This week your boys are joined by VTScoop Jack-of-all-trades Kolby Crawford to help us evaluate the Hokies success in the transfer portal. We then flip things over to 2027 and get an initial lay of the land for how the Hokies currently sit with many of their key targets for the 2027 cycle.
1
00:00:57,640 --> 00:01:02,760
Whether you like it or don't
like it, learn to love it
2
00:01:03,120 --> 00:01:20,840
because it is the best thing.
And welcome back to the Boundary
3
00:01:20,840 --> 00:01:24,120
Corner Podcast along with my
partner, Brian Siegel.
4
00:01:24,120 --> 00:01:27,560
And tonight, our special guest,
Colby Crawford, Form 247.
5
00:01:27,920 --> 00:01:31,440
I am Curtis Wilson, and we are
brought to you by Moments on the
6
00:01:31,440 --> 00:01:34,000
Mori.
Looking for a weekend getaway?
7
00:01:34,480 --> 00:01:37,240
Moments on the Mori might be
exactly what you're looking for.
8
00:01:37,520 --> 00:01:41,680
Owned by Proud Hokey, located
just outside Lexington, VA, the
9
00:01:41,680 --> 00:01:45,000
place gives you fishing,
kayaking, or just relaxing in or
10
00:01:45,000 --> 00:01:48,560
by the river Outback.
So take a look at the link in
11
00:01:48,560 --> 00:01:50,880
our comments section.
If you're looking for something
12
00:01:50,880 --> 00:01:54,280
this spring or summer or maybe
even next fall trying to make a
13
00:01:54,280 --> 00:02:00,440
game, visit that website there
the Airbnb and also at Instagram
14
00:02:00,440 --> 00:02:03,200
on Instagram at Moments on the
Maori.
15
00:02:04,280 --> 00:02:09,320
Colby Crawford has returned to
the Boundary Corn podcast.
16
00:02:09,440 --> 00:02:11,480
Colby, how are you doing this
evening, my man?
17
00:02:12,280 --> 00:02:14,800
Doing well gentlemen you know
shoot might have some later
18
00:02:14,800 --> 00:02:17,880
spring break plans going down in
the Moore river thinking about
19
00:02:17,880 --> 00:02:21,200
that intro video was awesome.
So appreciate you guys having me
20
00:02:21,200 --> 00:02:22,640
back on.
I always feel bad.
21
00:02:22,640 --> 00:02:26,240
I always get the invite so
cordially and I feel like every
22
00:02:26,240 --> 00:02:28,240
time you guys invite me, I'm in
a time vortex.
23
00:02:28,240 --> 00:02:31,160
I'm in Florida, I'm in North
Carolina, I'm in Charleston
24
00:02:31,160 --> 00:02:33,280
chasing some waves or something.
But we got it in.
25
00:02:33,280 --> 00:02:35,600
So looking forward to talk some
football here.
26
00:02:36,160 --> 00:02:38,840
Hey, man, every time we we hit
you up your own spring breaks,
27
00:02:38,840 --> 00:02:41,000
that's that's a good thing for
you because you get to step
28
00:02:41,000 --> 00:02:42,960
away, you get to recharge the
battery a little bit, do a
29
00:02:42,960 --> 00:02:45,960
little something different.
So glad you got to do that.
30
00:02:45,960 --> 00:02:50,080
Glad you're on with us tonight.
It's going to be a lot of fun.
31
00:02:50,080 --> 00:02:53,200
Always, always love chopping it
up with you, especially when it
32
00:02:53,200 --> 00:02:56,280
comes to recruiting, transfer
portal, all that.
33
00:02:56,280 --> 00:02:58,400
Man.
You do such a good job in that
34
00:02:58,400 --> 00:03:00,200
space, so we really appreciate
you coming on.
35
00:03:00,720 --> 00:03:02,920
Yeah, for sure all.
Right.
36
00:03:02,920 --> 00:03:06,680
Well, before we get into
football, let's let's, let's,
37
00:03:06,680 --> 00:03:09,920
let's give the old salute the
old rest in peace.
38
00:03:11,840 --> 00:03:16,120
Men's basketball season came to
an end last night.
39
00:03:17,000 --> 00:03:19,760
For those who are saying they're
probably going to be in the NIT,
40
00:03:20,120 --> 00:03:23,320
no, I'm sorry.
I cannot get excited about going
41
00:03:23,320 --> 00:03:26,920
to the NIT, not this year.
But Kobe, I know you were
42
00:03:26,920 --> 00:03:31,440
mentioning before, as busy as
you were, kudos to Kobe
43
00:03:31,440 --> 00:03:35,400
Crawford, busy man with all the
football stuff, makes it to six
44
00:03:35,840 --> 00:03:38,040
games this year, which is
impressive.
45
00:03:38,040 --> 00:03:41,480
Again, we know how much you're
working with the football stuff
46
00:03:41,480 --> 00:03:43,640
to make six games this year.
That's pretty impressive.
47
00:03:43,640 --> 00:03:47,760
But what's your take just from
what you saw with basketball
48
00:03:47,760 --> 00:03:50,600
this year?
And we know it's not your the
49
00:03:50,600 --> 00:03:54,080
most, it's not your full name,
but we know you got an opinion.
50
00:03:54,680 --> 00:03:57,160
Yeah, I think it was around six.
I'm in that neighborhood.
51
00:03:57,160 --> 00:04:00,480
But yeah, I I think any way you
slice it, you cut it.
52
00:04:00,480 --> 00:04:04,080
Stakeholders, fans, players,
staff, anyone involved.
53
00:04:04,760 --> 00:04:07,520
I think we tell you it was a
disappointment of a season,
54
00:04:07,520 --> 00:04:09,640
right?
When you saw what you brought
55
00:04:09,640 --> 00:04:11,920
in, how the roster was formed
ahead of the year.
56
00:04:12,920 --> 00:04:14,960
It was kind of like, OK, now
we're never a type moment,
57
00:04:14,960 --> 00:04:16,600
right?
You, you obviously get Neocliss
58
00:04:16,600 --> 00:04:18,839
of Dallas who rated the five
star.
59
00:04:19,079 --> 00:04:21,880
And you know, that experiment
kind of goes the way it does,
60
00:04:21,880 --> 00:04:23,520
right?
And you bring in the transfers.
61
00:04:24,440 --> 00:04:26,240
Monty Hansberry, he plays out of
his mind.
62
00:04:26,240 --> 00:04:28,840
Honorable mention gets dinged up
at the end of the year.
63
00:04:28,840 --> 00:04:33,120
Jalen Bedford, you kind of build
the roster and then you really
64
00:04:33,120 --> 00:04:34,960
just miss out.
And so many Heartbreakers,
65
00:04:34,960 --> 00:04:36,480
right?
It's almost feels like they've
66
00:04:36,480 --> 00:04:38,800
become accustomed to it.
You look at, I know it's been
67
00:04:38,800 --> 00:04:42,200
harped on so much, but Stanford
up 13, what with like 2 minutes
68
00:04:42,200 --> 00:04:46,080
left, SMU buzzer beater, Wake
Forest, the first time you're
69
00:04:46,080 --> 00:04:49,160
down.
Was it Toby at the time, not
70
00:04:49,160 --> 00:04:51,520
Tyler Johnson to lose on a last
second three pointer?
71
00:04:52,720 --> 00:04:55,080
There was just opportunities.
I mean, even UVAUVA, they were
72
00:04:55,080 --> 00:04:58,600
down I think 16 at the half and
they battled back to lose by 4.
73
00:04:58,600 --> 00:05:00,400
They had opportunities right
there at the end.
74
00:05:01,800 --> 00:05:05,400
It's it was just a season of we
said it before we went live
75
00:05:05,400 --> 00:05:10,160
living and dying by every shot
and they they just died too many
76
00:05:10,160 --> 00:05:13,120
times and like who knows where
it comes from.
77
00:05:13,120 --> 00:05:15,520
It sounds like Mike Young's
going to be back roster
78
00:05:15,520 --> 00:05:18,000
construction.
I'm not exactly sure, but
79
00:05:18,000 --> 00:05:21,160
definitely a very disappointing
season on paper as to what was
80
00:05:21,160 --> 00:05:23,200
projected going into the year
for Virginia Tech.
81
00:05:24,120 --> 00:05:26,280
Yeah, when you look at the
roster top to bottom, it's
82
00:05:26,280 --> 00:05:30,160
probably one of the more just
talented roster, definitely
83
00:05:30,160 --> 00:05:33,640
probably the the the best roster
Mike Young's had in a few years
84
00:05:34,200 --> 00:05:38,640
for certain.
And it just felt like whether it
85
00:05:38,640 --> 00:05:41,960
was under underachieving, not
closing out games, there was
86
00:05:41,960 --> 00:05:44,040
like something different.
Obviously injuries played a
87
00:05:44,040 --> 00:05:47,560
factor in there with, you know,
you haven't, you know, three key
88
00:05:47,680 --> 00:05:50,760
key pieces missing significant
time or playing through
89
00:05:50,760 --> 00:05:53,240
injuries.
And it was just one of those
90
00:05:53,240 --> 00:05:58,000
years where it it felt like you
saw glimpses of what they could
91
00:05:58,000 --> 00:06:01,000
be at times, but they weren't
able to do it consistently
92
00:06:01,000 --> 00:06:03,360
enough.
And they dropped way too many
93
00:06:03,360 --> 00:06:07,800
games in close fashion that on
paper they should have won, and
94
00:06:07,800 --> 00:06:12,280
in some cases won handily.
Yeah. 100% I mean, that was the
95
00:06:12,280 --> 00:06:14,040
Stanford and that was the weight
games.
96
00:06:14,040 --> 00:06:18,160
Like to me that was like the
beginning of the end because you
97
00:06:18,160 --> 00:06:23,800
you come in and have such a
great, great 10 and two.
98
00:06:23,800 --> 00:06:27,240
The only two losses were right
after Toby messed up his ankle
99
00:06:27,720 --> 00:06:31,520
down in the Bahamas.
They lose to a a whole BCU team.
100
00:06:31,760 --> 00:06:34,320
You leads to an NCAA tournament
team in Saint Mary's, right?
101
00:06:35,320 --> 00:06:39,800
And they they gathered it back
where when they beat UVA on
102
00:06:39,960 --> 00:06:42,680
Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve,
excuse me, I was like, wow, this
103
00:06:42,680 --> 00:06:45,080
team's like they're they're
doing what they normally don't
104
00:06:45,080 --> 00:06:47,320
do.
Like normally when they have
105
00:06:47,320 --> 00:06:49,360
this happen, it just it just
just.
106
00:06:49,640 --> 00:06:52,200
Tumbles out of control, yeah.
Exactly bad.
107
00:06:52,560 --> 00:06:54,880
They they fight UVA and it's
like this is great because
108
00:06:54,880 --> 00:06:57,640
Toby's going to be back soon,
yet Tyler gets hurt.
109
00:06:57,840 --> 00:07:00,720
That stinks, but it's like it's
like they understand how to face
110
00:07:00,720 --> 00:07:02,200
adversity.
And then those three games where
111
00:07:02,200 --> 00:07:03,760
you're looking and said we're
better than them.
112
00:07:04,000 --> 00:07:06,320
We are better than Wake Forest,
we're better than SMU, we're
113
00:07:06,320 --> 00:07:09,320
better than standard.
And again, what you said, Colby,
114
00:07:09,320 --> 00:07:12,640
it's the heartbreaker, 1/2 court
buzzer beater, A3 pointer with
115
00:07:12,640 --> 00:07:16,200
two seconds left and then a
three pointer also very late
116
00:07:16,200 --> 00:07:19,400
against Wake.
And you're like, there shouldn't
117
00:07:19,400 --> 00:07:22,080
be a three-point game.
This game should be over.
118
00:07:22,080 --> 00:07:25,640
You're more talented than them.
I digress when it comes to that
119
00:07:25,640 --> 00:07:27,960
sort of stuff.
But basketball season's over
120
00:07:28,000 --> 00:07:31,240
like and you have Kobe.
You said it to every what
121
00:07:31,240 --> 00:07:36,440
everything we're hearing is
Mike's back next year, better or
122
00:07:36,440 --> 00:07:38,480
worse.
I don't know how that's going to
123
00:07:38,480 --> 00:07:42,560
turn out, but you know.
It's going to be hard to build a
124
00:07:42,560 --> 00:07:46,560
roster with what is effectively
a lame duck coach.
125
00:07:46,560 --> 00:07:51,280
So unless we get a situation
where we get some sort of
126
00:07:51,280 --> 00:07:54,960
coaching waiting type
announcement in, you know, the
127
00:07:54,960 --> 00:07:59,200
next month or two where they can
kind of build off of that.
128
00:07:59,600 --> 00:08:02,840
I'm very concerned about getting
the players in here because if
129
00:08:02,920 --> 00:08:07,320
if you're looking at building a
roster with a lame duck coach,
130
00:08:07,320 --> 00:08:10,800
you're talking about
constructing it with a bunch of
131
00:08:10,800 --> 00:08:14,280
guys that are only there for a
year.
132
00:08:14,920 --> 00:08:18,280
May or may not.
You know, their focus may not be
133
00:08:18,280 --> 00:08:22,600
on winning the ACC, on making it
to the turn with their focus may
134
00:08:22,600 --> 00:08:27,720
just be on getting getting
enough time out there to take
135
00:08:27,720 --> 00:08:28,760
that next step.
Right.
136
00:08:28,760 --> 00:08:30,920
So I don't know if you're going
to necessarily be able to build
137
00:08:30,920 --> 00:08:36,840
a team with that, with that
mindset that can do the things
138
00:08:36,840 --> 00:08:41,039
you want to do from the, you
know, end goal, which is to go
139
00:08:41,039 --> 00:08:44,200
out there and try to try to win
the ACC and and make it to the
140
00:08:44,200 --> 00:08:45,760
tournament.
It's going to be a very
141
00:08:45,760 --> 00:08:50,360
difficult, difficult path for
for that team in that situation.
142
00:08:50,360 --> 00:08:54,000
Like I said, unless you get a a
coach in waiting type situation
143
00:08:54,160 --> 00:08:59,400
in the next couple of months.
We'll see, we'll see.
144
00:08:59,480 --> 00:09:00,920
That's all we can do is see and
wait.
145
00:09:00,920 --> 00:09:04,360
And in a way hope, because you
do hope the coaching waiting
146
00:09:04,360 --> 00:09:07,040
happens because like you said,
Brian, that at least gives the
147
00:09:07,040 --> 00:09:11,400
stability of what's going to go
on forward if Mike Young chooses
148
00:09:11,720 --> 00:09:14,840
to potentially retire maybe in
the next year or two.
149
00:09:15,440 --> 00:09:17,960
All right, so Colby, we brought
you in.
150
00:09:17,960 --> 00:09:20,840
We've got to talk football.
We've got to talk recruiting
151
00:09:20,840 --> 00:09:26,920
from all angles, both Portal and
obviously the class of 2027,
152
00:09:26,920 --> 00:09:28,440
which is just getting kicked
off.
153
00:09:28,920 --> 00:09:34,440
So I'll start out here.
You guys, you Evan matey, you
154
00:09:34,440 --> 00:09:37,520
guys were the absolutely
lifeblood of Portal information.
155
00:09:37,840 --> 00:09:41,520
Those updates, your tweets, the
the tracker.
156
00:09:41,520 --> 00:09:43,080
The tracker is the greatest
thing you'll have.
157
00:09:43,080 --> 00:09:45,080
Like I just go to you or one of
y'all's page.
158
00:09:45,080 --> 00:09:47,680
Let me see who we offered.
Does it make sense?
159
00:09:48,600 --> 00:09:51,840
You guys crushed it in all
facets.
160
00:09:51,840 --> 00:09:55,760
So a tip of the cap to the
entire 247 and you especially.
161
00:09:56,080 --> 00:09:58,280
But I'm going to preface this by
some of the questions we're
162
00:09:58,280 --> 00:10:00,440
going to ask about the portal.
Some's going to be spin State
163
00:10:00,440 --> 00:10:03,800
Pacific's fun are going to be
not because we took so many Penn
164
00:10:03,800 --> 00:10:08,240
State guys, but let's let's
let's take Penn State transfers
165
00:10:08,240 --> 00:10:10,320
out of it.
You know, you got to get your
166
00:10:10,320 --> 00:10:11,880
list to me.
Like, let me throw that behind
167
00:10:11,880 --> 00:10:13,160
me because there's a bunch of
them here.
168
00:10:15,120 --> 00:10:19,120
Taking them out of the equation,
which of the players who landed
169
00:10:19,160 --> 00:10:22,640
at Virginia Tech, non Penn State
to me had the to you had the
170
00:10:22,640 --> 00:10:25,600
most interesting journey as you
started looking at their back
171
00:10:25,600 --> 00:10:27,720
story and where they were coming
from and maybe where they were
172
00:10:27,720 --> 00:10:31,000
out of high school?
Yeah, that's a great question.
173
00:10:31,480 --> 00:10:33,280
First off, thank you guys.
I appreciate it.
174
00:10:33,480 --> 00:10:36,240
The transfer portal is pretty
crazy those first couple days.
175
00:10:38,120 --> 00:10:41,480
I mean, even years passed every
time that cycle opens.
176
00:10:42,720 --> 00:10:45,200
Thankfully this year wasn't like
during the semester and like
177
00:10:45,200 --> 00:10:48,480
final season because you're
getting like maybe 4 hours of
178
00:10:48,480 --> 00:10:52,760
sleep, you know, your phones
buzzing, like I'm scared to show
179
00:10:53,400 --> 00:10:55,440
any loved ones my screen time
during that.
180
00:10:55,440 --> 00:10:58,600
So it is definitely, I mean,
it's a well, yeah, look, it's a
181
00:10:58,600 --> 00:11:00,760
it's a great time, but it's also
very wild ride.
182
00:11:00,760 --> 00:11:03,040
You're hanging on.
So it was crazy.
183
00:11:03,040 --> 00:11:05,640
Now going back to your question
though, there's a couple
184
00:11:05,640 --> 00:11:08,520
different guys like one that I
think of that I think not from
185
00:11:08,520 --> 00:11:10,640
Penn State, but it's going to be
an impact guy and has a little
186
00:11:10,640 --> 00:11:13,160
bit of a crazy journey.
Keshawn Brown coming from Duke
187
00:11:13,720 --> 00:11:17,400
had a very good season there.
Duke obviously the ACC champion
188
00:11:17,800 --> 00:11:20,360
and he was the one where he
camped at Virginia Tech.
189
00:11:20,360 --> 00:11:22,280
You know, it's from Kernsville,
North Carolina, I believe.
190
00:11:23,120 --> 00:11:25,880
E Forsyth High School, I think
might be talking out of turn
191
00:11:25,880 --> 00:11:28,800
there, but he camped at Virginia
Tech when he was coming out and
192
00:11:28,800 --> 00:11:31,680
Fontel Mines, I believe it was
that first year with Brent pride
193
00:11:31,680 --> 00:11:34,840
when mines was on staff and
mines didn't offer him that wide
194
00:11:34,840 --> 00:11:36,240
receiver coming out of the camp
right now.
195
00:11:36,240 --> 00:11:40,200
He goes on to Duke the in state
school and does what he does all
196
00:11:40,200 --> 00:11:42,720
ACC caliber player and then
coming out of the portal.
197
00:11:42,720 --> 00:11:45,160
That's kind of how mines entry
point is like, look, man, I'm
198
00:11:45,160 --> 00:11:47,720
sorry, it was a mis eval.
I should have offered you.
199
00:11:47,720 --> 00:11:49,120
So I think that's one that's
interesting.
200
00:11:49,120 --> 00:11:51,720
Not from Penn State and I think
you know, he's going to factor
201
00:11:51,720 --> 00:11:53,280
pretty early right there in the
slot position.
202
00:11:53,280 --> 00:11:55,840
You've seen what he's been able
to do in the conference already.
203
00:11:56,800 --> 00:11:59,360
Another one I think is Justin
Terry, who's also someone I
204
00:11:59,360 --> 00:12:01,880
think he'd contribute pretty
early, Ohio State transfer
205
00:12:01,880 --> 00:12:04,360
offensive tackle.
And his relationship goes back
206
00:12:04,360 --> 00:12:06,040
with Matt Moore.
Matt Moore's been at Virginia
207
00:12:06,040 --> 00:12:09,240
Tech now for a couple years and
Justin Terry was recruited to
208
00:12:09,240 --> 00:12:12,920
West Virginia under Matt Moore.
Now, when Moore jumped and you
209
00:12:12,920 --> 00:12:16,560
saw guys like Cal Tuner, Lucas
Austin and Tomas Remack follow,
210
00:12:18,200 --> 00:12:21,360
I guess Terry, you know, decided
to go to Ohio State, follow
211
00:12:21,840 --> 00:12:26,240
Tyler Bowen over there, go play
for Ryan Day and then, you know,
212
00:12:26,240 --> 00:12:29,040
found his way back to Virginia
Tech this last cycle.
213
00:12:29,040 --> 00:12:34,120
So I think that is definitely
one to watch.
214
00:12:34,160 --> 00:12:35,640
I think those are two names to
watch.
215
00:12:36,720 --> 00:12:38,960
Trying to think about some other
names.
216
00:12:39,520 --> 00:12:42,360
Cortez Harris, he visited
Virginia Tech in the past, edge
217
00:12:42,360 --> 00:12:45,360
rusher from Penn State.
Another one I think is the edge
218
00:12:45,360 --> 00:12:47,560
position continues to flush out,
but he went to Penn State.
219
00:12:47,560 --> 00:12:49,320
So I know we weren't talking
Penn State guys.
220
00:12:49,760 --> 00:12:52,720
Justin Bell, I believe, had a
relationship with Matt Moore but
221
00:12:52,720 --> 00:12:54,600
chose Michigan State over West
Virginia.
222
00:12:54,600 --> 00:12:56,880
I believe that was one of his
final groups, the Michigan State
223
00:12:57,400 --> 00:13:01,040
transfer offensive tackle.
And I'm trying to think about
224
00:13:01,040 --> 00:13:04,520
who else has a connection.
I think those are some of the,
225
00:13:05,560 --> 00:13:08,960
yeah.
Go ahead, go ahead, go.
226
00:13:08,960 --> 00:13:10,360
Ahead, No, I I think that was
kind of it.
227
00:13:10,360 --> 00:13:13,480
And then Eric Mensa, the last
one I'll say is the one who was
228
00:13:13,800 --> 00:13:16,160
obviously committed to Virginia
Tech out of high school, right.
229
00:13:16,160 --> 00:13:18,000
And then in terms of Ohio State
and then found this way back.
230
00:13:18,000 --> 00:13:21,280
So just broad stroke, like you
said, interesting stories.
231
00:13:21,280 --> 00:13:24,320
I would say those guys Mensa was
committed to Tech and then when
232
00:13:24,440 --> 00:13:27,280
oh, sorry, the the statue of
Virginia Tech and Ohio State at
233
00:13:27,280 --> 00:13:28,680
the time.
And even still, you know, it's
234
00:13:29,120 --> 00:13:31,080
they're still kind of on two
different playing fields on
235
00:13:31,080 --> 00:13:32,840
James Franklin has raised the
floor there.
236
00:13:33,360 --> 00:13:34,760
But you know, flipping to Ohio
State.
237
00:13:34,760 --> 00:13:38,440
I would say those were the most
interesting storylines from the
238
00:13:38,440 --> 00:13:40,240
transfers.
Yeah.
239
00:13:40,240 --> 00:13:43,480
I know when we were doing a lot
of the kind of the breakdown of
240
00:13:43,480 --> 00:13:46,400
the, the guys that that were
targets, you know, Terry was the
241
00:13:46,400 --> 00:13:50,760
guy that we were really excited
about you not only because you
242
00:13:50,840 --> 00:13:55,200
know, the tackle room needed to
be rebuilt from the ground up.
243
00:13:55,200 --> 00:13:59,760
You know, we saw the the lack of
depth last year be a big issue,
244
00:14:00,160 --> 00:14:03,040
especially as injury stacked up
as the season went along.
245
00:14:03,960 --> 00:14:06,240
Rebuilding that tackle room
certainly seemed like a priority
246
00:14:06,240 --> 00:14:09,240
for Matt Moore and for for Coach
Franklin.
247
00:14:09,240 --> 00:14:11,080
So excited to see him in the
building.
248
00:14:11,760 --> 00:14:13,280
And I know that's one that
dragged on.
249
00:14:13,280 --> 00:14:15,960
I'm trying to think I know we'll
get into it, but I remember when
250
00:14:15,960 --> 00:14:18,440
Ethan Grunkmeyer hadn't
officially signed and people
251
00:14:18,840 --> 00:14:19,840
were losing.
Their minds.
252
00:14:19,840 --> 00:14:21,880
In their minds, they were losing
their minds.
253
00:14:22,440 --> 00:14:24,400
There was a there.
Was a weak period there where it
254
00:14:24,400 --> 00:14:26,600
was like everyone was on edge
because it was.
255
00:14:26,800 --> 00:14:29,080
It was right it.
Came out national like the
256
00:14:29,080 --> 00:14:32,200
national guy said.
Grung is expected to to sign
257
00:14:32,200 --> 00:14:34,600
with the Hokies and then radio
silence. 8.
258
00:14:35,760 --> 00:14:38,520
Or 9 days, something like that.
You know, it's been long enough.
259
00:14:38,520 --> 00:14:41,480
I'll tell you the the story on
why the Grunk News originally
260
00:14:41,480 --> 00:14:45,680
broke, right was it was because
for Beulah's agent had talked to
261
00:14:46,920 --> 00:14:49,760
reporters, right and said Gronk
is going to Virginia Tech,
262
00:14:49,760 --> 00:14:51,400
right, Because for Beulah was
out of the running there.
263
00:14:51,920 --> 00:14:54,480
Now this was before anything was
signed, but it was well known
264
00:14:54,480 --> 00:14:56,560
right behind the scenes.
So that's why the initial leak
265
00:14:56,560 --> 00:14:59,360
came out.
So I mean at that point, that's
266
00:14:59,360 --> 00:15:00,800
why you make that reporting
right.
267
00:15:00,800 --> 00:15:03,920
So now it's been enough, it's
been a couple months now to say
268
00:15:03,920 --> 00:15:07,400
that, but throughout the
process, people are like, is
269
00:15:07,480 --> 00:15:09,560
this school getting involved or
that there there really was none
270
00:15:09,560 --> 00:15:11,040
of that back channeling going
on.
271
00:15:11,360 --> 00:15:14,040
He was dealing with a a new
agent as well in the process.
272
00:15:14,040 --> 00:15:16,960
He was working through, I guess
NFL contracts or something and
273
00:15:16,960 --> 00:15:19,480
then red lighting some items.
But there there was no wavering.
274
00:15:19,480 --> 00:15:22,080
And and that's how the initial
news broke the week before.
275
00:15:22,080 --> 00:15:25,120
It was right after, I think it
was midnight and it was after
276
00:15:25,120 --> 00:15:28,240
the Steelers Ravens game, and
that was after the Anthony
277
00:15:28,240 --> 00:15:30,800
Midget news is broke.
So that that game hinged on if
278
00:15:30,840 --> 00:15:32,800
Anthony Midget was going to make
the Blacksburg in time.
279
00:15:33,080 --> 00:15:35,080
Man, it was just so hectic with
people losing their mind.
280
00:15:36,720 --> 00:15:40,720
I think it's this feeling right
here from one of our costume
281
00:15:40,720 --> 00:15:43,440
listeners, Jim.
Yeah.
282
00:15:43,440 --> 00:15:45,480
We aren't used to having nice
things happen.
283
00:15:45,480 --> 00:15:47,400
It's true.
Like we're going to get the rug
284
00:15:47,400 --> 00:15:50,160
pulled out from us.
It does feel like when when
285
00:15:50,160 --> 00:15:54,880
things start to go a little S,
we definitely are used to, you
286
00:15:54,920 --> 00:15:56,400
know.
Being it going really S being.
287
00:15:57,640 --> 00:15:59,440
On the wrong end of that.
So I think, you know, the the
288
00:15:59,440 --> 00:16:02,200
pessimism certainly started to
kick in pretty quick there.
289
00:16:03,680 --> 00:16:06,000
I just remember not not to cut
you off, but to stay on that.
290
00:16:06,000 --> 00:16:08,040
I remember I got back from my
trip.
291
00:16:08,080 --> 00:16:10,400
I I went out West like halfway
through it to go snowboarding
292
00:16:10,400 --> 00:16:13,400
and I came back and I still see
all this discourse and I
293
00:16:13,400 --> 00:16:17,000
remember I put in a crystal ball
lock of 10 for Grunk Meyer and
294
00:16:17,000 --> 00:16:20,920
somehow that got people more up
in arms like, oh, and it's not
295
00:16:20,920 --> 00:16:23,040
happening now.
I was like here, Let let me like
296
00:16:23,040 --> 00:16:24,240
settle some concerns.
I just.
297
00:16:24,240 --> 00:16:27,280
Remember, yeah, you thought you
were doing the the Lord's work
298
00:16:27,280 --> 00:16:29,280
there.
You're getting piled on.
299
00:16:30,040 --> 00:16:32,440
That's what we call, but I'm
going to calm the waters.
300
00:16:32,440 --> 00:16:35,440
Instead, it's like you throw a
giant boulder and it's like
301
00:16:37,240 --> 00:16:38,880
Jeezy, well.
Let's.
302
00:16:39,400 --> 00:16:44,200
Let's let's do this because of
the collective, at least this
303
00:16:44,200 --> 00:16:48,000
podcast, myself, Brian Talley,
Shelton, we all thank Ethan
304
00:16:48,000 --> 00:16:50,440
Grotmeyer.
Without a doubt the most
305
00:16:50,440 --> 00:16:53,880
important transfer, whether Penn
State or outside Penn State.
306
00:16:54,360 --> 00:16:57,240
But I think I know you're going
to answer this because you kind
307
00:16:57,240 --> 00:16:59,160
of you gave it away when you
were talking a little bit
308
00:16:59,160 --> 00:17:02,520
earlier, but which other Penn
State transfer do you believe is
309
00:17:02,520 --> 00:17:06,839
the key to this portal class?
Yeah, I know we were talking
310
00:17:06,839 --> 00:17:08,280
Luke Reynolds.
I mean Luke Reynolds, the one
311
00:17:08,280 --> 00:17:11,480
that jumps off the page, right?
Just without thinking. 5 star
312
00:17:11,480 --> 00:17:13,520
guy out of high school has all
the tools.
313
00:17:13,520 --> 00:17:15,720
Now, maybe he didn't put it
together in full force at Penn
314
00:17:15,720 --> 00:17:19,240
State, but this is someone like
this Thai house guy, right?
315
00:17:19,920 --> 00:17:23,599
And in early stuff and, and you
know, their individual workouts
316
00:17:23,599 --> 00:17:25,520
as they've been able to do
throwing now, granted with no
317
00:17:25,520 --> 00:17:28,760
pads on, no offensive install,
you've heard really great things
318
00:17:28,760 --> 00:17:33,480
like, you know, Route 3, like a
wide receiver wait is up there
319
00:17:33,480 --> 00:17:36,280
to block in line, like all the
things you want to hear.
320
00:17:36,280 --> 00:17:38,360
And, and you saw some of that
production at Penn State.
321
00:17:38,800 --> 00:17:41,360
I think that's a guy that you,
you know what Ty Howe's going to
322
00:17:41,360 --> 00:17:42,560
want to do.
You're going to see some 12
323
00:17:42,560 --> 00:17:45,440
personnel and this is an offense
and you know, you hear 12
324
00:17:45,440 --> 00:17:48,760
personnel and you think, oh,
stagnant, Look at what the Rams
325
00:17:48,760 --> 00:17:50,600
do, you know, like they run a
lot of 12 personnel.
326
00:17:50,600 --> 00:17:52,520
It's a pretty explosive offense.
They're they're still going to
327
00:17:52,520 --> 00:17:56,560
want to push the ball down the
field, But I mean, it's going to
328
00:17:56,560 --> 00:17:58,400
be very tight and heavy.
I think that's why retaining
329
00:17:58,400 --> 00:18:01,640
Benji Gosnell and also having
Luke Reynolds is such an asset
330
00:18:01,880 --> 00:18:04,120
because they're both great pass
catchers, right?
331
00:18:04,120 --> 00:18:05,720
They bring an element of
surprise and that's what the
332
00:18:05,720 --> 00:18:08,080
tight end can do.
You put in a linebacker on that
333
00:18:08,080 --> 00:18:09,720
guy, right?
Like you, you want your tight
334
00:18:09,720 --> 00:18:11,960
end to be a better athlete than
that linebacker creates a
335
00:18:11,960 --> 00:18:15,320
mismatch or or put a nickel on
put whoever like both those guys
336
00:18:15,320 --> 00:18:17,600
create matchup problems.
And and that's what Ty Howe
337
00:18:17,600 --> 00:18:20,800
continually says, right, like
any good OC is, is not the
338
00:18:20,800 --> 00:18:23,520
shaping and curating their
offense to the talent they have.
339
00:18:23,920 --> 00:18:26,360
And when you have that type of
talent in the tight end room and
340
00:18:26,360 --> 00:18:29,080
not to not mention Jerickies
Harrison, who had a really great
341
00:18:29,080 --> 00:18:31,520
year last year and they were
very high on that was a big
342
00:18:31,520 --> 00:18:34,920
retention get some SEC schools
knocking very aggressively at
343
00:18:34,920 --> 00:18:37,680
them that I don't think even a
lot of people gave, you know,
344
00:18:38,040 --> 00:18:40,640
like thought to.
So that tight end room is in the
345
00:18:40,640 --> 00:18:43,040
best shape it's been in.
I mean, definitely in the front
346
00:18:43,040 --> 00:18:48,000
pride tenure and probably even
stemming back a decade probably.
347
00:18:48,000 --> 00:18:51,000
Like I don't I don't even know
like it's in a really, really
348
00:18:51,000 --> 00:18:53,400
good spot at other Penn State
transfers.
349
00:18:53,400 --> 00:18:57,640
Like I said, I don't want to who
could make an impact
350
00:18:57,640 --> 00:18:59,680
immediately.
You have Gronk, you have Luke
351
00:18:59,680 --> 00:19:05,040
Reynolds, Keon Wiley at
linebacker.
352
00:19:05,040 --> 00:19:06,520
I think that's going to be
another one who's going to
353
00:19:06,520 --> 00:19:07,920
factor in that starting
rotation.
354
00:19:08,760 --> 00:19:12,040
I know over on Vt scoop.com,
it's like you think out loud
355
00:19:12,040 --> 00:19:14,840
because, you know, you hear some
NFL feedback of Cable Spencer
356
00:19:14,840 --> 00:19:16,400
wanting to keep him inside,
right?
357
00:19:16,880 --> 00:19:19,880
But he was sort of that natural
star in front prize defense.
358
00:19:19,880 --> 00:19:22,400
And he's come on like there's no
way he's not going to be one of
359
00:19:22,400 --> 00:19:25,520
the starting 3 linebackers.
And I think Noah Chambers
360
00:19:25,520 --> 00:19:28,240
probably has an inside track at
Mike just based on personnel and
361
00:19:28,240 --> 00:19:31,440
what he was able to show.
Wiley is probably a little bit
362
00:19:31,440 --> 00:19:36,080
more ready inside than to go
play outside.
363
00:19:36,080 --> 00:19:38,240
So if you want your best 3
backers, I think it's Keon
364
00:19:38,240 --> 00:19:41,320
Wiley, Noah Chambers and Caleb
Spencer.
365
00:19:41,600 --> 00:19:43,200
But it's just, what does that
rotation look like?
366
00:19:43,200 --> 00:19:44,960
So I think Wiley's going to play
a ton of snaps.
367
00:19:44,960 --> 00:19:47,800
It's just where does it fit?
And then the other one, Kenny
368
00:19:47,800 --> 00:19:49,920
Wilsley junior, they're a
nickel.
369
00:19:50,240 --> 00:19:51,840
How does that factor?
And I think it's going to be
370
00:19:51,840 --> 00:19:54,280
hard to keep Jamar Deloach off
the field at nickel, some of
371
00:19:54,280 --> 00:19:56,000
those other young guys.
But I think you're still going
372
00:19:56,000 --> 00:19:58,520
to see him take on quite a heavy
snap share.
373
00:19:58,840 --> 00:20:01,160
But I would definitely say Ethan
Gruckmeyer, like we said across
374
00:20:01,160 --> 00:20:03,040
the board, touches the ball
every play.
375
00:20:03,720 --> 00:20:05,960
You don't have to look far in
college football right now to
376
00:20:05,960 --> 00:20:08,320
know.
Like, Indiana's a really great
377
00:20:08,320 --> 00:20:09,840
team.
You go bring in a difference
378
00:20:09,840 --> 00:20:11,200
maker at quarterback.
Look what happened.
379
00:20:11,440 --> 00:20:14,920
I mean, there's, there's so many
examples of that, that
380
00:20:14,920 --> 00:20:18,200
quarterback just across football
at every level can really be a
381
00:20:18,200 --> 00:20:20,640
difference maker.
But I think Luke Reynolds and
382
00:20:21,000 --> 00:20:23,480
Keon Wiley are the two biggest
names from Penn State to watch
383
00:20:23,720 --> 00:20:26,000
for the 2026 season.
Yeah, yeah.
384
00:20:26,160 --> 00:20:28,360
I love that you said Luke, and
and I love that what you were
385
00:20:28,360 --> 00:20:31,120
talking about there with the
route tree in the passing game,
386
00:20:31,120 --> 00:20:35,720
because if there's one thing
that we collectively talk about
387
00:20:35,720 --> 00:20:39,400
and feel like we didn't see
enough is using that tight end
388
00:20:39,400 --> 00:20:41,240
to attack the seam of the
defense.
389
00:20:41,280 --> 00:20:44,640
You, you know, getting them
involved vertically in the
390
00:20:44,640 --> 00:20:47,160
passing game.
And I feel like, you know, some
391
00:20:47,160 --> 00:20:50,760
of that was if you're going to
do that, you've got to have an
392
00:20:50,760 --> 00:20:52,800
accurate quarterback because
that's a difficult throw to
393
00:20:52,800 --> 00:20:54,960
make.
So that's number one, right.
394
00:20:55,080 --> 00:20:58,720
Yep, you know, you feel probably
a little bit better about taking
395
00:20:58,720 --> 00:21:01,480
those kind of shots with someone
as accurate.
396
00:21:01,480 --> 00:21:03,720
That's showing the accuracy that
that Gronk has to this point.
397
00:21:04,880 --> 00:21:07,720
But but getting a guy and now,
you know, we we've seen Benji be
398
00:21:07,720 --> 00:21:09,520
able to do it in a limited
capacity.
399
00:21:09,520 --> 00:21:12,240
Getting him matched up with
Benji now, I think that's going
400
00:21:12,240 --> 00:21:14,680
to, you know, pay some pretty
big dividends in the offense,
401
00:21:15,080 --> 00:21:18,040
being able to attack vertically
up the seam with the new
402
00:21:18,040 --> 00:21:20,720
offense.
And obviously I still think it's
403
00:21:20,720 --> 00:21:23,280
going to be a run first offense.
I I think you're still, yeah,
404
00:21:23,280 --> 00:21:25,280
everything's going to go through
the running back, But I think
405
00:21:25,560 --> 00:21:30,000
being able to attack at every
level of the defense with the
406
00:21:30,000 --> 00:21:31,880
passing game is going to be a
big asset.
407
00:21:32,800 --> 00:21:34,840
Let's flip it over.
So we we talked about the Penn
408
00:21:34,840 --> 00:21:37,920
State guys coming in.
Which of those non Penn State
409
00:21:38,080 --> 00:21:40,760
guys do you feel is going to be
the most important heading into
410
00:21:40,760 --> 00:21:43,880
2026?
Yeah, that's a really great
411
00:21:43,880 --> 00:21:46,320
question.
My head goes a couple different
412
00:21:46,320 --> 00:21:48,560
places.
We talked about Justin Terry a
413
00:21:48,560 --> 00:21:50,640
little bit at the top.
What is that offensive tackle
414
00:21:50,640 --> 00:21:52,360
rotation look like?
Logan Howlands going to miss a
415
00:21:52,360 --> 00:21:58,080
spring down with shoulder
collarbone type deal or labrum.
416
00:21:59,240 --> 00:22:02,440
So that that's going to be
something you know, because I
417
00:22:02,440 --> 00:22:04,000
think that would be a name to
watch, right, because like
418
00:22:04,120 --> 00:22:06,640
people had him penciled in
Justin Terry.
419
00:22:06,640 --> 00:22:09,920
Does he have heard really great
things about him early?
420
00:22:10,400 --> 00:22:12,320
You know, Johnny Garrett, how
does that tackle rotation?
421
00:22:12,320 --> 00:22:14,600
Because the offensive line, it
starts with those five guys up
422
00:22:14,600 --> 00:22:16,640
front.
Every, everyone's going to say
423
00:22:16,640 --> 00:22:18,800
that you can have the most
accurate quarterback, but it
424
00:22:18,800 --> 00:22:21,480
starts with those five guys up
front in what you want to do.
425
00:22:21,880 --> 00:22:26,320
So I think that's big.
Another name I go to the edge
426
00:22:26,320 --> 00:22:28,720
rusher position because when you
look at Virginia Tech a year
427
00:22:28,720 --> 00:22:32,480
ago, the offensive line couldn't
protect and pass pro and they
428
00:22:32,480 --> 00:22:35,280
really didn't get a consistent
effective pressure coming off
429
00:22:35,280 --> 00:22:38,160
the edge on defense.
And you lost a guy like Antoine
430
00:22:38,160 --> 00:22:40,240
Powder Island who had what, 15
sacks to his name?
431
00:22:41,680 --> 00:22:43,080
And you just really didn't
replace that.
432
00:22:43,080 --> 00:22:45,640
And, you know, it allowed
defense.
433
00:22:45,680 --> 00:22:48,080
It just put so much pressure on
the secondary and linebackers to
434
00:22:48,080 --> 00:22:50,080
make extra plays when the
quarterback could just sit back
435
00:22:50,080 --> 00:22:53,360
there.
So Ajabian Hilson, Sam Okolola,
436
00:22:53,640 --> 00:22:56,600
the late transfer from Colorado,
Like, dude, are those two guys
437
00:22:56,600 --> 00:22:59,760
are starting edges come VMI?
I'm not sure, but I wouldn't
438
00:22:59,760 --> 00:23:01,040
rule it out.
You know, like I've heard good
439
00:23:01,040 --> 00:23:02,320
things from Jason Abbey
returning.
440
00:23:02,320 --> 00:23:05,720
But I think those two guys along
the defensive line now you feel
441
00:23:05,720 --> 00:23:08,320
good on the inside.
A lodge fall, Kamari Copeland,
442
00:23:08,840 --> 00:23:11,080
Emmy Law stepping up.
Like you've got more experience
443
00:23:11,080 --> 00:23:13,880
there, but you kind of need a
difference maker at pass rusher.
444
00:23:14,760 --> 00:23:17,440
So I think getting those guys in
the building and as well with
445
00:23:17,440 --> 00:23:21,360
backfilling Aderika on the
interior, Cortez Harris, Malachi
446
00:23:21,360 --> 00:23:24,360
Williams, like that's a premier
position.
447
00:23:24,360 --> 00:23:27,720
And you just brought in all
those guys from Penn State to
448
00:23:27,720 --> 00:23:30,880
play edge as well.
Got Dwight Victoria in here.
449
00:23:30,880 --> 00:23:33,320
Shout out try to tell them about
the offensive line and, and
450
00:23:33,320 --> 00:23:35,640
yeah, and like we, I know we're
talking about portal
451
00:23:35,640 --> 00:23:38,640
specifically, but then they went
and recruited what, 7 in high
452
00:23:38,640 --> 00:23:39,920
school?
Like that's the way it needed to
453
00:23:39,920 --> 00:23:43,720
be done because they brought in
5 / 2 cycles with Ron Crook and
454
00:23:44,280 --> 00:23:47,000
it's just not an effective way
to build out your board long
455
00:23:47,000 --> 00:23:50,560
term because for for better or
for worse, some guys aren't
456
00:23:50,560 --> 00:23:52,240
going to pan out, some guys are
going to transfer.
457
00:23:52,520 --> 00:23:54,040
You just have to over recruit
there.
458
00:23:55,000 --> 00:23:58,040
So I think those are some names
that I would definitely want.
459
00:23:58,480 --> 00:24:04,480
So it was hilarious.
It was 7 freshmen, 4 portal, 11
460
00:24:04,480 --> 00:24:09,560
offensive lineman in effectively
the first class of 27.
461
00:24:10,320 --> 00:24:12,160
Like it was basically roughly
1/4.
462
00:24:12,320 --> 00:24:14,400
Of and guess what Curtis, I
don't I don't know your plans
463
00:24:14,400 --> 00:24:16,960
for April 18th or whatever, but
when you watch that game,
464
00:24:17,320 --> 00:24:19,760
they're trying to get it to a
point where you can have two
465
00:24:19,760 --> 00:24:21,520
teams now because.
And.
466
00:24:22,960 --> 00:24:26,240
For the longest time, right,
Like you just it's hard to hold
467
00:24:26,240 --> 00:24:27,600
even an effective practice,
right?
468
00:24:27,600 --> 00:24:30,480
Like you can't even give your
guys good looks in practice,
469
00:24:30,480 --> 00:24:32,000
right, if you just don't have
the numbers.
470
00:24:32,440 --> 00:24:34,200
And that's the biggest thing.
It's like he said, how are you
471
00:24:34,200 --> 00:24:37,040
getting better if you're putting
these guys on like you just
472
00:24:37,040 --> 00:24:39,320
didn't have the numbers there.
And like you've heard of that
473
00:24:39,320 --> 00:24:42,200
different ranks in this day and
age with how talent is getting
474
00:24:42,200 --> 00:24:44,920
spread out with, I mean, even
with the rosters here in the one
475
00:24:44,920 --> 00:24:47,680
O 5 you've heard like you can't
run effective practice if you
476
00:24:47,680 --> 00:24:50,360
don't like.
So that's why you have to get
477
00:24:50,360 --> 00:24:53,440
those guys in the building and
build it up, especially from the
478
00:24:53,440 --> 00:24:55,600
high school ranks, I think.
But to do what they did in the
479
00:24:55,600 --> 00:24:57,640
portal.
Michael Troutman, I know you've
480
00:24:57,640 --> 00:24:59,840
got a pretty good center in Kyle
Altuner.
481
00:24:59,840 --> 00:25:01,120
I think people are really high
on him.
482
00:25:01,400 --> 00:25:04,040
I think, I mean, personally,
like I think he's a really nice
483
00:25:04,040 --> 00:25:05,640
player there.
But Michael Troutman have heard
484
00:25:05,640 --> 00:25:09,200
nice things about him at center.
They've they've just completely
485
00:25:09,560 --> 00:25:13,120
overhauled the room and I think
you'll see dividends in practice
486
00:25:13,160 --> 00:25:14,960
and getting those good looks
that you want.
487
00:25:15,680 --> 00:25:19,960
Yeah, getting the good looks,
being able to do like for Brett
488
00:25:19,960 --> 00:25:22,760
Prize defense this year, it's
being able, I want to be able to
489
00:25:22,760 --> 00:25:24,760
do what I want to do.
And I want it to be against
490
00:25:24,840 --> 00:25:28,120
competition that might actually
slow us down.
491
00:25:28,320 --> 00:25:31,120
Yeah, that is always a plus.
Can I ask a quick question about
492
00:25:31,120 --> 00:25:33,320
let's go back to Javion Hilson.
You mentioned the war.
493
00:25:33,520 --> 00:25:37,120
Yeah, Cali's not here.
So I get to get on Cali's
494
00:25:37,120 --> 00:25:39,280
soapbox.
So Javion Hilson coming out of
495
00:25:39,280 --> 00:25:43,440
high school only one year ago
was a borderline 5 star.
496
00:25:44,280 --> 00:25:46,720
When he goes into the portal, he
doesn't get much playing time at
497
00:25:46,720 --> 00:25:48,080
Missouri.
It's expected.
498
00:25:48,120 --> 00:25:52,560
They're an SEC school.
They are a pretty good school.
499
00:25:52,560 --> 00:25:55,040
Last year, I think at the end
they wavered whatever.
500
00:25:55,560 --> 00:25:58,880
But how does the how does that
go into the transfer ranking?
501
00:25:58,880 --> 00:26:02,720
Because I think when when we all
heard his name, it was like, OK,
502
00:26:02,720 --> 00:26:05,400
he's a 97, he's a borderline 5
star.
503
00:26:05,400 --> 00:26:08,640
He's coming here.
And then it's like he's a mid
504
00:26:08,640 --> 00:26:11,440
three star.
I don't quite get that.
505
00:26:11,440 --> 00:26:15,400
Like, if he had played
significant reps, absolutely.
506
00:26:15,880 --> 00:26:18,480
And he didn't look good.
Yeah, he's got to go to him.
507
00:26:18,480 --> 00:26:20,840
He's not that.
This is a guy who was a true
508
00:26:20,840 --> 00:26:23,040
freshman, right?
Yeah, He was a true freshman
509
00:26:23,040 --> 00:26:23,640
last year.
Right.
510
00:26:23,960 --> 00:26:27,760
But what what goes into the the
transfer rankings just so we can
511
00:26:27,760 --> 00:26:31,000
make Tally who's hopefully safe
in Alabama and all the bad
512
00:26:31,000 --> 00:26:33,840
activity down there a little bit
happier?
513
00:26:34,640 --> 00:26:36,520
Yeah, hopefully.
First off, first and foremost,
514
00:26:36,520 --> 00:26:39,240
prayers to Tally and everyone
affected by any of the Tornadoes
515
00:26:39,240 --> 00:26:41,480
going through.
It seems like the whole Midwest
516
00:26:41,480 --> 00:26:45,080
right now, but no, yeah, for
Jamie Hilson, you look at him
517
00:26:45,480 --> 00:26:48,680
for the 24/7 sports ranking was
a top 80 prospect.
518
00:26:48,680 --> 00:26:51,600
I believe he had a 95 grade on
him coming out of high school at
519
00:26:51,600 --> 00:26:53,240
height, weight, speed measure
rules.
520
00:26:53,240 --> 00:26:55,440
When you look at him, it's like,
Yep, that's a guy, right?
521
00:26:55,520 --> 00:26:58,000
Like, I mean, you, you cut on
the tape as well.
522
00:26:58,000 --> 00:27:00,840
And you see that now the
transfer ranking process, right?
523
00:27:00,840 --> 00:27:04,960
Like you're you're ranking 3035
hundred guys in a two week span,
524
00:27:04,960 --> 00:27:07,560
right.
So I'm not on the scouting team
525
00:27:07,560 --> 00:27:09,240
person.
I know Cooper Patagna and his
526
00:27:09,240 --> 00:27:13,000
boys, you know, I commend them.
I forgot I text him.
527
00:27:13,280 --> 00:27:15,240
I mean, I've texted him between
now and then, but I remember
528
00:27:15,240 --> 00:27:17,440
when it was all said and done, I
was like, wow, man, I hope
529
00:27:17,440 --> 00:27:20,000
you're all right because
everyone's busy in it.
530
00:27:20,000 --> 00:27:23,840
But I mean, trying to watch,
evaluate and get grades out and
531
00:27:23,840 --> 00:27:26,720
all these players as they're
committing, it's, it's, it's a
532
00:27:26,720 --> 00:27:29,120
very busy time now.
Like I said, things flip through
533
00:27:29,120 --> 00:27:30,400
the cracks.
I think they've finished with
534
00:27:30,400 --> 00:27:33,920
the 87 transfer rating on 24/7.
I'm not sure what other services
535
00:27:33,920 --> 00:27:37,360
had, but yeah, that's maybe one
that probably left a little bit
536
00:27:37,360 --> 00:27:39,600
to be desired because he just
didn't play much right.
537
00:27:39,600 --> 00:27:44,320
Like he was behind, I believe
Damon Wilson, who is, you know,
538
00:27:44,360 --> 00:27:47,760
kind of a really good player
down there, sat behind some some
539
00:27:47,760 --> 00:27:51,240
pretty good talents on that
drink wits his team defense.
540
00:27:51,240 --> 00:27:55,200
So yeah, I I know if Tally was
here, I'd probably just have to
541
00:27:55,720 --> 00:27:59,120
throw in the hat and say I'm not
on the scouting team, but we'll
542
00:27:59,200 --> 00:28:02,120
see how it plays out.
We'll see if he's vindicated in
543
00:28:02,120 --> 00:28:03,680
that ranking or not.
I think he's going to outplay
544
00:28:03,680 --> 00:28:06,080
his ranking at Virginia Tech by
the time it's all said and done.
545
00:28:07,600 --> 00:28:08,960
Yeah, I mean that that's good to
hear.
546
00:28:08,960 --> 00:28:11,360
I mean, you know, when you see a
guy that was ranked at high
547
00:28:11,360 --> 00:28:13,960
coming out of high school, you
know, still very young, a lot of
548
00:28:13,960 --> 00:28:16,960
eligibility left.
So, yeah, hoping that he's going
549
00:28:16,960 --> 00:28:20,120
to come in, take the steps that
he needs to.
550
00:28:20,520 --> 00:28:23,160
Definitely he's going to get an
opportunity which is, you know,
551
00:28:23,440 --> 00:28:26,520
early on something he didn't
really get as much of at
552
00:28:26,520 --> 00:28:30,120
Missouri.
So we certainly have a, a, a
553
00:28:30,120 --> 00:28:32,920
hole to fill there for him to,
to slide in and and and get a
554
00:28:32,920 --> 00:28:34,280
lot of opportunities pretty
quick.
555
00:28:35,120 --> 00:28:37,480
Yeah.
I mean, 63241 like that.
556
00:28:38,400 --> 00:28:40,680
That's yeah.
That's that's exactly what you
557
00:28:40,680 --> 00:28:42,120
want.
That's exactly what you want.
558
00:28:43,000 --> 00:28:45,400
Let let me ask this before we
kind of pivot to, to something
559
00:28:45,400 --> 00:28:49,600
else.
Yeah, You know, you've got this,
560
00:28:49,760 --> 00:28:51,960
you got this transfer portal
tracker, you're kind of
561
00:28:51,960 --> 00:28:54,560
following all these guys.
You got all these conversations
562
00:28:54,560 --> 00:28:58,120
going on.
Was there a commit that kind of
563
00:28:58,280 --> 00:29:01,760
snuck up on you that you hadn't
heard any rumblings or any of
564
00:29:01,760 --> 00:29:03,720
that?
And all of a sudden, you know,
565
00:29:03,720 --> 00:29:06,640
you, you see things start to
come out that, oh, this guy's
566
00:29:06,640 --> 00:29:10,320
coming to come to Virginia Tech.
I would say the biggest surprise
567
00:29:10,320 --> 00:29:12,360
of the cycle, without really
thinking too hard about it was
568
00:29:12,360 --> 00:29:15,920
Logan Howland.
That was one that was super out
569
00:29:15,920 --> 00:29:20,280
of left field.
Really not much like worrying or
570
00:29:20,280 --> 00:29:22,000
or whatever signs talking to
different people.
571
00:29:22,000 --> 00:29:25,200
Logan Howland was one that was
kind of way out of left field.
572
00:29:25,200 --> 00:29:27,720
I think I was really maybe the
only one that kind of caught us
573
00:29:27,720 --> 00:29:30,640
by surprise.
And you know, he's a guy, you
574
00:29:30,640 --> 00:29:33,880
know, obviously dealing with the
injury, but you know, you bring
575
00:29:33,880 --> 00:29:35,280
that guy in to be a tackle,
right?
576
00:29:35,440 --> 00:29:37,520
And probably be in that starting
5 somewhere Now.
577
00:29:37,520 --> 00:29:40,040
We'll we'll see when he's able
to get back to football
578
00:29:40,040 --> 00:29:41,680
activities.
But I think that was the biggest
579
00:29:41,680 --> 00:29:44,240
one.
That was no real heads up or you
580
00:29:44,240 --> 00:29:46,880
weren't really tracking and it
was just like, oh, wow, there he
581
00:29:46,880 --> 00:29:48,240
is.
He signed like he's not
582
00:29:48,240 --> 00:29:51,600
committed, like, oh, he's time.
So that was a real stealth
583
00:29:51,600 --> 00:29:54,320
visitor.
All the other ones, I mean, you
584
00:29:54,320 --> 00:29:57,120
had pretty good beats on and you
saw that in the crystal balls
585
00:29:57,120 --> 00:29:59,760
and some different notes or even
if you weren't putting in
586
00:29:59,760 --> 00:30:02,080
crystal balls, like, hey, keep
an eye here.
587
00:30:02,800 --> 00:30:06,280
I'm trying to think about any
that were really off the wall.
588
00:30:06,280 --> 00:30:07,920
I think all the other ones were
pretty wrapped up.
589
00:30:07,920 --> 00:30:10,200
A lot of the Penn State guys,
you know, there were, there was,
590
00:30:11,560 --> 00:30:13,640
there was writing on the wall,
but.
591
00:30:16,560 --> 00:30:18,560
Ali's phone's working.
Yeah.
592
00:30:21,560 --> 00:30:22,840
That's good.
That's good.
593
00:30:22,840 --> 00:30:24,640
We we know that he's safe right
now.
594
00:30:26,120 --> 00:30:30,440
Pause.
But I think Jacquizz White, you
595
00:30:30,440 --> 00:30:32,200
know, that was one that was
visiting, But you know, it
596
00:30:32,200 --> 00:30:33,640
looked like Tennessee might have
had the inside track.
597
00:30:33,640 --> 00:30:35,600
But I think really, Logan
Howland was the only big
598
00:30:35,600 --> 00:30:38,640
surprise.
OK, I I like that.
599
00:30:38,640 --> 00:30:41,760
I mean, you know, when we looked
at the offensive line like it,
600
00:30:41,760 --> 00:30:43,360
it, it had to be done like
there.
601
00:30:43,360 --> 00:30:43,800
Was.
Oh yeah.
602
00:30:44,320 --> 00:30:48,720
There, there was nothing that,
you know, there, there wasn't
603
00:30:48,720 --> 00:30:50,960
enough bodies that you could
bring in and, and be like, Oh,
604
00:30:50,960 --> 00:30:53,640
that's too many.
Like I, I, I wanted another
605
00:30:53,640 --> 00:30:55,280
guard.
I mean, I, I, I know I talked on
606
00:30:55,280 --> 00:30:57,440
here and I was like, I, I would
have loved to see one more guard
607
00:30:57,440 --> 00:31:00,640
come in with, you know, some,
you know, some playing time at
608
00:31:00,640 --> 00:31:03,480
another stop just to feel a
little bit better about it.
609
00:31:03,480 --> 00:31:07,320
But you know, you got, you know,
a center now coming in, you got
610
00:31:07,320 --> 00:31:09,400
a, you know, a handful of
tackles coming in.
611
00:31:09,400 --> 00:31:11,800
I think that was probably tackle
was the room that we had to
612
00:31:11,840 --> 00:31:14,280
address absolutely there.
Was and they did that question
613
00:31:14,280 --> 00:31:15,600
there.
I think I think guards
614
00:31:15,600 --> 00:31:18,040
interesting like Brody Meadows,
Lathe Ganda, Montavius
615
00:31:18,040 --> 00:31:21,520
Cunningham, those got right.
But like you need those guys to
616
00:31:21,520 --> 00:31:24,960
stay healthy because it's going
to be one way or another.
617
00:31:24,960 --> 00:31:27,880
I don't see a way where not all
three of those guys play a
618
00:31:27,880 --> 00:31:30,840
significant number of snaps.
Now I'm not sure if they stay
619
00:31:30,840 --> 00:31:33,440
healthy for 12 or 13 games,
great, but.
620
00:31:34,080 --> 00:31:35,440
And they got the problem with
all three of them.
621
00:31:35,760 --> 00:31:39,240
Exactly like Bernie, Bernie
still like just getting back it
622
00:31:39,240 --> 00:31:41,880
sounds like, you know, like was
out since last campus just
623
00:31:41,880 --> 00:31:43,720
getting back ready to roll here
before spring.
624
00:31:44,120 --> 00:31:45,440
Montavious was obviously dinged
up.
625
00:31:45,440 --> 00:31:46,760
I've heard really great things
about him.
626
00:31:47,680 --> 00:31:50,240
And then Leith, you know, Leith
had the the deal two years ago
627
00:31:50,240 --> 00:31:53,880
with the slain.
Like, you know, so it's just
628
00:31:53,880 --> 00:31:57,320
been that revolving door and
then that guard like, I guess
629
00:31:57,400 --> 00:31:58,640
you'd kick out some of those
other guys.
630
00:31:58,640 --> 00:31:59,720
But I see what you're saying
there.
631
00:31:59,880 --> 00:32:03,080
I think a lot of these guys that
were listed as tackles in this
632
00:32:03,080 --> 00:32:05,240
high school class will
eventually end up moving inside.
633
00:32:05,760 --> 00:32:08,760
Yeah, I I can see at least at
least one of those guys for sure
634
00:32:09,360 --> 00:32:13,920
moving inside and it it's nice
to you know, with the portal
635
00:32:14,320 --> 00:32:17,360
ads, even with Howlin, you know,
probably missing most are all
636
00:32:17,360 --> 00:32:21,720
the spring.
It's it's nice to have guys that
637
00:32:21,760 --> 00:32:25,680
you feel like they're not
necessarily plug and play, but
638
00:32:25,920 --> 00:32:29,840
they should slot in kind of
ahead of at least everybody not
639
00:32:29,840 --> 00:32:32,360
named Johnny Garrett probably at
the tackle position with, with
640
00:32:32,360 --> 00:32:34,040
with what we brought in in the
portal.
641
00:32:34,600 --> 00:32:38,280
Yeah, I fully agree.
And I mean, no one's guaranteed
642
00:32:38,280 --> 00:32:39,680
anything.
And I feel like that is being
643
00:32:39,680 --> 00:32:42,360
relayed very clearly.
Like no one, no one is
644
00:32:42,360 --> 00:32:45,280
guaranteed anything at like,
Logan Howland, Justin Terry, at
645
00:32:45,280 --> 00:32:47,880
least I know Logan's dinged up,
but Justin Terry, like, I think
646
00:32:47,880 --> 00:32:49,920
that's definitely a name to
watch here as we get closer to
647
00:32:49,920 --> 00:32:51,400
fall camp.
Like if he can put it all
648
00:32:51,400 --> 00:32:56,120
together, like that's someone
you know, I think he's the real
649
00:32:56,120 --> 00:32:58,800
deal.
Let me ask you this.
650
00:32:59,280 --> 00:33:01,160
Where you going to?
Say, Curtis, were you going to
651
00:33:01,160 --> 00:33:02,560
take that one?
Yeah, I was going to take this
652
00:33:02,560 --> 00:33:02,960
next.
One.
653
00:33:03,160 --> 00:33:04,280
OK, Yeah, got it.
Yeah.
654
00:33:04,840 --> 00:33:09,600
It's just you're looking at the,
you know, the balance of the
655
00:33:09,600 --> 00:33:12,720
remaining eligibility with this
portal class.
656
00:33:12,720 --> 00:33:15,200
I thought that was an
interesting approach that James
657
00:33:15,200 --> 00:33:17,400
Franklin took.
You got, you know, a couple
658
00:33:17,400 --> 00:33:20,480
older guys, but yeah, most of
the guys with at least two years
659
00:33:20,480 --> 00:33:26,000
of eligibility left.
When we look at that, it's
660
00:33:26,000 --> 00:33:29,400
interesting to see are some of
the guys with that a lot of
661
00:33:29,400 --> 00:33:31,120
eligibility left?
Are those guys that you think
662
00:33:31,120 --> 00:33:33,240
you're going to play kind of
significant roles at the gate or
663
00:33:33,240 --> 00:33:38,040
that more of a looking towards
2027 and, and, and kind of
664
00:33:38,440 --> 00:33:41,400
looking past, not necessarily
looking past this year, but but
665
00:33:41,400 --> 00:33:43,760
looking beyond just this year in
terms of the roster
666
00:33:43,760 --> 00:33:45,760
construction.
Yeah, that's a really great
667
00:33:45,760 --> 00:33:48,080
question.
I got asked this on my show, a
668
00:33:48,200 --> 00:33:50,480
couple.
It was last Monday, I think it
669
00:33:50,480 --> 00:33:52,680
was episode 70 of Colby's
Corner, and it was a great
670
00:33:52,680 --> 00:33:55,160
question.
It was like how James Franklin
671
00:33:55,160 --> 00:33:57,400
kind of attacked his portal.
Like, I think this is by far
672
00:33:57,400 --> 00:34:00,440
going to be his biggest portal
class at Virginia Tech ever.
673
00:34:00,440 --> 00:34:02,040
And like when you look at what
he did at Penn State, I don't
674
00:34:02,040 --> 00:34:04,760
think he ever took more than 7
over the last three years when
675
00:34:04,760 --> 00:34:06,480
it's really been this transfer
portal era.
676
00:34:07,080 --> 00:34:10,400
And all those guys mostly that
he took at Penn State were
677
00:34:10,400 --> 00:34:12,920
contributors at their school,
like even either at a lower
678
00:34:12,920 --> 00:34:15,320
level or even at a Power 4
level.
679
00:34:15,320 --> 00:34:17,920
But guys, you know, you kind of
knew what their what their
680
00:34:17,920 --> 00:34:20,520
standing was, right?
Like not a flyer, a guy with
681
00:34:20,520 --> 00:34:22,400
three years left, more of just a
plug and play.
682
00:34:22,440 --> 00:34:24,880
And obviously the scenario is
different here at Virginia Tech.
683
00:34:25,400 --> 00:34:28,719
You're building out an entire
roster and you need to backfill.
684
00:34:28,719 --> 00:34:31,280
You can't just bring in 31 year
guys.
685
00:34:31,280 --> 00:34:33,040
You're going to be back in that
boat next year, right?
686
00:34:33,040 --> 00:34:34,840
So I think it's definitely a
little bit different.
687
00:34:34,840 --> 00:34:37,239
I wouldn't say that's the
strategy moving forward.
688
00:34:37,239 --> 00:34:40,760
Now, for example, Matthew
Henderson in that tight end
689
00:34:40,760 --> 00:34:43,600
room, they completely rebuilt
that tight end room to a degree
690
00:34:43,840 --> 00:34:45,199
that Virginia Tech hasn't been
in.
691
00:34:45,480 --> 00:34:48,560
But you've got Jaricus, Benji
and Luke already ahead of him.
692
00:34:48,560 --> 00:34:50,560
But that's going to be a really
quality player soon, right?
693
00:34:50,960 --> 00:34:53,560
So you you had to bring in that
quality depth.
694
00:34:53,920 --> 00:34:56,639
Like I think of Justin Bell.
I think they like him at tackle
695
00:34:56,920 --> 00:34:58,480
and you had to rebuild that
offensive line room.
696
00:34:58,480 --> 00:35:00,880
Is he expected to play 600 snaps
this year?
697
00:35:00,880 --> 00:35:02,320
No, I don't think anywhere close
to that.
698
00:35:02,760 --> 00:35:04,920
But you know, they like his
profile to bring him in with
699
00:35:04,920 --> 00:35:07,760
four years left.
Javion Hilson, I think it's a
700
00:35:07,760 --> 00:35:09,520
little bit different.
That's the guy with four years
701
00:35:09,760 --> 00:35:12,440
who I think you could see play
in factory in immediately.
702
00:35:13,200 --> 00:35:16,040
So it varies a little bit, but I
would definitely say a lot of it
703
00:35:16,040 --> 00:35:18,800
is projecting forward.
Now that's not to say that
704
00:35:18,800 --> 00:35:21,280
they're punting on this year.
They still build out this roster
705
00:35:21,840 --> 00:35:25,600
very effectively with weapons
and along the lines to go and
706
00:35:25,600 --> 00:35:30,520
compete immediately in the ACC.
But look, I mean, if you're the
707
00:35:30,520 --> 00:35:33,760
CEO of a company and you're a
shareholder, you don't want to
708
00:35:33,760 --> 00:35:37,040
know that you're putting all
your chips in for Q4 like this
709
00:35:37,040 --> 00:35:39,160
year, right?
Like like, OK, this year and
710
00:35:39,160 --> 00:35:43,200
then you know what, whatever
happens the next the next cycle,
711
00:35:43,920 --> 00:35:46,840
like.
All right, yeah.
712
00:35:46,840 --> 00:35:49,240
But it's really funny, though.
Again, like we are looking at it
713
00:35:49,240 --> 00:35:53,080
and we say, man, we we we have
all these kind of younger guys,
714
00:35:53,080 --> 00:35:55,520
multiple years of eligibility.
And then he's got to just start
715
00:35:55,520 --> 00:35:57,080
thinking.
But there's Queshawn Brown.
716
00:35:57,280 --> 00:36:01,040
He's got two years left.
You know how Long's got Two
717
00:36:01,040 --> 00:36:02,560
years.
These are guys who have played
718
00:36:02,560 --> 00:36:06,560
significant snaps in the D1
level in high level games.
719
00:36:06,560 --> 00:36:09,520
And it's like, wait a second.
Well, if he slips in here and he
720
00:36:09,520 --> 00:36:11,920
does this and he does this and
this guy, whoa, wait a second.
721
00:36:13,480 --> 00:36:16,680
What Brian said earlier, the
issues where we had last year
722
00:36:16,680 --> 00:36:18,880
were slowly filling in.
Like, you know, we're not
723
00:36:18,880 --> 00:36:21,120
worried about the interior
defensive line that that was
724
00:36:21,120 --> 00:36:23,800
fine last year.
Elijah Fall comes back, Kamari
725
00:36:23,800 --> 00:36:27,360
Copeland back, you know, and
that's where it's like, you
726
00:36:27,360 --> 00:36:29,040
don't want to get all your bags
in one basket.
727
00:36:29,040 --> 00:36:32,680
But to James Franklin credit,
he's put enough in of
728
00:36:32,680 --> 00:36:36,200
experience, guys, for this year
in the right spots where we're
729
00:36:36,480 --> 00:36:38,920
getting a little bit of hope.
Like it's a little bit of hope
730
00:36:38,920 --> 00:36:42,680
to say, you know what, if
certain things click, the spots
731
00:36:42,680 --> 00:36:46,240
where we struggled with last
year are filled, Yeah,
732
00:36:46,240 --> 00:36:49,280
Quarterback upgrade, slot
receiver, better tie it in.
733
00:36:49,560 --> 00:36:50,960
You're bringing back running
backs.
734
00:36:50,960 --> 00:36:52,920
We had really good season.
So cornerback.
735
00:36:52,920 --> 00:36:56,880
Room, but then two again.
What you just said, Polby, we
736
00:36:56,880 --> 00:36:58,440
couldn't put 30 players out
there.
737
00:36:58,440 --> 00:37:00,920
God, we'll rebuild them again.
It's like, well, we could be
738
00:37:00,920 --> 00:37:04,320
good in 26, but wait a second,
we could still be good in 27.
739
00:37:04,320 --> 00:37:08,280
And then you keep looking.
It's like there's not like the
740
00:37:08,400 --> 00:37:11,280
right now, there's not where you
feel like there's a fall off.
741
00:37:12,080 --> 00:37:16,040
It's like he's truly trying to
build it out for a long term
742
00:37:16,040 --> 00:37:18,760
run.
Yeah, and this almost sounds bad
743
00:37:18,760 --> 00:37:22,360
to say, but it's almost like a
formula for successful programs,
744
00:37:22,480 --> 00:37:23,160
right?
Like.
745
00:37:23,840 --> 00:37:27,720
You recruit.
You recruit like 20-5 really
746
00:37:27,720 --> 00:37:31,120
good guys in that top 25, top 20
ish high school rank and look,
747
00:37:31,120 --> 00:37:32,440
those guys are going to transfer
out right?
748
00:37:32,440 --> 00:37:36,200
But if you stack those classes
year after year and you continue
749
00:37:36,200 --> 00:37:38,720
to hit your spots in the portal
and you get a quarterback you
750
00:37:38,720 --> 00:37:42,720
can get behind, like the secret
formula, Yeah, you bring in
751
00:37:42,880 --> 00:37:45,040
really great coaching like
Indiana and a high swing
752
00:37:45,040 --> 00:37:48,400
quarterback and you can win.
But like these programs that are
753
00:37:48,480 --> 00:37:51,960
relatively at the top, good
coaching, which Franklin has
754
00:37:51,960 --> 00:37:54,720
proven to do was what, a game
away from the national
755
00:37:54,720 --> 00:37:58,240
championship a year ago.
And, you know, bringing in
756
00:37:58,480 --> 00:38:01,560
talent and evaluation, which
he's obviously shown in his time
757
00:38:01,560 --> 00:38:04,760
at Penn State and, and, and two
weeks at Virginia Tech was able
758
00:38:04,760 --> 00:38:08,640
to get their highest class in 15
years at least.
759
00:38:09,800 --> 00:38:13,280
So like I said, it almost sounds
like asinine for me to say, oh,
760
00:38:13,280 --> 00:38:15,600
well, that's but yeah, it's
really how you kind of need to
761
00:38:15,600 --> 00:38:17,080
build it.
And I I think they've laid a
762
00:38:17,080 --> 00:38:19,800
really good foundation.
They've built out a really nice
763
00:38:19,800 --> 00:38:22,560
staff on the back end that
Virginia Tech, at least I know
764
00:38:22,560 --> 00:38:25,560
Penn State certainly has had.
Virginia Tech has not had in
765
00:38:25,560 --> 00:38:27,880
that recruiting arm and
especially even on the field
766
00:38:27,880 --> 00:38:30,680
coaches with their recruiting
acumen, I think they've done an
767
00:38:30,680 --> 00:38:32,480
incredible job.
And I mean, I don't see it
768
00:38:32,480 --> 00:38:34,000
slowing down anytime soon like I
would.
769
00:38:34,440 --> 00:38:37,360
This 27 class is certainly, I'm
going to be 1 to watch.
770
00:38:37,360 --> 00:38:39,440
And I think, you know, they,
they've still got a lot of work
771
00:38:39,440 --> 00:38:40,720
to do.
You're drinking from a fire
772
00:38:40,720 --> 00:38:42,280
hose.
The transportal is nice because
773
00:38:42,680 --> 00:38:44,400
you have all these connections
from Penn State.
774
00:38:44,400 --> 00:38:47,480
That 26 class is nice because
you have all those Penn State
775
00:38:47,480 --> 00:38:49,520
commits, right?
So it's kind of easy.
776
00:38:49,520 --> 00:38:52,920
But now, hey, look, it's fully
Virginia Tech now, and you're
777
00:38:52,920 --> 00:38:54,480
still getting your bearing in
the state.
778
00:38:55,360 --> 00:38:58,040
You know, you can come down from
Penn State, and Virginia's a
779
00:38:58,040 --> 00:38:59,880
nicety, but now it's a
necessity, right?
780
00:39:00,800 --> 00:39:04,120
And.
I, and I think too, I was just
781
00:39:04,120 --> 00:39:05,520
going to just throw this in real
quick.
782
00:39:05,520 --> 00:39:10,200
I think too, one of the things
that Franklin has shown a really
783
00:39:10,600 --> 00:39:14,960
high acumen at in his time at
Penn State in this transfer
784
00:39:14,960 --> 00:39:20,480
portal era is he retains a lot
of his players in in those
785
00:39:20,480 --> 00:39:23,560
transfer portal cycles.
So, you know, when we talk about
786
00:39:23,560 --> 00:39:26,520
the guys coming in, I don't
anticipate at least at this
787
00:39:26,520 --> 00:39:32,360
stage that, you know, after 2026
that these guys that we brought
788
00:39:32,360 --> 00:39:34,800
in with, you know, 2-3 years of
eligibility are going to be
789
00:39:34,800 --> 00:39:38,960
looking for another stop.
So you're really just talking
790
00:39:38,960 --> 00:39:40,400
about next year's transfer
portal.
791
00:39:40,400 --> 00:39:44,240
To your point, Colby, looking
at, you know, a much smaller
792
00:39:44,240 --> 00:39:46,360
transfer portal class because
you're really only kind of
793
00:39:46,360 --> 00:39:49,720
filling in those holes versus
having to fully rebuild a roster
794
00:39:49,720 --> 00:39:53,880
and kind of compensate for the
fact that the 24 and 25 classes
795
00:39:53,880 --> 00:39:56,840
probably weren't where you
wanted talent level, especially
796
00:39:56,920 --> 00:39:59,080
at offensive line.
Without a doubt.
797
00:39:59,240 --> 00:40:01,160
I mean that that's, that is the
point, right?
798
00:40:01,160 --> 00:40:04,680
Like I think you'll see.
I think hopefully with some of
799
00:40:04,680 --> 00:40:06,440
the stuff they're trying to
implement, you'll see more of
800
00:40:06,440 --> 00:40:10,280
this like.
A premium on retention, which is
801
00:40:10,280 --> 00:40:11,760
already right.
It's not always who you bring
802
00:40:11,760 --> 00:40:13,640
in, it's who you keep, right?
And I think you're going to see
803
00:40:13,640 --> 00:40:16,160
more of that.
And if that's where, you know,
804
00:40:16,160 --> 00:40:19,160
really talent evaluation is
going to become paramount, and
805
00:40:19,160 --> 00:40:22,600
that's really going to evaluate
the best schools who, you know,
806
00:40:22,600 --> 00:40:27,120
thrive in this environment.
Appreciate that.
807
00:40:27,160 --> 00:40:30,080
All right, before we, we're
going to talk a little 2027 as
808
00:40:30,080 --> 00:40:33,680
we get near the end here, but
there is one situation if you
809
00:40:33,680 --> 00:40:36,080
feel comfortable talking about
it and everything that went
810
00:40:36,280 --> 00:40:39,880
down, the Kamarian Morgan
situation, what went down?
811
00:40:39,880 --> 00:40:45,280
Was there ever a point that he
could have still been a Hokie?
812
00:40:45,320 --> 00:40:48,920
Was there anything that could
have kept him here Because he
813
00:40:48,920 --> 00:40:53,600
looked like again, he was 64250
look like a stud edge guy coming
814
00:40:53,600 --> 00:40:57,720
out of Baylor.
But what hey, do you feel like,
815
00:40:57,720 --> 00:40:59,680
can you talk about it?
Do you feel comfortable that
816
00:40:59,680 --> 00:41:02,440
we're far enough off of it now?
Yeah, I mean, like I'll
817
00:41:02,440 --> 00:41:04,400
definitely talk about, I just
don't think like of all the
818
00:41:04,400 --> 00:41:06,800
stories of like the Grummeyer
one, like I touched on earlier,
819
00:41:06,800 --> 00:41:09,320
like there's some juicy stuff
that happened certainly.
820
00:41:09,320 --> 00:41:12,200
And like I'll, I'll we'll have
to come back on and when I brain
821
00:41:12,200 --> 00:41:13,640
dump it all.
But this one, I really just
822
00:41:13,640 --> 00:41:16,600
don't think it was as exciting
or there was that much to it as
823
00:41:16,600 --> 00:41:17,480
people thought.
Right.
824
00:41:17,480 --> 00:41:20,720
So the news comes out that Kim
Morgan, he's already in
825
00:41:20,720 --> 00:41:23,280
Blackbird greatly.
He's already there, but he can't
826
00:41:23,560 --> 00:41:25,320
enroll because his grades aren't
there.
827
00:41:25,920 --> 00:41:30,520
And, and I know he went back
and, you know, amended it and
828
00:41:30,520 --> 00:41:31,960
got his grade change from
Baylor.
829
00:41:33,760 --> 00:41:37,080
Why is he still not signed at,
at these other institutions?
830
00:41:37,080 --> 00:41:41,200
Like it was really just an issue
of those grades and the way he
831
00:41:41,200 --> 00:41:43,480
built out his schedule.
Now coming from Baylor, it's a
832
00:41:43,480 --> 00:41:46,040
little bit tougher, but just
really like, you still have to
833
00:41:46,040 --> 00:41:49,760
be able to get into the school.
And it was right after the news
834
00:41:49,760 --> 00:41:52,080
drop that Virginia Tech was not
going to get him through
835
00:41:52,080 --> 00:41:56,320
admissions issue with the
admissions process that a Big 10
836
00:41:56,320 --> 00:41:57,880
school tried to trip him
immediately.
837
00:41:57,880 --> 00:42:02,160
It was one look at the
transcripts and they were like,
838
00:42:02,160 --> 00:42:05,120
Yep, no shot here.
So now I think a lot of people
839
00:42:05,120 --> 00:42:08,360
were like, OK, why?
How did this go this far?
840
00:42:08,360 --> 00:42:10,000
How did this not get checked
before?
841
00:42:10,680 --> 00:42:13,280
But I honestly, like, I know it
was like, James Franklin must be
842
00:42:13,280 --> 00:42:15,800
so frustrated with Burris.
I think it was an understanding
843
00:42:15,800 --> 00:42:17,840
on all fronts.
I mean, like genuinely like
844
00:42:17,840 --> 00:42:18,720
that.
That's where a lot of the
845
00:42:18,720 --> 00:42:21,680
frustration is because you've
seen it in your past with Ramon
846
00:42:21,680 --> 00:42:22,920
Brown.
I'm trying to think about
847
00:42:23,880 --> 00:42:26,040
Hellcat.
I remember, I can't even think
848
00:42:26,040 --> 00:42:27,920
of his name from down in
Roanoke.
849
00:42:27,920 --> 00:42:30,760
I know that was another one.
But you know, there, there have
850
00:42:30,760 --> 00:42:33,360
been multiple instances where
Virginia Tech can't get a guy
851
00:42:33,480 --> 00:42:36,320
admitted and you see what he
goes on to do at different
852
00:42:36,320 --> 00:42:39,440
institutions.
But this was one where he still
853
00:42:39,440 --> 00:42:42,560
is not signed.
Very highly rated prospect,
854
00:42:42,560 --> 00:42:44,680
right?
Did not see much on field
855
00:42:44,680 --> 00:42:47,560
production there at Baylor and
then just did not have the the
856
00:42:47,720 --> 00:42:50,880
transcripts, transcripts or
grades to get in.
857
00:42:50,880 --> 00:42:54,200
So really, I'm trying to there's
not much more beyond it than
858
00:42:54,200 --> 00:42:55,400
that.
It was just they couldn't get
859
00:42:55,400 --> 00:42:58,400
him into school and even other
schools that tried to to pounce
860
00:42:58,400 --> 00:43:00,280
on it, once they saw that issue
and they saw the transcript,
861
00:43:00,280 --> 00:43:02,240
they were like, yeah, yeah, we
have no shot here either.
862
00:43:02,640 --> 00:43:05,520
So, yeah, yeah.
I know West Virginia was making
863
00:43:05,520 --> 00:43:10,000
a pretty big run even, you know,
later into February and still,
864
00:43:10,000 --> 00:43:12,920
you know, we haven't seen any,
anything official on that yet.
865
00:43:14,120 --> 00:43:16,280
And you know what?
I hope like situations like this
866
00:43:16,280 --> 00:43:20,040
shine the light on for all the
kids who are going in and, and
867
00:43:20,040 --> 00:43:24,200
I'm not sure if it was grades or
maybe classes, right, But if you
868
00:43:24,200 --> 00:43:26,600
are going to vision one, like
any of these kids, wherever
869
00:43:26,600 --> 00:43:29,480
you're going, you need to have
that stuff in order You, you
870
00:43:29,480 --> 00:43:33,200
honestly do.
And that tells me, I'll say
871
00:43:33,200 --> 00:43:36,720
this, if I'm a if I'm a parent
and I'm about to send my kid to
872
00:43:36,720 --> 00:43:42,240
Baylor, I'm going to be thinking
twice, like, OK, OK, you know
873
00:43:42,240 --> 00:43:44,200
what?
We just saw what happened to Cam
874
00:43:44,200 --> 00:43:45,360
Morgan.
He came down here.
875
00:43:45,360 --> 00:43:48,760
He didn't get much PT, but he
got his look, his body.
876
00:43:48,760 --> 00:43:53,200
He was a very high valuable
commodity and the classes you
877
00:43:53,200 --> 00:43:57,760
made him take basically screwed
him out of going anywhere else.
878
00:43:57,840 --> 00:43:59,960
Yeah, well, I mean, it's also a
lot harder going from
879
00:43:59,960 --> 00:44:01,120
institution to institution,
right?
880
00:44:01,120 --> 00:44:03,440
Like privately public school,
like if you're going into Notre
881
00:44:03,440 --> 00:44:06,360
Dame or Stanford, if you're
going to now, it definitely did
882
00:44:06,360 --> 00:44:08,760
him no favors right there.
And especially the class had to
883
00:44:08,760 --> 00:44:09,920
let it built out, it sounds
like.
884
00:44:09,920 --> 00:44:14,400
So there's a ton of factors, but
I will say, like I said, I mean,
885
00:44:14,640 --> 00:44:16,800
they're the athletes are finally
being compensated like they
886
00:44:16,800 --> 00:44:19,200
should, right?
And we'll see what guardrails or
887
00:44:19,200 --> 00:44:21,440
whatever comes about it.
But I think we can all agree
888
00:44:21,440 --> 00:44:24,040
that the product on the field is
heavily influenced by them.
889
00:44:24,200 --> 00:44:28,240
Great.
Still, until you CBA, whatever
890
00:44:28,240 --> 00:44:30,480
happens, I don't even know if
that's going to come to to be.
891
00:44:30,880 --> 00:44:32,960
You're still students.
And in this day and age, there
892
00:44:32,960 --> 00:44:36,120
are more people and more
opportunities pretty much
893
00:44:36,120 --> 00:44:40,760
widespread across the border to
online classes, tutors.
894
00:44:41,120 --> 00:44:45,960
I mean, it is almost, it is the
easiest generation possible.
895
00:44:45,960 --> 00:44:50,960
I feel very confident saying to
maintain grades and just kind of
896
00:44:50,960 --> 00:44:53,760
keep that.
I know it's student athlete, but
897
00:44:53,760 --> 00:44:56,960
let's just say keep that on the
side and and keep football as
898
00:44:56,960 --> 00:44:59,440
the priority.
So that's definitely something
899
00:44:59,440 --> 00:45:02,440
that coaches watch, right?
Like knowing, understanding and
900
00:45:02,440 --> 00:45:03,600
talking to different coaches
about.
901
00:45:03,600 --> 00:45:06,200
So it's a shame it all played
out that obviously he wasn't
902
00:45:06,200 --> 00:45:08,600
Blacksburg and that, you know,
it, it developed so far.
903
00:45:08,960 --> 00:45:12,080
But something that really both
parties I don't think should be
904
00:45:12,640 --> 00:45:15,400
up in arms about.
Yeah.
905
00:45:16,080 --> 00:45:18,720
Just just one of those things
that it didn't shake out the way
906
00:45:18,720 --> 00:45:21,920
anyone wanted.
But but yeah, there, there
907
00:45:21,920 --> 00:45:24,480
wasn't necessarily ill will or
anything like that from a
908
00:45:24,640 --> 00:45:27,600
process standpoint.
It's just one of those things.
909
00:45:28,440 --> 00:45:30,720
Yeah.
All right.
910
00:45:31,200 --> 00:45:34,160
Let's flip it.
Let's talk a little 2027.
911
00:45:35,560 --> 00:45:38,280
Brian, go let you go with this
one.
912
00:45:38,480 --> 00:45:39,560
You'll let me ride with this
one.
913
00:45:39,880 --> 00:45:40,800
Let you.
Jump on this.
914
00:45:40,800 --> 00:45:41,760
All right?
All right.
915
00:45:42,520 --> 00:45:44,200
So we're going to talk.
We're going to talk Virginia
916
00:45:44,200 --> 00:45:45,040
now.
We're going to stay.
917
00:45:45,160 --> 00:45:46,440
We'll start with the state of
Virginia.
918
00:45:46,440 --> 00:45:48,280
We got a lot of Virginia that's
important.
919
00:45:49,640 --> 00:45:53,840
Who are some of the early
favorites in the state that the
920
00:45:53,840 --> 00:45:58,040
Hokies have been targeting?
I know you know, James Franklin
921
00:45:58,040 --> 00:46:00,440
kind of had to hit the ground
running with with this class on
922
00:46:00,440 --> 00:46:03,880
top of closing out 26 and
everything with the portal, but
923
00:46:03,880 --> 00:46:06,960
who are those guys to watch in
the state that are high on the
924
00:46:06,960 --> 00:46:09,640
Hokie board?
Yeah, I just said it on my show
925
00:46:09,640 --> 00:46:12,400
about an hour prior to this, and
I wouldn't be shocked within the
926
00:46:12,400 --> 00:46:14,040
next week if I toss in a crystal
ball.
927
00:46:14,040 --> 00:46:16,880
I feel really good about where
Virginia Tech sits with number
928
00:46:16,880 --> 00:46:19,520
six player in the state,
offensive tackle, Junior Sanders
929
00:46:19,520 --> 00:46:23,640
from Woodbury Forest, top
offensive tackle in the state.
930
00:46:23,640 --> 00:46:26,800
Woodbury Forest is a program
that Virginia Tech has made
931
00:46:26,800 --> 00:46:29,400
strides in in recent years.
You look at Sheldon Robinson,
932
00:46:29,680 --> 00:46:33,000
they've done an incredible job
with Junior Sanders for years
933
00:46:33,000 --> 00:46:35,640
now, but especially with, you
know, James Franklin, he came to
934
00:46:35,640 --> 00:46:38,040
that Miami game.
You look at Buddy Wagdome,
935
00:46:38,600 --> 00:46:41,480
Hudson's LPWO very close with
him.
936
00:46:42,000 --> 00:46:43,520
Take there from Woodbury
Forders.
937
00:46:43,520 --> 00:46:44,840
I think they sit in a really
nice spot.
938
00:46:44,840 --> 00:46:48,400
He visited last week prior to
Virginia Tech spring break.
939
00:46:49,240 --> 00:46:51,560
I wouldn't say anything
jaw-dropping coming out of that
940
00:46:51,560 --> 00:46:53,360
visit.
I just think they sit in a great
941
00:46:53,360 --> 00:46:56,080
spot and I think they positioned
themselves super well.
942
00:46:56,080 --> 00:46:58,920
I don't see anyone else really
making themselves get in the
943
00:46:58,920 --> 00:47:00,520
mix.
He's he's on that first OB
944
00:47:00,520 --> 00:47:02,560
weekend.
I really like where Virginia
945
00:47:02,560 --> 00:47:04,040
Tech sits could see a crystal
ball.
946
00:47:04,040 --> 00:47:08,880
So that's one which is obviously
another a nice four-star tackle.
947
00:47:09,040 --> 00:47:12,880
You you you love that someone
I've been pounding the table for
948
00:47:12,880 --> 00:47:15,640
to be, you know, rated properly
can ask Sullivan from the Saint
949
00:47:15,640 --> 00:47:18,160
James Academy up there in
Springfield, VA.
950
00:47:18,160 --> 00:47:22,240
You got Overton coaching him up
there.
951
00:47:22,320 --> 00:47:25,200
I think that's one where there's
a ton of really big suitors.
952
00:47:25,200 --> 00:47:27,320
I think he is very underrated
talent.
953
00:47:27,320 --> 00:47:30,480
Even still with a rankings bump
in the state of Virginia, I
954
00:47:30,480 --> 00:47:32,440
think that's going to be a
little bit of uphill battle.
955
00:47:33,320 --> 00:47:35,760
Chris Whitehead, the number one
player in the state of Virginia
956
00:47:35,760 --> 00:47:38,680
Tech, was not a serious
contender and Virginia Tech has
957
00:47:38,680 --> 00:47:42,200
definitely entered that mix.
I would not be shocked to see
958
00:47:42,200 --> 00:47:45,960
them make a massive run at him
to try and make a big statement
959
00:47:45,960 --> 00:47:49,520
in James Franklin's first cycle
saying, hey, this is the type
960
00:47:49,520 --> 00:47:51,800
level we're on.
I would definitely not rule that
961
00:47:51,800 --> 00:47:53,960
one out.
Elijah Hutchinson, guy from down
962
00:47:53,960 --> 00:47:57,320
the road from Roanoke,
originally reclassed, move down
963
00:47:57,760 --> 00:48:01,160
to Georgia, go to Raven Gap Prep
School, and then come back up to
964
00:48:01,160 --> 00:48:04,640
North Cross and Roanoke.
Like I said, you know, Clemson,
965
00:48:04,640 --> 00:48:09,360
Ohio State, a ton of big suitors
there, but they're going to try
966
00:48:09,360 --> 00:48:12,400
and get him on campus a ton.
Virginia Tech's going to be in
967
00:48:12,400 --> 00:48:15,960
the mix.
Noah Glover I think we'll give
968
00:48:15,960 --> 00:48:18,440
Virginia Tech a good look.
If I would were to put in the a
969
00:48:18,440 --> 00:48:20,320
prediction right now, I think
Georgia's probably got the
970
00:48:20,320 --> 00:48:23,520
inside track there.
They've done a really great job.
971
00:48:23,520 --> 00:48:27,640
Carter Jones, Clemson, Clemson,
Clemson, but Virginia Tech's
972
00:48:27,640 --> 00:48:30,800
made a big push.
But I would say as of right now,
973
00:48:30,800 --> 00:48:32,760
I still feel like Clemson has
the inside track there.
974
00:48:32,760 --> 00:48:35,400
They've been doing so well for I
feel like a year and a half now.
975
00:48:36,040 --> 00:48:38,440
James Franklin has completely
changed the calculus on all of
976
00:48:38,440 --> 00:48:40,000
these, though, and I don't want
that to be out ruled.
977
00:48:40,000 --> 00:48:41,800
Like what I said with Chris
Whitehead should not go like
978
00:48:41,800 --> 00:48:45,000
under the radar.
Like like James Franklin has
979
00:48:45,000 --> 00:48:48,640
completely changed the view.
Like if I like if you got quotes
980
00:48:48,640 --> 00:48:50,680
or interviews from these guys,
it's like, yeah, Virginia Tech
981
00:48:50,680 --> 00:48:53,480
state school, but it no, it's
completely changed the outlook
982
00:48:53,480 --> 00:48:55,480
of it.
I think Carter Jones will give
983
00:48:55,480 --> 00:48:57,160
them a fair look.
He's the one who's going to want
984
00:48:57,160 --> 00:49:01,000
to commit early here in April.
But I still like Clemson.
985
00:49:01,640 --> 00:49:03,440
I think Virginia Tech could be a
close second there.
986
00:49:03,760 --> 00:49:06,840
And in the portal age, you never
know, but I I like Clemson.
987
00:49:07,320 --> 00:49:09,280
We talked about junior Sanders,
DeMarcus Brown.
988
00:49:09,280 --> 00:49:11,920
I think Virginia Tech's going to
make a push to try and flip from
989
00:49:11,920 --> 00:49:17,040
Roanoke from Virginia.
He's from Roanoke, committed to
990
00:49:17,040 --> 00:49:20,480
Virginia currently.
I talked with him recently.
991
00:49:20,480 --> 00:49:24,120
Has no visits on the books.
Virginia tried Virginia Tech
992
00:49:24,120 --> 00:49:26,680
tried to get him on campus there
for a junior day, didn't get it.
993
00:49:27,040 --> 00:49:30,680
Ivy and Lewis has one to watch.
I, I, I don't know.
994
00:49:30,680 --> 00:49:32,040
I thought I had a decent read on
it.
995
00:49:32,040 --> 00:49:34,280
I thought Virginia Tech, South
Carolina were sort of those two
996
00:49:34,280 --> 00:49:36,640
schools.
We'll see now, you know, if
997
00:49:36,640 --> 00:49:38,760
Alabama offers, maybe that
changes things.
998
00:49:38,760 --> 00:49:42,000
Ohio State, if he's a take
there, I think at the end of the
999
00:49:42,000 --> 00:49:44,120
day is the one that if it
stretches out and comes down the
1000
00:49:44,120 --> 00:49:47,200
line, Virginia Tech, it's in a
good spot, but I don't know, I
1001
00:49:47,200 --> 00:49:49,800
know he's visiting Alabama.
If they offer and it's a
1002
00:49:49,800 --> 00:49:52,560
committable offer, I could see
that changing a little bit.
1003
00:49:52,560 --> 00:49:55,680
But I mean, it's someone that
Fontelle Mines has known since
1004
00:49:55,680 --> 00:50:00,000
he was in 8th grade, been in a
great spot that one of that top
1005
00:50:00,000 --> 00:50:02,280
OV weekend.
So I know we're just going down
1006
00:50:02,280 --> 00:50:04,880
the line, but Kamari Hudson, he
was just at Clemson as well for
1007
00:50:04,880 --> 00:50:06,840
the elite retreat, I believe is
what they call it.
1008
00:50:07,520 --> 00:50:11,880
He was going to be up in
Blacksburg for junior day but
1009
00:50:11,880 --> 00:50:14,000
wasn't able to make it was when
all that snow was going on.
1010
00:50:14,000 --> 00:50:15,440
So like a four and a half hour
tripled.
1011
00:50:15,440 --> 00:50:18,640
And in the books also, I think
an underrated guy there.
1012
00:50:18,640 --> 00:50:20,920
I think he could be close to the
top five in the state.
1013
00:50:22,560 --> 00:50:25,000
Actually just talked with him.
Hang on, let's see.
1014
00:50:27,280 --> 00:50:32,720
This is live television, UVA,
Syracuse, Clemson, Tennessee, NC
1015
00:50:32,720 --> 00:50:36,000
State, Virginia Tech, all kind
of in the mix, but that's why
1016
00:50:36,000 --> 00:50:38,160
he's really fleshing out a lot
of the stops in these visits
1017
00:50:38,160 --> 00:50:40,280
here.
Virginia Tech fits well, but you
1018
00:50:40,280 --> 00:50:41,760
know, you've got real
competition there.
1019
00:50:41,760 --> 00:50:44,360
So that's where these visits do
kind of differentiate.
1020
00:50:44,400 --> 00:50:47,480
You know, people want to talk
about this NIL drive everything.
1021
00:50:47,480 --> 00:50:49,320
Like nobody can kind of be the
decider.
1022
00:50:49,320 --> 00:50:51,440
You're really close on a lot of
these schools as you come down
1023
00:50:51,440 --> 00:50:54,040
the stretch.
And it's just my new things.
1024
00:50:54,440 --> 00:50:57,280
Are you close to a Chipotle?
Are you close to like it's
1025
00:50:57,280 --> 00:50:59,120
different for everyone what
you're looking for, right?
1026
00:50:59,280 --> 00:51:02,640
But so that was his list.
I'm just going through some of
1027
00:51:02,640 --> 00:51:04,720
the top guys.
Sam Faneuil, tight end out of
1028
00:51:04,720 --> 00:51:07,280
Benedictine.
I know Ty Howe was in the in the
1029
00:51:07,280 --> 00:51:09,640
CM, but his visit schedule is
not sure.
1030
00:51:09,640 --> 00:51:11,280
I think Virginia Tech can make a
push there.
1031
00:51:11,600 --> 00:51:15,120
They're also in it for tight end
Jordan Karoff from Ohio, I
1032
00:51:15,120 --> 00:51:18,640
believe, Rycove, offensive
lineman Ethan Lawson.
1033
00:51:18,640 --> 00:51:21,040
I don't expect Virginia Tech to
be in the mix long term.
1034
00:51:21,360 --> 00:51:23,480
I think West Virginia might have
the inside track there.
1035
00:51:23,920 --> 00:51:26,320
Brody McNeil committed to Ohio
State, I don't see them flipping
1036
00:51:26,320 --> 00:51:28,120
there.
Matt Williams, corner from
1037
00:51:28,120 --> 00:51:31,520
Norfolk, VA, I've seen him play
a ton of times at UA Baltimore
1038
00:51:31,720 --> 00:51:33,560
scrimmages at Morey football
games.
1039
00:51:34,000 --> 00:51:35,800
A dynamic athlete.
He was playing quarterback for
1040
00:51:35,800 --> 00:51:36,920
them.
He's doing everything.
1041
00:51:37,800 --> 00:51:40,760
Haven't heard much with Virginia
Tech and Virginia Tech's had a
1042
00:51:40,880 --> 00:51:43,840
really hard time breaking into
Maury even with all their
1043
00:51:43,840 --> 00:51:47,360
success.
So one to track here, Zavon,
1044
00:51:47,360 --> 00:51:49,440
Ziggy Miller from Huguenot.
I think Virginia Tech's it's
1045
00:51:49,440 --> 00:51:52,520
well there and then we'll just
close it out with a couple names
1046
00:51:52,520 --> 00:51:55,600
to watch.
I think Derek Fisher, cousin of
1047
00:51:55,600 --> 00:51:57,080
Michael Vick.
I know we had Dwight Vick in the
1048
00:51:57,080 --> 00:52:01,000
chat at Bethel High School.
Really just elite athlete,
1049
00:52:01,240 --> 00:52:03,480
probably projects as a safety
committed to Virginia.
1050
00:52:03,480 --> 00:52:05,760
I think Virginia Tech's going to
make a big run there.
1051
00:52:05,760 --> 00:52:07,480
They like him.
And then as well with Lonnie
1052
00:52:07,480 --> 00:52:12,080
Andrews, cousin Jamar Deloach
committed to Virginia, you know,
1053
00:52:12,440 --> 00:52:14,640
three-year starter at Oscar
Smith High School.
1054
00:52:14,640 --> 00:52:17,600
Now, I wouldn't be shocked to
see Virginia Tech make a pretty
1055
00:52:17,600 --> 00:52:19,000
big push.
They tried to get him up for a
1056
00:52:19,000 --> 00:52:22,200
junior day, still pushing.
I talked with him not long ago.
1057
00:52:22,200 --> 00:52:25,680
I know he's going back to
Virginia, I believe March, late
1058
00:52:25,680 --> 00:52:27,960
March and no other trips on the
books yet.
1059
00:52:27,960 --> 00:52:30,120
But I know Virginia Tech's
pushing for it.
1060
00:52:30,120 --> 00:52:32,280
So that's, I know I just said a
lot.
1061
00:52:32,280 --> 00:52:34,320
I just pulled up the list and
kind of went down through the
1062
00:52:34,320 --> 00:52:36,520
state, but I would say that's
most of the state.
1063
00:52:36,520 --> 00:52:38,400
Probably heat check.
OK.
1064
00:52:38,840 --> 00:52:42,000
He almost answered that the the
question we had after this one
1065
00:52:42,000 --> 00:52:44,120
nailed it.
Like, who are we trying to flip?
1066
00:52:44,120 --> 00:52:46,600
And as I'm looking, it's like
that's the Eva guy.
1067
00:52:47,280 --> 00:52:50,240
There's another Eva guy like
we're just basically trying to
1068
00:52:50,240 --> 00:52:53,920
flip some of those guys.
But we'll, we'll ask that in a
1069
00:52:53,920 --> 00:52:55,280
second.
But let me ask this because I
1070
00:52:55,280 --> 00:52:59,920
think you mentioned it.
Chris Whitehead, you'll see Bird
1071
00:53:00,200 --> 00:53:04,320
down not not far from me and
Brian in 20-30 minutes down
1072
00:53:04,320 --> 00:53:08,200
South out of Richmond.
You said that's the target
1073
00:53:08,640 --> 00:53:13,080
because you said the way I heard
it is that's the most important
1074
00:53:13,160 --> 00:53:17,440
guy in this class because if you
get Chris Bird, number one
1075
00:53:17,440 --> 00:53:21,400
player in the state, top 10
positionally Top 40 nationally.
1076
00:53:21,840 --> 00:53:26,160
Yeah, stuck.
What, what has to happen is
1077
00:53:26,160 --> 00:53:28,280
there, does there have to be
breaks?
1078
00:53:29,120 --> 00:53:33,040
Is what has to happen to Landon,
you think?
1079
00:53:33,760 --> 00:53:35,120
Well, I mean, it's perception,
right?
1080
00:53:35,120 --> 00:53:36,200
Like I think that's the biggest
thing.
1081
00:53:36,200 --> 00:53:39,440
Like you can have rankings, your
own eval of them or whatever,
1082
00:53:39,440 --> 00:53:43,000
but you see that number one next
to his name and like better or
1083
00:53:43,000 --> 00:53:45,640
for worse in this day and age
that that goes a long way
1084
00:53:46,120 --> 00:53:49,840
socially, just just in general,
you know, like it just does
1085
00:53:49,840 --> 00:53:51,240
matter.
It just really does.
1086
00:53:51,240 --> 00:53:52,960
And like, I think that's why
it's such a big deal.
1087
00:53:52,960 --> 00:53:55,360
It's because they want to cement
and stamp, Hey, this is Virginia
1088
00:53:55,400 --> 00:53:56,400
Tech.
We're not coming into our
1089
00:53:56,400 --> 00:53:59,080
backyard anymore.
I know Virginia Tech hasn't been
1090
00:53:59,080 --> 00:54:01,360
accustomed to getting that
number one guy in the class for
1091
00:54:01,400 --> 00:54:04,240
cycles and cycles, but this is
the way it is around here.
1092
00:54:04,640 --> 00:54:06,560
What does it take?
It takes an IL, right like that.
1093
00:54:06,560 --> 00:54:08,800
That's obviously a really big
factor in these recruitments.
1094
00:54:09,200 --> 00:54:11,160
It takes staying consistent.
You get them on that first
1095
00:54:11,160 --> 00:54:15,760
official visit weekend, which is
a really big sign already in the
1096
00:54:15,760 --> 00:54:17,640
open periods, connecting with
them, getting them up for a
1097
00:54:17,640 --> 00:54:20,360
spring visit.
You know, Richmond, shoot, I've
1098
00:54:20,360 --> 00:54:23,120
been making the trip Richmond to
Blacksburg here a lot recently.
1099
00:54:23,320 --> 00:54:25,080
It's not that bad.
You can get them on for spring
1100
00:54:25,080 --> 00:54:27,800
practice, get them up for the
spring game, you know, just
1101
00:54:28,080 --> 00:54:31,240
working those details out.
So I think it's that.
1102
00:54:31,360 --> 00:54:33,400
And then obviously in this day
and age, nil, right?
1103
00:54:33,640 --> 00:54:35,160
They position themselves super
big.
1104
00:54:35,680 --> 00:54:38,000
And I think, you know, showing
your vision.
1105
00:54:38,520 --> 00:54:40,600
I said James Franklin changed
the calculus like these.
1106
00:54:40,840 --> 00:54:43,160
You can do everything right.
But if they don't believe in
1107
00:54:43,160 --> 00:54:45,160
your vision, then they believe
Brent Pryor's a lame duck.
1108
00:54:45,160 --> 00:54:47,200
And they they kind of see their
writing on the wall.
1109
00:54:48,000 --> 00:54:49,840
Yeah, that's a really tough hill
to come down from.
1110
00:54:49,840 --> 00:54:53,200
But James Franklin, they can see
what he's building, the changes
1111
00:54:53,200 --> 00:54:55,360
in merriment, what what he's
sort of pitching.
1112
00:54:56,520 --> 00:54:58,040
I think that's the biggest thing
with him.
1113
00:54:58,320 --> 00:54:59,600
And I I honestly wouldn't rule
it out.
1114
00:54:59,600 --> 00:55:01,800
Like, I'm not coming on here
blowing smoke like Noah Glover.
1115
00:55:01,800 --> 00:55:04,400
I don't see Virginia Tech
getting in the mix with Canas
1116
00:55:04,400 --> 00:55:06,680
Sullivan.
I I could see it.
1117
00:55:06,680 --> 00:55:08,560
I think he's going to have some
really big suitors.
1118
00:55:08,960 --> 00:55:10,600
Carter Jones.
I don't know if Virginia Tech's
1119
00:55:10,600 --> 00:55:12,760
going to do it, but I think
Chris Whitehead is 1 where
1120
00:55:13,440 --> 00:55:14,680
they're they're certainly in the
mix.
1121
00:55:14,680 --> 00:55:17,520
And only not only for the fact
of that number one ranking,
1122
00:55:17,520 --> 00:55:19,280
Nexter's name, they believe in
the eval.
1123
00:55:19,280 --> 00:55:22,720
Like, yeah, OK, 6324 like, yeah,
that's a pretty good prospect,
1124
00:55:22,720 --> 00:55:25,680
right?
Like, but someone, especially
1125
00:55:26,200 --> 00:55:29,800
with that ranking, with that
stature, that standing, it's
1126
00:55:29,800 --> 00:55:33,000
like it's kind of just putting
the whole state and and you
1127
00:55:33,000 --> 00:55:35,240
know, the whole Mid-Atlantic,
the whole ACC, the whole
1128
00:55:35,240 --> 00:55:38,080
whatever coastline on notice,
like, all right, you're not
1129
00:55:38,080 --> 00:55:39,760
going to come into our backyard
anymore.
1130
00:55:40,080 --> 00:55:42,360
This is what is to be expected
with this staff.
1131
00:55:43,320 --> 00:55:45,440
Let's talk about that a little
bit more because you know, you,
1132
00:55:45,560 --> 00:55:49,080
you get a guy like Whitehead say
say that that comes to fruition.
1133
00:55:49,880 --> 00:55:55,000
What are the tailwinds attached
to that from a just a 26 class
1134
00:55:55,000 --> 00:55:56,880
and potentially even looking
forward to 27?
1135
00:55:56,880 --> 00:56:00,680
I know someone like a like a
Carter. 2728 Brown, 26, has
1136
00:56:00,680 --> 00:56:03,080
already signed.
Yeah, sorry, 2728.
1137
00:56:03,080 --> 00:56:04,880
My bet.
What?
1138
00:56:04,920 --> 00:56:07,000
What does that look like?
I know somebody like a Carter
1139
00:56:07,000 --> 00:56:12,280
Jones who's committing in the
next month and 1/2 or so, you
1140
00:56:12,280 --> 00:56:14,920
know, that may not play a factor
in his recruiting, but would
1141
00:56:14,920 --> 00:56:17,360
something like that have
tailwinds for the 27 class and
1142
00:56:17,360 --> 00:56:19,160
how would how would that play
for 28 as well?
1143
00:56:19,360 --> 00:56:20,720
Without a doubt, that's what I'm
saying.
1144
00:56:20,720 --> 00:56:23,720
Like it, it's so massive, not
only for 27 because you get that
1145
00:56:23,720 --> 00:56:26,240
guy he rallies in, but I'm just
talking about 28 projecting for
1146
00:56:26,240 --> 00:56:28,120
the guy in middle school right
now who's in Virginia or
1147
00:56:28,120 --> 00:56:31,040
whatever.
Like it's, it's great because
1148
00:56:31,040 --> 00:56:33,240
it's my business, right?
Like the, the, the graphic
1149
00:56:33,240 --> 00:56:35,320
culture where you're on
Instagram or Twitter and you see
1150
00:56:35,320 --> 00:56:38,040
this big #1 Virginia going to
Virginia Tech.
1151
00:56:38,040 --> 00:56:40,000
But that's what it is.
It's perception.
1152
00:56:40,000 --> 00:56:42,120
It matters because that for a
lot of people, that's their
1153
00:56:42,120 --> 00:56:44,840
first touch point with Virginia
Tech or, or that program.
1154
00:56:44,840 --> 00:56:46,480
Like, oh, wow, I didn't know
that.
1155
00:56:46,480 --> 00:56:51,560
Like when you see Jared Curtis
go to Vanderbilt or shoot, what
1156
00:56:51,560 --> 00:56:55,360
was the other one?
Deshawn Henderson to Houston or
1157
00:56:55,360 --> 00:56:57,800
there's another one where is AI
mean?
1158
00:56:57,800 --> 00:57:00,360
Even Fernando Mendoza to Indiana
or something like that, that
1159
00:57:00,360 --> 00:57:03,000
stature where it's like that
guy's going to this program that
1160
00:57:03,000 --> 00:57:05,040
hasn't, you know, kind of
recruited at that clip.
1161
00:57:05,040 --> 00:57:08,560
Now you see USC, Michigan,
Alabama, Georgia getting those
1162
00:57:08,560 --> 00:57:12,640
guys like, OK, But when you
start to see continued success
1163
00:57:12,640 --> 00:57:15,920
on the trail, it's like, wow, we
can stay close to home.
1164
00:57:15,920 --> 00:57:19,800
We can represent our state at a
program that's invested at in US
1165
00:57:19,800 --> 00:57:22,240
at a younger age as opposed to
out of state schools.
1166
00:57:22,240 --> 00:57:25,320
Just naturally, like if Virginia
Tech is not on guys in the state
1167
00:57:25,320 --> 00:57:28,440
of Virginia before every other
school, then that's on them,
1168
00:57:28,440 --> 00:57:29,760
right?
Like you, you can't let those
1169
00:57:29,760 --> 00:57:32,720
guys go walking.
So I think that's why it's so
1170
00:57:32,720 --> 00:57:35,120
big.
And yeah, 20 eights, 20 nines,
1171
00:57:35,120 --> 00:57:39,160
30s, seeing that, parlaying that
down the road, it's super big
1172
00:57:39,160 --> 00:57:42,680
and and especially in the 27
class, I wouldn't say he's like
1173
00:57:42,680 --> 00:57:45,440
the most vocal guy, but if you
get that, it's like, OK, like
1174
00:57:45,680 --> 00:57:47,560
we're doing this now.
It's not a two year, three-year
1175
00:57:47,560 --> 00:57:49,080
rebuild.
Like they're they're really
1176
00:57:49,080 --> 00:57:51,200
getting after it right now.
Let's let's go hop on the
1177
00:57:51,200 --> 00:57:55,560
bandwagon.
Love that Curtis, what you got.
1178
00:57:55,920 --> 00:57:58,480
Well, I'll ask this because you
mentioned them all.
1179
00:57:59,360 --> 00:58:03,440
If you had one guy to currently
say that was committed and I'm
1180
00:58:03,520 --> 00:58:07,200
going to go UVA because the ones
you mentioned are committed, who
1181
00:58:07,200 --> 00:58:09,480
flips?
Who's the do you think your
1182
00:58:09,480 --> 00:58:13,080
quickest flip is there?
So I listed DeMarcus Brown,
1183
00:58:13,360 --> 00:58:16,480
Derek Fisher and Lonnie Andrews.
Correct.
1184
00:58:16,840 --> 00:58:22,360
Yeah, we listened those 3.
See, I, I think Derek, I don't
1185
00:58:22,360 --> 00:58:26,840
know, man, I would between, I
would say Derek Fisher.
1186
00:58:26,840 --> 00:58:28,360
I don't know about Lonnie
Andrews, though, because that
1187
00:58:28,360 --> 00:58:30,000
quarterback board's going to
have to shape out.
1188
00:58:31,440 --> 00:58:33,600
But I mean, like to go play with
your cousin, right?
1189
00:58:33,600 --> 00:58:36,320
You know, like, and then if
you're Derek Fisher, right,
1190
00:58:36,320 --> 00:58:38,720
like, you know who your, your
cousin is in Virginia Tech, like
1191
00:58:38,720 --> 00:58:40,840
both those guys, I feel like
there's a familial draw there,
1192
00:58:40,840 --> 00:58:43,360
right?
Like, and I, I for Lonnie, I
1193
00:58:43,360 --> 00:58:44,800
think a lot about Jamari
Deloach.
1194
00:58:44,880 --> 00:58:48,040
Like he was committed to sensing
like that was so weird.
1195
00:58:48,080 --> 00:58:50,560
I remember this is such a weird
anecdote.
1196
00:58:50,560 --> 00:58:53,160
Side note, but I was in Disney
World for my sister's birthday
1197
00:58:53,800 --> 00:58:56,760
and I'm on the phone with Evan G
Watkins, like about to put in a
1198
00:58:56,760 --> 00:58:58,600
crystal ball for Jamario to
Virginia Tech.
1199
00:58:58,600 --> 00:59:01,880
And it was just so weird the way
that whole thing went where
1200
00:59:01,880 --> 00:59:03,160
Michigan was on and then it died
down.
1201
00:59:03,160 --> 00:59:05,600
It was going to be Virginia Tech
fully and then Cincinnati.
1202
00:59:05,720 --> 00:59:08,960
And he commits to Cincinnati and
it never felt right, like even
1203
00:59:08,960 --> 00:59:10,560
me like covering his
recruitment, going to state
1204
00:59:10,560 --> 00:59:12,680
track meets and everything was
just like Cincinnati, what
1205
00:59:12,680 --> 00:59:14,280
happened?
And then there was a really big
1206
00:59:14,280 --> 00:59:16,760
flip like I remember like still,
it was be one of my favorite
1207
00:59:16,760 --> 00:59:18,920
signing day memories ever.
Like breaking the news of his
1208
00:59:18,920 --> 00:59:21,480
flip right there, right.
Like talk like that was insane.
1209
00:59:21,480 --> 00:59:24,240
One of my honestly probably my
favorite signing day moment of
1210
00:59:24,360 --> 00:59:26,200
my life.
So like so far just breaking
1211
00:59:26,200 --> 00:59:29,760
that because, you know, that was
a recruitment I feel like I was
1212
00:59:29,760 --> 00:59:32,880
closest with in that 25 class
and it never felt right.
1213
00:59:32,880 --> 00:59:34,440
And it came all the way full
circle.
1214
00:59:34,480 --> 00:59:38,520
And, you know, I just feel like,
I just feel like I'm maybe this
1215
00:59:38,520 --> 00:59:41,000
is just me feeling remnants of
that with Lonnie Andrews.
1216
00:59:42,760 --> 00:59:44,440
But yeah, you know what?
I was going to say Derek Fisher,
1217
00:59:44,440 --> 00:59:46,720
but give me Lonnie Andrews.
I think that's one.
1218
00:59:47,240 --> 00:59:48,960
I think that's one to watch
there at the quarterback
1219
00:59:48,960 --> 00:59:51,040
position.
Awesome.
1220
00:59:53,360 --> 00:59:55,280
All right.
So I'll, I'll, I'll switch gears
1221
00:59:55,280 --> 00:59:59,760
a little bit with the offers
that are being reported right
1222
00:59:59,760 --> 01:00:02,960
now, kind of where things are
standing, which areas outside of
1223
01:00:02,960 --> 01:00:06,080
Virginia have been the kind of
heaviest focus for James
1224
01:00:06,080 --> 01:00:10,120
Franklin for this 27 cycle?
I would say it's pretty spread
1225
01:00:10,120 --> 01:00:13,360
out, but you know, like his
connections up in the northern
1226
01:00:13,360 --> 01:00:17,480
Mid-Atlantic region,
Pennsylvania, Philly area, a lot
1227
01:00:17,480 --> 01:00:21,440
of prep schools in their jersey
into Ohio.
1228
01:00:21,520 --> 01:00:24,000
But then you've got guys on the
staff like Coach Chaos who's
1229
01:00:24,000 --> 01:00:27,440
down in Texas sending out a ton
of offers, Midget Anthony
1230
01:00:27,440 --> 01:00:29,280
Midget's down in Florida sending
out offers.
1231
01:00:29,280 --> 01:00:31,080
You got Norville McKenzie in
South Carolina.
1232
01:00:31,080 --> 01:00:35,480
But I would say a lot of it is
focused in that DMV into
1233
01:00:35,480 --> 01:00:38,200
Pennsylvania area just because
those are the high schools and
1234
01:00:38,200 --> 01:00:40,000
the coaches and the
relationships they've been
1235
01:00:40,000 --> 01:00:42,200
naturally closest with for the
last decade, right?
1236
01:00:42,640 --> 01:00:47,080
So I would say outside of
Virginia, it would be mostly in
1237
01:00:47,080 --> 01:00:50,920
that Northern DMV into
Pennsylvania and then extending
1238
01:00:50,920 --> 01:00:53,960
outside of that Ohio and then
parts of the Southeast Florida,
1239
01:00:53,960 --> 01:00:56,840
South Carolina, Georgia with
Norville McKenzie kind of
1240
01:00:56,840 --> 01:00:59,520
driving that train.
And obviously, shoot, I can't
1241
01:00:59,520 --> 01:01:02,200
even leave out North Carolina.
I would really just kind of say
1242
01:01:02,200 --> 01:01:05,960
almost up and down the East
Coast from Pennsylvania down and
1243
01:01:06,040 --> 01:01:08,200
into really Ohio and parts of
Texas.
1244
01:01:08,640 --> 01:01:10,760
Outside of that, you won't see
much except for quarterbacks,
1245
01:01:10,760 --> 01:01:13,480
but I feel like they've made
that their territory, right?
1246
01:01:13,480 --> 01:01:17,800
Like they'll go Pennsylvania.
How in that DC region, you've
1247
01:01:17,800 --> 01:01:20,200
obviously got the state of
Virginia, North Carolina, you've
1248
01:01:20,200 --> 01:01:25,160
got guys South Carolina,
Georgia, Florida and yeah, I
1249
01:01:25,160 --> 01:01:27,280
mean, but shoot, they've been in
offering guys in Alabama, I
1250
01:01:27,280 --> 01:01:30,000
would say mostly North Carolina
and then up through
1251
01:01:30,000 --> 01:01:32,520
Pennsylvania.
And some of those guys it'll be
1252
01:01:32,520 --> 01:01:35,120
interesting like because they're
they're always changing the
1253
01:01:35,120 --> 01:01:38,080
areas and regions.
Like I know right now I think
1254
01:01:38,080 --> 01:01:41,400
Anthony Midget has Florida.
I think how is the DMV?
1255
01:01:41,800 --> 01:01:44,600
O'Brien has North Carolina, I
think Norville has South
1256
01:01:44,600 --> 01:01:47,800
Carolina and Georgia.
I don't know where Spencer is.
1257
01:01:47,800 --> 01:01:50,400
Maybe part of Virginia and Texas
still.
1258
01:01:51,480 --> 01:01:54,120
So it's changing, but yeah, I
mean, it's definitely wider than
1259
01:01:54,120 --> 01:01:57,000
just a six hour radius that
Virginia Tech's been accustomed
1260
01:01:57,000 --> 01:02:02,080
to, yeah.
Brian, you had something like
1261
01:02:02,080 --> 01:02:06,680
Brian, literally Brian wrote
this like an hour before you
1262
01:02:06,680 --> 01:02:08,600
jumped on.
But Brian?
1263
01:02:09,040 --> 01:02:10,720
Yeah, I was just going to like,
you know, you talked about the
1264
01:02:10,720 --> 01:02:15,120
six hour radius.
One of the things Coach Franklin
1265
01:02:15,120 --> 01:02:17,920
said when he got on board is
that, you know, if you're going
1266
01:02:17,920 --> 01:02:22,120
to compete for College Football
Playoff, you can't just recruit
1267
01:02:22,640 --> 01:02:24,440
in the six hour radius.
You got to look, you know, you
1268
01:02:24,440 --> 01:02:26,280
got to be able to recruit
nationally if you're going to be
1269
01:02:26,280 --> 01:02:27,640
relevant.
Yeah.
1270
01:02:28,040 --> 01:02:31,880
You know, you mentioned Texas
is, is there other other areas
1271
01:02:31,880 --> 01:02:34,240
that you know, just from a
national perspective where
1272
01:02:34,240 --> 01:02:37,400
you're seeing kind of maybe even
just one offs of, of guys
1273
01:02:37,400 --> 01:02:40,640
getting offered kind of outside
of that traditional footprint
1274
01:02:40,640 --> 01:02:42,720
that Virginia has been looking
at, you know, kind of up and
1275
01:02:42,720 --> 01:02:45,320
down the East Coast?
Yeah, I would say 1 offs.
1276
01:02:45,320 --> 01:02:47,640
It's not like state of
Washington or Oregon, right?
1277
01:02:47,760 --> 01:02:53,360
It was Alabama in the parts of
Alabama, Louisiana.
1278
01:02:53,360 --> 01:02:55,400
I mean, those states are so hard
to crack into when you know the
1279
01:02:55,400 --> 01:02:57,800
state schools and how those guys
get their talent, right?
1280
01:02:58,200 --> 01:03:01,200
Like was saving Alabama even
Gene Chisek at Alabama, even
1281
01:03:02,880 --> 01:03:05,640
shoot who?
Gosh, Gus Malzahn, how can I not
1282
01:03:05,640 --> 01:03:07,520
think of his name like those
guys?
1283
01:03:07,520 --> 01:03:10,080
Like I feel like when you would
go during those 10 years at
1284
01:03:10,080 --> 01:03:12,520
Auburn and Alabama, it was the
state of Alabama rankings
1285
01:03:12,880 --> 01:03:16,080
Alabama, Alabama, Alabama,
Auburn, AL Alabama lake and
1286
01:03:16,080 --> 01:03:20,280
Louisiana the same you had the
tigers logo LSULSULSU pretty
1287
01:03:20,280 --> 01:03:21,920
much for all of them.
You know, like I feel like those
1288
01:03:21,920 --> 01:03:25,120
states are kind of the the
marquee of like keeping in state
1289
01:03:25,120 --> 01:03:28,200
talent home and now they're very
talent rich states.
1290
01:03:28,200 --> 01:03:30,800
But I would say a couple of
offers shout out, shout out
1291
01:03:30,800 --> 01:03:34,040
there Missouri, nothing too
crazy.
1292
01:03:34,040 --> 01:03:37,600
Some in California, just because
if you want those big national
1293
01:03:37,600 --> 01:03:40,200
recruits, you got a lot of big
schools out there.
1294
01:03:40,200 --> 01:03:43,320
Mattered to some big schools.
A lot of.
1295
01:03:43,320 --> 01:03:45,040
Quarterbacks, some offers out in
Utah.
1296
01:03:45,040 --> 01:03:46,240
What'd you say?
A lot.
1297
01:03:46,720 --> 01:03:48,160
Of quarterbacks out.
There in California, Yeah.
1298
01:03:48,160 --> 01:03:51,080
I was about to say that's the
other thing is like, but like,
1299
01:03:51,280 --> 01:03:52,840
yeah, naturally you're going to
go find some.
1300
01:03:52,840 --> 01:03:55,640
Like look at Troy Hume, you
know, like I'm saying, I think
1301
01:03:55,640 --> 01:03:58,320
about Brady Edmonds.
I think Virginia Tech was in
1302
01:03:58,320 --> 01:04:00,080
there for a little bit.
I think he's committed to Ohio
1303
01:04:00,080 --> 01:04:02,000
State.
And I know I think Penn State
1304
01:04:02,000 --> 01:04:03,960
was in on him as well.
But yeah, I mean, you're
1305
01:04:03,960 --> 01:04:06,960
definitely going to go out there
for quarterbacks for sure.
1306
01:04:07,200 --> 01:04:09,400
But even other positions, I
wouldn't be shocked to see them
1307
01:04:09,400 --> 01:04:13,800
do that in the future.
Has there been any of these like
1308
01:04:14,360 --> 01:04:19,400
Texas, California guys that
you're hearing like what they're
1309
01:04:19,400 --> 01:04:21,440
hearing from Virginia Tech, like
what they're seeing with the
1310
01:04:21,440 --> 01:04:24,600
vision of the program yet?
Yeah, there's one.
1311
01:04:24,920 --> 01:04:28,880
There's one from Texas.
Not going to be able to find his
1312
01:04:28,880 --> 01:04:31,720
name right now.
He's a Edge prospect that I'm
1313
01:04:31,720 --> 01:04:33,320
watching.
I feel so bad.
1314
01:04:33,320 --> 01:04:35,400
I'm going to mess up his name.
I can remember his high school,
1315
01:04:35,400 --> 01:04:38,560
but I can't remember his name.
But yeah, I would say, I would
1316
01:04:38,560 --> 01:04:40,520
say you're seeing some success
there, that there's definitely
1317
01:04:40,520 --> 01:04:42,480
at least one guy from Texas.
That's on my mind.
1318
01:04:43,600 --> 01:04:46,360
Hold on, hold on, I got the list
up here.
1319
01:04:46,680 --> 01:04:51,240
First of all, I don't remember
any of the last 10 years lists
1320
01:04:51,240 --> 01:04:54,680
of offers being this big.
Maybe I just didn't look at the
1321
01:04:54,680 --> 01:04:58,480
right time.
Shot out of color.
1322
01:04:58,480 --> 01:05:01,080
I mean, and even just talking to
different people, like there was
1323
01:05:01,080 --> 01:05:04,160
one year I think at Penn State,
he offered like 300 wide
1324
01:05:04,160 --> 01:05:07,400
receivers or something.
It's like or something crazy.
1325
01:05:07,400 --> 01:05:09,760
So it's insanely hard to track.
And even for them right now,
1326
01:05:09,760 --> 01:05:10,960
like, I don't want it to be
undersold.
1327
01:05:10,960 --> 01:05:15,040
Like they don't have now in
years, years moving forward,
1328
01:05:15,040 --> 01:05:17,080
they certainly will as they
build up this infrastructure,
1329
01:05:17,080 --> 01:05:18,280
right?
And they have a better footing
1330
01:05:18,280 --> 01:05:20,240
of what they want.
But they don't have this really
1331
01:05:20,240 --> 01:05:22,320
clear board.
Like like we were talking about
1332
01:05:22,520 --> 01:05:24,000
Chris Whitehead.
They're not going to tell him
1333
01:05:24,000 --> 01:05:25,240
no, right?
Like they're going to take it.
1334
01:05:25,240 --> 01:05:26,280
That's a guy they're going to
take.
1335
01:05:26,640 --> 01:05:29,640
But some of these other guys,
it's like we don't, we don't
1336
01:05:29,640 --> 01:05:31,240
know yet.
Like we're still building out
1337
01:05:31,240 --> 01:05:32,760
our board.
We're still familiarizing with
1338
01:05:32,760 --> 01:05:35,360
your coaches like a junior
Sanders, they're taking him
1339
01:05:35,360 --> 01:05:37,360
right?
Elijah Hutchinson, like those
1340
01:05:37,360 --> 01:05:39,480
top of the board guys, OK, take,
take whenever.
1341
01:05:39,880 --> 01:05:41,760
But some of these other guys are
having for obese.
1342
01:05:41,760 --> 01:05:45,080
It's like like that's why the
dead period was so big.
1343
01:05:45,080 --> 01:05:48,040
And even in like still now like
it's like, what what's the
1344
01:05:48,040 --> 01:05:49,240
quarterback room going to look
like?
1345
01:05:49,600 --> 01:05:52,360
What's our third wide receiver?
What's our second tight end?
1346
01:05:52,360 --> 01:05:53,760
What's our 4th offensive
lineman?
1347
01:05:53,840 --> 01:05:56,160
You know, like we feel good
about these guys.
1348
01:05:56,160 --> 01:05:58,480
But beyond that, we're still
trying to flesh out our board.
1349
01:05:59,360 --> 01:06:00,840
Got it.
Well, it's really funny because
1350
01:06:00,840 --> 01:06:03,640
I thought when I went to Edge
here, it would be like one guy.
1351
01:06:03,640 --> 01:06:09,440
No, they have three offers, a
guy from Denton Dyer, a guy from
1352
01:06:09,440 --> 01:06:13,520
We Get Down Here to the other
ones, Si Falls and Cedar Hill.
1353
01:06:14,000 --> 01:06:19,040
Yeah, that's where, say, the two
names hang on, it's.
1354
01:06:19,320 --> 01:06:21,800
Jeron Allen, The Second James
Harris.
1355
01:06:22,040 --> 01:06:26,360
It's James Harris that's the
one, and he goes to SI.
1356
01:06:27,120 --> 01:06:29,640
Si Falls Ski Falls.
That's the one, Yeah.
1357
01:06:29,920 --> 01:06:34,080
OK, James, I was just wanting to
keep an eye on.
1358
01:06:34,080 --> 01:06:36,080
I'm not saying anything crazy,
but that that was the one that
1359
01:06:36,080 --> 01:06:36,880
comes to mind.
That no.
1360
01:06:36,880 --> 01:06:39,760
Well, yeah.
I understand what you're saying,
1361
01:06:39,760 --> 01:06:43,320
but what you're hearing is
someone from there with the
1362
01:06:43,320 --> 01:06:45,600
James Franklin pitch and with
the vision like.
1363
01:06:46,640 --> 01:06:50,440
Like he might get up, you know,
like that's kind of rare to have
1364
01:06:50,440 --> 01:06:53,480
a guy from Texas, right?
Like it's not, it's not a trip
1365
01:06:53,480 --> 01:06:57,560
from even Greensboro, NC, or
even Columbus, OH.
1366
01:06:58,240 --> 01:07:00,680
Like that's, that's a real trip,
you know?
1367
01:07:02,000 --> 01:07:06,040
That is a real trip, Brian.
Anything else?
1368
01:07:06,040 --> 01:07:08,880
We want to close Colby out here
with men because dude, we've
1369
01:07:08,880 --> 01:07:10,920
been sitting here an hour.
It's been a blast here.
1370
01:07:10,920 --> 01:07:14,680
In your takes, by the way, the
best thing you do, Colby, is
1371
01:07:14,680 --> 01:07:17,800
like the Deloach story.
Colby, anytime you're with us,
1372
01:07:17,800 --> 01:07:20,720
if you want to go off on a Side
Story, that's what we're all
1373
01:07:20,720 --> 01:07:21,880
about here.
It depends.
1374
01:07:21,960 --> 01:07:24,760
Because it makes it real, man.
It makes it because we're just
1375
01:07:24,760 --> 01:07:27,160
having a conversation about
something we all three love.
1376
01:07:27,880 --> 01:07:30,320
Dude, I was just thinking about
it like if there's I just feel
1377
01:07:30,320 --> 01:07:34,080
like there's so much that you're
acquainted or like adjacent to
1378
01:07:34,080 --> 01:07:36,680
and you like I, I feel like I
don't keep enough notes because
1379
01:07:36,680 --> 01:07:38,720
if someone brings it up, it like
sparks your memory, but it's
1380
01:07:38,720 --> 01:07:42,360
like until you think about that
Deloach thing or whatever.
1381
01:07:42,360 --> 01:07:46,000
Like even the I remember the the
one that got blew up a little
1382
01:07:46,000 --> 01:07:48,040
bit was the pro day one, right?
Like when they were doing the
1383
01:07:48,040 --> 01:07:51,040
heating, like, or that was
something I never even thought
1384
01:07:51,040 --> 01:07:53,480
to talk about until, you know,
the heating came in and then
1385
01:07:53,480 --> 01:07:56,560
there was a big crash out on the
pro day where the scout kind of
1386
01:07:56,560 --> 01:07:58,280
got in Brett Pryor's face and
was like, you need to have
1387
01:07:58,280 --> 01:07:59,680
heating in here.
Brett thought it was like a
1388
01:07:59,680 --> 01:08:02,120
joke.
And then there was that whole
1389
01:08:02,240 --> 01:08:06,080
kerfuffle.
But yeah, there there's just so
1390
01:08:06,080 --> 01:08:08,040
I mean, even in the couple years
I've been around it there,
1391
01:08:08,040 --> 01:08:10,120
there's always something,
there's always a story.
1392
01:08:10,360 --> 01:08:12,480
But yeah, we'll, we'll see.
Maybe that Lonnie Andrews thing
1393
01:08:12,480 --> 01:08:15,880
plays out just like that.
But yeah, the man, the Jamari
1394
01:08:15,880 --> 01:08:17,600
Deloach, I think he's going to
be a special player.
1395
01:08:17,600 --> 01:08:19,399
I think you're going to see a
lot of him this year.
1396
01:08:19,640 --> 01:08:21,880
Those three guys, I've I've said
it since they got there
1397
01:08:22,319 --> 01:08:24,720
knowledge Harold, he might be
moving back to safety, which
1398
01:08:24,720 --> 01:08:26,359
I've kind of said since he got
there.
1399
01:08:26,760 --> 01:08:29,399
JoJo KREM, who sounds like he
was a little banged up.
1400
01:08:29,399 --> 01:08:33,000
I think we'll be fine for spring
and Jamar Deloach probably at
1401
01:08:33,000 --> 01:08:35,240
nickel.
Like I know you like Isaiah
1402
01:08:35,240 --> 01:08:37,960
Brown, Murray, Tyson Flower,
like awesome guys.
1403
01:08:38,160 --> 01:08:40,200
Go check out on my YouTube
channel got great interviews
1404
01:08:40,200 --> 01:08:41,840
with him there.
Like really awesome guys.
1405
01:08:41,840 --> 01:08:44,160
I appreciate them.
But I think those young three
1406
01:08:44,160 --> 01:08:46,560
guys from last year, it's going
to be tough to keep those guys
1407
01:08:46,560 --> 01:08:48,680
off the field.
Pushing, pushing.
1408
01:08:49,120 --> 01:08:52,040
We've been we've been banging
the the knowledge Harold Drum
1409
01:08:52,040 --> 01:08:56,439
here and obviously Deloach, I
mean, just incredible athlete.
1410
01:08:56,439 --> 01:08:59,560
So I'm excited to see what he
can do kind of getting into the
1411
01:08:59,560 --> 01:09:00,479
mix there at Nichols.
So.
1412
01:09:00,520 --> 01:09:03,359
And what and what you want is
the young guys pushing, the
1413
01:09:03,359 --> 01:09:06,840
veterans, the guys that you've
seen like an IBM, like a
1414
01:09:06,840 --> 01:09:11,040
flowers, you know, we know, you
know they can play solid.
1415
01:09:11,240 --> 01:09:13,840
Do you want football?
You want the young guys pushing
1416
01:09:13,840 --> 01:09:16,720
because if they're pushing,
basically they're saying I'm
1417
01:09:16,720 --> 01:09:20,800
coming to take your job, you
better give it 110 all the time
1418
01:09:20,800 --> 01:09:23,200
or we'll take your job, so.
You know what, we're raising the
1419
01:09:23,240 --> 01:09:25,279
talent level and you're you're
adding depth in there.
1420
01:09:25,319 --> 01:09:31,160
So it's like, either way, it's a
win. 100, that's what we set off
1421
01:09:31,160 --> 01:09:33,720
the top.
Like, you got to have talent at
1422
01:09:33,720 --> 01:09:36,040
all those levels to make
everyone better at practice, and
1423
01:09:36,040 --> 01:09:42,279
they've done that, So, yeah.
100% Colby anything where tell
1424
01:09:42,279 --> 01:09:43,399
people where they can follow
you.
1425
01:09:43,399 --> 01:09:47,000
Anything going on 247 right now
that people might be interested
1426
01:09:47,000 --> 01:09:49,200
in?
Yeah, man, it's going to be busy
1427
01:09:49,200 --> 01:09:51,200
this coming week.
I appreciate you guys had me on
1428
01:09:51,200 --> 01:09:53,399
here for spring break because
next week we're going to be
1429
01:09:53,399 --> 01:09:55,000
after it.
We'll see what spring ball looks
1430
01:09:55,000 --> 01:09:58,440
like, but you can follow me on X
at Colby under score Crawford.
1431
01:09:58,440 --> 01:10:00,680
Check out the YouTube channel.
Let's just type in Colby.
1432
01:10:00,680 --> 01:10:06,640
Crawford should have promo code
code Colby for BT scoop in the
1433
01:10:06,640 --> 01:10:08,920
next week.
So don't tell the bosses.
1434
01:10:08,920 --> 01:10:11,400
Maybe don't get the VIP yet
until next Tuesday.
1435
01:10:11,400 --> 01:10:14,560
Might have a sweet deal for you.
But yeah, over there it'll be.
1436
01:10:14,720 --> 01:10:16,800
I mean, I feel like we've
already had a ton of different
1437
01:10:16,800 --> 01:10:20,200
team scoop, but team scoop, when
the trench portal gets rocking,
1438
01:10:20,200 --> 01:10:22,880
there's no better place to be.
High school recruiting is going
1439
01:10:22,880 --> 01:10:25,320
to be crazy coming up.
So yeah, no better place to be
1440
01:10:25,320 --> 01:10:28,200
than over there.
All right, we'll check him out.
1441
01:10:28,240 --> 01:10:30,600
Colby rear, appreciate you
joining us tonight.
1442
01:10:30,960 --> 01:10:34,320
That does wrap up this episode
of the Boundary Corner podcast
1443
01:10:34,320 --> 01:10:37,120
brought to you by Moments on the
Mori in Lexington along with our
1444
01:10:37,280 --> 01:10:39,400
special guest, Colby Crawford
from 247.
1445
01:10:39,400 --> 01:10:41,280
I'm Curtis Wilson.
I'm Brian Siegler.
1446
01:10:42,960 --> 01:10:44,520
Jonathan Tally, we hope, is
saved.
1447
01:10:44,520 --> 01:10:46,400
Shelton Moss is at some baseball
field.
1448
01:10:46,400 --> 01:10:50,360
That's all I know.
Check out.
1449
01:10:50,480 --> 01:10:52,120
Boundary corner.
I'll pinch it.
1450
01:10:52,720 --> 01:10:55,080
There you go, there you go, come
down and pinch it.
1451
01:10:55,480 --> 01:10:57,880
Check out boundarycornerbt.com
to listen to all of our
1452
01:10:57,880 --> 01:10:59,600
episodes.
Don't forget to follow us on
1453
01:10:59,600 --> 01:11:02,840
Twitter, Facebook, Instagram.
Subscribe for our YouTube
1454
01:11:02,840 --> 01:11:07,120
channel.
For those who are wondering,
1455
01:11:08,200 --> 01:11:09,920
Twitter, we should have a bunch
of people come on.
1456
01:11:10,840 --> 01:11:12,960
Twitter is screwed up with
streams right now.
1457
01:11:13,560 --> 01:11:15,040
We've been trying to figure it
out.
1458
01:11:15,520 --> 01:11:19,040
It sucks because Twitter is the
thing so many people are on.
1459
01:11:19,240 --> 01:11:22,760
Hopefully it's fixed soon.
So if you usually follow us on
1460
01:11:22,760 --> 01:11:25,680
Twitter, if you see us going
live on Tuesday, Wednesday
1461
01:11:25,680 --> 01:11:29,200
nights, go to YouTube please.
It's right on the face or excuse
1462
01:11:29,200 --> 01:11:35,120
me, the the Twitter page.
As always, we are in everywhere
1463
01:11:35,120 --> 01:11:39,760
you can think of podcast wise.
As always, our buddy Jason Long,
1464
01:11:39,760 --> 01:11:42,960
he plays us in he plays us out
every week.
1465
01:11:42,960 --> 01:11:46,760
Check out Jason Long music.com
where you can link to all of his
1466
01:11:46,760 --> 01:11:51,520
music on YouTube, Facebook and
Spotify pages.
1467
01:11:51,840 --> 01:11:54,480
Check him out.
He is going to be cranking up
1468
01:11:54,480 --> 01:11:58,040
for the spring lots of dates so
check out the live upcoming
1469
01:11:58,040 --> 01:12:00,480
performances.
He's all around the greater
1470
01:12:00,480 --> 01:12:03,960
Roanoke Valley area.
We appreciate y'all for
1471
01:12:03,960 --> 01:12:05,840
listening and as always, let's
go.
1472
01:12:06,560 --> 01:13:07,950
Oh, keys.
The.
00:00:57,640 --> 00:01:02,760
Whether you like it or don't
like it, learn to love it
2
00:01:03,120 --> 00:01:20,840
because it is the best thing.
And welcome back to the Boundary
3
00:01:20,840 --> 00:01:24,120
Corner Podcast along with my
partner, Brian Siegel.
4
00:01:24,120 --> 00:01:27,560
And tonight, our special guest,
Colby Crawford, Form 247.
5
00:01:27,920 --> 00:01:31,440
I am Curtis Wilson, and we are
brought to you by Moments on the
6
00:01:31,440 --> 00:01:34,000
Mori.
Looking for a weekend getaway?
7
00:01:34,480 --> 00:01:37,240
Moments on the Mori might be
exactly what you're looking for.
8
00:01:37,520 --> 00:01:41,680
Owned by Proud Hokey, located
just outside Lexington, VA, the
9
00:01:41,680 --> 00:01:45,000
place gives you fishing,
kayaking, or just relaxing in or
10
00:01:45,000 --> 00:01:48,560
by the river Outback.
So take a look at the link in
11
00:01:48,560 --> 00:01:50,880
our comments section.
If you're looking for something
12
00:01:50,880 --> 00:01:54,280
this spring or summer or maybe
even next fall trying to make a
13
00:01:54,280 --> 00:02:00,440
game, visit that website there
the Airbnb and also at Instagram
14
00:02:00,440 --> 00:02:03,200
on Instagram at Moments on the
Maori.
15
00:02:04,280 --> 00:02:09,320
Colby Crawford has returned to
the Boundary Corn podcast.
16
00:02:09,440 --> 00:02:11,480
Colby, how are you doing this
evening, my man?
17
00:02:12,280 --> 00:02:14,800
Doing well gentlemen you know
shoot might have some later
18
00:02:14,800 --> 00:02:17,880
spring break plans going down in
the Moore river thinking about
19
00:02:17,880 --> 00:02:21,200
that intro video was awesome.
So appreciate you guys having me
20
00:02:21,200 --> 00:02:22,640
back on.
I always feel bad.
21
00:02:22,640 --> 00:02:26,240
I always get the invite so
cordially and I feel like every
22
00:02:26,240 --> 00:02:28,240
time you guys invite me, I'm in
a time vortex.
23
00:02:28,240 --> 00:02:31,160
I'm in Florida, I'm in North
Carolina, I'm in Charleston
24
00:02:31,160 --> 00:02:33,280
chasing some waves or something.
But we got it in.
25
00:02:33,280 --> 00:02:35,600
So looking forward to talk some
football here.
26
00:02:36,160 --> 00:02:38,840
Hey, man, every time we we hit
you up your own spring breaks,
27
00:02:38,840 --> 00:02:41,000
that's that's a good thing for
you because you get to step
28
00:02:41,000 --> 00:02:42,960
away, you get to recharge the
battery a little bit, do a
29
00:02:42,960 --> 00:02:45,960
little something different.
So glad you got to do that.
30
00:02:45,960 --> 00:02:50,080
Glad you're on with us tonight.
It's going to be a lot of fun.
31
00:02:50,080 --> 00:02:53,200
Always, always love chopping it
up with you, especially when it
32
00:02:53,200 --> 00:02:56,280
comes to recruiting, transfer
portal, all that.
33
00:02:56,280 --> 00:02:58,400
Man.
You do such a good job in that
34
00:02:58,400 --> 00:03:00,200
space, so we really appreciate
you coming on.
35
00:03:00,720 --> 00:03:02,920
Yeah, for sure all.
Right.
36
00:03:02,920 --> 00:03:06,680
Well, before we get into
football, let's let's, let's,
37
00:03:06,680 --> 00:03:09,920
let's give the old salute the
old rest in peace.
38
00:03:11,840 --> 00:03:16,120
Men's basketball season came to
an end last night.
39
00:03:17,000 --> 00:03:19,760
For those who are saying they're
probably going to be in the NIT,
40
00:03:20,120 --> 00:03:23,320
no, I'm sorry.
I cannot get excited about going
41
00:03:23,320 --> 00:03:26,920
to the NIT, not this year.
But Kobe, I know you were
42
00:03:26,920 --> 00:03:31,440
mentioning before, as busy as
you were, kudos to Kobe
43
00:03:31,440 --> 00:03:35,400
Crawford, busy man with all the
football stuff, makes it to six
44
00:03:35,840 --> 00:03:38,040
games this year, which is
impressive.
45
00:03:38,040 --> 00:03:41,480
Again, we know how much you're
working with the football stuff
46
00:03:41,480 --> 00:03:43,640
to make six games this year.
That's pretty impressive.
47
00:03:43,640 --> 00:03:47,760
But what's your take just from
what you saw with basketball
48
00:03:47,760 --> 00:03:50,600
this year?
And we know it's not your the
49
00:03:50,600 --> 00:03:54,080
most, it's not your full name,
but we know you got an opinion.
50
00:03:54,680 --> 00:03:57,160
Yeah, I think it was around six.
I'm in that neighborhood.
51
00:03:57,160 --> 00:04:00,480
But yeah, I I think any way you
slice it, you cut it.
52
00:04:00,480 --> 00:04:04,080
Stakeholders, fans, players,
staff, anyone involved.
53
00:04:04,760 --> 00:04:07,520
I think we tell you it was a
disappointment of a season,
54
00:04:07,520 --> 00:04:09,640
right?
When you saw what you brought
55
00:04:09,640 --> 00:04:11,920
in, how the roster was formed
ahead of the year.
56
00:04:12,920 --> 00:04:14,960
It was kind of like, OK, now
we're never a type moment,
57
00:04:14,960 --> 00:04:16,600
right?
You, you obviously get Neocliss
58
00:04:16,600 --> 00:04:18,839
of Dallas who rated the five
star.
59
00:04:19,079 --> 00:04:21,880
And you know, that experiment
kind of goes the way it does,
60
00:04:21,880 --> 00:04:23,520
right?
And you bring in the transfers.
61
00:04:24,440 --> 00:04:26,240
Monty Hansberry, he plays out of
his mind.
62
00:04:26,240 --> 00:04:28,840
Honorable mention gets dinged up
at the end of the year.
63
00:04:28,840 --> 00:04:33,120
Jalen Bedford, you kind of build
the roster and then you really
64
00:04:33,120 --> 00:04:34,960
just miss out.
And so many Heartbreakers,
65
00:04:34,960 --> 00:04:36,480
right?
It's almost feels like they've
66
00:04:36,480 --> 00:04:38,800
become accustomed to it.
You look at, I know it's been
67
00:04:38,800 --> 00:04:42,200
harped on so much, but Stanford
up 13, what with like 2 minutes
68
00:04:42,200 --> 00:04:46,080
left, SMU buzzer beater, Wake
Forest, the first time you're
69
00:04:46,080 --> 00:04:49,160
down.
Was it Toby at the time, not
70
00:04:49,160 --> 00:04:51,520
Tyler Johnson to lose on a last
second three pointer?
71
00:04:52,720 --> 00:04:55,080
There was just opportunities.
I mean, even UVAUVA, they were
72
00:04:55,080 --> 00:04:58,600
down I think 16 at the half and
they battled back to lose by 4.
73
00:04:58,600 --> 00:05:00,400
They had opportunities right
there at the end.
74
00:05:01,800 --> 00:05:05,400
It's it was just a season of we
said it before we went live
75
00:05:05,400 --> 00:05:10,160
living and dying by every shot
and they they just died too many
76
00:05:10,160 --> 00:05:13,120
times and like who knows where
it comes from.
77
00:05:13,120 --> 00:05:15,520
It sounds like Mike Young's
going to be back roster
78
00:05:15,520 --> 00:05:18,000
construction.
I'm not exactly sure, but
79
00:05:18,000 --> 00:05:21,160
definitely a very disappointing
season on paper as to what was
80
00:05:21,160 --> 00:05:23,200
projected going into the year
for Virginia Tech.
81
00:05:24,120 --> 00:05:26,280
Yeah, when you look at the
roster top to bottom, it's
82
00:05:26,280 --> 00:05:30,160
probably one of the more just
talented roster, definitely
83
00:05:30,160 --> 00:05:33,640
probably the the the best roster
Mike Young's had in a few years
84
00:05:34,200 --> 00:05:38,640
for certain.
And it just felt like whether it
85
00:05:38,640 --> 00:05:41,960
was under underachieving, not
closing out games, there was
86
00:05:41,960 --> 00:05:44,040
like something different.
Obviously injuries played a
87
00:05:44,040 --> 00:05:47,560
factor in there with, you know,
you haven't, you know, three key
88
00:05:47,680 --> 00:05:50,760
key pieces missing significant
time or playing through
89
00:05:50,760 --> 00:05:53,240
injuries.
And it was just one of those
90
00:05:53,240 --> 00:05:58,000
years where it it felt like you
saw glimpses of what they could
91
00:05:58,000 --> 00:06:01,000
be at times, but they weren't
able to do it consistently
92
00:06:01,000 --> 00:06:03,360
enough.
And they dropped way too many
93
00:06:03,360 --> 00:06:07,800
games in close fashion that on
paper they should have won, and
94
00:06:07,800 --> 00:06:12,280
in some cases won handily.
Yeah. 100% I mean, that was the
95
00:06:12,280 --> 00:06:14,040
Stanford and that was the weight
games.
96
00:06:14,040 --> 00:06:18,160
Like to me that was like the
beginning of the end because you
97
00:06:18,160 --> 00:06:23,800
you come in and have such a
great, great 10 and two.
98
00:06:23,800 --> 00:06:27,240
The only two losses were right
after Toby messed up his ankle
99
00:06:27,720 --> 00:06:31,520
down in the Bahamas.
They lose to a a whole BCU team.
100
00:06:31,760 --> 00:06:34,320
You leads to an NCAA tournament
team in Saint Mary's, right?
101
00:06:35,320 --> 00:06:39,800
And they they gathered it back
where when they beat UVA on
102
00:06:39,960 --> 00:06:42,680
Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve,
excuse me, I was like, wow, this
103
00:06:42,680 --> 00:06:45,080
team's like they're they're
doing what they normally don't
104
00:06:45,080 --> 00:06:47,320
do.
Like normally when they have
105
00:06:47,320 --> 00:06:49,360
this happen, it just it just
just.
106
00:06:49,640 --> 00:06:52,200
Tumbles out of control, yeah.
Exactly bad.
107
00:06:52,560 --> 00:06:54,880
They they fight UVA and it's
like this is great because
108
00:06:54,880 --> 00:06:57,640
Toby's going to be back soon,
yet Tyler gets hurt.
109
00:06:57,840 --> 00:07:00,720
That stinks, but it's like it's
like they understand how to face
110
00:07:00,720 --> 00:07:02,200
adversity.
And then those three games where
111
00:07:02,200 --> 00:07:03,760
you're looking and said we're
better than them.
112
00:07:04,000 --> 00:07:06,320
We are better than Wake Forest,
we're better than SMU, we're
113
00:07:06,320 --> 00:07:09,320
better than standard.
And again, what you said, Colby,
114
00:07:09,320 --> 00:07:12,640
it's the heartbreaker, 1/2 court
buzzer beater, A3 pointer with
115
00:07:12,640 --> 00:07:16,200
two seconds left and then a
three pointer also very late
116
00:07:16,200 --> 00:07:19,400
against Wake.
And you're like, there shouldn't
117
00:07:19,400 --> 00:07:22,080
be a three-point game.
This game should be over.
118
00:07:22,080 --> 00:07:25,640
You're more talented than them.
I digress when it comes to that
119
00:07:25,640 --> 00:07:27,960
sort of stuff.
But basketball season's over
120
00:07:28,000 --> 00:07:31,240
like and you have Kobe.
You said it to every what
121
00:07:31,240 --> 00:07:36,440
everything we're hearing is
Mike's back next year, better or
122
00:07:36,440 --> 00:07:38,480
worse.
I don't know how that's going to
123
00:07:38,480 --> 00:07:42,560
turn out, but you know.
It's going to be hard to build a
124
00:07:42,560 --> 00:07:46,560
roster with what is effectively
a lame duck coach.
125
00:07:46,560 --> 00:07:51,280
So unless we get a situation
where we get some sort of
126
00:07:51,280 --> 00:07:54,960
coaching waiting type
announcement in, you know, the
127
00:07:54,960 --> 00:07:59,200
next month or two where they can
kind of build off of that.
128
00:07:59,600 --> 00:08:02,840
I'm very concerned about getting
the players in here because if
129
00:08:02,920 --> 00:08:07,320
if you're looking at building a
roster with a lame duck coach,
130
00:08:07,320 --> 00:08:10,800
you're talking about
constructing it with a bunch of
131
00:08:10,800 --> 00:08:14,280
guys that are only there for a
year.
132
00:08:14,920 --> 00:08:18,280
May or may not.
You know, their focus may not be
133
00:08:18,280 --> 00:08:22,600
on winning the ACC, on making it
to the turn with their focus may
134
00:08:22,600 --> 00:08:27,720
just be on getting getting
enough time out there to take
135
00:08:27,720 --> 00:08:28,760
that next step.
Right.
136
00:08:28,760 --> 00:08:30,920
So I don't know if you're going
to necessarily be able to build
137
00:08:30,920 --> 00:08:36,840
a team with that, with that
mindset that can do the things
138
00:08:36,840 --> 00:08:41,039
you want to do from the, you
know, end goal, which is to go
139
00:08:41,039 --> 00:08:44,200
out there and try to try to win
the ACC and and make it to the
140
00:08:44,200 --> 00:08:45,760
tournament.
It's going to be a very
141
00:08:45,760 --> 00:08:50,360
difficult, difficult path for
for that team in that situation.
142
00:08:50,360 --> 00:08:54,000
Like I said, unless you get a a
coach in waiting type situation
143
00:08:54,160 --> 00:08:59,400
in the next couple of months.
We'll see, we'll see.
144
00:08:59,480 --> 00:09:00,920
That's all we can do is see and
wait.
145
00:09:00,920 --> 00:09:04,360
And in a way hope, because you
do hope the coaching waiting
146
00:09:04,360 --> 00:09:07,040
happens because like you said,
Brian, that at least gives the
147
00:09:07,040 --> 00:09:11,400
stability of what's going to go
on forward if Mike Young chooses
148
00:09:11,720 --> 00:09:14,840
to potentially retire maybe in
the next year or two.
149
00:09:15,440 --> 00:09:17,960
All right, so Colby, we brought
you in.
150
00:09:17,960 --> 00:09:20,840
We've got to talk football.
We've got to talk recruiting
151
00:09:20,840 --> 00:09:26,920
from all angles, both Portal and
obviously the class of 2027,
152
00:09:26,920 --> 00:09:28,440
which is just getting kicked
off.
153
00:09:28,920 --> 00:09:34,440
So I'll start out here.
You guys, you Evan matey, you
154
00:09:34,440 --> 00:09:37,520
guys were the absolutely
lifeblood of Portal information.
155
00:09:37,840 --> 00:09:41,520
Those updates, your tweets, the
the tracker.
156
00:09:41,520 --> 00:09:43,080
The tracker is the greatest
thing you'll have.
157
00:09:43,080 --> 00:09:45,080
Like I just go to you or one of
y'all's page.
158
00:09:45,080 --> 00:09:47,680
Let me see who we offered.
Does it make sense?
159
00:09:48,600 --> 00:09:51,840
You guys crushed it in all
facets.
160
00:09:51,840 --> 00:09:55,760
So a tip of the cap to the
entire 247 and you especially.
161
00:09:56,080 --> 00:09:58,280
But I'm going to preface this by
some of the questions we're
162
00:09:58,280 --> 00:10:00,440
going to ask about the portal.
Some's going to be spin State
163
00:10:00,440 --> 00:10:03,800
Pacific's fun are going to be
not because we took so many Penn
164
00:10:03,800 --> 00:10:08,240
State guys, but let's let's
let's take Penn State transfers
165
00:10:08,240 --> 00:10:10,320
out of it.
You know, you got to get your
166
00:10:10,320 --> 00:10:11,880
list to me.
Like, let me throw that behind
167
00:10:11,880 --> 00:10:13,160
me because there's a bunch of
them here.
168
00:10:15,120 --> 00:10:19,120
Taking them out of the equation,
which of the players who landed
169
00:10:19,160 --> 00:10:22,640
at Virginia Tech, non Penn State
to me had the to you had the
170
00:10:22,640 --> 00:10:25,600
most interesting journey as you
started looking at their back
171
00:10:25,600 --> 00:10:27,720
story and where they were coming
from and maybe where they were
172
00:10:27,720 --> 00:10:31,000
out of high school?
Yeah, that's a great question.
173
00:10:31,480 --> 00:10:33,280
First off, thank you guys.
I appreciate it.
174
00:10:33,480 --> 00:10:36,240
The transfer portal is pretty
crazy those first couple days.
175
00:10:38,120 --> 00:10:41,480
I mean, even years passed every
time that cycle opens.
176
00:10:42,720 --> 00:10:45,200
Thankfully this year wasn't like
during the semester and like
177
00:10:45,200 --> 00:10:48,480
final season because you're
getting like maybe 4 hours of
178
00:10:48,480 --> 00:10:52,760
sleep, you know, your phones
buzzing, like I'm scared to show
179
00:10:53,400 --> 00:10:55,440
any loved ones my screen time
during that.
180
00:10:55,440 --> 00:10:58,600
So it is definitely, I mean,
it's a well, yeah, look, it's a
181
00:10:58,600 --> 00:11:00,760
it's a great time, but it's also
very wild ride.
182
00:11:00,760 --> 00:11:03,040
You're hanging on.
So it was crazy.
183
00:11:03,040 --> 00:11:05,640
Now going back to your question
though, there's a couple
184
00:11:05,640 --> 00:11:08,520
different guys like one that I
think of that I think not from
185
00:11:08,520 --> 00:11:10,640
Penn State, but it's going to be
an impact guy and has a little
186
00:11:10,640 --> 00:11:13,160
bit of a crazy journey.
Keshawn Brown coming from Duke
187
00:11:13,720 --> 00:11:17,400
had a very good season there.
Duke obviously the ACC champion
188
00:11:17,800 --> 00:11:20,360
and he was the one where he
camped at Virginia Tech.
189
00:11:20,360 --> 00:11:22,280
You know, it's from Kernsville,
North Carolina, I believe.
190
00:11:23,120 --> 00:11:25,880
E Forsyth High School, I think
might be talking out of turn
191
00:11:25,880 --> 00:11:28,800
there, but he camped at Virginia
Tech when he was coming out and
192
00:11:28,800 --> 00:11:31,680
Fontel Mines, I believe it was
that first year with Brent pride
193
00:11:31,680 --> 00:11:34,840
when mines was on staff and
mines didn't offer him that wide
194
00:11:34,840 --> 00:11:36,240
receiver coming out of the camp
right now.
195
00:11:36,240 --> 00:11:40,200
He goes on to Duke the in state
school and does what he does all
196
00:11:40,200 --> 00:11:42,720
ACC caliber player and then
coming out of the portal.
197
00:11:42,720 --> 00:11:45,160
That's kind of how mines entry
point is like, look, man, I'm
198
00:11:45,160 --> 00:11:47,720
sorry, it was a mis eval.
I should have offered you.
199
00:11:47,720 --> 00:11:49,120
So I think that's one that's
interesting.
200
00:11:49,120 --> 00:11:51,720
Not from Penn State and I think
you know, he's going to factor
201
00:11:51,720 --> 00:11:53,280
pretty early right there in the
slot position.
202
00:11:53,280 --> 00:11:55,840
You've seen what he's been able
to do in the conference already.
203
00:11:56,800 --> 00:11:59,360
Another one I think is Justin
Terry, who's also someone I
204
00:11:59,360 --> 00:12:01,880
think he'd contribute pretty
early, Ohio State transfer
205
00:12:01,880 --> 00:12:04,360
offensive tackle.
And his relationship goes back
206
00:12:04,360 --> 00:12:06,040
with Matt Moore.
Matt Moore's been at Virginia
207
00:12:06,040 --> 00:12:09,240
Tech now for a couple years and
Justin Terry was recruited to
208
00:12:09,240 --> 00:12:12,920
West Virginia under Matt Moore.
Now, when Moore jumped and you
209
00:12:12,920 --> 00:12:16,560
saw guys like Cal Tuner, Lucas
Austin and Tomas Remack follow,
210
00:12:18,200 --> 00:12:21,360
I guess Terry, you know, decided
to go to Ohio State, follow
211
00:12:21,840 --> 00:12:26,240
Tyler Bowen over there, go play
for Ryan Day and then, you know,
212
00:12:26,240 --> 00:12:29,040
found his way back to Virginia
Tech this last cycle.
213
00:12:29,040 --> 00:12:34,120
So I think that is definitely
one to watch.
214
00:12:34,160 --> 00:12:35,640
I think those are two names to
watch.
215
00:12:36,720 --> 00:12:38,960
Trying to think about some other
names.
216
00:12:39,520 --> 00:12:42,360
Cortez Harris, he visited
Virginia Tech in the past, edge
217
00:12:42,360 --> 00:12:45,360
rusher from Penn State.
Another one I think is the edge
218
00:12:45,360 --> 00:12:47,560
position continues to flush out,
but he went to Penn State.
219
00:12:47,560 --> 00:12:49,320
So I know we weren't talking
Penn State guys.
220
00:12:49,760 --> 00:12:52,720
Justin Bell, I believe, had a
relationship with Matt Moore but
221
00:12:52,720 --> 00:12:54,600
chose Michigan State over West
Virginia.
222
00:12:54,600 --> 00:12:56,880
I believe that was one of his
final groups, the Michigan State
223
00:12:57,400 --> 00:13:01,040
transfer offensive tackle.
And I'm trying to think about
224
00:13:01,040 --> 00:13:04,520
who else has a connection.
I think those are some of the,
225
00:13:05,560 --> 00:13:08,960
yeah.
Go ahead, go ahead, go.
226
00:13:08,960 --> 00:13:10,360
Ahead, No, I I think that was
kind of it.
227
00:13:10,360 --> 00:13:13,480
And then Eric Mensa, the last
one I'll say is the one who was
228
00:13:13,800 --> 00:13:16,160
obviously committed to Virginia
Tech out of high school, right.
229
00:13:16,160 --> 00:13:18,000
And then in terms of Ohio State
and then found this way back.
230
00:13:18,000 --> 00:13:21,280
So just broad stroke, like you
said, interesting stories.
231
00:13:21,280 --> 00:13:24,320
I would say those guys Mensa was
committed to Tech and then when
232
00:13:24,440 --> 00:13:27,280
oh, sorry, the the statue of
Virginia Tech and Ohio State at
233
00:13:27,280 --> 00:13:28,680
the time.
And even still, you know, it's
234
00:13:29,120 --> 00:13:31,080
they're still kind of on two
different playing fields on
235
00:13:31,080 --> 00:13:32,840
James Franklin has raised the
floor there.
236
00:13:33,360 --> 00:13:34,760
But you know, flipping to Ohio
State.
237
00:13:34,760 --> 00:13:38,440
I would say those were the most
interesting storylines from the
238
00:13:38,440 --> 00:13:40,240
transfers.
Yeah.
239
00:13:40,240 --> 00:13:43,480
I know when we were doing a lot
of the kind of the breakdown of
240
00:13:43,480 --> 00:13:46,400
the, the guys that that were
targets, you know, Terry was the
241
00:13:46,400 --> 00:13:50,760
guy that we were really excited
about you not only because you
242
00:13:50,840 --> 00:13:55,200
know, the tackle room needed to
be rebuilt from the ground up.
243
00:13:55,200 --> 00:13:59,760
You know, we saw the the lack of
depth last year be a big issue,
244
00:14:00,160 --> 00:14:03,040
especially as injury stacked up
as the season went along.
245
00:14:03,960 --> 00:14:06,240
Rebuilding that tackle room
certainly seemed like a priority
246
00:14:06,240 --> 00:14:09,240
for Matt Moore and for for Coach
Franklin.
247
00:14:09,240 --> 00:14:11,080
So excited to see him in the
building.
248
00:14:11,760 --> 00:14:13,280
And I know that's one that
dragged on.
249
00:14:13,280 --> 00:14:15,960
I'm trying to think I know we'll
get into it, but I remember when
250
00:14:15,960 --> 00:14:18,440
Ethan Grunkmeyer hadn't
officially signed and people
251
00:14:18,840 --> 00:14:19,840
were losing.
Their minds.
252
00:14:19,840 --> 00:14:21,880
In their minds, they were losing
their minds.
253
00:14:22,440 --> 00:14:24,400
There was a there.
Was a weak period there where it
254
00:14:24,400 --> 00:14:26,600
was like everyone was on edge
because it was.
255
00:14:26,800 --> 00:14:29,080
It was right it.
Came out national like the
256
00:14:29,080 --> 00:14:32,200
national guy said.
Grung is expected to to sign
257
00:14:32,200 --> 00:14:34,600
with the Hokies and then radio
silence. 8.
258
00:14:35,760 --> 00:14:38,520
Or 9 days, something like that.
You know, it's been long enough.
259
00:14:38,520 --> 00:14:41,480
I'll tell you the the story on
why the Grunk News originally
260
00:14:41,480 --> 00:14:45,680
broke, right was it was because
for Beulah's agent had talked to
261
00:14:46,920 --> 00:14:49,760
reporters, right and said Gronk
is going to Virginia Tech,
262
00:14:49,760 --> 00:14:51,400
right, Because for Beulah was
out of the running there.
263
00:14:51,920 --> 00:14:54,480
Now this was before anything was
signed, but it was well known
264
00:14:54,480 --> 00:14:56,560
right behind the scenes.
So that's why the initial leak
265
00:14:56,560 --> 00:14:59,360
came out.
So I mean at that point, that's
266
00:14:59,360 --> 00:15:00,800
why you make that reporting
right.
267
00:15:00,800 --> 00:15:03,920
So now it's been enough, it's
been a couple months now to say
268
00:15:03,920 --> 00:15:07,400
that, but throughout the
process, people are like, is
269
00:15:07,480 --> 00:15:09,560
this school getting involved or
that there there really was none
270
00:15:09,560 --> 00:15:11,040
of that back channeling going
on.
271
00:15:11,360 --> 00:15:14,040
He was dealing with a a new
agent as well in the process.
272
00:15:14,040 --> 00:15:16,960
He was working through, I guess
NFL contracts or something and
273
00:15:16,960 --> 00:15:19,480
then red lighting some items.
But there there was no wavering.
274
00:15:19,480 --> 00:15:22,080
And and that's how the initial
news broke the week before.
275
00:15:22,080 --> 00:15:25,120
It was right after, I think it
was midnight and it was after
276
00:15:25,120 --> 00:15:28,240
the Steelers Ravens game, and
that was after the Anthony
277
00:15:28,240 --> 00:15:30,800
Midget news is broke.
So that that game hinged on if
278
00:15:30,840 --> 00:15:32,800
Anthony Midget was going to make
the Blacksburg in time.
279
00:15:33,080 --> 00:15:35,080
Man, it was just so hectic with
people losing their mind.
280
00:15:36,720 --> 00:15:40,720
I think it's this feeling right
here from one of our costume
281
00:15:40,720 --> 00:15:43,440
listeners, Jim.
Yeah.
282
00:15:43,440 --> 00:15:45,480
We aren't used to having nice
things happen.
283
00:15:45,480 --> 00:15:47,400
It's true.
Like we're going to get the rug
284
00:15:47,400 --> 00:15:50,160
pulled out from us.
It does feel like when when
285
00:15:50,160 --> 00:15:54,880
things start to go a little S,
we definitely are used to, you
286
00:15:54,920 --> 00:15:56,400
know.
Being it going really S being.
287
00:15:57,640 --> 00:15:59,440
On the wrong end of that.
So I think, you know, the the
288
00:15:59,440 --> 00:16:02,200
pessimism certainly started to
kick in pretty quick there.
289
00:16:03,680 --> 00:16:06,000
I just remember not not to cut
you off, but to stay on that.
290
00:16:06,000 --> 00:16:08,040
I remember I got back from my
trip.
291
00:16:08,080 --> 00:16:10,400
I I went out West like halfway
through it to go snowboarding
292
00:16:10,400 --> 00:16:13,400
and I came back and I still see
all this discourse and I
293
00:16:13,400 --> 00:16:17,000
remember I put in a crystal ball
lock of 10 for Grunk Meyer and
294
00:16:17,000 --> 00:16:20,920
somehow that got people more up
in arms like, oh, and it's not
295
00:16:20,920 --> 00:16:23,040
happening now.
I was like here, Let let me like
296
00:16:23,040 --> 00:16:24,240
settle some concerns.
I just.
297
00:16:24,240 --> 00:16:27,280
Remember, yeah, you thought you
were doing the the Lord's work
298
00:16:27,280 --> 00:16:29,280
there.
You're getting piled on.
299
00:16:30,040 --> 00:16:32,440
That's what we call, but I'm
going to calm the waters.
300
00:16:32,440 --> 00:16:35,440
Instead, it's like you throw a
giant boulder and it's like
301
00:16:37,240 --> 00:16:38,880
Jeezy, well.
Let's.
302
00:16:39,400 --> 00:16:44,200
Let's let's do this because of
the collective, at least this
303
00:16:44,200 --> 00:16:48,000
podcast, myself, Brian Talley,
Shelton, we all thank Ethan
304
00:16:48,000 --> 00:16:50,440
Grotmeyer.
Without a doubt the most
305
00:16:50,440 --> 00:16:53,880
important transfer, whether Penn
State or outside Penn State.
306
00:16:54,360 --> 00:16:57,240
But I think I know you're going
to answer this because you kind
307
00:16:57,240 --> 00:16:59,160
of you gave it away when you
were talking a little bit
308
00:16:59,160 --> 00:17:02,520
earlier, but which other Penn
State transfer do you believe is
309
00:17:02,520 --> 00:17:06,839
the key to this portal class?
Yeah, I know we were talking
310
00:17:06,839 --> 00:17:08,280
Luke Reynolds.
I mean Luke Reynolds, the one
311
00:17:08,280 --> 00:17:11,480
that jumps off the page, right?
Just without thinking. 5 star
312
00:17:11,480 --> 00:17:13,520
guy out of high school has all
the tools.
313
00:17:13,520 --> 00:17:15,720
Now, maybe he didn't put it
together in full force at Penn
314
00:17:15,720 --> 00:17:19,240
State, but this is someone like
this Thai house guy, right?
315
00:17:19,920 --> 00:17:23,599
And in early stuff and, and you
know, their individual workouts
316
00:17:23,599 --> 00:17:25,520
as they've been able to do
throwing now, granted with no
317
00:17:25,520 --> 00:17:28,760
pads on, no offensive install,
you've heard really great things
318
00:17:28,760 --> 00:17:33,480
like, you know, Route 3, like a
wide receiver wait is up there
319
00:17:33,480 --> 00:17:36,280
to block in line, like all the
things you want to hear.
320
00:17:36,280 --> 00:17:38,360
And, and you saw some of that
production at Penn State.
321
00:17:38,800 --> 00:17:41,360
I think that's a guy that you,
you know what Ty Howe's going to
322
00:17:41,360 --> 00:17:42,560
want to do.
You're going to see some 12
323
00:17:42,560 --> 00:17:45,440
personnel and this is an offense
and you know, you hear 12
324
00:17:45,440 --> 00:17:48,760
personnel and you think, oh,
stagnant, Look at what the Rams
325
00:17:48,760 --> 00:17:50,600
do, you know, like they run a
lot of 12 personnel.
326
00:17:50,600 --> 00:17:52,520
It's a pretty explosive offense.
They're they're still going to
327
00:17:52,520 --> 00:17:56,560
want to push the ball down the
field, But I mean, it's going to
328
00:17:56,560 --> 00:17:58,400
be very tight and heavy.
I think that's why retaining
329
00:17:58,400 --> 00:18:01,640
Benji Gosnell and also having
Luke Reynolds is such an asset
330
00:18:01,880 --> 00:18:04,120
because they're both great pass
catchers, right?
331
00:18:04,120 --> 00:18:05,720
They bring an element of
surprise and that's what the
332
00:18:05,720 --> 00:18:08,080
tight end can do.
You put in a linebacker on that
333
00:18:08,080 --> 00:18:09,720
guy, right?
Like you, you want your tight
334
00:18:09,720 --> 00:18:11,960
end to be a better athlete than
that linebacker creates a
335
00:18:11,960 --> 00:18:15,320
mismatch or or put a nickel on
put whoever like both those guys
336
00:18:15,320 --> 00:18:17,600
create matchup problems.
And and that's what Ty Howe
337
00:18:17,600 --> 00:18:20,800
continually says, right, like
any good OC is, is not the
338
00:18:20,800 --> 00:18:23,520
shaping and curating their
offense to the talent they have.
339
00:18:23,920 --> 00:18:26,360
And when you have that type of
talent in the tight end room and
340
00:18:26,360 --> 00:18:29,080
not to not mention Jerickies
Harrison, who had a really great
341
00:18:29,080 --> 00:18:31,520
year last year and they were
very high on that was a big
342
00:18:31,520 --> 00:18:34,920
retention get some SEC schools
knocking very aggressively at
343
00:18:34,920 --> 00:18:37,680
them that I don't think even a
lot of people gave, you know,
344
00:18:38,040 --> 00:18:40,640
like thought to.
So that tight end room is in the
345
00:18:40,640 --> 00:18:43,040
best shape it's been in.
I mean, definitely in the front
346
00:18:43,040 --> 00:18:48,000
pride tenure and probably even
stemming back a decade probably.
347
00:18:48,000 --> 00:18:51,000
Like I don't I don't even know
like it's in a really, really
348
00:18:51,000 --> 00:18:53,400
good spot at other Penn State
transfers.
349
00:18:53,400 --> 00:18:57,640
Like I said, I don't want to who
could make an impact
350
00:18:57,640 --> 00:18:59,680
immediately.
You have Gronk, you have Luke
351
00:18:59,680 --> 00:19:05,040
Reynolds, Keon Wiley at
linebacker.
352
00:19:05,040 --> 00:19:06,520
I think that's going to be
another one who's going to
353
00:19:06,520 --> 00:19:07,920
factor in that starting
rotation.
354
00:19:08,760 --> 00:19:12,040
I know over on Vt scoop.com,
it's like you think out loud
355
00:19:12,040 --> 00:19:14,840
because, you know, you hear some
NFL feedback of Cable Spencer
356
00:19:14,840 --> 00:19:16,400
wanting to keep him inside,
right?
357
00:19:16,880 --> 00:19:19,880
But he was sort of that natural
star in front prize defense.
358
00:19:19,880 --> 00:19:22,400
And he's come on like there's no
way he's not going to be one of
359
00:19:22,400 --> 00:19:25,520
the starting 3 linebackers.
And I think Noah Chambers
360
00:19:25,520 --> 00:19:28,240
probably has an inside track at
Mike just based on personnel and
361
00:19:28,240 --> 00:19:31,440
what he was able to show.
Wiley is probably a little bit
362
00:19:31,440 --> 00:19:36,080
more ready inside than to go
play outside.
363
00:19:36,080 --> 00:19:38,240
So if you want your best 3
backers, I think it's Keon
364
00:19:38,240 --> 00:19:41,320
Wiley, Noah Chambers and Caleb
Spencer.
365
00:19:41,600 --> 00:19:43,200
But it's just, what does that
rotation look like?
366
00:19:43,200 --> 00:19:44,960
So I think Wiley's going to play
a ton of snaps.
367
00:19:44,960 --> 00:19:47,800
It's just where does it fit?
And then the other one, Kenny
368
00:19:47,800 --> 00:19:49,920
Wilsley junior, they're a
nickel.
369
00:19:50,240 --> 00:19:51,840
How does that factor?
And I think it's going to be
370
00:19:51,840 --> 00:19:54,280
hard to keep Jamar Deloach off
the field at nickel, some of
371
00:19:54,280 --> 00:19:56,000
those other young guys.
But I think you're still going
372
00:19:56,000 --> 00:19:58,520
to see him take on quite a heavy
snap share.
373
00:19:58,840 --> 00:20:01,160
But I would definitely say Ethan
Gruckmeyer, like we said across
374
00:20:01,160 --> 00:20:03,040
the board, touches the ball
every play.
375
00:20:03,720 --> 00:20:05,960
You don't have to look far in
college football right now to
376
00:20:05,960 --> 00:20:08,320
know.
Like, Indiana's a really great
377
00:20:08,320 --> 00:20:09,840
team.
You go bring in a difference
378
00:20:09,840 --> 00:20:11,200
maker at quarterback.
Look what happened.
379
00:20:11,440 --> 00:20:14,920
I mean, there's, there's so many
examples of that, that
380
00:20:14,920 --> 00:20:18,200
quarterback just across football
at every level can really be a
381
00:20:18,200 --> 00:20:20,640
difference maker.
But I think Luke Reynolds and
382
00:20:21,000 --> 00:20:23,480
Keon Wiley are the two biggest
names from Penn State to watch
383
00:20:23,720 --> 00:20:26,000
for the 2026 season.
Yeah, yeah.
384
00:20:26,160 --> 00:20:28,360
I love that you said Luke, and
and I love that what you were
385
00:20:28,360 --> 00:20:31,120
talking about there with the
route tree in the passing game,
386
00:20:31,120 --> 00:20:35,720
because if there's one thing
that we collectively talk about
387
00:20:35,720 --> 00:20:39,400
and feel like we didn't see
enough is using that tight end
388
00:20:39,400 --> 00:20:41,240
to attack the seam of the
defense.
389
00:20:41,280 --> 00:20:44,640
You, you know, getting them
involved vertically in the
390
00:20:44,640 --> 00:20:47,160
passing game.
And I feel like, you know, some
391
00:20:47,160 --> 00:20:50,760
of that was if you're going to
do that, you've got to have an
392
00:20:50,760 --> 00:20:52,800
accurate quarterback because
that's a difficult throw to
393
00:20:52,800 --> 00:20:54,960
make.
So that's number one, right.
394
00:20:55,080 --> 00:20:58,720
Yep, you know, you feel probably
a little bit better about taking
395
00:20:58,720 --> 00:21:01,480
those kind of shots with someone
as accurate.
396
00:21:01,480 --> 00:21:03,720
That's showing the accuracy that
that Gronk has to this point.
397
00:21:04,880 --> 00:21:07,720
But but getting a guy and now,
you know, we we've seen Benji be
398
00:21:07,720 --> 00:21:09,520
able to do it in a limited
capacity.
399
00:21:09,520 --> 00:21:12,240
Getting him matched up with
Benji now, I think that's going
400
00:21:12,240 --> 00:21:14,680
to, you know, pay some pretty
big dividends in the offense,
401
00:21:15,080 --> 00:21:18,040
being able to attack vertically
up the seam with the new
402
00:21:18,040 --> 00:21:20,720
offense.
And obviously I still think it's
403
00:21:20,720 --> 00:21:23,280
going to be a run first offense.
I I think you're still, yeah,
404
00:21:23,280 --> 00:21:25,280
everything's going to go through
the running back, But I think
405
00:21:25,560 --> 00:21:30,000
being able to attack at every
level of the defense with the
406
00:21:30,000 --> 00:21:31,880
passing game is going to be a
big asset.
407
00:21:32,800 --> 00:21:34,840
Let's flip it over.
So we we talked about the Penn
408
00:21:34,840 --> 00:21:37,920
State guys coming in.
Which of those non Penn State
409
00:21:38,080 --> 00:21:40,760
guys do you feel is going to be
the most important heading into
410
00:21:40,760 --> 00:21:43,880
2026?
Yeah, that's a really great
411
00:21:43,880 --> 00:21:46,320
question.
My head goes a couple different
412
00:21:46,320 --> 00:21:48,560
places.
We talked about Justin Terry a
413
00:21:48,560 --> 00:21:50,640
little bit at the top.
What is that offensive tackle
414
00:21:50,640 --> 00:21:52,360
rotation look like?
Logan Howlands going to miss a
415
00:21:52,360 --> 00:21:58,080
spring down with shoulder
collarbone type deal or labrum.
416
00:21:59,240 --> 00:22:02,440
So that that's going to be
something you know, because I
417
00:22:02,440 --> 00:22:04,000
think that would be a name to
watch, right, because like
418
00:22:04,120 --> 00:22:06,640
people had him penciled in
Justin Terry.
419
00:22:06,640 --> 00:22:09,920
Does he have heard really great
things about him early?
420
00:22:10,400 --> 00:22:12,320
You know, Johnny Garrett, how
does that tackle rotation?
421
00:22:12,320 --> 00:22:14,600
Because the offensive line, it
starts with those five guys up
422
00:22:14,600 --> 00:22:16,640
front.
Every, everyone's going to say
423
00:22:16,640 --> 00:22:18,800
that you can have the most
accurate quarterback, but it
424
00:22:18,800 --> 00:22:21,480
starts with those five guys up
front in what you want to do.
425
00:22:21,880 --> 00:22:26,320
So I think that's big.
Another name I go to the edge
426
00:22:26,320 --> 00:22:28,720
rusher position because when you
look at Virginia Tech a year
427
00:22:28,720 --> 00:22:32,480
ago, the offensive line couldn't
protect and pass pro and they
428
00:22:32,480 --> 00:22:35,280
really didn't get a consistent
effective pressure coming off
429
00:22:35,280 --> 00:22:38,160
the edge on defense.
And you lost a guy like Antoine
430
00:22:38,160 --> 00:22:40,240
Powder Island who had what, 15
sacks to his name?
431
00:22:41,680 --> 00:22:43,080
And you just really didn't
replace that.
432
00:22:43,080 --> 00:22:45,640
And, you know, it allowed
defense.
433
00:22:45,680 --> 00:22:48,080
It just put so much pressure on
the secondary and linebackers to
434
00:22:48,080 --> 00:22:50,080
make extra plays when the
quarterback could just sit back
435
00:22:50,080 --> 00:22:53,360
there.
So Ajabian Hilson, Sam Okolola,
436
00:22:53,640 --> 00:22:56,600
the late transfer from Colorado,
Like, dude, are those two guys
437
00:22:56,600 --> 00:22:59,760
are starting edges come VMI?
I'm not sure, but I wouldn't
438
00:22:59,760 --> 00:23:01,040
rule it out.
You know, like I've heard good
439
00:23:01,040 --> 00:23:02,320
things from Jason Abbey
returning.
440
00:23:02,320 --> 00:23:05,720
But I think those two guys along
the defensive line now you feel
441
00:23:05,720 --> 00:23:08,320
good on the inside.
A lodge fall, Kamari Copeland,
442
00:23:08,840 --> 00:23:11,080
Emmy Law stepping up.
Like you've got more experience
443
00:23:11,080 --> 00:23:13,880
there, but you kind of need a
difference maker at pass rusher.
444
00:23:14,760 --> 00:23:17,440
So I think getting those guys in
the building and as well with
445
00:23:17,440 --> 00:23:21,360
backfilling Aderika on the
interior, Cortez Harris, Malachi
446
00:23:21,360 --> 00:23:24,360
Williams, like that's a premier
position.
447
00:23:24,360 --> 00:23:27,720
And you just brought in all
those guys from Penn State to
448
00:23:27,720 --> 00:23:30,880
play edge as well.
Got Dwight Victoria in here.
449
00:23:30,880 --> 00:23:33,320
Shout out try to tell them about
the offensive line and, and
450
00:23:33,320 --> 00:23:35,640
yeah, and like we, I know we're
talking about portal
451
00:23:35,640 --> 00:23:38,640
specifically, but then they went
and recruited what, 7 in high
452
00:23:38,640 --> 00:23:39,920
school?
Like that's the way it needed to
453
00:23:39,920 --> 00:23:43,720
be done because they brought in
5 / 2 cycles with Ron Crook and
454
00:23:44,280 --> 00:23:47,000
it's just not an effective way
to build out your board long
455
00:23:47,000 --> 00:23:50,560
term because for for better or
for worse, some guys aren't
456
00:23:50,560 --> 00:23:52,240
going to pan out, some guys are
going to transfer.
457
00:23:52,520 --> 00:23:54,040
You just have to over recruit
there.
458
00:23:55,000 --> 00:23:58,040
So I think those are some names
that I would definitely want.
459
00:23:58,480 --> 00:24:04,480
So it was hilarious.
It was 7 freshmen, 4 portal, 11
460
00:24:04,480 --> 00:24:09,560
offensive lineman in effectively
the first class of 27.
461
00:24:10,320 --> 00:24:12,160
Like it was basically roughly
1/4.
462
00:24:12,320 --> 00:24:14,400
Of and guess what Curtis, I
don't I don't know your plans
463
00:24:14,400 --> 00:24:16,960
for April 18th or whatever, but
when you watch that game,
464
00:24:17,320 --> 00:24:19,760
they're trying to get it to a
point where you can have two
465
00:24:19,760 --> 00:24:21,520
teams now because.
And.
466
00:24:22,960 --> 00:24:26,240
For the longest time, right,
Like you just it's hard to hold
467
00:24:26,240 --> 00:24:27,600
even an effective practice,
right?
468
00:24:27,600 --> 00:24:30,480
Like you can't even give your
guys good looks in practice,
469
00:24:30,480 --> 00:24:32,000
right, if you just don't have
the numbers.
470
00:24:32,440 --> 00:24:34,200
And that's the biggest thing.
It's like he said, how are you
471
00:24:34,200 --> 00:24:37,040
getting better if you're putting
these guys on like you just
472
00:24:37,040 --> 00:24:39,320
didn't have the numbers there.
And like you've heard of that
473
00:24:39,320 --> 00:24:42,200
different ranks in this day and
age with how talent is getting
474
00:24:42,200 --> 00:24:44,920
spread out with, I mean, even
with the rosters here in the one
475
00:24:44,920 --> 00:24:47,680
O 5 you've heard like you can't
run effective practice if you
476
00:24:47,680 --> 00:24:50,360
don't like.
So that's why you have to get
477
00:24:50,360 --> 00:24:53,440
those guys in the building and
build it up, especially from the
478
00:24:53,440 --> 00:24:55,600
high school ranks, I think.
But to do what they did in the
479
00:24:55,600 --> 00:24:57,640
portal.
Michael Troutman, I know you've
480
00:24:57,640 --> 00:24:59,840
got a pretty good center in Kyle
Altuner.
481
00:24:59,840 --> 00:25:01,120
I think people are really high
on him.
482
00:25:01,400 --> 00:25:04,040
I think, I mean, personally,
like I think he's a really nice
483
00:25:04,040 --> 00:25:05,640
player there.
But Michael Troutman have heard
484
00:25:05,640 --> 00:25:09,200
nice things about him at center.
They've they've just completely
485
00:25:09,560 --> 00:25:13,120
overhauled the room and I think
you'll see dividends in practice
486
00:25:13,160 --> 00:25:14,960
and getting those good looks
that you want.
487
00:25:15,680 --> 00:25:19,960
Yeah, getting the good looks,
being able to do like for Brett
488
00:25:19,960 --> 00:25:22,760
Prize defense this year, it's
being able, I want to be able to
489
00:25:22,760 --> 00:25:24,760
do what I want to do.
And I want it to be against
490
00:25:24,840 --> 00:25:28,120
competition that might actually
slow us down.
491
00:25:28,320 --> 00:25:31,120
Yeah, that is always a plus.
Can I ask a quick question about
492
00:25:31,120 --> 00:25:33,320
let's go back to Javion Hilson.
You mentioned the war.
493
00:25:33,520 --> 00:25:37,120
Yeah, Cali's not here.
So I get to get on Cali's
494
00:25:37,120 --> 00:25:39,280
soapbox.
So Javion Hilson coming out of
495
00:25:39,280 --> 00:25:43,440
high school only one year ago
was a borderline 5 star.
496
00:25:44,280 --> 00:25:46,720
When he goes into the portal, he
doesn't get much playing time at
497
00:25:46,720 --> 00:25:48,080
Missouri.
It's expected.
498
00:25:48,120 --> 00:25:52,560
They're an SEC school.
They are a pretty good school.
499
00:25:52,560 --> 00:25:55,040
Last year, I think at the end
they wavered whatever.
500
00:25:55,560 --> 00:25:58,880
But how does the how does that
go into the transfer ranking?
501
00:25:58,880 --> 00:26:02,720
Because I think when when we all
heard his name, it was like, OK,
502
00:26:02,720 --> 00:26:05,400
he's a 97, he's a borderline 5
star.
503
00:26:05,400 --> 00:26:08,640
He's coming here.
And then it's like he's a mid
504
00:26:08,640 --> 00:26:11,440
three star.
I don't quite get that.
505
00:26:11,440 --> 00:26:15,400
Like, if he had played
significant reps, absolutely.
506
00:26:15,880 --> 00:26:18,480
And he didn't look good.
Yeah, he's got to go to him.
507
00:26:18,480 --> 00:26:20,840
He's not that.
This is a guy who was a true
508
00:26:20,840 --> 00:26:23,040
freshman, right?
Yeah, He was a true freshman
509
00:26:23,040 --> 00:26:23,640
last year.
Right.
510
00:26:23,960 --> 00:26:27,760
But what what goes into the the
transfer rankings just so we can
511
00:26:27,760 --> 00:26:31,000
make Tally who's hopefully safe
in Alabama and all the bad
512
00:26:31,000 --> 00:26:33,840
activity down there a little bit
happier?
513
00:26:34,640 --> 00:26:36,520
Yeah, hopefully.
First off, first and foremost,
514
00:26:36,520 --> 00:26:39,240
prayers to Tally and everyone
affected by any of the Tornadoes
515
00:26:39,240 --> 00:26:41,480
going through.
It seems like the whole Midwest
516
00:26:41,480 --> 00:26:45,080
right now, but no, yeah, for
Jamie Hilson, you look at him
517
00:26:45,480 --> 00:26:48,680
for the 24/7 sports ranking was
a top 80 prospect.
518
00:26:48,680 --> 00:26:51,600
I believe he had a 95 grade on
him coming out of high school at
519
00:26:51,600 --> 00:26:53,240
height, weight, speed measure
rules.
520
00:26:53,240 --> 00:26:55,440
When you look at him, it's like,
Yep, that's a guy, right?
521
00:26:55,520 --> 00:26:58,000
Like, I mean, you, you cut on
the tape as well.
522
00:26:58,000 --> 00:27:00,840
And you see that now the
transfer ranking process, right?
523
00:27:00,840 --> 00:27:04,960
Like you're you're ranking 3035
hundred guys in a two week span,
524
00:27:04,960 --> 00:27:07,560
right.
So I'm not on the scouting team
525
00:27:07,560 --> 00:27:09,240
person.
I know Cooper Patagna and his
526
00:27:09,240 --> 00:27:13,000
boys, you know, I commend them.
I forgot I text him.
527
00:27:13,280 --> 00:27:15,240
I mean, I've texted him between
now and then, but I remember
528
00:27:15,240 --> 00:27:17,440
when it was all said and done, I
was like, wow, man, I hope
529
00:27:17,440 --> 00:27:20,000
you're all right because
everyone's busy in it.
530
00:27:20,000 --> 00:27:23,840
But I mean, trying to watch,
evaluate and get grades out and
531
00:27:23,840 --> 00:27:26,720
all these players as they're
committing, it's, it's, it's a
532
00:27:26,720 --> 00:27:29,120
very busy time now.
Like I said, things flip through
533
00:27:29,120 --> 00:27:30,400
the cracks.
I think they've finished with
534
00:27:30,400 --> 00:27:33,920
the 87 transfer rating on 24/7.
I'm not sure what other services
535
00:27:33,920 --> 00:27:37,360
had, but yeah, that's maybe one
that probably left a little bit
536
00:27:37,360 --> 00:27:39,600
to be desired because he just
didn't play much right.
537
00:27:39,600 --> 00:27:44,320
Like he was behind, I believe
Damon Wilson, who is, you know,
538
00:27:44,360 --> 00:27:47,760
kind of a really good player
down there, sat behind some some
539
00:27:47,760 --> 00:27:51,240
pretty good talents on that
drink wits his team defense.
540
00:27:51,240 --> 00:27:55,200
So yeah, I I know if Tally was
here, I'd probably just have to
541
00:27:55,720 --> 00:27:59,120
throw in the hat and say I'm not
on the scouting team, but we'll
542
00:27:59,200 --> 00:28:02,120
see how it plays out.
We'll see if he's vindicated in
543
00:28:02,120 --> 00:28:03,680
that ranking or not.
I think he's going to outplay
544
00:28:03,680 --> 00:28:06,080
his ranking at Virginia Tech by
the time it's all said and done.
545
00:28:07,600 --> 00:28:08,960
Yeah, I mean that that's good to
hear.
546
00:28:08,960 --> 00:28:11,360
I mean, you know, when you see a
guy that was ranked at high
547
00:28:11,360 --> 00:28:13,960
coming out of high school, you
know, still very young, a lot of
548
00:28:13,960 --> 00:28:16,960
eligibility left.
So, yeah, hoping that he's going
549
00:28:16,960 --> 00:28:20,120
to come in, take the steps that
he needs to.
550
00:28:20,520 --> 00:28:23,160
Definitely he's going to get an
opportunity which is, you know,
551
00:28:23,440 --> 00:28:26,520
early on something he didn't
really get as much of at
552
00:28:26,520 --> 00:28:30,120
Missouri.
So we certainly have a, a, a
553
00:28:30,120 --> 00:28:32,920
hole to fill there for him to,
to slide in and and and get a
554
00:28:32,920 --> 00:28:34,280
lot of opportunities pretty
quick.
555
00:28:35,120 --> 00:28:37,480
Yeah.
I mean, 63241 like that.
556
00:28:38,400 --> 00:28:40,680
That's yeah.
That's that's exactly what you
557
00:28:40,680 --> 00:28:42,120
want.
That's exactly what you want.
558
00:28:43,000 --> 00:28:45,400
Let let me ask this before we
kind of pivot to, to something
559
00:28:45,400 --> 00:28:49,600
else.
Yeah, You know, you've got this,
560
00:28:49,760 --> 00:28:51,960
you got this transfer portal
tracker, you're kind of
561
00:28:51,960 --> 00:28:54,560
following all these guys.
You got all these conversations
562
00:28:54,560 --> 00:28:58,120
going on.
Was there a commit that kind of
563
00:28:58,280 --> 00:29:01,760
snuck up on you that you hadn't
heard any rumblings or any of
564
00:29:01,760 --> 00:29:03,720
that?
And all of a sudden, you know,
565
00:29:03,720 --> 00:29:06,640
you, you see things start to
come out that, oh, this guy's
566
00:29:06,640 --> 00:29:10,320
coming to come to Virginia Tech.
I would say the biggest surprise
567
00:29:10,320 --> 00:29:12,360
of the cycle, without really
thinking too hard about it was
568
00:29:12,360 --> 00:29:15,920
Logan Howland.
That was one that was super out
569
00:29:15,920 --> 00:29:20,280
of left field.
Really not much like worrying or
570
00:29:20,280 --> 00:29:22,000
or whatever signs talking to
different people.
571
00:29:22,000 --> 00:29:25,200
Logan Howland was one that was
kind of way out of left field.
572
00:29:25,200 --> 00:29:27,720
I think I was really maybe the
only one that kind of caught us
573
00:29:27,720 --> 00:29:30,640
by surprise.
And you know, he's a guy, you
574
00:29:30,640 --> 00:29:33,880
know, obviously dealing with the
injury, but you know, you bring
575
00:29:33,880 --> 00:29:35,280
that guy in to be a tackle,
right?
576
00:29:35,440 --> 00:29:37,520
And probably be in that starting
5 somewhere Now.
577
00:29:37,520 --> 00:29:40,040
We'll we'll see when he's able
to get back to football
578
00:29:40,040 --> 00:29:41,680
activities.
But I think that was the biggest
579
00:29:41,680 --> 00:29:44,240
one.
That was no real heads up or you
580
00:29:44,240 --> 00:29:46,880
weren't really tracking and it
was just like, oh, wow, there he
581
00:29:46,880 --> 00:29:48,240
is.
He signed like he's not
582
00:29:48,240 --> 00:29:51,600
committed, like, oh, he's time.
So that was a real stealth
583
00:29:51,600 --> 00:29:54,320
visitor.
All the other ones, I mean, you
584
00:29:54,320 --> 00:29:57,120
had pretty good beats on and you
saw that in the crystal balls
585
00:29:57,120 --> 00:29:59,760
and some different notes or even
if you weren't putting in
586
00:29:59,760 --> 00:30:02,080
crystal balls, like, hey, keep
an eye here.
587
00:30:02,800 --> 00:30:06,280
I'm trying to think about any
that were really off the wall.
588
00:30:06,280 --> 00:30:07,920
I think all the other ones were
pretty wrapped up.
589
00:30:07,920 --> 00:30:10,200
A lot of the Penn State guys,
you know, there were, there was,
590
00:30:11,560 --> 00:30:13,640
there was writing on the wall,
but.
591
00:30:16,560 --> 00:30:18,560
Ali's phone's working.
Yeah.
592
00:30:21,560 --> 00:30:22,840
That's good.
That's good.
593
00:30:22,840 --> 00:30:24,640
We we know that he's safe right
now.
594
00:30:26,120 --> 00:30:30,440
Pause.
But I think Jacquizz White, you
595
00:30:30,440 --> 00:30:32,200
know, that was one that was
visiting, But you know, it
596
00:30:32,200 --> 00:30:33,640
looked like Tennessee might have
had the inside track.
597
00:30:33,640 --> 00:30:35,600
But I think really, Logan
Howland was the only big
598
00:30:35,600 --> 00:30:38,640
surprise.
OK, I I like that.
599
00:30:38,640 --> 00:30:41,760
I mean, you know, when we looked
at the offensive line like it,
600
00:30:41,760 --> 00:30:43,360
it, it had to be done like
there.
601
00:30:43,360 --> 00:30:43,800
Was.
Oh yeah.
602
00:30:44,320 --> 00:30:48,720
There, there was nothing that,
you know, there, there wasn't
603
00:30:48,720 --> 00:30:50,960
enough bodies that you could
bring in and, and be like, Oh,
604
00:30:50,960 --> 00:30:53,640
that's too many.
Like I, I, I wanted another
605
00:30:53,640 --> 00:30:55,280
guard.
I mean, I, I, I know I talked on
606
00:30:55,280 --> 00:30:57,440
here and I was like, I, I would
have loved to see one more guard
607
00:30:57,440 --> 00:31:00,640
come in with, you know, some,
you know, some playing time at
608
00:31:00,640 --> 00:31:03,480
another stop just to feel a
little bit better about it.
609
00:31:03,480 --> 00:31:07,320
But you know, you got, you know,
a center now coming in, you got
610
00:31:07,320 --> 00:31:09,400
a, you know, a handful of
tackles coming in.
611
00:31:09,400 --> 00:31:11,800
I think that was probably tackle
was the room that we had to
612
00:31:11,840 --> 00:31:14,280
address absolutely there.
Was and they did that question
613
00:31:14,280 --> 00:31:15,600
there.
I think I think guards
614
00:31:15,600 --> 00:31:18,040
interesting like Brody Meadows,
Lathe Ganda, Montavius
615
00:31:18,040 --> 00:31:21,520
Cunningham, those got right.
But like you need those guys to
616
00:31:21,520 --> 00:31:24,960
stay healthy because it's going
to be one way or another.
617
00:31:24,960 --> 00:31:27,880
I don't see a way where not all
three of those guys play a
618
00:31:27,880 --> 00:31:30,840
significant number of snaps.
Now I'm not sure if they stay
619
00:31:30,840 --> 00:31:33,440
healthy for 12 or 13 games,
great, but.
620
00:31:34,080 --> 00:31:35,440
And they got the problem with
all three of them.
621
00:31:35,760 --> 00:31:39,240
Exactly like Bernie, Bernie
still like just getting back it
622
00:31:39,240 --> 00:31:41,880
sounds like, you know, like was
out since last campus just
623
00:31:41,880 --> 00:31:43,720
getting back ready to roll here
before spring.
624
00:31:44,120 --> 00:31:45,440
Montavious was obviously dinged
up.
625
00:31:45,440 --> 00:31:46,760
I've heard really great things
about him.
626
00:31:47,680 --> 00:31:50,240
And then Leith, you know, Leith
had the the deal two years ago
627
00:31:50,240 --> 00:31:53,880
with the slain.
Like, you know, so it's just
628
00:31:53,880 --> 00:31:57,320
been that revolving door and
then that guard like, I guess
629
00:31:57,400 --> 00:31:58,640
you'd kick out some of those
other guys.
630
00:31:58,640 --> 00:31:59,720
But I see what you're saying
there.
631
00:31:59,880 --> 00:32:03,080
I think a lot of these guys that
were listed as tackles in this
632
00:32:03,080 --> 00:32:05,240
high school class will
eventually end up moving inside.
633
00:32:05,760 --> 00:32:08,760
Yeah, I I can see at least at
least one of those guys for sure
634
00:32:09,360 --> 00:32:13,920
moving inside and it it's nice
to you know, with the portal
635
00:32:14,320 --> 00:32:17,360
ads, even with Howlin, you know,
probably missing most are all
636
00:32:17,360 --> 00:32:21,720
the spring.
It's it's nice to have guys that
637
00:32:21,760 --> 00:32:25,680
you feel like they're not
necessarily plug and play, but
638
00:32:25,920 --> 00:32:29,840
they should slot in kind of
ahead of at least everybody not
639
00:32:29,840 --> 00:32:32,360
named Johnny Garrett probably at
the tackle position with, with
640
00:32:32,360 --> 00:32:34,040
with what we brought in in the
portal.
641
00:32:34,600 --> 00:32:38,280
Yeah, I fully agree.
And I mean, no one's guaranteed
642
00:32:38,280 --> 00:32:39,680
anything.
And I feel like that is being
643
00:32:39,680 --> 00:32:42,360
relayed very clearly.
Like no one, no one is
644
00:32:42,360 --> 00:32:45,280
guaranteed anything at like,
Logan Howland, Justin Terry, at
645
00:32:45,280 --> 00:32:47,880
least I know Logan's dinged up,
but Justin Terry, like, I think
646
00:32:47,880 --> 00:32:49,920
that's definitely a name to
watch here as we get closer to
647
00:32:49,920 --> 00:32:51,400
fall camp.
Like if he can put it all
648
00:32:51,400 --> 00:32:56,120
together, like that's someone
you know, I think he's the real
649
00:32:56,120 --> 00:32:58,800
deal.
Let me ask you this.
650
00:32:59,280 --> 00:33:01,160
Where you going to?
Say, Curtis, were you going to
651
00:33:01,160 --> 00:33:02,560
take that one?
Yeah, I was going to take this
652
00:33:02,560 --> 00:33:02,960
next.
One.
653
00:33:03,160 --> 00:33:04,280
OK, Yeah, got it.
Yeah.
654
00:33:04,840 --> 00:33:09,600
It's just you're looking at the,
you know, the balance of the
655
00:33:09,600 --> 00:33:12,720
remaining eligibility with this
portal class.
656
00:33:12,720 --> 00:33:15,200
I thought that was an
interesting approach that James
657
00:33:15,200 --> 00:33:17,400
Franklin took.
You got, you know, a couple
658
00:33:17,400 --> 00:33:20,480
older guys, but yeah, most of
the guys with at least two years
659
00:33:20,480 --> 00:33:26,000
of eligibility left.
When we look at that, it's
660
00:33:26,000 --> 00:33:29,400
interesting to see are some of
the guys with that a lot of
661
00:33:29,400 --> 00:33:31,120
eligibility left?
Are those guys that you think
662
00:33:31,120 --> 00:33:33,240
you're going to play kind of
significant roles at the gate or
663
00:33:33,240 --> 00:33:38,040
that more of a looking towards
2027 and, and, and kind of
664
00:33:38,440 --> 00:33:41,400
looking past, not necessarily
looking past this year, but but
665
00:33:41,400 --> 00:33:43,760
looking beyond just this year in
terms of the roster
666
00:33:43,760 --> 00:33:45,760
construction.
Yeah, that's a really great
667
00:33:45,760 --> 00:33:48,080
question.
I got asked this on my show, a
668
00:33:48,200 --> 00:33:50,480
couple.
It was last Monday, I think it
669
00:33:50,480 --> 00:33:52,680
was episode 70 of Colby's
Corner, and it was a great
670
00:33:52,680 --> 00:33:55,160
question.
It was like how James Franklin
671
00:33:55,160 --> 00:33:57,400
kind of attacked his portal.
Like, I think this is by far
672
00:33:57,400 --> 00:34:00,440
going to be his biggest portal
class at Virginia Tech ever.
673
00:34:00,440 --> 00:34:02,040
And like when you look at what
he did at Penn State, I don't
674
00:34:02,040 --> 00:34:04,760
think he ever took more than 7
over the last three years when
675
00:34:04,760 --> 00:34:06,480
it's really been this transfer
portal era.
676
00:34:07,080 --> 00:34:10,400
And all those guys mostly that
he took at Penn State were
677
00:34:10,400 --> 00:34:12,920
contributors at their school,
like even either at a lower
678
00:34:12,920 --> 00:34:15,320
level or even at a Power 4
level.
679
00:34:15,320 --> 00:34:17,920
But guys, you know, you kind of
knew what their what their
680
00:34:17,920 --> 00:34:20,520
standing was, right?
Like not a flyer, a guy with
681
00:34:20,520 --> 00:34:22,400
three years left, more of just a
plug and play.
682
00:34:22,440 --> 00:34:24,880
And obviously the scenario is
different here at Virginia Tech.
683
00:34:25,400 --> 00:34:28,719
You're building out an entire
roster and you need to backfill.
684
00:34:28,719 --> 00:34:31,280
You can't just bring in 31 year
guys.
685
00:34:31,280 --> 00:34:33,040
You're going to be back in that
boat next year, right?
686
00:34:33,040 --> 00:34:34,840
So I think it's definitely a
little bit different.
687
00:34:34,840 --> 00:34:37,239
I wouldn't say that's the
strategy moving forward.
688
00:34:37,239 --> 00:34:40,760
Now, for example, Matthew
Henderson in that tight end
689
00:34:40,760 --> 00:34:43,600
room, they completely rebuilt
that tight end room to a degree
690
00:34:43,840 --> 00:34:45,199
that Virginia Tech hasn't been
in.
691
00:34:45,480 --> 00:34:48,560
But you've got Jaricus, Benji
and Luke already ahead of him.
692
00:34:48,560 --> 00:34:50,560
But that's going to be a really
quality player soon, right?
693
00:34:50,960 --> 00:34:53,560
So you you had to bring in that
quality depth.
694
00:34:53,920 --> 00:34:56,639
Like I think of Justin Bell.
I think they like him at tackle
695
00:34:56,920 --> 00:34:58,480
and you had to rebuild that
offensive line room.
696
00:34:58,480 --> 00:35:00,880
Is he expected to play 600 snaps
this year?
697
00:35:00,880 --> 00:35:02,320
No, I don't think anywhere close
to that.
698
00:35:02,760 --> 00:35:04,920
But you know, they like his
profile to bring him in with
699
00:35:04,920 --> 00:35:07,760
four years left.
Javion Hilson, I think it's a
700
00:35:07,760 --> 00:35:09,520
little bit different.
That's the guy with four years
701
00:35:09,760 --> 00:35:12,440
who I think you could see play
in factory in immediately.
702
00:35:13,200 --> 00:35:16,040
So it varies a little bit, but I
would definitely say a lot of it
703
00:35:16,040 --> 00:35:18,800
is projecting forward.
Now that's not to say that
704
00:35:18,800 --> 00:35:21,280
they're punting on this year.
They still build out this roster
705
00:35:21,840 --> 00:35:25,600
very effectively with weapons
and along the lines to go and
706
00:35:25,600 --> 00:35:30,520
compete immediately in the ACC.
But look, I mean, if you're the
707
00:35:30,520 --> 00:35:33,760
CEO of a company and you're a
shareholder, you don't want to
708
00:35:33,760 --> 00:35:37,040
know that you're putting all
your chips in for Q4 like this
709
00:35:37,040 --> 00:35:39,160
year, right?
Like like, OK, this year and
710
00:35:39,160 --> 00:35:43,200
then you know what, whatever
happens the next the next cycle,
711
00:35:43,920 --> 00:35:46,840
like.
All right, yeah.
712
00:35:46,840 --> 00:35:49,240
But it's really funny, though.
Again, like we are looking at it
713
00:35:49,240 --> 00:35:53,080
and we say, man, we we we have
all these kind of younger guys,
714
00:35:53,080 --> 00:35:55,520
multiple years of eligibility.
And then he's got to just start
715
00:35:55,520 --> 00:35:57,080
thinking.
But there's Queshawn Brown.
716
00:35:57,280 --> 00:36:01,040
He's got two years left.
You know how Long's got Two
717
00:36:01,040 --> 00:36:02,560
years.
These are guys who have played
718
00:36:02,560 --> 00:36:06,560
significant snaps in the D1
level in high level games.
719
00:36:06,560 --> 00:36:09,520
And it's like, wait a second.
Well, if he slips in here and he
720
00:36:09,520 --> 00:36:11,920
does this and he does this and
this guy, whoa, wait a second.
721
00:36:13,480 --> 00:36:16,680
What Brian said earlier, the
issues where we had last year
722
00:36:16,680 --> 00:36:18,880
were slowly filling in.
Like, you know, we're not
723
00:36:18,880 --> 00:36:21,120
worried about the interior
defensive line that that was
724
00:36:21,120 --> 00:36:23,800
fine last year.
Elijah Fall comes back, Kamari
725
00:36:23,800 --> 00:36:27,360
Copeland back, you know, and
that's where it's like, you
726
00:36:27,360 --> 00:36:29,040
don't want to get all your bags
in one basket.
727
00:36:29,040 --> 00:36:32,680
But to James Franklin credit,
he's put enough in of
728
00:36:32,680 --> 00:36:36,200
experience, guys, for this year
in the right spots where we're
729
00:36:36,480 --> 00:36:38,920
getting a little bit of hope.
Like it's a little bit of hope
730
00:36:38,920 --> 00:36:42,680
to say, you know what, if
certain things click, the spots
731
00:36:42,680 --> 00:36:46,240
where we struggled with last
year are filled, Yeah,
732
00:36:46,240 --> 00:36:49,280
Quarterback upgrade, slot
receiver, better tie it in.
733
00:36:49,560 --> 00:36:50,960
You're bringing back running
backs.
734
00:36:50,960 --> 00:36:52,920
We had really good season.
So cornerback.
735
00:36:52,920 --> 00:36:56,880
Room, but then two again.
What you just said, Polby, we
736
00:36:56,880 --> 00:36:58,440
couldn't put 30 players out
there.
737
00:36:58,440 --> 00:37:00,920
God, we'll rebuild them again.
It's like, well, we could be
738
00:37:00,920 --> 00:37:04,320
good in 26, but wait a second,
we could still be good in 27.
739
00:37:04,320 --> 00:37:08,280
And then you keep looking.
It's like there's not like the
740
00:37:08,400 --> 00:37:11,280
right now, there's not where you
feel like there's a fall off.
741
00:37:12,080 --> 00:37:16,040
It's like he's truly trying to
build it out for a long term
742
00:37:16,040 --> 00:37:18,760
run.
Yeah, and this almost sounds bad
743
00:37:18,760 --> 00:37:22,360
to say, but it's almost like a
formula for successful programs,
744
00:37:22,480 --> 00:37:23,160
right?
Like.
745
00:37:23,840 --> 00:37:27,720
You recruit.
You recruit like 20-5 really
746
00:37:27,720 --> 00:37:31,120
good guys in that top 25, top 20
ish high school rank and look,
747
00:37:31,120 --> 00:37:32,440
those guys are going to transfer
out right?
748
00:37:32,440 --> 00:37:36,200
But if you stack those classes
year after year and you continue
749
00:37:36,200 --> 00:37:38,720
to hit your spots in the portal
and you get a quarterback you
750
00:37:38,720 --> 00:37:42,720
can get behind, like the secret
formula, Yeah, you bring in
751
00:37:42,880 --> 00:37:45,040
really great coaching like
Indiana and a high swing
752
00:37:45,040 --> 00:37:48,400
quarterback and you can win.
But like these programs that are
753
00:37:48,480 --> 00:37:51,960
relatively at the top, good
coaching, which Franklin has
754
00:37:51,960 --> 00:37:54,720
proven to do was what, a game
away from the national
755
00:37:54,720 --> 00:37:58,240
championship a year ago.
And, you know, bringing in
756
00:37:58,480 --> 00:38:01,560
talent and evaluation, which
he's obviously shown in his time
757
00:38:01,560 --> 00:38:04,760
at Penn State and, and, and two
weeks at Virginia Tech was able
758
00:38:04,760 --> 00:38:08,640
to get their highest class in 15
years at least.
759
00:38:09,800 --> 00:38:13,280
So like I said, it almost sounds
like asinine for me to say, oh,
760
00:38:13,280 --> 00:38:15,600
well, that's but yeah, it's
really how you kind of need to
761
00:38:15,600 --> 00:38:17,080
build it.
And I I think they've laid a
762
00:38:17,080 --> 00:38:19,800
really good foundation.
They've built out a really nice
763
00:38:19,800 --> 00:38:22,560
staff on the back end that
Virginia Tech, at least I know
764
00:38:22,560 --> 00:38:25,560
Penn State certainly has had.
Virginia Tech has not had in
765
00:38:25,560 --> 00:38:27,880
that recruiting arm and
especially even on the field
766
00:38:27,880 --> 00:38:30,680
coaches with their recruiting
acumen, I think they've done an
767
00:38:30,680 --> 00:38:32,480
incredible job.
And I mean, I don't see it
768
00:38:32,480 --> 00:38:34,000
slowing down anytime soon like I
would.
769
00:38:34,440 --> 00:38:37,360
This 27 class is certainly, I'm
going to be 1 to watch.
770
00:38:37,360 --> 00:38:39,440
And I think, you know, they,
they've still got a lot of work
771
00:38:39,440 --> 00:38:40,720
to do.
You're drinking from a fire
772
00:38:40,720 --> 00:38:42,280
hose.
The transportal is nice because
773
00:38:42,680 --> 00:38:44,400
you have all these connections
from Penn State.
774
00:38:44,400 --> 00:38:47,480
That 26 class is nice because
you have all those Penn State
775
00:38:47,480 --> 00:38:49,520
commits, right?
So it's kind of easy.
776
00:38:49,520 --> 00:38:52,920
But now, hey, look, it's fully
Virginia Tech now, and you're
777
00:38:52,920 --> 00:38:54,480
still getting your bearing in
the state.
778
00:38:55,360 --> 00:38:58,040
You know, you can come down from
Penn State, and Virginia's a
779
00:38:58,040 --> 00:38:59,880
nicety, but now it's a
necessity, right?
780
00:39:00,800 --> 00:39:04,120
And.
I, and I think too, I was just
781
00:39:04,120 --> 00:39:05,520
going to just throw this in real
quick.
782
00:39:05,520 --> 00:39:10,200
I think too, one of the things
that Franklin has shown a really
783
00:39:10,600 --> 00:39:14,960
high acumen at in his time at
Penn State in this transfer
784
00:39:14,960 --> 00:39:20,480
portal era is he retains a lot
of his players in in those
785
00:39:20,480 --> 00:39:23,560
transfer portal cycles.
So, you know, when we talk about
786
00:39:23,560 --> 00:39:26,520
the guys coming in, I don't
anticipate at least at this
787
00:39:26,520 --> 00:39:32,360
stage that, you know, after 2026
that these guys that we brought
788
00:39:32,360 --> 00:39:34,800
in with, you know, 2-3 years of
eligibility are going to be
789
00:39:34,800 --> 00:39:38,960
looking for another stop.
So you're really just talking
790
00:39:38,960 --> 00:39:40,400
about next year's transfer
portal.
791
00:39:40,400 --> 00:39:44,240
To your point, Colby, looking
at, you know, a much smaller
792
00:39:44,240 --> 00:39:46,360
transfer portal class because
you're really only kind of
793
00:39:46,360 --> 00:39:49,720
filling in those holes versus
having to fully rebuild a roster
794
00:39:49,720 --> 00:39:53,880
and kind of compensate for the
fact that the 24 and 25 classes
795
00:39:53,880 --> 00:39:56,840
probably weren't where you
wanted talent level, especially
796
00:39:56,920 --> 00:39:59,080
at offensive line.
Without a doubt.
797
00:39:59,240 --> 00:40:01,160
I mean that that's, that is the
point, right?
798
00:40:01,160 --> 00:40:04,680
Like I think you'll see.
I think hopefully with some of
799
00:40:04,680 --> 00:40:06,440
the stuff they're trying to
implement, you'll see more of
800
00:40:06,440 --> 00:40:10,280
this like.
A premium on retention, which is
801
00:40:10,280 --> 00:40:11,760
already right.
It's not always who you bring
802
00:40:11,760 --> 00:40:13,640
in, it's who you keep, right?
And I think you're going to see
803
00:40:13,640 --> 00:40:16,160
more of that.
And if that's where, you know,
804
00:40:16,160 --> 00:40:19,160
really talent evaluation is
going to become paramount, and
805
00:40:19,160 --> 00:40:22,600
that's really going to evaluate
the best schools who, you know,
806
00:40:22,600 --> 00:40:27,120
thrive in this environment.
Appreciate that.
807
00:40:27,160 --> 00:40:30,080
All right, before we, we're
going to talk a little 2027 as
808
00:40:30,080 --> 00:40:33,680
we get near the end here, but
there is one situation if you
809
00:40:33,680 --> 00:40:36,080
feel comfortable talking about
it and everything that went
810
00:40:36,280 --> 00:40:39,880
down, the Kamarian Morgan
situation, what went down?
811
00:40:39,880 --> 00:40:45,280
Was there ever a point that he
could have still been a Hokie?
812
00:40:45,320 --> 00:40:48,920
Was there anything that could
have kept him here Because he
813
00:40:48,920 --> 00:40:53,600
looked like again, he was 64250
look like a stud edge guy coming
814
00:40:53,600 --> 00:40:57,720
out of Baylor.
But what hey, do you feel like,
815
00:40:57,720 --> 00:40:59,680
can you talk about it?
Do you feel comfortable that
816
00:40:59,680 --> 00:41:02,440
we're far enough off of it now?
Yeah, I mean, like I'll
817
00:41:02,440 --> 00:41:04,400
definitely talk about, I just
don't think like of all the
818
00:41:04,400 --> 00:41:06,800
stories of like the Grummeyer
one, like I touched on earlier,
819
00:41:06,800 --> 00:41:09,320
like there's some juicy stuff
that happened certainly.
820
00:41:09,320 --> 00:41:12,200
And like I'll, I'll we'll have
to come back on and when I brain
821
00:41:12,200 --> 00:41:13,640
dump it all.
But this one, I really just
822
00:41:13,640 --> 00:41:16,600
don't think it was as exciting
or there was that much to it as
823
00:41:16,600 --> 00:41:17,480
people thought.
Right.
824
00:41:17,480 --> 00:41:20,720
So the news comes out that Kim
Morgan, he's already in
825
00:41:20,720 --> 00:41:23,280
Blackbird greatly.
He's already there, but he can't
826
00:41:23,560 --> 00:41:25,320
enroll because his grades aren't
there.
827
00:41:25,920 --> 00:41:30,520
And, and I know he went back
and, you know, amended it and
828
00:41:30,520 --> 00:41:31,960
got his grade change from
Baylor.
829
00:41:33,760 --> 00:41:37,080
Why is he still not signed at,
at these other institutions?
830
00:41:37,080 --> 00:41:41,200
Like it was really just an issue
of those grades and the way he
831
00:41:41,200 --> 00:41:43,480
built out his schedule.
Now coming from Baylor, it's a
832
00:41:43,480 --> 00:41:46,040
little bit tougher, but just
really like, you still have to
833
00:41:46,040 --> 00:41:49,760
be able to get into the school.
And it was right after the news
834
00:41:49,760 --> 00:41:52,080
drop that Virginia Tech was not
going to get him through
835
00:41:52,080 --> 00:41:56,320
admissions issue with the
admissions process that a Big 10
836
00:41:56,320 --> 00:41:57,880
school tried to trip him
immediately.
837
00:41:57,880 --> 00:42:02,160
It was one look at the
transcripts and they were like,
838
00:42:02,160 --> 00:42:05,120
Yep, no shot here.
So now I think a lot of people
839
00:42:05,120 --> 00:42:08,360
were like, OK, why?
How did this go this far?
840
00:42:08,360 --> 00:42:10,000
How did this not get checked
before?
841
00:42:10,680 --> 00:42:13,280
But I honestly, like, I know it
was like, James Franklin must be
842
00:42:13,280 --> 00:42:15,800
so frustrated with Burris.
I think it was an understanding
843
00:42:15,800 --> 00:42:17,840
on all fronts.
I mean, like genuinely like
844
00:42:17,840 --> 00:42:18,720
that.
That's where a lot of the
845
00:42:18,720 --> 00:42:21,680
frustration is because you've
seen it in your past with Ramon
846
00:42:21,680 --> 00:42:22,920
Brown.
I'm trying to think about
847
00:42:23,880 --> 00:42:26,040
Hellcat.
I remember, I can't even think
848
00:42:26,040 --> 00:42:27,920
of his name from down in
Roanoke.
849
00:42:27,920 --> 00:42:30,760
I know that was another one.
But you know, there, there have
850
00:42:30,760 --> 00:42:33,360
been multiple instances where
Virginia Tech can't get a guy
851
00:42:33,480 --> 00:42:36,320
admitted and you see what he
goes on to do at different
852
00:42:36,320 --> 00:42:39,440
institutions.
But this was one where he still
853
00:42:39,440 --> 00:42:42,560
is not signed.
Very highly rated prospect,
854
00:42:42,560 --> 00:42:44,680
right?
Did not see much on field
855
00:42:44,680 --> 00:42:47,560
production there at Baylor and
then just did not have the the
856
00:42:47,720 --> 00:42:50,880
transcripts, transcripts or
grades to get in.
857
00:42:50,880 --> 00:42:54,200
So really, I'm trying to there's
not much more beyond it than
858
00:42:54,200 --> 00:42:55,400
that.
It was just they couldn't get
859
00:42:55,400 --> 00:42:58,400
him into school and even other
schools that tried to to pounce
860
00:42:58,400 --> 00:43:00,280
on it, once they saw that issue
and they saw the transcript,
861
00:43:00,280 --> 00:43:02,240
they were like, yeah, yeah, we
have no shot here either.
862
00:43:02,640 --> 00:43:05,520
So, yeah, yeah.
I know West Virginia was making
863
00:43:05,520 --> 00:43:10,000
a pretty big run even, you know,
later into February and still,
864
00:43:10,000 --> 00:43:12,920
you know, we haven't seen any,
anything official on that yet.
865
00:43:14,120 --> 00:43:16,280
And you know what?
I hope like situations like this
866
00:43:16,280 --> 00:43:20,040
shine the light on for all the
kids who are going in and, and
867
00:43:20,040 --> 00:43:24,200
I'm not sure if it was grades or
maybe classes, right, But if you
868
00:43:24,200 --> 00:43:26,600
are going to vision one, like
any of these kids, wherever
869
00:43:26,600 --> 00:43:29,480
you're going, you need to have
that stuff in order You, you
870
00:43:29,480 --> 00:43:33,200
honestly do.
And that tells me, I'll say
871
00:43:33,200 --> 00:43:36,720
this, if I'm a if I'm a parent
and I'm about to send my kid to
872
00:43:36,720 --> 00:43:42,240
Baylor, I'm going to be thinking
twice, like, OK, OK, you know
873
00:43:42,240 --> 00:43:44,200
what?
We just saw what happened to Cam
874
00:43:44,200 --> 00:43:45,360
Morgan.
He came down here.
875
00:43:45,360 --> 00:43:48,760
He didn't get much PT, but he
got his look, his body.
876
00:43:48,760 --> 00:43:53,200
He was a very high valuable
commodity and the classes you
877
00:43:53,200 --> 00:43:57,760
made him take basically screwed
him out of going anywhere else.
878
00:43:57,840 --> 00:43:59,960
Yeah, well, I mean, it's also a
lot harder going from
879
00:43:59,960 --> 00:44:01,120
institution to institution,
right?
880
00:44:01,120 --> 00:44:03,440
Like privately public school,
like if you're going into Notre
881
00:44:03,440 --> 00:44:06,360
Dame or Stanford, if you're
going to now, it definitely did
882
00:44:06,360 --> 00:44:08,760
him no favors right there.
And especially the class had to
883
00:44:08,760 --> 00:44:09,920
let it built out, it sounds
like.
884
00:44:09,920 --> 00:44:14,400
So there's a ton of factors, but
I will say, like I said, I mean,
885
00:44:14,640 --> 00:44:16,800
they're the athletes are finally
being compensated like they
886
00:44:16,800 --> 00:44:19,200
should, right?
And we'll see what guardrails or
887
00:44:19,200 --> 00:44:21,440
whatever comes about it.
But I think we can all agree
888
00:44:21,440 --> 00:44:24,040
that the product on the field is
heavily influenced by them.
889
00:44:24,200 --> 00:44:28,240
Great.
Still, until you CBA, whatever
890
00:44:28,240 --> 00:44:30,480
happens, I don't even know if
that's going to come to to be.
891
00:44:30,880 --> 00:44:32,960
You're still students.
And in this day and age, there
892
00:44:32,960 --> 00:44:36,120
are more people and more
opportunities pretty much
893
00:44:36,120 --> 00:44:40,760
widespread across the border to
online classes, tutors.
894
00:44:41,120 --> 00:44:45,960
I mean, it is almost, it is the
easiest generation possible.
895
00:44:45,960 --> 00:44:50,960
I feel very confident saying to
maintain grades and just kind of
896
00:44:50,960 --> 00:44:53,760
keep that.
I know it's student athlete, but
897
00:44:53,760 --> 00:44:56,960
let's just say keep that on the
side and and keep football as
898
00:44:56,960 --> 00:44:59,440
the priority.
So that's definitely something
899
00:44:59,440 --> 00:45:02,440
that coaches watch, right?
Like knowing, understanding and
900
00:45:02,440 --> 00:45:03,600
talking to different coaches
about.
901
00:45:03,600 --> 00:45:06,200
So it's a shame it all played
out that obviously he wasn't
902
00:45:06,200 --> 00:45:08,600
Blacksburg and that, you know,
it, it developed so far.
903
00:45:08,960 --> 00:45:12,080
But something that really both
parties I don't think should be
904
00:45:12,640 --> 00:45:15,400
up in arms about.
Yeah.
905
00:45:16,080 --> 00:45:18,720
Just just one of those things
that it didn't shake out the way
906
00:45:18,720 --> 00:45:21,920
anyone wanted.
But but yeah, there, there
907
00:45:21,920 --> 00:45:24,480
wasn't necessarily ill will or
anything like that from a
908
00:45:24,640 --> 00:45:27,600
process standpoint.
It's just one of those things.
909
00:45:28,440 --> 00:45:30,720
Yeah.
All right.
910
00:45:31,200 --> 00:45:34,160
Let's flip it.
Let's talk a little 2027.
911
00:45:35,560 --> 00:45:38,280
Brian, go let you go with this
one.
912
00:45:38,480 --> 00:45:39,560
You'll let me ride with this
one.
913
00:45:39,880 --> 00:45:40,800
Let you.
Jump on this.
914
00:45:40,800 --> 00:45:41,760
All right?
All right.
915
00:45:42,520 --> 00:45:44,200
So we're going to talk.
We're going to talk Virginia
916
00:45:44,200 --> 00:45:45,040
now.
We're going to stay.
917
00:45:45,160 --> 00:45:46,440
We'll start with the state of
Virginia.
918
00:45:46,440 --> 00:45:48,280
We got a lot of Virginia that's
important.
919
00:45:49,640 --> 00:45:53,840
Who are some of the early
favorites in the state that the
920
00:45:53,840 --> 00:45:58,040
Hokies have been targeting?
I know you know, James Franklin
921
00:45:58,040 --> 00:46:00,440
kind of had to hit the ground
running with with this class on
922
00:46:00,440 --> 00:46:03,880
top of closing out 26 and
everything with the portal, but
923
00:46:03,880 --> 00:46:06,960
who are those guys to watch in
the state that are high on the
924
00:46:06,960 --> 00:46:09,640
Hokie board?
Yeah, I just said it on my show
925
00:46:09,640 --> 00:46:12,400
about an hour prior to this, and
I wouldn't be shocked within the
926
00:46:12,400 --> 00:46:14,040
next week if I toss in a crystal
ball.
927
00:46:14,040 --> 00:46:16,880
I feel really good about where
Virginia Tech sits with number
928
00:46:16,880 --> 00:46:19,520
six player in the state,
offensive tackle, Junior Sanders
929
00:46:19,520 --> 00:46:23,640
from Woodbury Forest, top
offensive tackle in the state.
930
00:46:23,640 --> 00:46:26,800
Woodbury Forest is a program
that Virginia Tech has made
931
00:46:26,800 --> 00:46:29,400
strides in in recent years.
You look at Sheldon Robinson,
932
00:46:29,680 --> 00:46:33,000
they've done an incredible job
with Junior Sanders for years
933
00:46:33,000 --> 00:46:35,640
now, but especially with, you
know, James Franklin, he came to
934
00:46:35,640 --> 00:46:38,040
that Miami game.
You look at Buddy Wagdome,
935
00:46:38,600 --> 00:46:41,480
Hudson's LPWO very close with
him.
936
00:46:42,000 --> 00:46:43,520
Take there from Woodbury
Forders.
937
00:46:43,520 --> 00:46:44,840
I think they sit in a really
nice spot.
938
00:46:44,840 --> 00:46:48,400
He visited last week prior to
Virginia Tech spring break.
939
00:46:49,240 --> 00:46:51,560
I wouldn't say anything
jaw-dropping coming out of that
940
00:46:51,560 --> 00:46:53,360
visit.
I just think they sit in a great
941
00:46:53,360 --> 00:46:56,080
spot and I think they positioned
themselves super well.
942
00:46:56,080 --> 00:46:58,920
I don't see anyone else really
making themselves get in the
943
00:46:58,920 --> 00:47:00,520
mix.
He's he's on that first OB
944
00:47:00,520 --> 00:47:02,560
weekend.
I really like where Virginia
945
00:47:02,560 --> 00:47:04,040
Tech sits could see a crystal
ball.
946
00:47:04,040 --> 00:47:08,880
So that's one which is obviously
another a nice four-star tackle.
947
00:47:09,040 --> 00:47:12,880
You you you love that someone
I've been pounding the table for
948
00:47:12,880 --> 00:47:15,640
to be, you know, rated properly
can ask Sullivan from the Saint
949
00:47:15,640 --> 00:47:18,160
James Academy up there in
Springfield, VA.
950
00:47:18,160 --> 00:47:22,240
You got Overton coaching him up
there.
951
00:47:22,320 --> 00:47:25,200
I think that's one where there's
a ton of really big suitors.
952
00:47:25,200 --> 00:47:27,320
I think he is very underrated
talent.
953
00:47:27,320 --> 00:47:30,480
Even still with a rankings bump
in the state of Virginia, I
954
00:47:30,480 --> 00:47:32,440
think that's going to be a
little bit of uphill battle.
955
00:47:33,320 --> 00:47:35,760
Chris Whitehead, the number one
player in the state of Virginia
956
00:47:35,760 --> 00:47:38,680
Tech, was not a serious
contender and Virginia Tech has
957
00:47:38,680 --> 00:47:42,200
definitely entered that mix.
I would not be shocked to see
958
00:47:42,200 --> 00:47:45,960
them make a massive run at him
to try and make a big statement
959
00:47:45,960 --> 00:47:49,520
in James Franklin's first cycle
saying, hey, this is the type
960
00:47:49,520 --> 00:47:51,800
level we're on.
I would definitely not rule that
961
00:47:51,800 --> 00:47:53,960
one out.
Elijah Hutchinson, guy from down
962
00:47:53,960 --> 00:47:57,320
the road from Roanoke,
originally reclassed, move down
963
00:47:57,760 --> 00:48:01,160
to Georgia, go to Raven Gap Prep
School, and then come back up to
964
00:48:01,160 --> 00:48:04,640
North Cross and Roanoke.
Like I said, you know, Clemson,
965
00:48:04,640 --> 00:48:09,360
Ohio State, a ton of big suitors
there, but they're going to try
966
00:48:09,360 --> 00:48:12,400
and get him on campus a ton.
Virginia Tech's going to be in
967
00:48:12,400 --> 00:48:15,960
the mix.
Noah Glover I think we'll give
968
00:48:15,960 --> 00:48:18,440
Virginia Tech a good look.
If I would were to put in the a
969
00:48:18,440 --> 00:48:20,320
prediction right now, I think
Georgia's probably got the
970
00:48:20,320 --> 00:48:23,520
inside track there.
They've done a really great job.
971
00:48:23,520 --> 00:48:27,640
Carter Jones, Clemson, Clemson,
Clemson, but Virginia Tech's
972
00:48:27,640 --> 00:48:30,800
made a big push.
But I would say as of right now,
973
00:48:30,800 --> 00:48:32,760
I still feel like Clemson has
the inside track there.
974
00:48:32,760 --> 00:48:35,400
They've been doing so well for I
feel like a year and a half now.
975
00:48:36,040 --> 00:48:38,440
James Franklin has completely
changed the calculus on all of
976
00:48:38,440 --> 00:48:40,000
these, though, and I don't want
that to be out ruled.
977
00:48:40,000 --> 00:48:41,800
Like what I said with Chris
Whitehead should not go like
978
00:48:41,800 --> 00:48:45,000
under the radar.
Like like James Franklin has
979
00:48:45,000 --> 00:48:48,640
completely changed the view.
Like if I like if you got quotes
980
00:48:48,640 --> 00:48:50,680
or interviews from these guys,
it's like, yeah, Virginia Tech
981
00:48:50,680 --> 00:48:53,480
state school, but it no, it's
completely changed the outlook
982
00:48:53,480 --> 00:48:55,480
of it.
I think Carter Jones will give
983
00:48:55,480 --> 00:48:57,160
them a fair look.
He's the one who's going to want
984
00:48:57,160 --> 00:49:01,000
to commit early here in April.
But I still like Clemson.
985
00:49:01,640 --> 00:49:03,440
I think Virginia Tech could be a
close second there.
986
00:49:03,760 --> 00:49:06,840
And in the portal age, you never
know, but I I like Clemson.
987
00:49:07,320 --> 00:49:09,280
We talked about junior Sanders,
DeMarcus Brown.
988
00:49:09,280 --> 00:49:11,920
I think Virginia Tech's going to
make a push to try and flip from
989
00:49:11,920 --> 00:49:17,040
Roanoke from Virginia.
He's from Roanoke, committed to
990
00:49:17,040 --> 00:49:20,480
Virginia currently.
I talked with him recently.
991
00:49:20,480 --> 00:49:24,120
Has no visits on the books.
Virginia tried Virginia Tech
992
00:49:24,120 --> 00:49:26,680
tried to get him on campus there
for a junior day, didn't get it.
993
00:49:27,040 --> 00:49:30,680
Ivy and Lewis has one to watch.
I, I, I don't know.
994
00:49:30,680 --> 00:49:32,040
I thought I had a decent read on
it.
995
00:49:32,040 --> 00:49:34,280
I thought Virginia Tech, South
Carolina were sort of those two
996
00:49:34,280 --> 00:49:36,640
schools.
We'll see now, you know, if
997
00:49:36,640 --> 00:49:38,760
Alabama offers, maybe that
changes things.
998
00:49:38,760 --> 00:49:42,000
Ohio State, if he's a take
there, I think at the end of the
999
00:49:42,000 --> 00:49:44,120
day is the one that if it
stretches out and comes down the
1000
00:49:44,120 --> 00:49:47,200
line, Virginia Tech, it's in a
good spot, but I don't know, I
1001
00:49:47,200 --> 00:49:49,800
know he's visiting Alabama.
If they offer and it's a
1002
00:49:49,800 --> 00:49:52,560
committable offer, I could see
that changing a little bit.
1003
00:49:52,560 --> 00:49:55,680
But I mean, it's someone that
Fontelle Mines has known since
1004
00:49:55,680 --> 00:50:00,000
he was in 8th grade, been in a
great spot that one of that top
1005
00:50:00,000 --> 00:50:02,280
OV weekend.
So I know we're just going down
1006
00:50:02,280 --> 00:50:04,880
the line, but Kamari Hudson, he
was just at Clemson as well for
1007
00:50:04,880 --> 00:50:06,840
the elite retreat, I believe is
what they call it.
1008
00:50:07,520 --> 00:50:11,880
He was going to be up in
Blacksburg for junior day but
1009
00:50:11,880 --> 00:50:14,000
wasn't able to make it was when
all that snow was going on.
1010
00:50:14,000 --> 00:50:15,440
So like a four and a half hour
tripled.
1011
00:50:15,440 --> 00:50:18,640
And in the books also, I think
an underrated guy there.
1012
00:50:18,640 --> 00:50:20,920
I think he could be close to the
top five in the state.
1013
00:50:22,560 --> 00:50:25,000
Actually just talked with him.
Hang on, let's see.
1014
00:50:27,280 --> 00:50:32,720
This is live television, UVA,
Syracuse, Clemson, Tennessee, NC
1015
00:50:32,720 --> 00:50:36,000
State, Virginia Tech, all kind
of in the mix, but that's why
1016
00:50:36,000 --> 00:50:38,160
he's really fleshing out a lot
of the stops in these visits
1017
00:50:38,160 --> 00:50:40,280
here.
Virginia Tech fits well, but you
1018
00:50:40,280 --> 00:50:41,760
know, you've got real
competition there.
1019
00:50:41,760 --> 00:50:44,360
So that's where these visits do
kind of differentiate.
1020
00:50:44,400 --> 00:50:47,480
You know, people want to talk
about this NIL drive everything.
1021
00:50:47,480 --> 00:50:49,320
Like nobody can kind of be the
decider.
1022
00:50:49,320 --> 00:50:51,440
You're really close on a lot of
these schools as you come down
1023
00:50:51,440 --> 00:50:54,040
the stretch.
And it's just my new things.
1024
00:50:54,440 --> 00:50:57,280
Are you close to a Chipotle?
Are you close to like it's
1025
00:50:57,280 --> 00:50:59,120
different for everyone what
you're looking for, right?
1026
00:50:59,280 --> 00:51:02,640
But so that was his list.
I'm just going through some of
1027
00:51:02,640 --> 00:51:04,720
the top guys.
Sam Faneuil, tight end out of
1028
00:51:04,720 --> 00:51:07,280
Benedictine.
I know Ty Howe was in the in the
1029
00:51:07,280 --> 00:51:09,640
CM, but his visit schedule is
not sure.
1030
00:51:09,640 --> 00:51:11,280
I think Virginia Tech can make a
push there.
1031
00:51:11,600 --> 00:51:15,120
They're also in it for tight end
Jordan Karoff from Ohio, I
1032
00:51:15,120 --> 00:51:18,640
believe, Rycove, offensive
lineman Ethan Lawson.
1033
00:51:18,640 --> 00:51:21,040
I don't expect Virginia Tech to
be in the mix long term.
1034
00:51:21,360 --> 00:51:23,480
I think West Virginia might have
the inside track there.
1035
00:51:23,920 --> 00:51:26,320
Brody McNeil committed to Ohio
State, I don't see them flipping
1036
00:51:26,320 --> 00:51:28,120
there.
Matt Williams, corner from
1037
00:51:28,120 --> 00:51:31,520
Norfolk, VA, I've seen him play
a ton of times at UA Baltimore
1038
00:51:31,720 --> 00:51:33,560
scrimmages at Morey football
games.
1039
00:51:34,000 --> 00:51:35,800
A dynamic athlete.
He was playing quarterback for
1040
00:51:35,800 --> 00:51:36,920
them.
He's doing everything.
1041
00:51:37,800 --> 00:51:40,760
Haven't heard much with Virginia
Tech and Virginia Tech's had a
1042
00:51:40,880 --> 00:51:43,840
really hard time breaking into
Maury even with all their
1043
00:51:43,840 --> 00:51:47,360
success.
So one to track here, Zavon,
1044
00:51:47,360 --> 00:51:49,440
Ziggy Miller from Huguenot.
I think Virginia Tech's it's
1045
00:51:49,440 --> 00:51:52,520
well there and then we'll just
close it out with a couple names
1046
00:51:52,520 --> 00:51:55,600
to watch.
I think Derek Fisher, cousin of
1047
00:51:55,600 --> 00:51:57,080
Michael Vick.
I know we had Dwight Vick in the
1048
00:51:57,080 --> 00:52:01,000
chat at Bethel High School.
Really just elite athlete,
1049
00:52:01,240 --> 00:52:03,480
probably projects as a safety
committed to Virginia.
1050
00:52:03,480 --> 00:52:05,760
I think Virginia Tech's going to
make a big run there.
1051
00:52:05,760 --> 00:52:07,480
They like him.
And then as well with Lonnie
1052
00:52:07,480 --> 00:52:12,080
Andrews, cousin Jamar Deloach
committed to Virginia, you know,
1053
00:52:12,440 --> 00:52:14,640
three-year starter at Oscar
Smith High School.
1054
00:52:14,640 --> 00:52:17,600
Now, I wouldn't be shocked to
see Virginia Tech make a pretty
1055
00:52:17,600 --> 00:52:19,000
big push.
They tried to get him up for a
1056
00:52:19,000 --> 00:52:22,200
junior day, still pushing.
I talked with him not long ago.
1057
00:52:22,200 --> 00:52:25,680
I know he's going back to
Virginia, I believe March, late
1058
00:52:25,680 --> 00:52:27,960
March and no other trips on the
books yet.
1059
00:52:27,960 --> 00:52:30,120
But I know Virginia Tech's
pushing for it.
1060
00:52:30,120 --> 00:52:32,280
So that's, I know I just said a
lot.
1061
00:52:32,280 --> 00:52:34,320
I just pulled up the list and
kind of went down through the
1062
00:52:34,320 --> 00:52:36,520
state, but I would say that's
most of the state.
1063
00:52:36,520 --> 00:52:38,400
Probably heat check.
OK.
1064
00:52:38,840 --> 00:52:42,000
He almost answered that the the
question we had after this one
1065
00:52:42,000 --> 00:52:44,120
nailed it.
Like, who are we trying to flip?
1066
00:52:44,120 --> 00:52:46,600
And as I'm looking, it's like
that's the Eva guy.
1067
00:52:47,280 --> 00:52:50,240
There's another Eva guy like
we're just basically trying to
1068
00:52:50,240 --> 00:52:53,920
flip some of those guys.
But we'll, we'll ask that in a
1069
00:52:53,920 --> 00:52:55,280
second.
But let me ask this because I
1070
00:52:55,280 --> 00:52:59,920
think you mentioned it.
Chris Whitehead, you'll see Bird
1071
00:53:00,200 --> 00:53:04,320
down not not far from me and
Brian in 20-30 minutes down
1072
00:53:04,320 --> 00:53:08,200
South out of Richmond.
You said that's the target
1073
00:53:08,640 --> 00:53:13,080
because you said the way I heard
it is that's the most important
1074
00:53:13,160 --> 00:53:17,440
guy in this class because if you
get Chris Bird, number one
1075
00:53:17,440 --> 00:53:21,400
player in the state, top 10
positionally Top 40 nationally.
1076
00:53:21,840 --> 00:53:26,160
Yeah, stuck.
What, what has to happen is
1077
00:53:26,160 --> 00:53:28,280
there, does there have to be
breaks?
1078
00:53:29,120 --> 00:53:33,040
Is what has to happen to Landon,
you think?
1079
00:53:33,760 --> 00:53:35,120
Well, I mean, it's perception,
right?
1080
00:53:35,120 --> 00:53:36,200
Like I think that's the biggest
thing.
1081
00:53:36,200 --> 00:53:39,440
Like you can have rankings, your
own eval of them or whatever,
1082
00:53:39,440 --> 00:53:43,000
but you see that number one next
to his name and like better or
1083
00:53:43,000 --> 00:53:45,640
for worse in this day and age
that that goes a long way
1084
00:53:46,120 --> 00:53:49,840
socially, just just in general,
you know, like it just does
1085
00:53:49,840 --> 00:53:51,240
matter.
It just really does.
1086
00:53:51,240 --> 00:53:52,960
And like, I think that's why
it's such a big deal.
1087
00:53:52,960 --> 00:53:55,360
It's because they want to cement
and stamp, Hey, this is Virginia
1088
00:53:55,400 --> 00:53:56,400
Tech.
We're not coming into our
1089
00:53:56,400 --> 00:53:59,080
backyard anymore.
I know Virginia Tech hasn't been
1090
00:53:59,080 --> 00:54:01,360
accustomed to getting that
number one guy in the class for
1091
00:54:01,400 --> 00:54:04,240
cycles and cycles, but this is
the way it is around here.
1092
00:54:04,640 --> 00:54:06,560
What does it take?
It takes an IL, right like that.
1093
00:54:06,560 --> 00:54:08,800
That's obviously a really big
factor in these recruitments.
1094
00:54:09,200 --> 00:54:11,160
It takes staying consistent.
You get them on that first
1095
00:54:11,160 --> 00:54:15,760
official visit weekend, which is
a really big sign already in the
1096
00:54:15,760 --> 00:54:17,640
open periods, connecting with
them, getting them up for a
1097
00:54:17,640 --> 00:54:20,360
spring visit.
You know, Richmond, shoot, I've
1098
00:54:20,360 --> 00:54:23,120
been making the trip Richmond to
Blacksburg here a lot recently.
1099
00:54:23,320 --> 00:54:25,080
It's not that bad.
You can get them on for spring
1100
00:54:25,080 --> 00:54:27,800
practice, get them up for the
spring game, you know, just
1101
00:54:28,080 --> 00:54:31,240
working those details out.
So I think it's that.
1102
00:54:31,360 --> 00:54:33,400
And then obviously in this day
and age, nil, right?
1103
00:54:33,640 --> 00:54:35,160
They position themselves super
big.
1104
00:54:35,680 --> 00:54:38,000
And I think, you know, showing
your vision.
1105
00:54:38,520 --> 00:54:40,600
I said James Franklin changed
the calculus like these.
1106
00:54:40,840 --> 00:54:43,160
You can do everything right.
But if they don't believe in
1107
00:54:43,160 --> 00:54:45,160
your vision, then they believe
Brent Pryor's a lame duck.
1108
00:54:45,160 --> 00:54:47,200
And they they kind of see their
writing on the wall.
1109
00:54:48,000 --> 00:54:49,840
Yeah, that's a really tough hill
to come down from.
1110
00:54:49,840 --> 00:54:53,200
But James Franklin, they can see
what he's building, the changes
1111
00:54:53,200 --> 00:54:55,360
in merriment, what what he's
sort of pitching.
1112
00:54:56,520 --> 00:54:58,040
I think that's the biggest thing
with him.
1113
00:54:58,320 --> 00:54:59,600
And I I honestly wouldn't rule
it out.
1114
00:54:59,600 --> 00:55:01,800
Like, I'm not coming on here
blowing smoke like Noah Glover.
1115
00:55:01,800 --> 00:55:04,400
I don't see Virginia Tech
getting in the mix with Canas
1116
00:55:04,400 --> 00:55:06,680
Sullivan.
I I could see it.
1117
00:55:06,680 --> 00:55:08,560
I think he's going to have some
really big suitors.
1118
00:55:08,960 --> 00:55:10,600
Carter Jones.
I don't know if Virginia Tech's
1119
00:55:10,600 --> 00:55:12,760
going to do it, but I think
Chris Whitehead is 1 where
1120
00:55:13,440 --> 00:55:14,680
they're they're certainly in the
mix.
1121
00:55:14,680 --> 00:55:17,520
And only not only for the fact
of that number one ranking,
1122
00:55:17,520 --> 00:55:19,280
Nexter's name, they believe in
the eval.
1123
00:55:19,280 --> 00:55:22,720
Like, yeah, OK, 6324 like, yeah,
that's a pretty good prospect,
1124
00:55:22,720 --> 00:55:25,680
right?
Like, but someone, especially
1125
00:55:26,200 --> 00:55:29,800
with that ranking, with that
stature, that standing, it's
1126
00:55:29,800 --> 00:55:33,000
like it's kind of just putting
the whole state and and you
1127
00:55:33,000 --> 00:55:35,240
know, the whole Mid-Atlantic,
the whole ACC, the whole
1128
00:55:35,240 --> 00:55:38,080
whatever coastline on notice,
like, all right, you're not
1129
00:55:38,080 --> 00:55:39,760
going to come into our backyard
anymore.
1130
00:55:40,080 --> 00:55:42,360
This is what is to be expected
with this staff.
1131
00:55:43,320 --> 00:55:45,440
Let's talk about that a little
bit more because you know, you,
1132
00:55:45,560 --> 00:55:49,080
you get a guy like Whitehead say
say that that comes to fruition.
1133
00:55:49,880 --> 00:55:55,000
What are the tailwinds attached
to that from a just a 26 class
1134
00:55:55,000 --> 00:55:56,880
and potentially even looking
forward to 27?
1135
00:55:56,880 --> 00:56:00,680
I know someone like a like a
Carter. 2728 Brown, 26, has
1136
00:56:00,680 --> 00:56:03,080
already signed.
Yeah, sorry, 2728.
1137
00:56:03,080 --> 00:56:04,880
My bet.
What?
1138
00:56:04,920 --> 00:56:07,000
What does that look like?
I know somebody like a Carter
1139
00:56:07,000 --> 00:56:12,280
Jones who's committing in the
next month and 1/2 or so, you
1140
00:56:12,280 --> 00:56:14,920
know, that may not play a factor
in his recruiting, but would
1141
00:56:14,920 --> 00:56:17,360
something like that have
tailwinds for the 27 class and
1142
00:56:17,360 --> 00:56:19,160
how would how would that play
for 28 as well?
1143
00:56:19,360 --> 00:56:20,720
Without a doubt, that's what I'm
saying.
1144
00:56:20,720 --> 00:56:23,720
Like it, it's so massive, not
only for 27 because you get that
1145
00:56:23,720 --> 00:56:26,240
guy he rallies in, but I'm just
talking about 28 projecting for
1146
00:56:26,240 --> 00:56:28,120
the guy in middle school right
now who's in Virginia or
1147
00:56:28,120 --> 00:56:31,040
whatever.
Like it's, it's great because
1148
00:56:31,040 --> 00:56:33,240
it's my business, right?
Like the, the, the graphic
1149
00:56:33,240 --> 00:56:35,320
culture where you're on
Instagram or Twitter and you see
1150
00:56:35,320 --> 00:56:38,040
this big #1 Virginia going to
Virginia Tech.
1151
00:56:38,040 --> 00:56:40,000
But that's what it is.
It's perception.
1152
00:56:40,000 --> 00:56:42,120
It matters because that for a
lot of people, that's their
1153
00:56:42,120 --> 00:56:44,840
first touch point with Virginia
Tech or, or that program.
1154
00:56:44,840 --> 00:56:46,480
Like, oh, wow, I didn't know
that.
1155
00:56:46,480 --> 00:56:51,560
Like when you see Jared Curtis
go to Vanderbilt or shoot, what
1156
00:56:51,560 --> 00:56:55,360
was the other one?
Deshawn Henderson to Houston or
1157
00:56:55,360 --> 00:56:57,800
there's another one where is AI
mean?
1158
00:56:57,800 --> 00:57:00,360
Even Fernando Mendoza to Indiana
or something like that, that
1159
00:57:00,360 --> 00:57:03,000
stature where it's like that
guy's going to this program that
1160
00:57:03,000 --> 00:57:05,040
hasn't, you know, kind of
recruited at that clip.
1161
00:57:05,040 --> 00:57:08,560
Now you see USC, Michigan,
Alabama, Georgia getting those
1162
00:57:08,560 --> 00:57:12,640
guys like, OK, But when you
start to see continued success
1163
00:57:12,640 --> 00:57:15,920
on the trail, it's like, wow, we
can stay close to home.
1164
00:57:15,920 --> 00:57:19,800
We can represent our state at a
program that's invested at in US
1165
00:57:19,800 --> 00:57:22,240
at a younger age as opposed to
out of state schools.
1166
00:57:22,240 --> 00:57:25,320
Just naturally, like if Virginia
Tech is not on guys in the state
1167
00:57:25,320 --> 00:57:28,440
of Virginia before every other
school, then that's on them,
1168
00:57:28,440 --> 00:57:29,760
right?
Like you, you can't let those
1169
00:57:29,760 --> 00:57:32,720
guys go walking.
So I think that's why it's so
1170
00:57:32,720 --> 00:57:35,120
big.
And yeah, 20 eights, 20 nines,
1171
00:57:35,120 --> 00:57:39,160
30s, seeing that, parlaying that
down the road, it's super big
1172
00:57:39,160 --> 00:57:42,680
and and especially in the 27
class, I wouldn't say he's like
1173
00:57:42,680 --> 00:57:45,440
the most vocal guy, but if you
get that, it's like, OK, like
1174
00:57:45,680 --> 00:57:47,560
we're doing this now.
It's not a two year, three-year
1175
00:57:47,560 --> 00:57:49,080
rebuild.
Like they're they're really
1176
00:57:49,080 --> 00:57:51,200
getting after it right now.
Let's let's go hop on the
1177
00:57:51,200 --> 00:57:55,560
bandwagon.
Love that Curtis, what you got.
1178
00:57:55,920 --> 00:57:58,480
Well, I'll ask this because you
mentioned them all.
1179
00:57:59,360 --> 00:58:03,440
If you had one guy to currently
say that was committed and I'm
1180
00:58:03,520 --> 00:58:07,200
going to go UVA because the ones
you mentioned are committed, who
1181
00:58:07,200 --> 00:58:09,480
flips?
Who's the do you think your
1182
00:58:09,480 --> 00:58:13,080
quickest flip is there?
So I listed DeMarcus Brown,
1183
00:58:13,360 --> 00:58:16,480
Derek Fisher and Lonnie Andrews.
Correct.
1184
00:58:16,840 --> 00:58:22,360
Yeah, we listened those 3.
See, I, I think Derek, I don't
1185
00:58:22,360 --> 00:58:26,840
know, man, I would between, I
would say Derek Fisher.
1186
00:58:26,840 --> 00:58:28,360
I don't know about Lonnie
Andrews, though, because that
1187
00:58:28,360 --> 00:58:30,000
quarterback board's going to
have to shape out.
1188
00:58:31,440 --> 00:58:33,600
But I mean, like to go play with
your cousin, right?
1189
00:58:33,600 --> 00:58:36,320
You know, like, and then if
you're Derek Fisher, right,
1190
00:58:36,320 --> 00:58:38,720
like, you know who your, your
cousin is in Virginia Tech, like
1191
00:58:38,720 --> 00:58:40,840
both those guys, I feel like
there's a familial draw there,
1192
00:58:40,840 --> 00:58:43,360
right?
Like, and I, I for Lonnie, I
1193
00:58:43,360 --> 00:58:44,800
think a lot about Jamari
Deloach.
1194
00:58:44,880 --> 00:58:48,040
Like he was committed to sensing
like that was so weird.
1195
00:58:48,080 --> 00:58:50,560
I remember this is such a weird
anecdote.
1196
00:58:50,560 --> 00:58:53,160
Side note, but I was in Disney
World for my sister's birthday
1197
00:58:53,800 --> 00:58:56,760
and I'm on the phone with Evan G
Watkins, like about to put in a
1198
00:58:56,760 --> 00:58:58,600
crystal ball for Jamario to
Virginia Tech.
1199
00:58:58,600 --> 00:59:01,880
And it was just so weird the way
that whole thing went where
1200
00:59:01,880 --> 00:59:03,160
Michigan was on and then it died
down.
1201
00:59:03,160 --> 00:59:05,600
It was going to be Virginia Tech
fully and then Cincinnati.
1202
00:59:05,720 --> 00:59:08,960
And he commits to Cincinnati and
it never felt right, like even
1203
00:59:08,960 --> 00:59:10,560
me like covering his
recruitment, going to state
1204
00:59:10,560 --> 00:59:12,680
track meets and everything was
just like Cincinnati, what
1205
00:59:12,680 --> 00:59:14,280
happened?
And then there was a really big
1206
00:59:14,280 --> 00:59:16,760
flip like I remember like still,
it was be one of my favorite
1207
00:59:16,760 --> 00:59:18,920
signing day memories ever.
Like breaking the news of his
1208
00:59:18,920 --> 00:59:21,480
flip right there, right.
Like talk like that was insane.
1209
00:59:21,480 --> 00:59:24,240
One of my honestly probably my
favorite signing day moment of
1210
00:59:24,360 --> 00:59:26,200
my life.
So like so far just breaking
1211
00:59:26,200 --> 00:59:29,760
that because, you know, that was
a recruitment I feel like I was
1212
00:59:29,760 --> 00:59:32,880
closest with in that 25 class
and it never felt right.
1213
00:59:32,880 --> 00:59:34,440
And it came all the way full
circle.
1214
00:59:34,480 --> 00:59:38,520
And, you know, I just feel like,
I just feel like I'm maybe this
1215
00:59:38,520 --> 00:59:41,000
is just me feeling remnants of
that with Lonnie Andrews.
1216
00:59:42,760 --> 00:59:44,440
But yeah, you know what?
I was going to say Derek Fisher,
1217
00:59:44,440 --> 00:59:46,720
but give me Lonnie Andrews.
I think that's one.
1218
00:59:47,240 --> 00:59:48,960
I think that's one to watch
there at the quarterback
1219
00:59:48,960 --> 00:59:51,040
position.
Awesome.
1220
00:59:53,360 --> 00:59:55,280
All right.
So I'll, I'll, I'll switch gears
1221
00:59:55,280 --> 00:59:59,760
a little bit with the offers
that are being reported right
1222
00:59:59,760 --> 01:00:02,960
now, kind of where things are
standing, which areas outside of
1223
01:00:02,960 --> 01:00:06,080
Virginia have been the kind of
heaviest focus for James
1224
01:00:06,080 --> 01:00:10,120
Franklin for this 27 cycle?
I would say it's pretty spread
1225
01:00:10,120 --> 01:00:13,360
out, but you know, like his
connections up in the northern
1226
01:00:13,360 --> 01:00:17,480
Mid-Atlantic region,
Pennsylvania, Philly area, a lot
1227
01:00:17,480 --> 01:00:21,440
of prep schools in their jersey
into Ohio.
1228
01:00:21,520 --> 01:00:24,000
But then you've got guys on the
staff like Coach Chaos who's
1229
01:00:24,000 --> 01:00:27,440
down in Texas sending out a ton
of offers, Midget Anthony
1230
01:00:27,440 --> 01:00:29,280
Midget's down in Florida sending
out offers.
1231
01:00:29,280 --> 01:00:31,080
You got Norville McKenzie in
South Carolina.
1232
01:00:31,080 --> 01:00:35,480
But I would say a lot of it is
focused in that DMV into
1233
01:00:35,480 --> 01:00:38,200
Pennsylvania area just because
those are the high schools and
1234
01:00:38,200 --> 01:00:40,000
the coaches and the
relationships they've been
1235
01:00:40,000 --> 01:00:42,200
naturally closest with for the
last decade, right?
1236
01:00:42,640 --> 01:00:47,080
So I would say outside of
Virginia, it would be mostly in
1237
01:00:47,080 --> 01:00:50,920
that Northern DMV into
Pennsylvania and then extending
1238
01:00:50,920 --> 01:00:53,960
outside of that Ohio and then
parts of the Southeast Florida,
1239
01:00:53,960 --> 01:00:56,840
South Carolina, Georgia with
Norville McKenzie kind of
1240
01:00:56,840 --> 01:00:59,520
driving that train.
And obviously, shoot, I can't
1241
01:00:59,520 --> 01:01:02,200
even leave out North Carolina.
I would really just kind of say
1242
01:01:02,200 --> 01:01:05,960
almost up and down the East
Coast from Pennsylvania down and
1243
01:01:06,040 --> 01:01:08,200
into really Ohio and parts of
Texas.
1244
01:01:08,640 --> 01:01:10,760
Outside of that, you won't see
much except for quarterbacks,
1245
01:01:10,760 --> 01:01:13,480
but I feel like they've made
that their territory, right?
1246
01:01:13,480 --> 01:01:17,800
Like they'll go Pennsylvania.
How in that DC region, you've
1247
01:01:17,800 --> 01:01:20,200
obviously got the state of
Virginia, North Carolina, you've
1248
01:01:20,200 --> 01:01:25,160
got guys South Carolina,
Georgia, Florida and yeah, I
1249
01:01:25,160 --> 01:01:27,280
mean, but shoot, they've been in
offering guys in Alabama, I
1250
01:01:27,280 --> 01:01:30,000
would say mostly North Carolina
and then up through
1251
01:01:30,000 --> 01:01:32,520
Pennsylvania.
And some of those guys it'll be
1252
01:01:32,520 --> 01:01:35,120
interesting like because they're
they're always changing the
1253
01:01:35,120 --> 01:01:38,080
areas and regions.
Like I know right now I think
1254
01:01:38,080 --> 01:01:41,400
Anthony Midget has Florida.
I think how is the DMV?
1255
01:01:41,800 --> 01:01:44,600
O'Brien has North Carolina, I
think Norville has South
1256
01:01:44,600 --> 01:01:47,800
Carolina and Georgia.
I don't know where Spencer is.
1257
01:01:47,800 --> 01:01:50,400
Maybe part of Virginia and Texas
still.
1258
01:01:51,480 --> 01:01:54,120
So it's changing, but yeah, I
mean, it's definitely wider than
1259
01:01:54,120 --> 01:01:57,000
just a six hour radius that
Virginia Tech's been accustomed
1260
01:01:57,000 --> 01:02:02,080
to, yeah.
Brian, you had something like
1261
01:02:02,080 --> 01:02:06,680
Brian, literally Brian wrote
this like an hour before you
1262
01:02:06,680 --> 01:02:08,600
jumped on.
But Brian?
1263
01:02:09,040 --> 01:02:10,720
Yeah, I was just going to like,
you know, you talked about the
1264
01:02:10,720 --> 01:02:15,120
six hour radius.
One of the things Coach Franklin
1265
01:02:15,120 --> 01:02:17,920
said when he got on board is
that, you know, if you're going
1266
01:02:17,920 --> 01:02:22,120
to compete for College Football
Playoff, you can't just recruit
1267
01:02:22,640 --> 01:02:24,440
in the six hour radius.
You got to look, you know, you
1268
01:02:24,440 --> 01:02:26,280
got to be able to recruit
nationally if you're going to be
1269
01:02:26,280 --> 01:02:27,640
relevant.
Yeah.
1270
01:02:28,040 --> 01:02:31,880
You know, you mentioned Texas
is, is there other other areas
1271
01:02:31,880 --> 01:02:34,240
that you know, just from a
national perspective where
1272
01:02:34,240 --> 01:02:37,400
you're seeing kind of maybe even
just one offs of, of guys
1273
01:02:37,400 --> 01:02:40,640
getting offered kind of outside
of that traditional footprint
1274
01:02:40,640 --> 01:02:42,720
that Virginia has been looking
at, you know, kind of up and
1275
01:02:42,720 --> 01:02:45,320
down the East Coast?
Yeah, I would say 1 offs.
1276
01:02:45,320 --> 01:02:47,640
It's not like state of
Washington or Oregon, right?
1277
01:02:47,760 --> 01:02:53,360
It was Alabama in the parts of
Alabama, Louisiana.
1278
01:02:53,360 --> 01:02:55,400
I mean, those states are so hard
to crack into when you know the
1279
01:02:55,400 --> 01:02:57,800
state schools and how those guys
get their talent, right?
1280
01:02:58,200 --> 01:03:01,200
Like was saving Alabama even
Gene Chisek at Alabama, even
1281
01:03:02,880 --> 01:03:05,640
shoot who?
Gosh, Gus Malzahn, how can I not
1282
01:03:05,640 --> 01:03:07,520
think of his name like those
guys?
1283
01:03:07,520 --> 01:03:10,080
Like I feel like when you would
go during those 10 years at
1284
01:03:10,080 --> 01:03:12,520
Auburn and Alabama, it was the
state of Alabama rankings
1285
01:03:12,880 --> 01:03:16,080
Alabama, Alabama, Alabama,
Auburn, AL Alabama lake and
1286
01:03:16,080 --> 01:03:20,280
Louisiana the same you had the
tigers logo LSULSULSU pretty
1287
01:03:20,280 --> 01:03:21,920
much for all of them.
You know, like I feel like those
1288
01:03:21,920 --> 01:03:25,120
states are kind of the the
marquee of like keeping in state
1289
01:03:25,120 --> 01:03:28,200
talent home and now they're very
talent rich states.
1290
01:03:28,200 --> 01:03:30,800
But I would say a couple of
offers shout out, shout out
1291
01:03:30,800 --> 01:03:34,040
there Missouri, nothing too
crazy.
1292
01:03:34,040 --> 01:03:37,600
Some in California, just because
if you want those big national
1293
01:03:37,600 --> 01:03:40,200
recruits, you got a lot of big
schools out there.
1294
01:03:40,200 --> 01:03:43,320
Mattered to some big schools.
A lot of.
1295
01:03:43,320 --> 01:03:45,040
Quarterbacks, some offers out in
Utah.
1296
01:03:45,040 --> 01:03:46,240
What'd you say?
A lot.
1297
01:03:46,720 --> 01:03:48,160
Of quarterbacks out.
There in California, Yeah.
1298
01:03:48,160 --> 01:03:51,080
I was about to say that's the
other thing is like, but like,
1299
01:03:51,280 --> 01:03:52,840
yeah, naturally you're going to
go find some.
1300
01:03:52,840 --> 01:03:55,640
Like look at Troy Hume, you
know, like I'm saying, I think
1301
01:03:55,640 --> 01:03:58,320
about Brady Edmonds.
I think Virginia Tech was in
1302
01:03:58,320 --> 01:04:00,080
there for a little bit.
I think he's committed to Ohio
1303
01:04:00,080 --> 01:04:02,000
State.
And I know I think Penn State
1304
01:04:02,000 --> 01:04:03,960
was in on him as well.
But yeah, I mean, you're
1305
01:04:03,960 --> 01:04:06,960
definitely going to go out there
for quarterbacks for sure.
1306
01:04:07,200 --> 01:04:09,400
But even other positions, I
wouldn't be shocked to see them
1307
01:04:09,400 --> 01:04:13,800
do that in the future.
Has there been any of these like
1308
01:04:14,360 --> 01:04:19,400
Texas, California guys that
you're hearing like what they're
1309
01:04:19,400 --> 01:04:21,440
hearing from Virginia Tech, like
what they're seeing with the
1310
01:04:21,440 --> 01:04:24,600
vision of the program yet?
Yeah, there's one.
1311
01:04:24,920 --> 01:04:28,880
There's one from Texas.
Not going to be able to find his
1312
01:04:28,880 --> 01:04:31,720
name right now.
He's a Edge prospect that I'm
1313
01:04:31,720 --> 01:04:33,320
watching.
I feel so bad.
1314
01:04:33,320 --> 01:04:35,400
I'm going to mess up his name.
I can remember his high school,
1315
01:04:35,400 --> 01:04:38,560
but I can't remember his name.
But yeah, I would say, I would
1316
01:04:38,560 --> 01:04:40,520
say you're seeing some success
there, that there's definitely
1317
01:04:40,520 --> 01:04:42,480
at least one guy from Texas.
That's on my mind.
1318
01:04:43,600 --> 01:04:46,360
Hold on, hold on, I got the list
up here.
1319
01:04:46,680 --> 01:04:51,240
First of all, I don't remember
any of the last 10 years lists
1320
01:04:51,240 --> 01:04:54,680
of offers being this big.
Maybe I just didn't look at the
1321
01:04:54,680 --> 01:04:58,480
right time.
Shot out of color.
1322
01:04:58,480 --> 01:05:01,080
I mean, and even just talking to
different people, like there was
1323
01:05:01,080 --> 01:05:04,160
one year I think at Penn State,
he offered like 300 wide
1324
01:05:04,160 --> 01:05:07,400
receivers or something.
It's like or something crazy.
1325
01:05:07,400 --> 01:05:09,760
So it's insanely hard to track.
And even for them right now,
1326
01:05:09,760 --> 01:05:10,960
like, I don't want it to be
undersold.
1327
01:05:10,960 --> 01:05:15,040
Like they don't have now in
years, years moving forward,
1328
01:05:15,040 --> 01:05:17,080
they certainly will as they
build up this infrastructure,
1329
01:05:17,080 --> 01:05:18,280
right?
And they have a better footing
1330
01:05:18,280 --> 01:05:20,240
of what they want.
But they don't have this really
1331
01:05:20,240 --> 01:05:22,320
clear board.
Like like we were talking about
1332
01:05:22,520 --> 01:05:24,000
Chris Whitehead.
They're not going to tell him
1333
01:05:24,000 --> 01:05:25,240
no, right?
Like they're going to take it.
1334
01:05:25,240 --> 01:05:26,280
That's a guy they're going to
take.
1335
01:05:26,640 --> 01:05:29,640
But some of these other guys,
it's like we don't, we don't
1336
01:05:29,640 --> 01:05:31,240
know yet.
Like we're still building out
1337
01:05:31,240 --> 01:05:32,760
our board.
We're still familiarizing with
1338
01:05:32,760 --> 01:05:35,360
your coaches like a junior
Sanders, they're taking him
1339
01:05:35,360 --> 01:05:37,360
right?
Elijah Hutchinson, like those
1340
01:05:37,360 --> 01:05:39,480
top of the board guys, OK, take,
take whenever.
1341
01:05:39,880 --> 01:05:41,760
But some of these other guys are
having for obese.
1342
01:05:41,760 --> 01:05:45,080
It's like like that's why the
dead period was so big.
1343
01:05:45,080 --> 01:05:48,040
And even in like still now like
it's like, what what's the
1344
01:05:48,040 --> 01:05:49,240
quarterback room going to look
like?
1345
01:05:49,600 --> 01:05:52,360
What's our third wide receiver?
What's our second tight end?
1346
01:05:52,360 --> 01:05:53,760
What's our 4th offensive
lineman?
1347
01:05:53,840 --> 01:05:56,160
You know, like we feel good
about these guys.
1348
01:05:56,160 --> 01:05:58,480
But beyond that, we're still
trying to flesh out our board.
1349
01:05:59,360 --> 01:06:00,840
Got it.
Well, it's really funny because
1350
01:06:00,840 --> 01:06:03,640
I thought when I went to Edge
here, it would be like one guy.
1351
01:06:03,640 --> 01:06:09,440
No, they have three offers, a
guy from Denton Dyer, a guy from
1352
01:06:09,440 --> 01:06:13,520
We Get Down Here to the other
ones, Si Falls and Cedar Hill.
1353
01:06:14,000 --> 01:06:19,040
Yeah, that's where, say, the two
names hang on, it's.
1354
01:06:19,320 --> 01:06:21,800
Jeron Allen, The Second James
Harris.
1355
01:06:22,040 --> 01:06:26,360
It's James Harris that's the
one, and he goes to SI.
1356
01:06:27,120 --> 01:06:29,640
Si Falls Ski Falls.
That's the one, Yeah.
1357
01:06:29,920 --> 01:06:34,080
OK, James, I was just wanting to
keep an eye on.
1358
01:06:34,080 --> 01:06:36,080
I'm not saying anything crazy,
but that that was the one that
1359
01:06:36,080 --> 01:06:36,880
comes to mind.
That no.
1360
01:06:36,880 --> 01:06:39,760
Well, yeah.
I understand what you're saying,
1361
01:06:39,760 --> 01:06:43,320
but what you're hearing is
someone from there with the
1362
01:06:43,320 --> 01:06:45,600
James Franklin pitch and with
the vision like.
1363
01:06:46,640 --> 01:06:50,440
Like he might get up, you know,
like that's kind of rare to have
1364
01:06:50,440 --> 01:06:53,480
a guy from Texas, right?
Like it's not, it's not a trip
1365
01:06:53,480 --> 01:06:57,560
from even Greensboro, NC, or
even Columbus, OH.
1366
01:06:58,240 --> 01:07:00,680
Like that's, that's a real trip,
you know?
1367
01:07:02,000 --> 01:07:06,040
That is a real trip, Brian.
Anything else?
1368
01:07:06,040 --> 01:07:08,880
We want to close Colby out here
with men because dude, we've
1369
01:07:08,880 --> 01:07:10,920
been sitting here an hour.
It's been a blast here.
1370
01:07:10,920 --> 01:07:14,680
In your takes, by the way, the
best thing you do, Colby, is
1371
01:07:14,680 --> 01:07:17,800
like the Deloach story.
Colby, anytime you're with us,
1372
01:07:17,800 --> 01:07:20,720
if you want to go off on a Side
Story, that's what we're all
1373
01:07:20,720 --> 01:07:21,880
about here.
It depends.
1374
01:07:21,960 --> 01:07:24,760
Because it makes it real, man.
It makes it because we're just
1375
01:07:24,760 --> 01:07:27,160
having a conversation about
something we all three love.
1376
01:07:27,880 --> 01:07:30,320
Dude, I was just thinking about
it like if there's I just feel
1377
01:07:30,320 --> 01:07:34,080
like there's so much that you're
acquainted or like adjacent to
1378
01:07:34,080 --> 01:07:36,680
and you like I, I feel like I
don't keep enough notes because
1379
01:07:36,680 --> 01:07:38,720
if someone brings it up, it like
sparks your memory, but it's
1380
01:07:38,720 --> 01:07:42,360
like until you think about that
Deloach thing or whatever.
1381
01:07:42,360 --> 01:07:46,000
Like even the I remember the the
one that got blew up a little
1382
01:07:46,000 --> 01:07:48,040
bit was the pro day one, right?
Like when they were doing the
1383
01:07:48,040 --> 01:07:51,040
heating, like, or that was
something I never even thought
1384
01:07:51,040 --> 01:07:53,480
to talk about until, you know,
the heating came in and then
1385
01:07:53,480 --> 01:07:56,560
there was a big crash out on the
pro day where the scout kind of
1386
01:07:56,560 --> 01:07:58,280
got in Brett Pryor's face and
was like, you need to have
1387
01:07:58,280 --> 01:07:59,680
heating in here.
Brett thought it was like a
1388
01:07:59,680 --> 01:08:02,120
joke.
And then there was that whole
1389
01:08:02,240 --> 01:08:06,080
kerfuffle.
But yeah, there there's just so
1390
01:08:06,080 --> 01:08:08,040
I mean, even in the couple years
I've been around it there,
1391
01:08:08,040 --> 01:08:10,120
there's always something,
there's always a story.
1392
01:08:10,360 --> 01:08:12,480
But yeah, we'll, we'll see.
Maybe that Lonnie Andrews thing
1393
01:08:12,480 --> 01:08:15,880
plays out just like that.
But yeah, the man, the Jamari
1394
01:08:15,880 --> 01:08:17,600
Deloach, I think he's going to
be a special player.
1395
01:08:17,600 --> 01:08:19,399
I think you're going to see a
lot of him this year.
1396
01:08:19,640 --> 01:08:21,880
Those three guys, I've I've said
it since they got there
1397
01:08:22,319 --> 01:08:24,720
knowledge Harold, he might be
moving back to safety, which
1398
01:08:24,720 --> 01:08:26,359
I've kind of said since he got
there.
1399
01:08:26,760 --> 01:08:29,399
JoJo KREM, who sounds like he
was a little banged up.
1400
01:08:29,399 --> 01:08:33,000
I think we'll be fine for spring
and Jamar Deloach probably at
1401
01:08:33,000 --> 01:08:35,240
nickel.
Like I know you like Isaiah
1402
01:08:35,240 --> 01:08:37,960
Brown, Murray, Tyson Flower,
like awesome guys.
1403
01:08:38,160 --> 01:08:40,200
Go check out on my YouTube
channel got great interviews
1404
01:08:40,200 --> 01:08:41,840
with him there.
Like really awesome guys.
1405
01:08:41,840 --> 01:08:44,160
I appreciate them.
But I think those young three
1406
01:08:44,160 --> 01:08:46,560
guys from last year, it's going
to be tough to keep those guys
1407
01:08:46,560 --> 01:08:48,680
off the field.
Pushing, pushing.
1408
01:08:49,120 --> 01:08:52,040
We've been we've been banging
the the knowledge Harold Drum
1409
01:08:52,040 --> 01:08:56,439
here and obviously Deloach, I
mean, just incredible athlete.
1410
01:08:56,439 --> 01:08:59,560
So I'm excited to see what he
can do kind of getting into the
1411
01:08:59,560 --> 01:09:00,479
mix there at Nichols.
So.
1412
01:09:00,520 --> 01:09:03,359
And what and what you want is
the young guys pushing, the
1413
01:09:03,359 --> 01:09:06,840
veterans, the guys that you've
seen like an IBM, like a
1414
01:09:06,840 --> 01:09:11,040
flowers, you know, we know, you
know they can play solid.
1415
01:09:11,240 --> 01:09:13,840
Do you want football?
You want the young guys pushing
1416
01:09:13,840 --> 01:09:16,720
because if they're pushing,
basically they're saying I'm
1417
01:09:16,720 --> 01:09:20,800
coming to take your job, you
better give it 110 all the time
1418
01:09:20,800 --> 01:09:23,200
or we'll take your job, so.
You know what, we're raising the
1419
01:09:23,240 --> 01:09:25,279
talent level and you're you're
adding depth in there.
1420
01:09:25,319 --> 01:09:31,160
So it's like, either way, it's a
win. 100, that's what we set off
1421
01:09:31,160 --> 01:09:33,720
the top.
Like, you got to have talent at
1422
01:09:33,720 --> 01:09:36,040
all those levels to make
everyone better at practice, and
1423
01:09:36,040 --> 01:09:42,279
they've done that, So, yeah.
100% Colby anything where tell
1424
01:09:42,279 --> 01:09:43,399
people where they can follow
you.
1425
01:09:43,399 --> 01:09:47,000
Anything going on 247 right now
that people might be interested
1426
01:09:47,000 --> 01:09:49,200
in?
Yeah, man, it's going to be busy
1427
01:09:49,200 --> 01:09:51,200
this coming week.
I appreciate you guys had me on
1428
01:09:51,200 --> 01:09:53,399
here for spring break because
next week we're going to be
1429
01:09:53,399 --> 01:09:55,000
after it.
We'll see what spring ball looks
1430
01:09:55,000 --> 01:09:58,440
like, but you can follow me on X
at Colby under score Crawford.
1431
01:09:58,440 --> 01:10:00,680
Check out the YouTube channel.
Let's just type in Colby.
1432
01:10:00,680 --> 01:10:06,640
Crawford should have promo code
code Colby for BT scoop in the
1433
01:10:06,640 --> 01:10:08,920
next week.
So don't tell the bosses.
1434
01:10:08,920 --> 01:10:11,400
Maybe don't get the VIP yet
until next Tuesday.
1435
01:10:11,400 --> 01:10:14,560
Might have a sweet deal for you.
But yeah, over there it'll be.
1436
01:10:14,720 --> 01:10:16,800
I mean, I feel like we've
already had a ton of different
1437
01:10:16,800 --> 01:10:20,200
team scoop, but team scoop, when
the trench portal gets rocking,
1438
01:10:20,200 --> 01:10:22,880
there's no better place to be.
High school recruiting is going
1439
01:10:22,880 --> 01:10:25,320
to be crazy coming up.
So yeah, no better place to be
1440
01:10:25,320 --> 01:10:28,200
than over there.
All right, we'll check him out.
1441
01:10:28,240 --> 01:10:30,600
Colby rear, appreciate you
joining us tonight.
1442
01:10:30,960 --> 01:10:34,320
That does wrap up this episode
of the Boundary Corner podcast
1443
01:10:34,320 --> 01:10:37,120
brought to you by Moments on the
Mori in Lexington along with our
1444
01:10:37,280 --> 01:10:39,400
special guest, Colby Crawford
from 247.
1445
01:10:39,400 --> 01:10:41,280
I'm Curtis Wilson.
I'm Brian Siegler.
1446
01:10:42,960 --> 01:10:44,520
Jonathan Tally, we hope, is
saved.
1447
01:10:44,520 --> 01:10:46,400
Shelton Moss is at some baseball
field.
1448
01:10:46,400 --> 01:10:50,360
That's all I know.
Check out.
1449
01:10:50,480 --> 01:10:52,120
Boundary corner.
I'll pinch it.
1450
01:10:52,720 --> 01:10:55,080
There you go, there you go, come
down and pinch it.
1451
01:10:55,480 --> 01:10:57,880
Check out boundarycornerbt.com
to listen to all of our
1452
01:10:57,880 --> 01:10:59,600
episodes.
Don't forget to follow us on
1453
01:10:59,600 --> 01:11:02,840
Twitter, Facebook, Instagram.
Subscribe for our YouTube
1454
01:11:02,840 --> 01:11:07,120
channel.
For those who are wondering,
1455
01:11:08,200 --> 01:11:09,920
Twitter, we should have a bunch
of people come on.
1456
01:11:10,840 --> 01:11:12,960
Twitter is screwed up with
streams right now.
1457
01:11:13,560 --> 01:11:15,040
We've been trying to figure it
out.
1458
01:11:15,520 --> 01:11:19,040
It sucks because Twitter is the
thing so many people are on.
1459
01:11:19,240 --> 01:11:22,760
Hopefully it's fixed soon.
So if you usually follow us on
1460
01:11:22,760 --> 01:11:25,680
Twitter, if you see us going
live on Tuesday, Wednesday
1461
01:11:25,680 --> 01:11:29,200
nights, go to YouTube please.
It's right on the face or excuse
1462
01:11:29,200 --> 01:11:35,120
me, the the Twitter page.
As always, we are in everywhere
1463
01:11:35,120 --> 01:11:39,760
you can think of podcast wise.
As always, our buddy Jason Long,
1464
01:11:39,760 --> 01:11:42,960
he plays us in he plays us out
every week.
1465
01:11:42,960 --> 01:11:46,760
Check out Jason Long music.com
where you can link to all of his
1466
01:11:46,760 --> 01:11:51,520
music on YouTube, Facebook and
Spotify pages.
1467
01:11:51,840 --> 01:11:54,480
Check him out.
He is going to be cranking up
1468
01:11:54,480 --> 01:11:58,040
for the spring lots of dates so
check out the live upcoming
1469
01:11:58,040 --> 01:12:00,480
performances.
He's all around the greater
1470
01:12:00,480 --> 01:12:03,960
Roanoke Valley area.
We appreciate y'all for
1471
01:12:03,960 --> 01:12:05,840
listening and as always, let's
go.
1472
01:12:06,560 --> 01:13:07,950
Oh, keys.
The.