PRSN 101: Fall Camp Seminar with Jon McLaughlin

0:46 Welcome back to the boundary Corner podcast. With Brian seagull. I am Curtis Wilson, Brian. How are you today, man? I'm good, buddy, I'm good. How are you? I'm exhausted, buddy. What you been up to, dude, day at work and then a 5:30 baseball game with my oldest son. Got lucky, though, one of those baseball games where like the storms were coming in, but they missed us. So we got the wind, we got some cool weather. Um, good game fast game. We had two teams with six and seven year old boys who are hidden the ball. So do we each man, if the kids are hitting the ball, you're Ballin, it's like six Innings and under an hour, and good fun game.

1:38 And literally we beat the monsoon that hit here in the West End, like, literally, I was like five steps for my car in the bottom dropped out even more, but he's not to be Lucky on this. And actually I was driving back from work and hit up speaking of some prescription for my wife and the wind starts rolling in. I just see the, the, the clouds coming our way and like, blowing, so hard that when the drive-thru at the, the pharmacist they couldn't even hear what I was saying hardly. And then five minutes later, like, everything just started to break up and we got a little bit of rain, a little bit of window. That but it looked like it was going to be you know torrential downpour and then it turned out to be pretty much just a little bit of a shower there and it moved on out like that. Well then you just got that house vacation down at the lake man.

2:36 Vacation was great, great. We got to actually first time in about a year and a half, I've got to spend extended time with my brother and his fiance so that was kind of cool. They're getting married next year. So it's going to be pretty big. Big time. I got to spend a week with them, got to spend a week with my dad, so it was it was a good time and you know, hit up the pool, hit up the lake. It's did some hiking and things like that. So it was a good time, man. Awesome. And for those of you thought, Bryan's just mentioned, like he hadn't seen one of his brothers in a long time. Brian. This is your brother that if some of these folks drove up to New York and looked at some Broadway, Off-Broadway shows, they might see his name in the light.

3:21 Slightly. Yeah, so my my my brother was recently in Fiddler on the Roof Off Broadway. So, you know, pretty pretty big deal. They got, you know, cast album and all that thing. So, you know, he's really doing some pretty big things up there, so very proud of him and I got to see the show last April. So is awesome experience. And then obviously right now, everything's kind of shut down through the rest of the year. So, you know, they're they're doing their thing, but unfortunately they've got a lot more time on their And they like to have so and not his fiancee is also in Music Theater as well. So they're kind of both in the same boat there. That sucks, man.

4:02 I mean, especially I know. He, I remember the Fiddler and you told me, you got that, and you were going up there to see him and it's awesome that he's continuing to chase that dream. But hey, at least, you got to see him, at least that are doing good and glad you had a good vacation, man. You deserve that, you deserved it. Appreciate it man, appreciate it. Yeah, it was long time coming, you know, we make this trip pretty much every year, so we always have it on the calendar, something to look forward to. So, you know, we had Bit of a Excursion Around July Fourth, but this was the big one. This was the one for the week and it's just nice to get away for a little bit relaxed. We didn't really go, a whole lot of places while we were there. We just kind of stuck around the lake and the surrounding surrounding area.

4:46 So it was a nice time. And sometimes, that's all you really need is just to get away. All right. Well, folks today is If you guys haven't seen the Tweet, we have a very special guest coming up in a few minutes, but we've got some headlines and some used to get to man's a Brian. I'm going to take us right to it. We got some commitments. Let's start with the government's. Why not? Yeah, not one, not two. But three commitments in the last few days here. Let's go back. EC a 2 to the 3 star 2005 linebacker out of cocks down in the 757. Brian?

5:29 No. You looked at this tape. How do you feel about this guy? Is he going to be able to play Mike or back or you seeing something different with him? I think he's probably going to project more backer but I think you could potentially grow into a Mike Will you know time will tell here. You know, it's showing that Virginia Tech is still. Even an eye on the 757. Contrary to popular belief, I think keeping an eye down there and inside water. So, you know, Frank Cox high school. He's a player though. I like his tape, I think he's right now, a guy that is probably rated a little bit lower than where, I think his town is, I'm not saying he's like a, you know, borderline four-star guy, but I think he's better than the 83-84 range where his his projections are right now.

6:19 So I put him a 85-86 kind of that, you know, mid to potentially High three-star range or at least On The Fringe of it and I think he's going to do good things I think he's a guy that's probably going to need a little seasoning but I think with a couple of years under the system he's going to do some good things for her. So I like the the grab there and let's see who else we got. We got somebody else here. Definitely got a couple other guys but straker Right. Take care of ya, the three-star six-foot-four 210-pound wide out at a Cleveland Tennessee, this kid last season, 1200 total yards, 18 touchdowns, you know, we were amongst the ten, his top ten back in April, along with somebody like places like Auburn am in Nebraska, but he picked the Hokies.

7:17 Now not without controversy. Because back in May there was a report he had committed to the University of Tennessee and then some things happen and that just like like a very ugly situation. But you know what, he's with the Hokies now. Brian, when you study this 6-foot for 210 pound, wideout tape, tell me what he's going to do for us. He's a guy that you know but since he's going to grow into that same role that Hazleton had, I think he's a he's a big body guy. He's a guy that catches the ball well with his hands and I mean just look at the the ratings there and we were talking about a fringe four-star caliber Talent. He's ranked 88 on 24/7 and right at it at 88 in this composite there.

8:01 So you know, high-caliber three star talent and yeah, I really like the tape. I think again, he's a guy that might need a little Bit of seasoning but just size alone. Kind of, like I said, projecting into that Hazleton role or at least it may be in the shorter term. Doing some of the things that Phil Patterson has done for the last couple years before you transfer it out. So really like this pick up. Probably the, you know, the best caliber wide receiver, we picked up, I think in this class at this point Definitely for sure. Definitely the higher caliber here, you're saying he's right at 88. Which means, I mean, we're probably not looking at a high school football season, but is it one of those things where they really value 8 him and he gets to that 89, he gets the fourth star and become score of the headline of the of the wide receiver class. We have because, you know, I think with that body immediately you talk about seasoning, but you see a body that size if he's already, got the jump ball in his back pocket. Real-time a, you're going to be inside the 15. Geralt are going to be difficult, but here's your here's what you're going to do.

9:11 So yeah I'll be I think the combination of him and Jalen Jones or yep. That's two really good guys that I think even based on their ranking here might be slightly underrated Jalen. Being I think I'm like the 8687 range and then trade career being right at the 88th I think both of them are probably Fringe. Four-star talents you know I think both of them for one reason or another A little bit short Change on their ranking and I think they're probably going to overplay that especially in their full career and I think Trey has a potential to overplay it even early on just because of the size that he brings to the table. Yeah, surgery of that, the bond the hook we're not done, Malachi Thomas.

9:54 Now, Malachi currently not ready to buy 24/7. He is a three-star by Rivals, the six foot 180 pounds running back out of Hart, County down in Georgia Man 3. A offensive player of the year as a junior Palmer. 3,000 whole purpose to yard which is just asinine we how it has only Only, if you P5 offers us do, you can Kansas State, but he also had your big group of five yet, UCF, Memphis and Sensi. I know, you checked out his tape, just a little earlier today. What do you think, man? This is tape that jumps off at you and it's insane that somehow, this guy did not get on the radar of the guys that are thrown out rankings. Because, I mean, I would throw, I'd be comfortable right here right now.

10:45 Just looking to take throwing 87, 88 on this guy. Who quality Talent, man, quality Talent versatile. Which I mean, I know we talked about a lot of Versatility both in the skill positions at along the line there, but I think that's another thing. He brings the table, he's not your your black, sure, your chance black. That's mostly a receiving threat, but he's still a between the tackles guy, you still a guy that's going to give you every down potential but on tape running. You know, from the from the back field running up the scene catches a scene for a touchdown, running the angle route running a wheel he's not just a guy that's catching screams and dumps in the flat he's somebody that's still going to be a route threat out of the backfield but he's going to do all those things between the tackles. If there's one criticism he probably runs a little little too straight up but that's not something that I think is a deal-breaker especially if you're With your vision and he is and he's another guy, he's got specialty, does punt returns kick returns.

11:54 So he's got all those skills, he's bringing to the table that he's done at a high school level and done it very successfully. So I really like the kid. I said, I'm not sure what the August rankings are going to hold in terms of him getting a ranking on 24/7 or any of the other ranking agencies there. But you know, like I said, I would put probably eight. 87 on him, just out the gate and and see where he goes from there. It looks like he is going to get a senior season, unlike some of the players in North Carolina and Virginia, unless something changes. So might get some more tape on him as well. So that would be nice to get as well. Absolutely. I got a chance to watch some of the total film from last year and I'm going to tell you the one thing that steps out stands out for me not as knowledgeable as you about seeing his vision and seeing the routes, he runs his stride.

12:45 It is very effortless. Doesn't there times where he's running away from guys? And it like, if you watch that tape, it's like is he even running that fast? And if you just see him like he's up, he's still. So it tells me what that's tried that. There could be like the 6th Gear where potentially it comes out and where he can just turn it on even further and just blow by people so it's unbelievable. Yeah. I mean he's got that looks like that extra gear. I mean, I think he was on 24/7. They had him as a hand clock time at like a 45 one. So, I mean, even if he's, you know, half a tenth off, that's still a pretty damn good time for a running back. And like you said, he looks like he natural Strider, and he's got an extra gear, you know, sometimes some people are fast but then they aren't fast and pads. He's fast and path.

13:46 So I think that's a big thing to look at as well. Absolutely, well Braun, maybe I hope the fans at home listening. They understand what type of hokey podcast is, is we're not. All right, I'll Rob, we're not, you know, positive everything, we're realists. And the real is hit us over the weekend before star safety. I did now the melon commits to Florida. Oh, Virginia Tech, let's say it mean DM C DM C. We had the nickname all there but that I was gonna be dropping Run DMC and DeLorean means for like a next four years and now I don't get too and I'm so sad about it. I've been Bana bana bana, Florida, and the Florida. Why you got to have all that cool shit money? Why it's called money?

14:49 Now, I looked at him and saw him as being a free safety. Florida. Has a lot of safeties right now. So, I mean, I don't know if it's one of those things, a lot of folks are saying they're selling the strong, safety to him which if that's the case, you kind of look at the other guys on Here who they committed last year and this year they're not strong safeties. And if that's what they sold him, like we're going to we want you to be down in the Box make sense where with us we probably could sell both but I really see that being Jalen strowman and then I look at DMC and I think you're 62 and a half. You're right at 200. You're already you're already built like a free safety. If you've got the range, it's us.

15:29 We lost him. But Ronald say something and this is going to be the positivity. I'd coming out. All right, we got three commits and we mentioned two tray and Malachi who would beat out for them? For I said we'd beat out NC State in West Virginia and I think what I hope the realest of the fanbase like me and you understand is we can win a lot of fights against NC State, West Virginia, Kansas State Duke, the trade, Curry one, that seemed a little more pushy. There's some good players there but we're certainly Things acting up but we can fight with those guys.

16:10 When you start bringing battles with your Alabama's, your Florida's your George's. Clemson's that were Cruiserweight their heavyweight. Can we also talked about how Florida news how to negatively recruit us? How many hope he's on staff because of Dorian Gray at all. They know. They know I did - recruit us and they also know that they've got A lot of Leverage that we don't have and they can play that leverage in ways that we can't, that's not to say that we shouldn't go out there and win some of these battles against these Blue Bloods. We definitely need to start doing that at the same time, though. We got to be real with the situation and understand that there's things Florida offers that we can't. And there's opportunities that Florida offers that right now. We're not quite there, and I think we're doing a good job. Job in pickups like Malachi Thomas and trickery and then see a Tuesday that speaks to we're finding guys that are kind of Fringe in that that that four-star range in terms of their talent and probably potentially could overplay what they're either.

17:27 What their ranking is now or what we even anticipate for them based on our reviews. So, you know, I think we're doing some good things in that thing, but just I really like the DMC a lot. And so this one, this one stings a little bit more, not again, nicknamed aside I liked, I liked everything nickname. I like the potential there, but you know, the kid was pretty good too. And just the way he interacted with the fan base and everything, he he was, he wasn't someone that was leading you on. But he was also engaging, which is hard to find with a guy that hadn't committed yet. So I really appreciated that and you know, it's a tough loss for us. Absolutely. He's a good player and you could just tell his own overall really good kid.

18:12 So it does suck, we lose him. Hopefully they keep recruiting him and Florida gets another safety. Commit. And he said yeah, that's my only hope. There's still a possibility at this not signing day yet. All right man. Just quick hitter Man On Third us out there. Oh dat canceled the season UI. I think I'm gonna make it. I think I'm gonna make it. It's tough to see. Does mean that I don't get to see, hopefully the Tigers beat up on making this year. I was hoping that this was going to be one of those years where that, where they finally take a step back in the right direction. Since they've kind of been down probably last four or five years, they've struggled recruiting Richmond and they've struggled a little bit, recruiting some of the Tidewater talent in the last few years. So it's kind of been a little bit down for them, they got they've gotten back in Tidewater a little bit. They still haven't cracked the 804 bubble that pager aruz has put up around greater Even here.

19:16 So, you know, we'll see if they have long-term success, but unfortunately, not going to get to see what they do this fall. Yeah, my hope is for D3. They just say a spring season and it may be that. That's where they found a niche. They go to the spring season and it's hey, this is good. It's the wetters the weather's, a little better. Maybe we can get some TV deals out of this, where we're playing on whatever you can think of. But I know. That hitch kick in, you know, let's let's cross our fingers that. Maybe mid-February they do a 10 game season and me, and you can drive up to Ash is a game and Ashlyn, or is it down in the form of this year?

19:56 I think it's informed, real this year. Maybe we can guide them. All right. Braun few weeks ago, me and you discuss that two positions had been posted. Yep, we talked about how nice it would be to see some former players and buddy did the staff. The liver Own that Corey feel like ones, ma'am Jerome's of at Winslow back, own staff. What you think? Honestly, love both hires and both positions at the ended up getting there, especially with Corey taking over the assistant to the on-campus role. I think that's going to be great for him. That that's really.

20:40 We had we had talked about it like I can't think of a better person to Sell the program to with guys, coming to Junior days, guys, coming to gain weeks guys, coming, two weeks in the, in the offseason. All right? So you got a guy who pretty much his entire family played here, pretty much. He had been on campus since 2002 until he and his brother Greg, say, whatever like years he took a brief break while he went and ran track. And then he came to her. Ginny sack and played wide receiver for us and then played the NFL for a little bit and now he's back here with us after a brief stint with looks like, well, it was a college up in information up there in Michigan, the essential Mission. Yeah, he was so he was like, okay, yes, let me that's, you know, again, I can't think of a better better family representative to be to be that point of contact on campus on those days for those, those recruits Corey. And as far as wins, I mean, I really liked him. We always talked about how much we liked him when he was a player here.

21:54 And you know it looks like he's got some experience that he's bringing to the table as well and it's nice for him to get some power, five experience at his alma mater, doing doing this type of role so I'm looking forward to see what he can do there. He's already been active on Twitter, engaging with fans and engaging with people that are talking smack from other teams which I like to see. I like to see so it should be fun. Having him on his Well, so I'm really looking forward to seeing what both of these guys are able to do absolutely Cory. You mentioned, the ga stop at the central Michigan. He also had done a brief internship down in Maryland with the athletic program and he also had done like, at the nflpa Collegiate Bowl. One of the, like, Senior Bowl games, he had done some work with that back in 2018 as well.

22:42 So he's definitely, he's kind of built up his way, convey, a Winslow. Right out of college 2014. He coached dbe's up at Stone Bridge up in Northern Virginia, then he went out to Hawaii with his, dad was an assistant coach on the defensive line as like a ga, he'd been down at Brevard, 2017, he had done associate head coach special teams coordinator safeties. So in the course of about six years, he's really worked his way up. And I think, as much as you talk about having Quarry in the perfect role you hear about, What if they do Winslow has done and it sounds like they got another great fit you know gouveia ones, undersized linebacker when he was with Tech playing the whip, he was a good player, he's very smart player, he has coached defensive back. He's coached safeties.

23:34 He's Coastline. He's on special teams coordinating. That's the kind of guy you want breaking down video because, you know, hey, we need to go over this guy. Yeah. And you in probably, for Coach Fuente. It's like I don't worry. He's Done so much on the defensive side of the ball. I give them paper on a guy, I don't care what position is. He is going to probably get in vertical down and say he has potential, like now we need to lay off this guy. So love both, love Tailwinds, other day. When he put up that little, the Carolinas and comes after he just puts up the stat line. It's like, yeah, you have to be quiet because he just put up facts. Yep.

24:17 But if you make, Came back with we've been rebuilding the last four years. Yeah, you were rebuilding in 2016 when you were ranked in the top 20. When we played you in blue out during the hurricane. Oh, fat again from fanbases hate that back stand in the way of arguments. So they're stubborn things, man, they're stubborn things. In fact I Braun let's hit one more topic before we move on. As of right now, the ACC, the SEC, and the B12 have kind of pushed off the announcements of, you know, what they're going to do with their season.

25:00 I mentioned to you a little earlier. Fran, how many there are four teams in the SEC in the ACC that have robbery games every year, right? Yeah. They want to try to keep them together. It makes sense. Some of those go back, I think, Georgia Tech, Georgia goes back to like 1891. It's a long one. Literally think making Sydney, is the only other South rivalry game that has that sort of long-standing thing. But Brian, that least 10 teams in the ACC, CC and the SEC. How many teams are in the Big 12. Now, How many man 10ml of lining up here?

25:45 No, I mean we are speculating but to me I think what they're trying to do is they're trying to look at either 8 or 9 plus 1 or they can get at least one out of conference game. Will it happen? Maybe maybe not. If you know hot spots especially yet the schools have in Texas. You got Miami and Florida State. Like some places like teens might not want to go, but it's one of those things where, you know, there's so many possibilities and I know a lot of people will say, well, well, the ACC has the far north schools, Pittsburgh and Syracuse and boss College, they do.

26:26 But they also are major Hub cities. Like, you can get a charter plane to go from, you know, Manhattan, Kansas State to Boston without an issue. Yeah. You fly to Pittsburgh and go anywhere in this country, they're big airports so that really doesn't hurt it that much because it's easy in and easy out. Literally, the place you get on a plane in three hours, laying in pit, get on the bus, go in warm up, three hours later. Start a football game bus back to the stadium. Fly back to campus all in one day. And I think that's what a lot of people are really. That's what you got to keep your eye on. Can we, if we kicked off at 3:30, if we get to the airport at 5 a.m. 24 hour flight pouches 80 mm Allen feelings. These fools are really going to work together and say, Hey, listen.

27:17 This is where you guys can warm up. You guys can do everything will change our routine because we want college football to happen. We enemy, it's not really outside of the, the realm of imagination here, either because we're talking about under more normal circumstances, some of these teams will be making these Traveler Arrangements, regardless not, you know they're not everybody's playing, you know a game that is out of conference that's, you know, right around the corner. Some some teams are already making those longer travels and as you mentioned logistically, it's not really that big of a deal in terms of getting from the middle of the country, even to Boston for like an am travelling to BC or something like that.

28:01 So I definitely think it's doable. The question is Will they end up setting something up? Where I think the local Logistics are going to be the harder part than the travel Logistics. Yeah. And if they can make the local Logistics work, I think they'll probably try to get something done. Absolutely boundary Corner podcast listeners. Today we have a very special guest with us for years. Starting offensive lineman John McLaughlin. John, how are you doing today man? With this crazy heat, man. I'm doing great man. Thank y'all for having me take a plane and I'm trying to stay inside, you know how hot it is outside right now in Richmond. We got got that pot Richmond weather right now. Yeah, Man I couldn't imagine running out right now. You know, my girlfriend told me I need to start writing outside. So no no little baseball for we were like 20 minutes in like he's soaked and I'm so it's like, oh yeah. Right now this time of year is not fun. Exactly.

29:13 Exactly. We really appreciate you joining us here on Mister Fallon. It's awesome to have you. I'm sure. Brian's all to. We got kind of a reason we reached out to you bugger fine. Go ahead, man. Because this is this is a cool connection for us. Yeah. So you know, full disclosures we brought you on the podcast, you know, not just because you're one of my favorite line when they played in the last decade for the Hokies. Okay. Okay. And not Accounts at the, you know, the four-year starter on the on the offensive line there. And the only the first true freshman, the started left tackle for Beamer, those are great, things are true and a good Reason to have you on.

29:53 But the, the biggest fear is the sum of the Southside connection Southside, Virginia connection. You got with some of your family members there and the RV, a connection that we've got now, too. So that was the big reason we wanted to have you on. I was I was telling Curtis when we were kind of spitballing earlier. I actually played in high school against Orion when he was young. Wow. Okay. Yeah. So that's all right. As well. So definitely, most definitely I got family all in their area, man. So runs a good friend of mine and get, you know, also obviously my cousin but he's definitely helped me with my decision to come and attack. So it was a key name right there around the camera, man. Yeah, for us is Hokies.

30:39 It was like, yeah, and I never knew that and Brian brought it up and it was like at asked him the other week. I'm like, the Brian played guard him like Bron Jennifer have to deal with Orion. He's like, not, he was on edge. And with one of his teammates hopefully Chris picked up in the end up going to Clemson. Gotcha gotcha as a big dude and bronze sword arms didn't help out a lot. But yeah, I really appreciate you being here but John you know everybody that's been a hockey fan anytime the last 10 years remembers you the four-year starter The Freshman starter but we know you went out to the Arizona Cardinals for a while but Wasn't even up to since then.

31:24 So last year's actually moved to Richmond. Virginia definitely has two connections with going to Tech. I majored in Property Management, Effigy attack. So I was able to, you know, have some connections here in Richmond and Rich was definitely growing city. I still got some buddies. I hang out with, you know, I see Sam Rogers from time to time Nigel. So when I first moved here it was literally like being in college again. Y'all hang out and I'm like, I can't get away from you guys. But that's what I'm doing. Now, working at Dodson property manager right now. Assistant property manager at doctor right now. Awesome. Awesome. Very cool. Very cool man. Yeah, yeah. We, we always talk about all the kind of the RV, a contact. So we have from from going and seeing games and things like that.

32:08 So, it's gonna connect a little bit more with some other Hokies around this area. So that's awesome. Most definitely, most definitely. Hey, you got it. My man, Brian here. He's on, Mechanicsville, I'm out in the West End, what? Part of the r-va Yemen. So, I'm in the He's got apartment in the Manchester area. Oh my God. Yeah, you have some about five minutes from work and you know, I'm still young so he still hit the town a little bit. So it's not too far from any, you know, everything and James River is literally right there. So it's a good time, man. I'm enjoying. I'm doing my time here in Richmond, for sure. Yeah, that's my walk into work actually. Work downtown and for VCU. So, okay. Okay. Actually Park on Mayo Island there and walk walk into the city.

32:49 So, I'm like passionately towards you there. They go, they got you got you. All right. So this episode we kind of wanted to focus in on some of the things like fall cancers. We got fall Camp coming up even though we don't know what's kind of with that Seasons going to look like yet, right? But we know players are back starting to get after it. So I just wanted to ask you man, what were some of those weeks leading up to fall camp like for you where you kind of just grinding trying to get that conditioning up or what was it? Like yeah, we were so I give you a little Your little history here and what we used to do in Blacksburg. So we were there all summer, there were no students, it was football, you literally work out, you have maybe two classes and then you're done for the day. So it's it was a little different grind. You get up, get your workout done, but we all knew can't was coming.

33:40 So, you know, we couldn't get used to that lifestyle because we were just really good to it. So, as soon as I would say, we, you know, did I run tests and everything like that? We knew okay Camp is about to come. You heard a little chirping lock Room? Everybody excited. Ready to put on finally gets put on pads, get the practice. Um but yeah, I would say it was definitely exciting just to finally get done with just work it out and finally get to football. Awesome awesome. So once Camp got going, what was your favorite thing about it? Who's your least favorite thing about it. So maybe an officer Simon, my favorite thing. About Camp.

34:21 Every year was the food, man. They, they fed us so much and the Mills were crazy. We not think the first day of camp when we reported it was always like a steak dinner and you know, just it was just amazing. So every day was he was expected to eat good. The least being I would say would be the long nights, we would probably have to be up at 5:00 and we was at the facility to about 10 You know, if you he was a freshman, you definitely rather silly to about 10 or you can go, you know, to the dorms. But if you lived off campus, I got. Did you kind of stay put and step in locker room? And you know, you could even have that much time between meetings treatment meals, you know, weights.

35:09 So that that day is just the longest day ever. And you start lose the count of, you know, what day it is, because you just go through that cycle. You know, waking up eating meetings practice. Lift. It's just at one point. You just like, what day is it? We got three present, you gotta lift. You gotta get in. Yeah man. It was difficult. Yeah, it was difficult but I would say I was. There were probably my least favorite the long nights that after practice we would have some, you know, someone can talk to us or some type of meeting and then you have to go to meetings out there. So you have to practice, you know, that happens and then you got those meetings with someone You know, comes talk to you very, you know, gives a great information, whatever they had, you know, whoever was speaking that day and then you go get yelled at in meeting so it's like oh man you know so it was an older gentleman.

36:03 It's wrong of days but it was definitely worth it. My yeah, exactly, exactly. Yeah, if not yourself who was like your teammate that was just like the most jacked up that, like, if you had to be like, calm down, you know what's coming, right? Well, right off the bat. That is why it teller is. The first person that comes to mind dead kid was always just ready, man. Just everyday. That's honestly, probably the one that got us through all, through Camp, his energy and way he just up at 5:00 a.m. just, you know, he'll come your locker talking, like all white man, you know, he was definitely it was definitely one person that was jacked up and I will also say the all the dbe's they love to talk, you know, DB.

36:51 He's like the like the run their mouths so they were probably the ones jacked up and I'm sitting here like you know you guys don't really hitting practice so you don't understand why you're excited about this part you know. But I was no deficit, widened BB's for sure. Now. Yeah, we got we got to let them know John, you know, even when it's you know, three quarters for everybody else lime and always going full speed, they always hit No.1. All the PBS have come to Virginia. I can tell you the guys who were the, I can definitely just see them, just chirping and just say, but I can feel you in there like 5:00 in the morning, like, I'm trying to get it going. Oh, God, you're a Muslim to talk, man, but they're breathing energy to practice, you know, you like, you like competing against them.

37:43 They, I would say they probably got the most competitive group on the field, just because they can run your mouth. Yes. Sometimes you know somebody says something you get you jacked up and just kind of getting all right. So next thing I know this is this is kind of close to my heart and it kind of goes back to kind of what you were talking about with all the good food. What's the most weight you lost in the single practice in a single practice? Wow, so it probably was during Camp, I would say. So I'm not sure if I single practice but I my freshman year I did come to Camp overweight. That's what Jim Brown's is. My coach. Okay, leading up to Camp. He's like, how on Earth did you come to Camp overweight with all of this ring?

38:30 You guys that I was like coach. Honestly, I've been eating anything I want. Like you said you got that all time, you don't know what to do, what I was doing with eating. We had a thing called fat camp. We had to go to my, my freshman year. I he's put it just, for me, it was me and the da after every practice, and I lost I lost about I think I I was came in at 315, terrible weight at the camp. I was probably 30 5, so I lost 15 pounds. Okay. Yeah, I could cut in like three or four weeks behind. Holy, yeah, yeah. Yeah, it was. It's a lot, man. It's a lot. Let me ask this because you talked about camp.

39:11 And, you know, we talked about cutting the way and, you know, clearly you have the drills and then you have, you know, you start doing some inter-squad and stuff like that. But was there any point in time during can't be like, saw the light at the end of the tunnel where you kind of knew like, was it, like, just a good installation was where like, you know, okay camps about to be over. We're about to go play a game like your last season you guys were versus Liberty right here. Remember like, It's time, yes, yep. So what would be my first three years? You always knew when media de Road around and it that fan appreciation day comes around you like, okay. It's, you know, it's the seasons about to be here. There are some events that the whole team had to go to as far as, you know, signing and everything like that. And I know we did an event with all the sports, all the seniors on the field, but the football team was already there. So, During that time would be more, you knew that? You know, they're just teasing me was about to begin every year.

40:14 That was kind of like you know at the end of the tunnel saying okay camps almost over. We only got maybe four more practices. Let's push through it. Me today is done, you know. So that I would say that was definitely towards the end with Flint. A is a little different. I would, we do. I know, I think he still does it the Saturday before your first game. So that previous week, you do I think? Mark game takes you. He takes you through exactly everything. You're going to do the day before the game and everything you do on game day. It and I would say my game is seared more serious than the actual game because I'm gonna RTI first year, you know, we thinking we, we actually did the whole thing. We went to Hotel, Roanoke, and did everything everything, you know, had meals, everything.

41:03 They were supposed to do the week before we did that or the week after, sorry, for that week. One we did that. So you knew all right. The season about to start, you know it's an n and then we start doing the game prep literally that day after my game. Thanks. I've also, yeah, we did something similar. We always had a, we would go and stay at a hotel, just outside of town, and then we come back in and kind of treat it like a game day, but we still have, you know, I kind of inter-squad experiments on that Saturday as well kind of something just to kind of say, alright. Can't sober. Yeah. Inter-squad actually hit hit one versus one's a little bit and then you don't actually have a day or two off to kind of settle into the normal game week there other than watching some film or something like. So yeah, that that school to here. That's awesome.

41:54 So you talked about, you know, being a part of the Beamer in the ink and then being with Coach Fuente and obviously with the new regime you got a new coach. So what type of things did the coach Vice bring to the table of that? Kind of helps. You continue your success. So so the code advice was a little different than my previous coaches with G and cereals. I was, I would say, I was a young player, so there was always someone odor. But by Ice, literally, let me in Auggie have the room, we, you know, took control of meeting. Sometimes he was there, he was there, you know, he talked to play book, I want to say, they probably got there in February of 2016 by March, we all need to play book. I honestly would say Vice was extremely smart, he has like 34 degrees in what?

42:42 I don't know, but that, you know, he has them there on the wall, but he was really smart with break. Down film. It was a different way to how we study. You know, I think by Stephanie brought that to the table, he kind of taught us how to lead. Just because he let us do it. Like I said it was, you know, there was a players that were older than me. So they were kind of taking it over and in the room but my senior year, he definitely let me know if you have it. So I would say definitely learn leadership from him and as well as you know, how to break down film and Defenders. Stands and all that stuff. He bought a lot of those little tricks to the room. Awesome, awesome.

43:25 Okay, do you think a situation like that? Where you know, you kind of passing leadership a little bit to the locker room? You think that's something that will work with all rooms or was that something that was a benefit because having having two guys that have been there and had all their starts under their belt so that he felt he could do. I think, I think that that experience definitely help with me and argue having the most experience in the room. But that was a general thing with that new coaching staff that came in. Take literally, he met with all the seniors and told us that this is your team. We met we met with him almost every week and that was just something different that he brought to the table because, you know, he was he wanted us to know that you guys are on the field together.

44:10 So I want you guys leaving it because when things get rough, they're going to listen to you. I can you know talk to I'm blue in the face but this is your team and it was only nine of us. So right off the Jump we had that communication. He wanted to, you know, gain our trust, we wanted to gain his because it was a new coach. We, yes, we had Beamer for three years. So I think all of that whole team, it was all about letting The Stingers lead and that, you know, that trickled down to the to the years after his well. Okay, well, that is something awesome to hear that you get comes in there and trust you guys to leave and I'm nuts.

44:51 That's a learning experience. I mean, for anybody, Brian, He played football and I've been in corporate world, you have a leader, come in and do that for you. It makes you feel good because you know, they trust you there is some technical stuff. Does you went play left tackle three years coach, Vice comes in. You switch to, right? Tackle, what is the biggest difference in a change like that? Because I don't know. I'm not the football. Guy bronze, the football guy, he's doing for played collegiately. I'm just a fan from like that happens. Like, what? What's the Difference for you as a player? Well, I was, I would say it. Definitely helps you more than it can hurt you because it allows you to learn the whole scheme. You're not just playing one position. Now, you have to switch everything your head. So when cereals came in my sophomore year, he moved me to write.

45:45 And then my junior, I play right and left. So, I was able to learn the Playbook completely and see different things that I wouldn't see on the right that I saw her. Left, if that makes sense. You know I was thankful that that happened because I wasn't just stuck on one position and when I either got the Arizona I was able to get more reps at left and right because you know you have to be versatile if you know want to play. So it was able to I was able to get more film on the left and right. So it would be you kind of help more more than hurting. So I like the way you mentioned about learning both sides again, the guy here with me he's taught me a lot and as long as we've been friends who didn't print 20 plus years mature, gone and any sound like on game day, I'm like texting.

46:35 And why did they do that? If he explains it on, like my phone down. So it's really good to hear that because I can see it from different views understanding and learning deeper into the play. A book when you say that it's also, right? And when coach advice came in, he was deaf. He was big on that. Everyone playing all positions, not since you have to play sinner, but want to go guy goes down, I mean that other person is next man up. So he wanted all five of us to be able to learn all positions and be able to, you know, be versatile and only office supply. He wanted his best five out there at any given time regardless of whatever that's going on. Yeah, I got you.

47:18 Let's talk about that a little bit. Since we're, you know, we talked a lot about camp and some of your experiences. Let's talk about the currency in a little bit. How do you feel about the current state of the offensive line at Virginia Tech? And I'm excited about these guys, they're young and like I said they've all played looks like last year. I was kind of looking and you saw a different number in there literally every week and I think that's big for an offensive line that the whole group can play and the injury injury is going to happen in college football world. We know that it's unfortunate, but the next man's up and bites, definitely challenged us every week that the first file, that doesn't mean anything. There's somebody that can take that spot that next week. So that was a little different seeing that too. So it brought some competition in the room and we, you know, some people started one game and some people did in the next game, we understood, it's just all you know, matters with that that we can practice okay and there brings their brains competition out of everyone.

48:19 That's awesome. Yeah, I really liked what I saw. Was some of the ways that you, as the season went on, they started you know, mixing matching some of the lime and try to get the best best five out there. And you know, I think the result is that we're going into 2020. Hopefully as the season can happen the way we want. 25 relatively season guys even though they're young and then you got a broke off and coming in there after missing last year because of everything that was going on with the NCAA. So, I think it could really be a big year for them. You know, we probably got seven or eight guys that could you know, legitimately see the starting lineup at some point in the season. Exactly. I'm really excited about that Rockhopper, man.

48:59 I'm excited to see what he has. All the coaching staff has been raving about them saying that they can't wait to get him on the field, so I'm excited to see him, you know, put that into action. Yeah, it's gonna be interesting seeing what they do with the shift there because, you know, you know, he's played center. He's played guard, you know. Is he gonna slide in its Center? Is he going to say, Right, right? Are they going to do with it? I definitely think you're going to, you know, get on the field and show us something pretty big. There was that I just like the way you talk about, what coach B does about playing. All the positions in. Everybody got the Reps last year because of that a lot safiye and you just mentioned it. Now you're going in and saying, hey white guard will commit, that's fine.

49:41 We going, we're going to steep, we're going to keep rolling to keep running our offense. We're not going to have to worry about that position being Any less right in in as somebody that watched his men. People can say, oh, best wide, receiver best quarterbacks. Hmm, I want the best offensive line most definitely. Yep, you know, man, you got y'all know when y'all were dominating people, how exactly could take the will in I'll tell you the game I remember and I'm comfortable personal side here run you were at that game when you Down it dude. Don't get that pump late. Y'all are deep. Y'all literally drove them off the ball and you it was about acting like the second person.

50:27 There will was gone. They just like we're not getting this ball that they are matter. Yep. Yep. Yep. Ah man. I got chills thinking about that because you know as a team fight there's me this. Don't want to see that offensive line walk on the field and I'm definitely that's correct. Yeah right now, let me see. Say this because let's shift a little bit to this season, you know, when the coach is you being a former player, you know, we're looking at is probably going to be an all-conference with maybe one additional out of conference game. Maybe one cross conference. You think this is going to change of how this particular coaching staff. Like, how they're going to approach the seasons.

51:09 I don't think it'll change. I think because honestly, you know, with what they came, he was all about ACC play. Anyway. I mean he would be Pair for the games but what was most important was our conference when the our Compass was most important. And at the end of the day that, you know, as a football team, that's what you want to do is when your conference and then you take the next step of. So I think, I think it'll, I think he'll enjoy that more being able to, you know, get into conference play. If they do, they always, you know, just to always seek a games. But I think you do have to kind of prepare for all circumstances because you just don't know, you know, right? Everything is unknown. And once he's definitely big on controlling, what you can control, I know he's in the present right now, trying to get them, boys, ready for a season until you know, said otherwise. So, it is kind of difficult as a coach as a player. You just don't know what's going to happen. As soon as they have that decision, I have no doubt. They'll be ready.

52:09 That's awesome. Yeah I like I said until we know what's going to happen. It's going to, you got to approach it. Like whatever is in front of you, got to just scratch full steam ahead. Got to got to take it one day at a time when we can a Time One game at a time. So right, right. So I know everybody has it, whether it's a, whether it's a game that just something really memorable happen or, you know, you graded out the best or whatever it is. But what was your most memorable game you played as a hokey? All right, so I have to and wanting to be marijuana in a point there. Okay. The first one would be Alabama. That was my first game as a college athlete. They just came up with a national championship. Oh my, that was, that was my freshman year and we're in the Georgia Dome, we're playing.

52:55 And I'm just like, I'm first of all, we get on the field. I'm just like, what are these boys eating? They were huge. They were, I was just like, yeah, I'm about to play them as a freshman, you know, this is crazy. So that definitely gave me confidence doing this season and didn't throw him over career. Just say I played the best my first game ever. Yeah, so I can definitely compete from here on now. You know, this Alabama is top tier program, them guys being you know, so big and not, you know, I did pretty well, we lost the game but that's definitely one of the games. I remember one of my, you know, best games that I could think of an era and then the second one would be UVA.

53:41 My senior every year, we were really close to UVA. Maybe about a field goal will be them, barely beat them and then just to beat them by, you know, 5210 there we go. That was that was a great feeling man. So not only do, we have the cup? We also want to coaster that year too. So that was probably, you know, one of my best games out that I remember, that's awesome. Yeah, kept the Go and get the, get the cup and I got to put it on UVA as a senior. Ain't nothing better than that. Nothing better than that right there. I tell you now the home game to that year wasn't it was even sweet memory banks to that. And that Alabama, you talk about their Alabama, man. I mean that was like John Allen, I don't think pain. I mean just off the magic and I give y'all credit because y'all fall thought that game so hard.

54:39 It was one of those things watching it at home. It's like we're not going to quit. Right, right. Like they're going to have to knock us out. We won't. We're not going to lay down on me but I remember that game. 3:30 kick. Yeah. Well you know you were under coach Beamer and say is there anything that either of those guys did or said that? Stuck with you on just maybe not from maybe a football sample. Magista like Point, yes, most definitely they both. I will start with Beamer. I'll go back to the freshman year. He came up to me right before they game and asked me, you know, asked me if I was ready and I was like, of course coach. I'm ready.

55:26 And he told me that game that you've prepared for this opportunity, your preparation has made you ready for this opportunity? And I take that to me today. That, you know, you have to be prepared for your opportunity. That's in life, anything, you do? You know your next opportunity will come, you just have to be prepared for it. It was it was simple. He didn't you know, he's a man of few words but I never really stuck with me with you know him coming to a freshman. At didn't tell me that you're ready, you know, we trust you. We're you we we saw what you've done. I'll Camp never just go play again with went a it was similar. He used to say all the time play the next play. So meaning, you know, you get beat One play, you still got more place to go and that's the same thing in life as well. I'll take that with me every day when I'm at work. I think about things, you know, things that obstacles that come through.

56:21 You have to play the next place. You have to get yourself up and get ready for what's next. You can't, you know, just be on that one. Play that just happened. You have to put an extra. Yeah. Don't don't let a pass them beat you this down. Get was definitely, yep. That's it. That's it. It absolutely John. We really thank you for joining us today. Muslim again, we want to thank John McLaughlin for joining us today. Hey Brian, we talked about it again in the program about with the conference could look like we mentioned it to John about how you think the coaches will prepare. But let me ask you this if the acnc goes to an eight game schedule, but let's say it makes some sort of agreement with the SEC in the Big 12 to play one out. Conference game.

57:08 Who do you want that out of conference opponent to be? Oh man, that's a good question. Let's see, give me. Give me Jimbo Fisher in the Texas, A&M Aggies. Let's let's go out there. Maybe or they can come visit us and we can figure out something else will not Jimbo down in a couple notches after some of the troubles he's had the last couple years. So people kick a man while he's down kick a man while he's down. Solutely. I will I think I'm towing here on because I want revenge on that ugly orange down in Knoxville, I want revenge. We should have turned the ball over that many times back at Bristol and they still chirp about it.

57:53 But then there's that team over in West, Virginia that buddy when we were in school, you deal with nasty. We never got to, I never got Go to, and I can't remember if you have or not, but you know what? We took them down up at FedEx and we got them in a few years. Let's give them. Give me Tennessee, give me Tennessee. Okay, okay. All right. So Ron anything else to put a bow on this tonight? Now think we did pretty good here buddy. Awesome. Well that's going to wrap up this episode of The Boundary Corner podcast. I am Curtis Wilson. I am Brian Siegel, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and subscribe for The podcast on your favorite Source including Spotify, and apple podcast is always without our buddy. Jason Long play us out, catch him on Spotify and apple music. We thank you for listening.

58:46 And as always let's go okey