Looking Ahead - QB

Gone: Tevin Washington

Tevin was one of the most controversial QBs in recent TECH history. Despite impeccable character and a strong work ethic, TECH nation never really did rally behind him as they have behind other QBs. Tevin quietly worked his way up the depth chart without making a peep while Josh Nesbitt ran the team. Suddenly, without warning, Nesbitt broke his arm, an injury that would end his career, and Tevin was forced into service. Under the circumstances, Tevin performed quite admirably that day at Virgina Tech.
Despite having some young talent in the depth chart pressuring him, he would manage to hang on to the starting job for 2+ seasons. TECH's record during his tenure was rather lackluster, causing many of TECH faithful to lose confidence in his abilities as team leader. Tevin ran the offense better than any option QB to date, but lacked some of the physical characteristics (such as size, speed or arm strength) to take over a game. With a physical phenom, in Vad Lee who had all of those characteristics, waiting in the wings, Tevin became a bit of a polarizing figure.

Returning: Vad Lee (R-SO)

Vad made a huge splash in 2012, showcasing his amazing abilities. He turned out to be a faster and more physical runner than anybody really expected. Close to the entirety of TECH nation had heard about his throwing abilities ahead of time and the were not disappointed, as he completed many deep throws with touch in a manner that had not been previously seen in the CPJ era. The heave and prayer had suddenly been replaced by a beautifully arching accurate throw with a tight spiral.
Despite his gifts and a magical performance against UNC, Vad was unable to rip the starting job away from Tevin. He just hadn't mastered the offense from a read and execution standpoint. The debate raged on as the fan base weighed the benefits of talent (and inconsistency) verses experience (with a more pedestrian player).
I think the entire conference is aware of Vad Lee now and they respect greatly what he brings to the table. The future looks very bright for the young man who now has nobody in front of him in the depth chart with more experience. The job is his to grab. He will, however, be challenged and have to earn it because there is a very special player coming off his RS year.

New to the mix: Tim Byerly (transfer R-SO), Justin Thomas (R-FR), Holland Frost (R-FR), and Ty Griffin (FR)
Byerly is an interesting candidate and possibly a bit of a sleeper. He is a very athletic kid who appeared, on film, to have the requisite skills to make the flexbone humm. There have been some random rumblings from inside the program as to what a surprise he has been.
Justin Thomas is one of the most electrifying HS players that you will ever see on a highlight tape. Literally, every time he touches the ball at that level, he has a chance to make the defense look silly and take it to the house. That is great because he is a QB and he touches it every play. He appears to be able to throw the ball accurately on the run an he has the game breaking type of speed that has to be respected and schemed for on defense. The word on the street is that he was absolutely tearing it up in practice, making a serious challenge for Vad's job a real possibility.
I really don't know much about Holland Frost. I hope some of you all will chime in.
Ty Griffin is a very talented and athletic kid who is just joining the program as a 2013 signee. At this time it is hard to imagine him taking over the position in fall camp. A RS year is likely. Although he is athletic enough to play a myriad of positions on the field, he will be given a legit shot at QB. As with any recruit, I expect he is not afraid of competition and he will give it all he has. We may be looking at another Dennis Andrews or Synjin Days after he sees what the other guys look like ahead of him. WHo knows, he may just shock the world too.

In summary, we are 5 deep at the position right now. That is plenty for the time being. Once spring practice separates the contenders from the pretenders, we will know better where we stand. At this point in time it looks like there will be a hotly contested battle between Vad and Justin for the top spot, a battle that may continue into the fall. I look for Byerly to end up number 3 on the depth chart and Griffin to get a RS.

Great post, agree 100%.

Holland Frost, based on his HS tape, is very fast, pretty strong, and a good runner - almost a BB-type at QB. His passing highlights aren't anything special, though. I'm surprised he's still at QB, I figured he'd be an RB by now.

Originally Posted by dressedcheeseside

This guy can't possibly be fast. I can tell just by looking at him.

Kicker?

Good post. I would say, about Tevin, he did eventually stave off Vad taking his job, but originally he didn't climb up the depth chart-he got the job the same way Reggie Ball and Taylor Bennett, and Josh Nesbitt got the job. We didn't have anybody else. This will be the first season in a long tme where there is even a hint at competition.

Originally Posted by Yukonwreck

will be the first season in a long tme where there is even a hint at competition.

Disagree...I think there was more than a hint last year. Anytime you have QBs trading off possessions, you've got a competition.

Who knows how close JT really is or isn't.

Originally Posted by HelluvaMGTmjr

Disagree...I think there was more than a hint last year. Anytime you have QBs trading off possessions, you've got a competition.

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True. I don't think people realize that that was a pretty big deal. 19 year old kid with a year of practice taking over some games from an entrenched starter in his 5th year? I think that says quite a bit. Vad's not superman, but it meant a lot that a freshman who sometimes struggled with defensive recognition could step into the ACC Championship game.

Tevin will be known as the King of the 1 yd TD-(and first down) -until we DON'T get in on 2 tries will we realize that maybe that skill is not to be disdained

Excellent overview, Boomer. Frankly I am a bit surprised that we may go that deep at QB, obviously awaiting spring and fall practice shakeout as to who might move where. I am hoping they all compete and make whoever winds up there earn it, every day and every game, and that those deeper are capable of and willing to do a Days and move to where he can compete somewhere come game time. I do recall Johnson saying about mid-season that "the really exciting player in practice" was Justin Thomas. Might we see another two QB rotation of sorts? Frankly I hope not. I'm pulling for Lee because of his attitude as well as skills in chunking the ball, and it is very hard not to go back over some of last year's games and not get really enthused about what could be, the Sun Bowl nonwithstanding. The kid did step up big time against UNC as well as sparkle in other games. Got my hopes up. Thanks.