MGMT 430: Strategic Position Battles

0:47 Welcome back to the boundary Corner podcast two times in one week. Brian how are you? I'm good, buddy. How you feeling? I'm doing good man. Two times in one week. Just tells me that we are getting closer and closer to the season. How was your evening tonight? It was pretty chill man. Just Wife still full bore into this starting up school. So, hanging out with the boy, did a little little takeout for dinner and nothing too major. How about you man? Similar similar wife texted me today, she was like, I'm sore I need an afternoon so I'm like, why don't you just come home early, take a nap.

1:32 I'll go get the kids. Give you a good hour. So we did some Chinese here at the house and And chilled out early this week. Last few baseball games until the fall. So it's been a busy week so, you know, definitely here. But man, we've got a lot to jump into today, poke headlines coming up and then another food processor. So with a lot of information that me and you as we listen to We were like oh boy, I'm taking notes and kind of divulging some stuff and hypothesizing some stuff in our mind. So let's start with Hokey headlines real quick. Braun got a couple commits this week. Yeah, we did.

2:14 Yes, we did candy. Christensen six-foot-two, 200-pound 87, rated 3 star at a penson Alabama way. You think Brian? That's a big boy to be a senior. Yeah, he's a big boy and he plays a way. I mean looking at his tape he's kind of your typical one cut tight back but he is Ursula. They did line him up in the wing and he was running. You know some go routes they would flare them out a little bit, catching some balls out of the backfield so he's definitely got some versatility there but in terms of his running style definitely a kind of a one cut and go type back. Oh yeah man, he actually played a game, had a couple could runs in the Highlight tapes on last Friday so he is one of the guys that are coming to this class of his playing this fall. Maybe that helps get the bump up a little bit above to a for, we'll see, hopefully, that'll that'll help the class if nothing else.

3:16 Absolutely now also, actually really good offer. Let's 22 total offers including offers from Georgia, Kansas State, Nebraska, Arkansas, and UVA. So, you know, chocolate one for the guys against the guys, up the road here, I like him. You know, I just like that sighs. Sighs it, you know, regardless of where he is mentally, he walks on the campus, whether it be in January, or whether it be in June of next year. And yeah, you probably have to cut them up a little bit but you're not having to add weight which makes me think potential early contributor. Maybe maybe yeah, I definitely could see that it probably of the three backs.

4:02 He's probably the one that probably will end up getting back field carriers, the soonest. Yeah. And I think The other two guys you might get involved in other ways, but I like his chances of getting in the backfield getting those, those big time carries a little bit sooner there. But really I like, you know, all three of the backs we've gotten have, kind of bring something different to the table. But, you know, really, again, we talked about it already a lot, but skill, guys being versatile. I mean, that's what we're bringing in here. Were either getting guys that have complementary defined roles or guys that can do a little bit every verything. Yep. And you gotta love that weren't done yet in the commitment category, Jared Gibble at a Winston-Salem three-star. 84 rank 6 foot 4 225 tight end.

4:52 He had been committed to Charlotte before we flip them. You know, looks like I haven't seen this tape. Did you get a quick chance to look at it? Brian. Yeah, I picked out a little bit. So seeing this commitment and seeing when it happened I think that kind of tells me, we're not sure about probably, one of our, one of our two, tier 1 guys were looking at whether it's dangle or routes out of South Carolina, South Carolina and a rock kids. So sounds like to me, we release shaky on one of those guys wanted to make sure that we get Giblin the boat here. So we go ahead and get that offer.

5:33 It also looked like there may be some other power five schools that were about to send him a committable. I'll offer to. So we got out ahead of that, went ahead and got him in the boat. So I think that's that was a good move by us and looking at his tape. He's a willing blocker. He's a guy that can block pretty well and good job of High Point in the ball on some of the same routes that I saw him run. So I think he's going to be able to complement us a little bit in the in the Run game and in the past game. So I think it's a good grab. I mean, nothing stands out. He's not a guy that the take really jumps off that you but Solid in All Phases. You always want to hear about a tight end because I was getting ready to ask.

6:16 You will see a joker? Was he an inline guy? Well, what you're telling me is, he probably can do it all, which kind of want from a tight end at least what what we do. Because when you have the guy that can do it all, you really can, you can really create bad matchups. Regardless, if he's a burner, or if he's a great blocker, if you can do it all, they just put them out there. Let them figure out what we're going to do with. And whether, you know, 12th position runs a wheel route was getting up to the second level as part of some blocking. So, yeah, not the biggest offer. Let's again, flip them out of Charlotte. But again, add one more to the class and to your point. Probably on Shaky Ground.

6:57 Somebody, let's go ahead and get a solid player in boat. Let's move on to the next one. All right, run it all wooden. Good news this week. Four hours ago. Luckily we me you saw the writing on the wall between the crystal balls and some other conversations elsewhere, probably the number one target for the Hokies in this recruiting cycle from definitely the last of the big ones in terms of in-state, for sure. Definitely lies in state for sure. Shuts us out in the top tenth.

7:40 I leaked Williams committed to Ohio State. He is their 14th rated recruit out of like 16. So the rich get even richer, you know? we've said it before run and you know, just just just just All right, so we're going to say, we're going to say a few things here. We're going to start with traditionally. And recently, we have struggled with pulling top in-state Talent, guys.

8:21 Look at us as well. If I don't get a committable offer from that blue blood power 5, there's always Virginia Tech. And I feel like we were it was kind of that way with the Quan Brown earlier this cycle and unfortunately I think we were another victim here with with tie Lake Williams where it looked like both of those guys? We're going to go to Virginia Tech if they didn't get the offer they were looking for and they got the offer they were looking for. You know I mean there there's several factors here. I mean the big one is that We've got two brand new coaches on the defensive line, which is, is both a help and a hinderence at this point. I think they have really brought a lot of energy and they've got Bona fides that I think play well on the recruiting Trail but right now they haven't seen what they can do in terms of one feel product.

9:19 And they haven't seen what they can do. In terms of getting guys into the NFL and until they start showing that we're still going to have a hard time. Winning these battles heads up against the big, boys. Eyes. Yeah. And and the whole covid, this year sucks even more because we miss the opportunities. Spring ball to potentially show some of these guys. This is what we're doing in the future regardless to 23 years down the road. But when you miss Spring ball, if you're doing new technique showing you know, new not new formations. But new techniques on the defensive line, how we're going to rotate your going to get looks early in our system, it's gone. I'm also you don't get a chance for the guys. Seeing him to essentially get him face-to-face. And I mean, face-to-face, I mean face-to-face in Blacksburg, you know, and one of those things where it's like, if when you don't get that it hurts, because that's one of the big things we have, is those two personalities, really three. Don't put Justin Hamilton in there to those three personalities, but if you sit in a room with And you see some of their interviews, you feel like you could create an energy and some sort of dynamic with a young player to wear potentially, maybe Ohio, State comes in the room and offers and he's like, no, I'm good.

10:48 No, I'm good. They didn't know me from the beginning. Yep, this is a new coaching staff, but I'm feeling the same Vibes you missed that, but do me wrong because staff has to get better at this and can winning fix it. Yes, but you've got to go in last two seasons. We've not done that clearly they are targeting the state of Virginia, so it's not one of these. Or they're not trying to get anyone. We have multiple kids from in-state highest-ranked. Is 14th, you know, and when you look at like, who are they getting out recruited by this, this is the current top 10 and this is where they're going.

11:29 To or a little bit body but the other ones you kind of get Oklahoma Louisiana Monroe which just baffles me with James, Gillespie Trend Magazines, going to West Virginia, that's Western Far, Western part of the state does that shock. If nope, Taylor's going to UVA and well, let's form a commit Tennessee. George Wilson's. Going to South Carolina, Gilliam Oklahoma. Kylieqq Ohio, State treyvion, Ohio, State and Tristan pretty much people thinking, they're down to Clemson and unless you take the less be out and then the Logan Taylor thing, you know what, that's the thing about recruiting and state, do you know your your Bravo can go, get those guys and they did and for them, they need that help. I mean I guarantee if Logan Taylor is not starting next year, that is a with for them.

12:28 A big wealth because that offensive line you've already discussed in the past day or thin, but then you look at the other ones. It's the George Wilson's. The only one you can say what South Carolina's, their nests DC school. He wasn't getting recruited hard by a lot of teens because the expectation he's probably going to like basketball. So yeah. So it sucks. They need to do better again. Hopefully great season this season piggybacking on going into next year. Having normal recruiting cycle or ham tap till we can all get on the trail changes that if it doesn't, you know. It doesn't matter.

13:09 Yes, but if we're winning nine to 11 games a year, all right. You don't want come here. That's your prerogative. We're running Leslie, and it becomes a bigger issue. It becomes more of a you, it might be the end of this coaching staff. Sure. And yeah, I think the big thing that we need to focus on is the closing because can't do it yet. I feel like we're we get there and then, Don't close. And I feel like that's been kind of the theme of this cycle even more so than some of the last couple and you know, I'm not sure what has changed a little bit. I obviously having a stacking 26 win season and a twin season isn't exactly blowing people's skirts up and then you can kind of - recruit off that especially after some of the things that were coming out in the 2018.

14:04 But I think now that we've got More of a veteran team. We should be able to improve that product and hopefully that improves the ability to close on these guys. But right now, that's the problem and the staff just has to get better at it. Even if you know the winds come because it's still going to be a fight especially against those Blue Bloods. We got to start winning even if we only win 25% of those battles, we got to start doing that. Yep, 100% man. 100% gotta start getting. Some of them one. Well, let's go back to some happier news earlier this week.

14:47 Yesterday to be exact 26, can Phillips get signed by the Panthers big time. Big Time, good for him. As everybody knows, we were covering them earlier this year, you know, led the XFL in receiving yards with 455 and five games. So adding nine touchdowns including their week 3, where he went eight 194 which is just nuts. Good, just good for him, good with the rock, buying the XFL, this right here, shows what it can be guys, who are unsigned or lower. Drafted go there, develop show you can play then your opportunities arise. Yeah.

15:32 And I think that's it's good for cam, I'm surprised it took this long I thought he would have been on a roster before Kim started, but I'm glad to see that he's on there now that they're starting to see, you know, some attrition and maybe some of the guys they thought B paying not painting. So, I'm glad that he's in there and it sounds like, you know, he's going to make some noise in my opinion because he's everywhere. He's been, he's been, he's making plays and I think he's going to do well here. I mean, we started this podcast is when they actually fell was Is just starting out as well. So a lot of our early episodes, you know, we're devoting time to hyping up Cam and I'm glad to see him finally get on an NFL roster here.

16:16 Absolutely man. And you know something that if you remember, Joe Brady who's that? Let's use offensive coordinator went with rule down the Panthers and Lula said, he probably wants to keep seven wideouts. So fantasy alert guys who were going to be on fastest, why the potentially H DJ more Curtis and me Robbie Anderson are going nowhere on that team. They are locked. In. So at least him kind of in a battle with with five other guys for four spot but really he's 60 64 for so hopefully can can go kill is worth, make the practice, make the squad and I continue his career I Braun lets go buddy. We got a lot to cover the foo press conference. We want to kick it off with Let's start with what it seemed every reporter was asking about, which was, what are some of the effects of covid on practicing and camp, and everything else that's been going on thus far to start the season. Well, yeah, I mean, and I mean, some of the stuff with repetitive listening to the press conference, which you almost want to be like you guys want quarters, right? You guys take notes write like me and Brian or what we do. If we do a fan podcast we have a lot of fun. We like here it is.

17:33 Is this question? Well, why are you asking it again? But a couple of the bigger things that came out of that Brian. He kind of mentioned about the way guys are coming in. They're coming in at different stages. It wasn't like everybody got here. Same time, check-in, do this, do this, because of kind of the awkwardness of having to bring in, you know, probably over a hundred guys and get them adapted to of the big pieces, were changa, finally Shanghai, just finally participating in limited session, And they're still waiting on Devin Taylor to get with the team. Are we shocked by that? I'm not. No, not in, you know, you already talked about it, but it's he kind of broke down the stages. It's like, okay.

18:16 Well, you get to campus, you know, your kind of sequestered for a fixed amount of time. Once you get your test back and, you know, you have that that amount of time then, you know, they start working in gradually into small group film sessions and then small group practice sessions and then they go full group as as you get more more time with the team there. So that's kind of the protocol that they're following sounds like changa Hodges is in kind of phase 2. Preparing for phase three and Devin Taylor's kind of Right On The Fringe of moving from Phase 1 to phase 2. So he's still kind of waiting to get with the team and start doing some of those team activities versus probably what he's doing now which is mostly trying to digest The Playbook and states to You're into wherever they have a sequestered, get yourself into condition shape, look over the Playbook. What we're doing.

19:11 I mean, it all makes sense. So, you know, but it's got to be that way this year and there's no way around it. At least you feel comfortable, how they're doing the protocols and they're not taking risk of infecting, a whole team. He also mentioned no additional opt-outs. Yeah. But let's go to something, you we've mentioned it. He kind of mentioned about doing a contact tracing and how it could remove several players from team at a time. And it, we have not been affected yet, but you saw the two big stories in the last couple days. The Lincoln Riley thing.

19:52 That came out basically saying, we essentially lost an entire group that has to play on the field. The same time, but one person. Yep. And then in LSU comes out and says, we essentially I lost four guys. They said it from our offensive line, yeah, offensive line. And the question is is, are they infected or are they simply contact tracing where backup left guard? Got it. He's always around those guys, which sucks. But I'm sure I think I sent you the link yesterday. The new test that came out. I think that's the that's a game changer with that test. Yeah, it literally, if they're able to get that going, that's going to make things a whole lot easier because, you know, no longer are you having to precautionary really quarantine quarantine in entire group of folks, because of one positive test positive, then now, they're gonna have to call Team for a couple of days.

20:56 Yes, but but, but not not an extended period of time, which is going to make between that test the saliva test. It is something to worry about. You wonder a we breaking up. We're we're splitting guys up or maybe certain guys just aren't playing with one another. I would hope so but if not maybe it's a we trust the guys to do the right thing but that would. So I mentioned today, what if a team raises their hand? You know, this isn't West the show today, team raising a, we can't play this week. How many guys you got? We got a cluster me. How many you got? Yeah, 50, what they're not telling you, is we got three starting offensive linemen out. I started running back in our best corner. We ain't playing this week.

21:43 We got cluster here versus somebody tells you 10 like yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. You definitely can't play. You're missing ten guys, regardless. So yeah. Any 10 guys off of a travel Squad is going to be a big deal for guys. That's only maybe slightly higher in one week than what you what a typical injury reporter be. So there's a there's manageable and there's not many as well and I get what you're saying is that it depends on who those manageable. Players are exactly couple other things, he mentioned and I want to ask you about this. The sideline game day changes, there's going to be bigger areas for the players. The Shield Walter we solve the Tweet, which was, it looks awesome from the sound of it.

22:31 They're getting more used to it. Give me your take on both of those because a More on the sidelines. I'm sure some guys like that's great. I'm sure some guys I would think offensive lineman like no we need to be near each other so we can be talking and fucking communicating. Yeah I mean this is really big for in terms of just sideline after a series of offensive lineman and really the entire defense is usually pulling themselves to the side and talking through things as a unit. So that's going to be a big thing that there need to work around and figure out a way to do that. That's safe.

23:11 And at least, you know, arms-length apart if nothing else, you know, it's good that they're going to have bigger area for that to happen on the sidelines because space, it can be an issue. Especially once you talk about some of the things that you know, I think the reason we're opening things up here is that some of the things that you're used to having on the sidelines are now going to be taken out of play because there's going to be limited or no fan environment here at the games. So I think there's going to be less of the kind of extra stuff going on there but it's still going to be hard for them to them to make that work in terms of The Shield alterations. I mean, that's honestly the a Big Boy's dream because I'm sure all of those big boys were balking early on about wearing the full face shield.

24:03 We tend to suck wind after a while. The Shield's make that a little bit harder to do so I imagine that's definitely news to the ears of the offensive linemen and some of the guys on the defensive side of the ball as well. So I like what they're doing, I like that. They're not just saying well here's what you got you either wear it or you don't they're trying to make it work for everybody and still do it safely so I like that they're taking those steps. Yeah, absolutely. And in there. Trying to make it where the protecting them. But at the same time as you mentioned, trying to make it breathe because clearly 300-pound, guys out there sucking wind you need to get them are and especially sometimes we run those Tempo plays where we hit a big one word lining up to go quick like got a little breathe.

24:55 So it's all try to pass out after I sprinted, 50 yards to get the next play off so we can get in the end zone. Nobody is nobody is. All right, so not all Good news the last couple days from the ACC as a whole. You know we had the UNC cluster outbreaks Notre Dame had their cluster outbreaks Notre Dame looks like they're getting back on track pretty quick. Yes. And then we have the NC State outbreak best part of this news. Brian. The plug was not pulled, not by the team's, not by the ACCC. Nope. Thank That with those happening and there are other places to your hearing it at other campuses and other conferences.

25:43 I don't think anybody's pulling the plug. I think they feel like it's we know it's going to happen. We're trying to protect our guys best we can. We're trying to put them in good situations. We've got the test. The whole myocarditis thing which now is nobody's talked about anymore. When all these clusters broke out. I wonder why? Yeah, a because doctors were looking at it saying because now it's like, it's even rarer than initially. Thought I think I read that the other day, so yeah, but What was gonna be the best way to stay with all this happening? There's going to be, there's going to be a week, you're expected to play an opponent.

26:28 You're not going to play that opponent, probably. Yeah. So, you know, And everything we talked about it during the press conference. You know, being able to adapt is going to be the key this year. If you're not able to the team that can adapt well or at least adapt, as well as can be expected is going to be the team. One of the one of the team's is going to be there at the end whether that end is earlier than we expect or not. But you know it's good that they didn't pull the plug and it sounds like at least four in the Notre Dame cases. Is that hey Protocols are working but we had an outbreak. We kept it contained and we're moving forward. So I think that's a good thing.

27:12 It sounds like their Protocols are working UNC and NC State. I don't know. It sounds like the greater RDU area. There is struggling with some cases right now in general, not just on these campuses but in general who would have thought that one of the most populous areas in the country and all of a sudden, A bunch of students descend on it at one time that there would be a problem who saw that coming. Well, then the whole thing we said, we're not testing the kids as they come in regardless. If it takes, you know, 5 days, 10 days, you know, it's one of those things where it's just idiotic, it's really idiotic to not say you're going to test these kids as they come in.

27:59 Because if you do have one, you can quickly identify them. Say, you have it, you need to To stay in 14 days, you know, because how do you think that probably the big outbreaks happen? They were all partying in Raleigh? He'll probably people who he's going to Matic. Yeah, didn't test them. Go out there and do whatever you going to do so, you know. Yep. So, I mean, that's a problem in that brings us to. The other thing that happened as a result of this, is that NC state has because of that cluster, we've now moved that game from the 12th of the 26th. So You know, we lose our opener and now because we lose our opener. We also lose our by week here, and that creates its own set of problems here.

28:46 I mean, we had talked about different scenarios. We would have liked to seen if we probably had more time. Yeah, to do it. I think of the options moving, Liberty to, that date was probably the most palatable. Yeah. Because we would, at least have a closer by week then, After week, 10. So I think that would have been at least a little more palpable, I think, would have been what we Kate would have been the other by or week 9 but I think the reason they're not doing it, I think and this is just something I've been thinking about the dad and mention it to you yesterday. I don't think they've moved anything to that date because for example, we pull up ACC schedule here for example, Boston College Boston College is playing Duke on the 19th, correct.

29:37 Yes. All right. Let's say something funky happens and they can't the week before Boston. Cop comes down with some. They can't play well, hold on. Well, let's do this. Why don't we play Boston College? I don't think what's in stone is what's installed? Yeah. As things start changing is when they're going to start moving. I think the out of conference Gates they're essentially going to look at them and say, listen, You're not going to change that because if it's something funky happens and you know you miss this game. Yep, Equity goodbye. Hey, we're dropping you guys here to save them. That's my thought.

30:18 At least, I think it's set because I think there's somebody in the ACC headquarters that is figured out some, you know, some scenarios. If things are breaking in like the NC State. We, well, we leave them both here. We can both play them here and you have their open here? Well, what if we move the liberty? No, no, don't move. Liberty game up because if Something happens to one of your other teams you're going to play. We can move them into your slot here. Take that one up and move some other things around. I think it's going to be wild because I think at the beginning of some weeks we're going to be told oh yeah we're playing wait. Partially no you're not your plant it now, huh. Okay. Let's go to it. So, to your point coach one table, discussing about the adapting is going to be a really big thing.

31:00 Now, Brian. We're not playing them 12 anymore. Playing in the 26th but we're not feeling the game on the 12th. So what does that mean? That's our opening game begins now now so game one will be for the Common Road half weeks, baby. It all the hate out there. You want and a half weeks till the cup comes back home opening game for both teams. I I kind of Wonder If Heaven has either team ever. I opened the season with one another, for the cup. And opre ACC days they would sometimes play in earlier parts of the Year based on depending on the schedules. But we are going to definitely in a few weeks start getting into that.

31:49 But hate week starts now and throw it out there. Grayson, did you Bowser quarterback? Yeah, they officially announced today. Ginger Tebow, Brennan Armstrong will be the starting quarterback for UVA. I think if of the to I had to pick, I think I would have rather have him. Yes, just because not only do we have a little bit of tape on him already in terms of what he does in this offense. Uh-huh. But I think his skill set is a little bit easier to prepare for because it's not just based on athleticism. Yeah, sometimes you you know, when you know okay well I need to cover these routes.

32:35 He's going to throw the ball at Sometimes that's a little easier to prepare for than you know, we get a good pass rush but all of a sudden he escapes the pocket and there's a 50 yard gain. That's a little bit harder to prepare for because if your initial object of keeping him in the pocket fails you know, everything goes to pot, it does. And we're going to definitely dive deeper into that because we re going to have more time to dive deeper into that not just a week more of like two weeks. So it will be fun to break down. Those games. But get you hate Jean, keep it strong out there. And just every time you walk by UVA fans, just say, um, get to hold it here, baby. All right, Brian we look here.

33:24 Coach talked about some key position battles and storylines. And we'll start with this one, and it caught me in your here. We paused it when he said it. Yep. Tomorrow has been working with Coach am a little bit. We were like, what? Pause, Brian. What do you think that means? Well, he alluded to it even a little bit more later but from what it sounds like, it sounds like Tamar, he's playing some boundary safety in some situations. Boundary about your safety as the artist formerly known as Rover. Yeah. Actually, you need to, we need to put that somewhere boundary safety.

34:08 The artist formerly known as Rover. Yeah, so you start hearing that, Tamar skillset definitely fits, can play a strong safety from Devin hunter from the way it looks. He is going to be our base, strong safety. Heck, you might even play some strong safety in nickel packages, but But we know we know Tamara skillset Jamar doesn't recover skills. He is a hard hitter. He can play some Zone and it tells we discussed and I kind of rolled through with you Bryan as we were talking about it. It tells me we might have for the first time, you know, maybe a long time.

34:51 Maybe I feel like I feel like ever we might have a true nickel this year. True nickel package versus playing our base all game and just changing some of the coverage alignments for the whip. What do you think? Yeah, that's what it sounds like to me. And I'm not sure if this is going to be something that's going to be you know, that we're going to go to in any long, third down yardage situation where we feel like we can sub. I'm not sure if it's going to be that but it sounds like at least situationally we might go to that. So, Example here, I mean there's some teams that, you know, don't go three and four wide on on Third and long. Probably not a necessity to throw out your nickel package there, but the teams that consistently do and you have an opportunity to sub and match up, better with that more than likely, we're going to do that with, you know, either, you know, Marie Taylor or Chapman out there playing, you know, a true nickel corner and tamari counter-rotating to boundary safety artist.

35:51 Lena is Rover. I could definitely see that happening with some of the things that jam is shaking up here. So I really like the idea. Like I said I'm not sure if it's something that we deploy all the time but I think we would at least do it when the situation works and we have the opportunity to sub. Yeah, absolutely. And when you have those guys on at corner that can play it, you've got to take advantage of. You've got to take advantage of Tomorrow skill and doing that coach of a couple of the great things about tomorrow about you know obviously great player talked about how he's become more of a leader this year really physical and we saw that last year at playing whip man he like to hit people Jesus and then You know, just again that talking about working with J Hamm. I think.

36:44 That's again a thing that J Hamm can offer, whoever plays whip in the future. If we continue again they're still calling it well but is that going to be a new product of the J Hamm system, where if you play whip linebacker, you're going to get some looks at strong safety, that helps selling that position where it says, Hey, when we go to Nickel, you're going to play. You're going to play safe. Now, what that's going to do for you is as you Start developing. Now, you get your opportunities to show what you can do, potentially for the NFL and I really like that. Yeah. And I think it might be another, you know, call specific type situation where if we're going more of a Zone on Third and long, you might leave Devin hunter in but if we're going man, if you have the opportunity to sub, you might do it. So I think I think it could be deployed that way. And I, again, like you said, working with J Hamm and the line was J, Hamm doing things that help play to Jamari Connors strengths.

37:48 And I think, when we talk about overall versatility on the defense, especially in the secondary tamari, Connor is the most versatile player we have because he does a lot of things. Damn. Well, you know, he's not, he's not quite Elite level coverage but he's damn good. He's not quite Elite level. well in zone, but he's damn good and I think because of that and the physicality that he brings, you know, that's why they're using him as kind of like, A joker type role on defense, where he can kind of do multiple things. The last thing I would ask Brian is even some of the crimes when you're going to leave him until you leave her on the field, could you see him playing them like nipple linebacker to?

38:38 Where you're almost going to leave? Richard in straight middle, you take Dax off the field. In this case, leave Richard to play Mike and let him go, you know? Whatever weeks that is stay in there. It gives more looks. Yeah, I could happen or is a, my pipe dreaming that I think that could happen. And, you know, some of that could end up playing into why we're seeing, you know, a guy like a maribor know, working at defensive end being able to slide back into Zone coverage. If if the situation called for for, you know, in a Zone Blitz and You're there.

39:22 So there's a lot of things that could play in there, so I'm interested to see what J Hamm does with those. Those guys, because he's got athletes all over the field. I mean, you've got a defensive end. Now that's that played Safety and high school and has been a linebacker is entire collegiate career. Now, with his hand in the dirt, so it's going to be interesting to see how he deploys all these versatile weapons. Absolutely. Now, speaking of Versatility coach was asked by running backs, he said I'm going to, you know, Omit routine Blackshear, but you've always mentioned, reading, black shoes. Going to be all over the place. So saying, he's going to be with the just two running backs is kind of a service billing, but he mentioned Khalil Devon Holston Keyshawn Keener, getting most of the reps with the ones, any shock with that or is that kind of the way you see it.

40:12 If we took Blackshear out of the picture that's what I figured was going to happen, you know, more or less. I figured Khalil was going to be getting You know, the one a carries and Jalen probably one be with Keyshawn having kind of some either spell packages or packages that are specified to his strength since I think he's still coming along there and then they're you know they also talked about Marco League getting in there as well. I like him and definitely like him in terms of what he brings to a short yardage package so I could probably see him having that role for us. I'm looking him in jail and they're built like when you good lord they're just they're just Just big human beings and it's good to again, we talked about the way we recruited the running backs and you're seeing kenji's your power Malachi, more your all around and you know black more of these will be in the slot. He's going to be back here, he's gonna play some wite-out. We're going to do some funky things with him and you kind of see it here with each of those guys and it's good to hear. Just hope we get that Blackshear stuff going on. I know we're going to talk about it. In a few minutes here.

41:22 Now he also jumped in the Special Teams. The first one were heavy on the punt. Returner is the punt return? Yep. That doesn't surprise me, you know, his numbers at the end of life, when he took over, he was very high in the NCAA punt return, you know, yards per punt. Anyways, I'm loving them. No, he went on them, it should also mention that Herbert and Rahim has also been back there as punt returners with those guys being older. I think for me and you we know they've done it in the past, it it can as they did at Rutgers. You feel like punt, return finally took three years, g zp z.

42:07 But finally we're good on pain. Returns, we have dangerous lies back there and we're not going to screw it up. Yep. And I mean, he talked about that he talked about right now we got King and Jalen Holston as kind of the, the 1A and 1B for the for the kick return. And King doesn't Shock Me Holston. A little bit of a shock but when you think about it a little bit you know, having a guy out there that's a running back, good athleticism but big enough to deliver a block and be out there leading for a guy like King who is more of the athlete. And then they also talked about, you know, if eligible Raheem black she would be one of the guys back there as well.

42:52 He didn't say whether he would be in there instead of king or instead of Holston. But I think he would work in either either position there. So I really like what I return game can look like especially if you know a guy like black sugar is healthy because you're talking about probably you know too deep at both return positions of guys that are really dangerous. And that's a great feeling when you're that deep in it, again, it puts pressure on the other team. How you got to get it out of the end zone? Well, as we've seen, sometimes when guys try to get how the enzyme they put it off the sidelines and you get unbelievable field position. But when he mentioned the Rahim thing, as well as king and Holston, the one thing I kind of thought of it might be, we get to go in. We can see how this team is kicking this team. Always tries to kick short, So in this situation we're going to keep Jalen out there.

43:50 Yeah he's on a rahim's. Going to go to it, Jaden's going to start setting up block, if this team's put it in the end zone. Every time, we're going to keep her team, we're going to keep Keshawn on the field because if they miss one we want one of our to faster guys back. So maybe that's what they're looking at. But again you look think a Joel, Jalen Holton sighs. He can get it out of the end zone but he also can deliver that crushing blow man. Braun. You got some stuff on the defensive end especially kind of two new guys. Yeah, so Fuente was talking about he has the question about the too kind of newer guys that have gotten some buzz from all the camp practices, that being Justice, Reed. And Amari bar, no, talked first about bar, no said he could really run and he's getting better every day at, you know, learning the position.

44:42 But it's going to be a process, which, I mean, doesn't really surprise. Probably anyone listening here. I mean, as we stated earlier, you know, High School Safety, been playing linebacker for a long time. This is first time, really putting his hand in the dirt, it sounds like he's taking to it very well, which doesn't surprise me based on his size and athleticism but it's still going to take him time to work through some of those pass. Rush moves engaging, you know much bigger guy on a Down by down basis and you know being able to Kind of learn the specifics of pursuit and things of that nature. So, I think the still going to probably be learning those things, but it sounds like he's coming along.

45:25 Great Justice Reed. He told us the obvious thing. There he is a big strong player. Is it ready? Buddy seeing the photo circulating on Twitter and other social media Avenues and the circumference of this Dudes arm you got no doubt in your mind. This is a big dude, but he brings maturity to the team as well as what he's what Fuente talked about. And that he's full grown up here, talented player and like right now, the only shortcoming that he mentioned that he still learning the scheme a little bit so that may be hindering him in practice, some but it sounds like he's going to get that that ironed out and should be ready to go by the time. September 19th rolls around a about Justice, I think probably hopefully they are letting him do. The talk about adversity, you know, Justice really high rate of recruitment down, the Florida, had the injuries did not quit kept work, kept working, transfer to Youngstown State kept working at hurt.

46:37 Again, goes that has a good season keeps working stiff looking for opportunities at perseverance and stuff. You know, I'm sure sometimes hearing it from a teammate about certain issues and certain things can definitely motivate guys, maybe even more so than the coaches. So I really like having them here. They will have a next year to you can be the first 18 year, senior, something like that, something like that. Yeah. I mean like I said he's a guy that, you know, he had A lot thrown at him coming out of high school being a really high recruit and then was handed some some pretty rough hands but he's kept at it yet he didn't let those those downsides. You know Define his career he kept coming back at it so it's nice to see him get an opportunity to play some power 5 ball, after all these years.

47:31 After those, you know, a couple big injuries for him. You know, the last thing that went a discussed One of the last things he discussed with some of the quarterback situation that we've had for several years now. And, you know, we talked about before we think to, to a lesser extent, some of this is is lip service to motivate Hendon hooker to to improve his game, and take it to the next level. But I mean, I think there is a true competition out there as well. And he talked about the all the guys in the room and you know, will reiterate here. We think it's the best quarterback room at least in the conference and in one of the best in the country. So he talked first about knocks and and I'll let you roll with that one Curtis.

48:20 Yeah, just talking about Knox is improving it. The biggest thing he seemed with Knox is just in the last year how physically stronger he's gotten and that makes sense. You know I think knock came in at like he's six foot three is 180 pounds coming in and now he's had that full year to get the nutrition program to be in the weight room too. Yeah, out there running and that shocked me know, do I do? I do I know where Knox is going to be in a couple years from? No, it's the way we're recruiting quarterbacks and the room right now. What it shot me if you like, nope, but when you hear that, it tells you, they've got a motivated to get better. Now, something we have talked about and it made us feel good, listening.

49:03 The Press there will be for real man. Yeah, Hendon. Quincy and Braxton they're all different styles, we can all do different things with them, depending on who goes if we talk about that Brian, it's one reason why the quarterback room is so good. Exactly, we talked about that and we talked about how you have one guy goes down. You know, you can adjust your playbook in play to the strengths of these guys, because all of them do to, you know, at least two things really well and you can kind of just run your offering offense through those things. And, you know, just looking at the way they have played, I think, you know hindon in terms of all the things he brings to the table.

49:44 Specifically The leadership and the the way he handles a huddle are going to be what puts it over the top for him. In terms of you know maintaining the starting role and starting the season Hazard qb1 here but he talked other things about Quincy and Braxton as well it sounds like Braxton has had a really good camp. Yep. It sounds like he's picked up his accuracy but it does sound like he does. Take some more risk with the ball I want but apparently Those risks have paid off for him in Camp. So I'm not sure how that's being how that's playing but he's definitely, I think you hitting is definitely a guy that he protects the ball and I know Fuente has always preached projecting the ball.

50:29 So I think that's another thing that we'll look at. I don't know if the things Brax is doing well or looked at as a good thing or a neutral thing, depending on how much risk he's taking in order to do them. You know, we know where we're getting with Quincy and it sounds like Quincy has. Can some steps forward in his accuracy in the short passing game? Which is what we wanted to see because we knew he could throw the Deep ball and we knew he was a big dude that would run you over. And if he can put that intermediate passing game into play, he's going to be a lot of a lot of a lot of trouble for guys. So on the trouble. Again again the room it was like to make any improvements. I still think hens the man. You know, c-13 touchdown passes two interceptions last year. I mean, literally had us in every game. Averaged almost 37 points a game. You don't backtrack that, you know. And again, I think he's what you're saying is Coaches. Trying to keep him motivated to continue to push and be the best.

51:32 He can be not take your eyes off the prize and that's why he's not named anybody yet. I'm going to say this. What? Today is the 27th tomorrow be the 28th. When we drop this I think I think coach Fuente on roughly the 9th or 10th will drop to the starter. Is he did that similar every year? You know, he usually gives it a battle week out, maybe he goes a little bit closer with the UVA game, but, you know, it is what it is, man. All right, Brian we look. He mentioned to specific freshman one guy. I think.

52:18 Maybe a little bit shocking. The other guy not at all the Shocker can't Jinkins. What do you think? When he kind of mentioned Kiante, which Jacksonville kid? Florida kid. They're different. We know that. But when you hear him kind of getting praise this early, yeah, that jumped off for me because he wasn't one that I necessarily had right on my radar is being a guy that would pop this quick. It shows me that he's quick and picking things up. Because you don't come in and make an impression like that, if you're not good at picking things up pretty quickly, especially that position, especially that that position. So I really like that that definitely gives me hope that we might be able to see him if we don't see him on the field of decent amount outside of special teams, obviously this fall look forward to seeing him next year, potentially Make some noise and that that's big news for me.

53:18 Me because I like I said he wasn't on my radar as I got to look out for when Camp started. Another guy that I wasn't shocked to hear, was that Robert Wooten has been shown good flashes in Camp so far. He came along with Ali, Brian. I said, we're probably two guys that you would want to look for is, you know, being able to make an impact, you know, usually d-line guys, especially guys with their size. Tend to tend to pop quick if they've got the goods, so hearing his His name mentioned in there. Doesn't surprise me. Yeah it's and you hear him having the goods. You talked about him, you have mentioned him and Alec Bryant. They already have the bodies, they can come in and contribute to a one helps with defensive line depth and, you know, goes right into the flight and do the next thing we're talking about red shirts.

54:10 Feel me. No, stinking red shirts. Not the issue, baby. The basically, the NCAA eligibility rule. We discussed that earlier this week in coaches, just straight up, it was hilarious. He was like all hands on deck everybody. Basically, if you give, you can show something, you are going to play this fall is awesome. But then we had talked about it. We said that's going to be a really big thing for special teams, right? Because And while some of these freshmen might not be Frontline Talent guys that are ready to play every down or play a significant number of steps a game. They are guys that can get out on special teams. Make some plays for you.

54:55 And potentially, if nothing else give some of these guys that are every down players a breather, you know, all things being equal. You want the, you know, you want the younger guy out there. So you're not wasting the guy, that's Get every down on the Special Teams unit. Now obviously if there's a clear advantage to a veteran then you go with him but you know, if there's mostly a even swap their get the young guy out there on special teams, no doubt, get them out there and then he kind of mentioned like it was kind of it was one of the funnier pieces, you know, and it's all of us no clue what's going to happen after this, how the management of The rosters going to happen basically.

55:38 He's saying damn the torpedoes. Yeah. You have the talent you are going to play. And me and you kind of talk about well. This also gives an opportunity to to maybe saving some of your starters because we only have 14 guys. And I think, you know, you think about a couple of the guys transferring in like changa. Like Devon, where, if they aren't ready, you can say, hey guys, you can Redshirt your seniors. Redshirt senior this year, will play next year. Well, thank you, another bright. Hey transferring hey, sit the bench for a year. But I think what it says mean you talked about was this is the way you can save some hits on your best players in the special teams in certain situations where hopefully in the long run.

56:25 You're getting them more carries on offense or more possess more possessions with their offense or defense of units than a special teams unit. When they'll do that, which in the long term could really help out you know, conditioning I'm staying in shape, staying seeing all the injury report? Yeah, no doubt, no doubt. I mean you know it's nice having your your best talent on special teams, but if I've got a guy that in terms of their impact on special teams isn't significantly, more than what James significantly, less than what James Mitchell brings to the table. I don't need James Mitchell out there.

57:06 Let's save him for offense, let's not hit him more than he needs to be hid. Let's not get him gassed, so he's ready for the fourth quarter. Thank you know, things like that. I mean, it probably isn't a significant thing but it's definitely a little thing. And I think you know you can those can add up over the course of a year. Absolutely. All right, no word on Rahim black shears waiver. Now you know there were some questions asked and you know, we made some As we cannot ignore them because they we've heard it. We here we here we here. But but for us it just seems like it's very inconsistent. Yeah, it doesn't seem arbitrary in the term who gets away with who doesn't because it doesn't.

57:51 It's like the guy you know JT Daniels came over from Southern California. Got an immediate waiver to play at Georgia. He's from Southern California, pretty sure he is. Yeah, look at that but that makes no sense whatsoever. Like guy born and raised in Santa Ana California. Can get a waiver to go all the way across the country to play this. Guys, coming from Rutgers down, coach fired, new coach, all his crap. So, you know, it's irritating. Coach was, you know, they don't handle it. It's done by. Science. We all know that. Any first of all, anybody out there, listening, that doesn't know that.

58:34 Please do a little research, understand all. This isn't in the coaches hands but he mentioned something about for him. He wants more clarity. I think that every plant more clarity like it's one of those things where you almost want to say, when a guy gets a transfer, you need to say how he got it, why he got it. And if you owe me that transparent, because it might make your organization look bad, to maybe you're doing something wrong. Yeah, I mean, that's the big thing. I think that is frustrating for a lot of these schools, like Virginia Tech. I know uva's had a couple. I know some other schools in the ACC of had a couple that have been turned down the fresh. Thing thing isn't that they're turned down?

59:16 It's that the application of who gets approved who doesn't seems again like you said, inconsistent and unclear, as to, you know, what these other schools are doing to get the thumbs-up, when what we're not doing, to get the thumbs down. There definitely needs to be some sort of training on this. And we spoke about this last time on the podcast. There's got to be a way that you can train these compliance departments on why this is going on, redact. Whatever information is necessary to keep whose whose application, you know, confidential as much as you can, especially in areas where it's more of a medical hardship or something to do with with family.

1:00:04 Agencies versus a, just my coach was fired or you know, for football related item. But I mean, we're seeing things that are purely football-related in terms of what we see from the outside and all of a sudden they get approved and something that seems to be equivalent like a coaches fired at Rutgers a higher was pending and he announces his transfer and then that not get approved. So I mean, it is what it is at this point at this point. You know, there's nothing we can do other than wait for the appeal, but going forward, it will be nice to get some of this laid out a little bit more clear. We need someone a lot of money to the NCAA. Yeah, you got to share this like an Amazon. Basically it was earned it man, I think he's number 11 in the, you know, kick off last year essentially down inside the end zone, which is a really good number. So, you know, coach a lot of things to say about him being a great teammate, and a lot of the stuff like that, but Braun. He's a senior.

1:01:36 And with this island. He gave him the option.

1:02:19 If he wanted to announce it they didn't make a big Dam spectacle of it. It's like you've earned it your scholarship you don't have to pay for your schooling anymore. There's a little kerfuffle about that on the timeline and in Twitter about, hey you Be you know, taking your video this and making a big deal or at least announcing it on the team Twitter and you know, bow shot back and said hey you know we don't need to beat our chest every time we do something. You know that looks good and we gave him the opportunity to share it if he wanted to and he decided to.

1:03:00 So that's where we are. And you know, I agree with that. I mean I We see it. Every year, we actually saw it today, with, with UVA. I'm going to go ahead and, you know, I'm gonna throw some UVA slander out here. They did a bit quantity, they did a bit with, please, somebody driving up on a, on a scooter with the mailbag, delivering, a special delivery to Bronco and, you know, it is up having the the to scholarship offers Within These These these things there in like. I mean it's nice to see the kids get excited and the teammate teammates rally around it, but it seems like it's more of a recruiting Point than anything.

1:03:48 That's genuine. And I feel like if we know anything about Coach Fuente and what he's about, you know, he if it doesn't feel genuine or natural, he's probably not going to do it, you know, I don't do it at all, but great for John, Parker, Brian. Let's hit this real Quick coach mentioned, it numerous places but you know we are out of fall camp now and where you're more into your preparation practices installations which is very awkward. You normally it's like, well this makes sense. We are virtually 10 days out makes perfect sense. Well now it's a little different because we're not truly 10 days out, you know, we will be, we would do it, be doing mock game, either this weekend, or next weekend, in a normal season this weekend because next week would have been playing Liberty on Labor Day. Weekend.

1:04:36 So, you're right. You're right about might gain. I'm wondering, can they still do my game with this going on? Or they are going to take them up the hotel rolling over on Friday night and stay and do all the Walkers down there probably? I don't know. I don't I mean I would say I would say probably not, I mean, I think they probably have something else. Maybe closer to campus or on campus, that isn't. Yeah, Retreat into your normal environment. Yeah. But I think they're, I don't know if that's something that they would do just because of, you know, the increased exposure that you're talking about, that comes with going into another city into a hotel, things of that nature. So it'll be interesting with that with that processes.

1:05:18 Like, that's definitely going to be something that I think, as you said is going to be a little different this year than a normal game. But I mean as far as what Happens on the other parts of it which you know, team meal the night before team breakfast, the morning of all the walkthroughs and all that stuff. All that's going to be the same. So you know, I think they'll still do it. I just don't know what the actual between the hours of 9 and 7 where they're going to pour into the morning is good with where that's going to happen. Exactly. And then again going into where they're going to class. Now, less time with the coaches, it's more. Really like like, you know, like normal game weeks. So you know, they're there.

1:06:01 Now in the question is they're going to have, you know, they're going to have essentially 22 days of this. You wonder the coaches again, he mentioned it. You've got to adapt to it. But what are they going to be doing? Or, you know, is next weekend? Are they gonna run like a full scrimmage? Like it Lane to basically say, you know, we're going to play in two weeks. Laughs, let's get one where we split the sides up. Let's play one versus ones. Let's get as in the booths where they're calling plays and let's do it. Not mention but again for me and you would go through our heads. Are we going to do these things to get ready for the 19th? So again a lot more questions to be answered and we'll probably not find out.

1:06:48 Unless you just want to go ride around Blacksburg and stadium and look like creepers, it's was the best one. The thing about what happens if we go virtual and he had a lot of interesting stuff to say Brian. Yeah. I mean and that's that's definitely a concern number one because you know, students are now back on campus for going on full two weeks at this point. So things look different right and I think the concern is, you know, a lot of these other campuses kind of week two is when things started taking a turn for the South and we're hoping that Nothing similar, doesn't happen in Blacksburg, you know, to this point, the numbers have been low and they've been consistently low. So we haven't seen any sort of spikes or anything like that. So that's been a good, a good thing at this point. I can't remember.

1:07:39 But I think the percent positive of what the, of the numbers that they've already test. It was like .0025. Yeah, and that's a pretty darn low percent positive rate testing before you actually, when you get To campus actually works. Yeah sorry yeah it's really low so you like to see that so I think I think that's long as those numbers don't Spike. I think they'll keep holding what they have, you know, but he said if it does go virtual, that's not going to be his call in terms of whether you know the players stay on campus or not. you know, coaches can obviously make coach will approach that if its decision is made by the, by the university, it's going to be easier if they go virtual, but football players are allowed to stay on campus.

1:08:38 I think that is kind of an obvious thing as well, because we've seen, you know, what type of success they've had with the bubbles with the NBA and, and things like that. So, we know the bubbles work and if you can sequester your team away, From infected folks, for, as many days as possible. And when the circumstance, it's the likelihood of there being an outbreak in the team is going to go down significantly. Yeah, and one of the last thing you kind of wrap with was the players even had, the discipline has to be there even more. So with people back on campus now and it's on those guys like you've got 20 plus days says, you know, where your mask Distance. Stay away from tots person does.

1:09:39 So they need to be more diligent than your average student and so it's on them to do that and I think it seems like, you know what we talked about last week with Diablo and Mitchell, it sounds like those leaders on the team have definitely impressed that on some of the young guys. So hopefully that continues to stick and regardless of what's happening in Blacksburg as a whole that the team is doing the right thing. A all right. Well that is going to wrap up this episode of The Boundary Corner podcasts. My name is Curtis Wilson. I'm Brian Sigler. Follow us on Twitter. Facebook, subscribe for us for the podcast, on your favorite Source, including Spotify and apple music. We always order, buddy, Jason Long, play us out, catch him on Spotify and apple as well.

1:10:25 We thank you for listening. As always. Let's go Okies.