs - Colorado, Oklahoma and Penn State - offered after he committed to Tech back on May 26th. He has been firm on his commitment, though, and seems set on following through and signing with Frank Beamer and company. more
2009 Virginia Tech Football Preview: Running Backs August 13, 2009 On Tuesday, Tech fans got the disturbing news that Darren Evans has been lost for the season with a torn ACL. The Hokies lose a player who rushed for over 1,200 yards a season ago, and they must replace him with inexperienced players. Those players have a lot of natural ability, and the upcoming scrimmages will decide how the depth chart shakes out heading into the Alabama game. more
Countdown to Signing Day: 2010 Class Almost Full August 12, 2009 Even though football season hasn't begun yet, the Hokies are almost finished with their 2010 recruiting class, which doesn't sign until February. Chris Horne updates us on who has already committed to Tech, and who else is on the radar.
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2009 ACC Football Preview: North Carolina August 12, 2009 North Carolina is a very talented football team, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Butch Davis has been able to recruit very good players to Chapel Hill, and they hope to challenge for the Coastal Division title this year. The Tar Heels will have to replace three NFL wide receivers, and that will be a challenge. more
Menchville Star Rising Junior Claims Six Offers August 11, 2009 Clifton Richardson, a 6-1, 195-pound rising junior who has seen action at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, free safety and returner for Menchville (Newport News, VA), figures to be an important piece if the Monarchs are to rebound from three consecutive 2-8 seasons. A confident Richardson believes the team can be in for a breakout year. more
2009 Virginia Tech Football Preview: Wide Receivers and Tight Ends August 11, 2009 Last year, Virginia Tech had to get through the entire season with a group of wide receivers who had never played a down in a college game. It was a struggle, and the passing game was non-existent for much of the year as a result. This year there is more experience, as well as a few talented backups who are ready to step up. more
Star Defensive End Discusses Final Five August 10, 2009 Roanoke Rapids (N.C.) star defensive end Kareem Martin narrowed his list of schools to five last week. While he doesn't appear close to committing anywhere, one thing is for certain...he'll play college football in the ACC. Clemson, Duke, Georgia Tech, North Carolina and Virginia Tech made the short list for the 6-6, 240-pound rising senior. more
2009 Preseason Practice Report: Smooth Sailing, So Far August 10, 2009 The Virginia Tech football team will practice in full pads for the first time this afternoon, but there is already plenty of information flowing out of Blacksburg. Some comes from the newspapers, and some comes from our sources. We'll summarize it all in our first preseason practice report of the 2009 season. more
2009 ACC Football Preview: Miami August 10, 2009 Miami returns a lot of experience, and they should be better at just about every position on the field. They will have some experience at quarterback and wide receiver this year, unlike last year, and they have two capable running backs in Graig Cooper and Javarris James. They also have arguably the best offensive lineman in the ACC in left tackle Jason Fox. more
30 Hokies Compete in NFL Camps August 7, 2009 NFL training camps have begun, and 30 former Virginia Tech players are vying for spots on rosters across the league. Some have guaranteed spots, while others are scratching and clawing their way for just a chance on the practice squad. more
2009 ACC Football Preview: Maryland August 7, 2009 Maryland suffered huge losses in the offseason. The Terps lost their biggest playmaker in Darrius Heyward-Bey, the first round draft pick of the Oakland Raiders. They lost most of their offensive line, their top four defensive ends, top two defensive tackles, two starting linebackers and two defensive backs. Maryland has been gutted, and their chances of having a good season in an improving ACC are not strong. more
Preseason Report: Loudoun County's Chase Williams August 7, 2009 Loudoun County's (Leesburg, VA) 2008 season was a successful one, with then second-year head coach Todd Hill guiding the Raiders to a 6-5 record that included the school's first playoff appearance since 1999. Virginia Tech recruit Chase Williams racked up 163 tackles last season as a junior, in what was his first full season at linebacker. He did well on offense, too, hauling in 36 receptions and scoring five touchdowns from the tight end spot. more
The Latest on Zach Zwinak August 7, 2009 Linganore (Frederick, MD) running back/linebacker Zach Zwinak has earned offers from top programs throughout the country, including Boston College, California, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Pitt, Stanford and Virginia Tech, among many others. The 6-1, 225-pound rising senior may be thinking seriously about at least narrowing his list of schools before the start of the 2009 season. more
End of a Quiet Offseason August 6, 2009 With a top ten ranking and one of the most difficult schedules in the country, the 2009 Hokies are justifiably part of the preseason national championship discussion. This brings back memories of the 1999 Hokies, who had the talent and leadership to navigate the pitfalls of an entire season and make the championship game. But there's another reason the 2009 Hokies bring back memories of 1999, at least for us: this offseason was the quietest in a decade. more
Checking in with 2009 Recruit Kory Gough August 6, 2009 TechSideline.com's Phil Martin attended last month's action-packed VHSCA all-star game in Hampton. Following the East squad's 38-31 victory, Phil had positive things to say about Virginia Tech offensive line recruit Kory Gough, a standout out of Liberty High School in Bealeton. Gough, who will enroll at Tech in January of 2010, looks to continue what has been a positive off-season before heading to Blacksburg. more
2009 Virginia Tech Football Preview: Offensive Line August 6, 2009 This time every year we talk about the Virginia Tech offensive line and how they should be better in the upcoming season. Well, it's time to say it again. This Tech offensive line should be better in 2009. The Hokies have good individual talent in their starting lineup and more depth than usual. The big question mark is whether that will translate to improved performance on the field. more
In-State Recruiting Analysis, Part 3 August 5, 2009 The first two articles in this series have provided a quantitative, "macro-level" view of recruiting in the state, but the one aspect that this analysis does not address is the quality of the recruits at an individual level. The next two articles will provide a "micro-level" view of recruiting by evaluating individual players. This article will provide a "re-ranking" of the players in the 2001-2002 through 2003-2004 recruiting classes to see who really won the recruiting battles in-state earlier this decade. more
2009 ACC Football Preview: Georgia Tech August 5, 2009 Georgia Tech finished the 2008 season with a 9-4 record, an impressive showing in Paul Johnson's first year. They were able to run their flexbone offense with much greater efficiency than anyone thought, and they've got almost their entire team returning for the 2009 season. more
2011 Target: LB Trey DePriest August 4, 2009 Springfield (OH) linebacker recruit Trey DePriest heads into his junior season having enjoyed nice recruiting success this off-season.
"The schools that have offered are Cincinnati, Michigan, West Virginia, Virginia Tech and Oklahoma. Ohio State called and said he will have an official offer on September 1st and so did Alabama," said Springfield defensive coordinator John Cupps. more
2009 Virginia Tech Football Preview: Defensive Line August 4, 2009 Virginia Tech returns three of four starters on the defensive line, and preseason practice will pick up right where spring practice left off. Defensive line coach Charley Wiles will attempt to create some depth at both defensive end and defensive tackle. The Hokies were thin at both positions last year, and they can't afford any major injuries up front this year. more
It's the preseason, as the old saying goes, and everyone is undefeated. Optimism abounds. The Hokies are picked to win the ACC, are in the discussion for the national title, and have matched their highest preseason ranking ever, at #7 in the coaches' poll. The hype is strong. Should you embrace it? Sure. Give into it.
First Colonial (Virginia Beach, VA) safety/linebacker prospect Nick Dew is happy to be back on the gridiron, practicing with his teammates for the 2009 season. Being out on the field is not only fun for the 6-2, 195-pound rising senior, but it's also a nice break from the sometimes stressful recruiting process.
Virginia Tech held the first of three open scrimmages on Saturday afternoon. There were several standouts on each side of the ball, and one young player continued right where he left off during the spring.
NC State was the surprise team of the ACC last year, winning their last four regular season games to qualify for a bowl. Leading the way was r-freshman quarterback Russell Wilson, who threw 17 touchdown passes and just one interception. The Wolfpack are much more experienced this year, and they are considered the sleeper of the ACC's Atlantic Division.
North Carolina is a very talented football team, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Butch Davis has been able to recruit very good players to Chapel Hill, and they hope to challenge for the Coastal Division title this year. The Tar Heels will have to replace three NFL wide receivers, and that will be a challenge.
Last year, Virginia Tech had to get through the entire season with a group of wide receivers who had never played a down in a college game. It was a struggle, and the passing game was non-existent for much of the year as a result. This year there is more experience, as well as a few talented backups who are ready to step up.
Roanoke Rapids (N.C.) star defensive end Kareem Martin narrowed his list of schools to five last week. While he doesn't appear close to committing anywhere, one thing is for certain...he'll play college football in the ACC. Clemson, Duke, Georgia Tech, North Carolina and Virginia Tech made the short list for the 6-6, 240-pound rising senior.
The Virginia Tech football team will practice in full pads for the first time this afternoon, but there is already plenty of information flowing out of Blacksburg. Some comes from the newspapers, and some comes from our sources. We'll summarize it all in our first preseason practice report of the 2009 season.
Miami returns a lot of experience, and they should be better at just about every position on the field. They will have some experience at quarterback and wide receiver this year, unlike last year, and they have two capable running backs in Graig Cooper and Javarris James. They also have arguably the best offensive lineman in the ACC in left tackle Jason Fox.
Maryland suffered huge losses in the offseason. The Terps lost their biggest playmaker in Darrius Heyward-Bey, the first round draft pick of the Oakland Raiders. They lost most of their offensive line, their top four defensive ends, top two defensive tackles, two starting linebackers and two defensive backs. Maryland has been gutted, and their chances of having a good season in an improving ACC are not strong.
Loudoun County's (Leesburg, VA) 2008 season was a successful one, with then second-year head coach Todd Hill guiding the Raiders to a 6-5 record that included the school's first playoff appearance since 1999. Virginia Tech recruit Chase Williams racked up 163 tackles last season as a junior, in what was his first full season at linebacker. He did well on offense, too, hauling in 36 receptions and scoring five touchdowns from the tight end spot.
TechSideline.com's Phil Martin attended last month's action-packed VHSCA all-star game in Hampton. Following the East squad's 38-31 victory, Phil had positive things to say about Virginia Tech offensive line recruit Kory Gough, a standout out of Liberty High School in Bealeton. Gough, who will enroll at Tech in January of 2010, looks to continue what has been a positive off-season before heading to Blacksburg.
Georgia Tech finished the 2008 season with a 9-4 record, an impressive showing in Paul Johnson's first year. They were able to run their flexbone offense with much greater efficiency than anyone thought, and they've got almost their entire team returning for the 2009 season.
