Signing Day Redux

0:47 Blacksburg Virginia. Don't we go to noisy stadiums all around the country. I'm not sure. We have ever been in a scene where bands are any more pumped than they are right here. Tonight waiting right now. For the Hokies to take the field, they are jumping. They are screaming and it's been this way for the last 30 minutes, Frank Beamer weights in the tunnel. This is the date that they have pinpointed on the can calendar for a very, very long time. welcome back to the boundary Corner podcast with with my partner.

1:47 Brian Sigler, I'm Curtis Wilson and Brian. That was the voice of the legendary Ron Franklin, who passed a couple weeks ago and I thought it was not more than a fitting tribute to play the 2003 entrance to the Miami game because man we can say it, right? If you're of our age, if Ron Franklin was calling your game on ESPN, it was a big. In deal, you do, that was a big day, a matchup that weekend. The call was always spot on it just it was so smooth. It set the picture.

2:28 He got everybody in the mood for a great game and as he said there's no place like doing it in Lane man. It wasn't, he had that one and then the 05 when he called that game as well. That night it was two verses eight. When he came back in 2005, it was three verses 5. So, for a generation if again, when Ron Franklin called your game on Saturdays, like, it's big, it means there's a lot of eyes on the country and, you know, he passed away 79 years old. And, you know, it's one of those things that, as our age, like things like this are going by, you know, Keith Jackson passed a few years ago. And when Keith past it's like it's part of your childhood and your adolescents, like, you're losing it. And it sucks in a way.

3:18 But when you hear that call, it's just like, I mean, I got goosebumps. Yeah. You know, we were what 20 10, 19, 20 years old when I was I was 19. He were 20. Yeah I was 20. Wow. So rest in peace Ron Franklin. Buddy, we have a lot to uncover tonight. Yeah. Yeah. A lot of stuff happened. The last couple weeks, you know, we obviously are going to touch on a little bit of this national Signing. Day wasn't a busy day per se for the Hokies, but we were able to close out kind of what we expected. Got a couple last-minute additions and you know, we'll talk about that schedule release and how its whilst overall a little little light. We got a little bit of a gauntlet in there. So we're going to talk about a few things tonight here. A little bit of everything but the first thing I want to hit on tonight.

4:14 Brian is We've been following it and most fokine ocean whose on social media. Then following it. What this coaching staff has done on the trail in the last few weeks is just absolutely phenomenal. Shout out, David coming him over at text sideline, hook me up with this document, it and keeping track of. In these last few weeks, this staff is went to 101 schools of the 101. 70 have been in Virginia. Which impressed said it. Yep. We're going to saturate the state.

4:55 Yep, we did. And you know, he said it during your in the repressor as well. You know, not just talking about hitting schools where we got prospects, either closing out 422 or targeting and 23. But getting those relationships back in schools that don't necessarily have a prospect that are on our radar right now. Just so that those relationships are in Place. You know with the time comes around because it always does. Right? I mean even some of the smaller schools in the state they're going to have a guy pop here there that that's going to be on the division one radar, right? I mean even Charlotte County next to us is had a couple. We've had a couple in Halifax.

5:40 I mean, not a way, you know, even, you know Lynchburg little bigger but you know, places like that. Yeah. And think of some of the mountain. Pools. And I mean, they literally as we look through this list, they hit everywhere. I mean, they hit down in the Deep, South Western part. They hit South Side, they went to EC glass, somebody, you know, our high school played against and you played against. They were out here in the West End, hitting up, Deep Run in Hermitage on the East End, hitting up style and springs. No doubt we were going there. All sorts of places down in the 75 from the beach, all the way up the peninsula. Northern it sounds. Crazy and it did seem like more than just a handshake and a, how you do them if they think they were in there, you know, problem mentioned today, he was at one of the smaller schools in southwest and when he, when they knew he was coming, there were like 14 teachers who were like, hockey fans or Alum waiting for.

6:38 I mean. It's a way it just when words are one thing actions are another. Yeah, we received it play out in real time, right? We're seeing and not just shaking the hands of the coaches or talking to the, you know, one or two prospects, that are there for that school but going by and seeing the teachers that are, you know, either hokey alums or a hokie fans that have reached out as the days gone along. I mean, you saw several photos with with, with teachers and with Yeah, I've been with with, you know, even like PE teachers and stuff. I mean, there's stuff all over the place guys, that aren't necessarily directly involved in the recruiting.

7:21 But had they have an impact, right? They they are, they are ambassadors for the tech brand all the time because that, that's, you know, that's their school. Or that's, who they like, that's who they pull for. So, getting in good with them and showing that they're part of the process. I mean, that's big, that's only Gonna bode. Well, the future it, absolutely. It's a great to see that. Also great to see right now. Hey, basketball going up 11 points as we started the show. I think it was a two-point game and I was like, why can't we just squash lesser competitors? Like, they heard it and they have went on a massive run to go up 11 here with about four minutes left in the first half will be watching that and we'll talk a little Hoops later on.

8:06 It's always good to smash Pastor because Yes, he just had to get people that he's got a punchable face, man, so punching and everything. So let's set up this tonight, guys. We already kind of mentioned it. Big part of not what we talked about today, was the final Signing Day, original Signing Day. The class is kind of a bow on it. Her you say, maybe if you will walk ons and things like that trickle-down, but scholarship, guys are locked in and Brian. We've been talking about this class being a better class. Even with the turnover and I think again it goes to credit of this staff. End in 24/7 ranked 33, fifth in the ACC. What do you think about that before we jump into some of these players?

8:53 I think they did a good job of holding on to what was there and kind of making a few. A few good moves towards the end to kind of fill out the roster and make sure that we're a little bit better set up going into the 2023 class. And I think they did a good job with that. You know we lost a couple big names towards the end there. Yeah but we replace those with, you know, a couple, a couple big names as well and you know, did a good job of kind of rounding out the edges with some of the last-minute additions between, you know the couple flips we had towards the end of of the cycle in the early Signing Day and then getting a big one from down in Florida to kind of close out this round of signing day.

9:46 So I think overall the staff did a good job. I'm looking to see, you know, some improvement heading into 2023. Absolutely. Or at least not giving any ground. Considering the late start in the 2023 2024 is where I'm looking for the big big movement in terms of upswing. In the, in the recruiting pool, where we're, you know, With with the top 20. Yep, you know, Brent prosthetic today during this presser about, basically, this class you start relationships in ninth grade, they're coming in having to start relationships roughly halfway through these kids 11th grade year for the class of 2020 3 in the class of 2020.

10:27 To was. Well, it was just, this is who we are. This is what we're trying to do. I will say this, I think you're right about next year. I want to see no worse than 33. I'd like to see a marginal gain. I'd like to break, I'd like To see 29-28 be sweet to see mid 20s but I think that is I think it's fair and it's and he is painting a picture and setting the standard of like don't expect us to go from 33 to 13 and one year because that's not how recruiting works and it's great to see that for Brian. Let's talk about these three guys that were that signed today. And let's start with this guy first Daquan, right. I mean we got him way back.

11:10 When when did he commit? We see here. Middle back summer of last year, right? Yeah, I think it was early June. Yep, late June late, last year, 64 230 down from Perry, Georgia, he went from like a mid 80s, mid three-star guy to a four-star guy and I mean you know, he would be higher if Rivals had him as a tight end and not a wide receiver. Yeah, rawal sort of screws his composite up but 24/7 who count on what get more breaks him as a 90. So, you know, probably mention a few Quick things about him. The first thing it kinda was interesting and I don't think it's shocking.

11:54 I think, Brian you've been looking at tape. We're going to be a tight end worry in a team process, said that. And he talks about, you know, they qualms athleticism to the position to 30, you know, and he's just another piece of being that tight end oriented team. Yeah. And I mean the thing with him is that he is that that versatile player, so you can put him in line, you can put him in a wing, you can put him in the aah, you can put him out. I mean, he's the guy that can really do it all for you and create mismatches across the offense, wherever he's lining up. So that's really the big thing for him. He's got really good hands. Good ball skills. He did pretty much everything down there at Perry between playing a little bit of quarterback wide receiver tight in on defense. I mean, he's really done it all and that his versatility is as big as asset.

12:50 It and he's really shined pretty much everywhere. He's lined up, exactly. Alright, so again, tight end, Rune, that be three tight ends. Now with him Harrison, St, Germain and Benji Gosnell. Now, brown flip over talk about the big guy, next Xavier, Chaplin signs a letter intent, even after getting a male offer from Michigan, offers from Louisville. He holds with the Hokies, he hadn't canceled a couple Ovi Store. Other schools. So we might have gotten lucky but 66, he's ran about 330 pounds. Now as Brent probably talked about, he had lost about 30 pounds since you know, when he was offered and he camped here and you know, he talked about this is a guy they wanted to keep in the boat right away. Rudolph when visited him, right?

13:43 When the Dead period ended and he mentioned Elite size, As dip. I think that is categorically corrective how big? Yeah, yeah. 66 3:30. At the at the time he came here, six 6355. So, 66-34 330 is a big man. That's a, that's a big man. And that's that type of size that they're coming in and we're essentially, Get him in the weight room, smooth out the edges, get him in the on the field and get him some reps. Yep. No. There's no, there's not a whole lot of seasoning that he needs in terms of of the weight room.

14:31 So in that in the weight room, might not be a problem because the one thing that really impressed trial was how there wasn't sloppiness. He, uh, thinks he's athletic. I mean, you see him on the video, she posed. Duncan I'm You have atletic quick, he moves. Well, for that size. Let me ask this when you saw him. Do that dunk. Did you think about any like run blocks? The amount of explosion in his legs like getting a hold of a defensive end and just like probably, I mean, an ollie. Oh yeah, I mean this guy's gonna, I mean, we've seen it on tape. He's got really good for him, run blocking he, he's got good drive, uses explosive male, has a good punch. So, I think, you know, like I said, Rudolph's going to get in there and smooth out some of those edges. But I think this is a guy that could potentially see some time for us pretty quick.

15:25 Not not sure if it'll be your one but Health in. We are at tackle, look for you two to get him on the field hopefully well and I think with his size, I think you could see year one. I mean, you talk about pump, protection field goal, protection teams. I mean yeah, I mean, you got to weigh that against the you want to burn a wrench. I mean, that's essentially if you can, if you can find a way, not to sure. But if he's your, if he's your best. Number two, you gotta, you gotta, you gotta, you gotta ride it. Exactly. All right. Well then, there was one brine that kind of came out of nowhere and Prosthetics they doing presser. They try to keep this very quiet. They try to keep it on the down low and literally yesterday everything started flowing through and he committed signed today and that is Devon Alvis 3 star out of Melbourne, Florida. 62 180 looks like he's going to probably play the safety position seeing you know, Derrick Jones talked about him being the cheetah and then Pearson Prelude putting some stuff out there.

16:32 They might be battling for him to play corner or to play it on. Did you get a chance? I know it's been really quick. Did you get a chance to look at anything? I mean, he plays m7a, which is just a monstrous division down in Florida. I haven't looked at a ton of tape. I did kind of quickly glanced at him. I know Provost talking about looking at either boundary corner or potentially free safety for him. So, yeah, I like him either either spot based on the tape that I've seen so far. Got a pretty good build already. I liked it. We're going with a little bit longer Corner 62s, probably a little taller than we're used to, but I like that a little more size and he keeps the athleticism.

17:15 ISM, despite the extra height there. So I'm looking forward to getting this guy on campus and see what he can do. Yep. And you know, process that he wants to get into about 205 being at what he is. Right now, that's a year to gain, probably to get there physically. But again, it's one of those, there's not a lot of Diamonds in the Rough because it's called still ranked among the top thousand players in somehow. You know, no other P1 offers, you know, had I think Virginia state of Virginia Union offer on a few other ones, so pretty wild a kid like that slips through and again I think for the back end at gives us another DB to work with. All right let's talk about real Braun, quick to prefer Walk-Ons in.

18:06 I don't know a lot about them just names and seeing who they are. But I think it kind of reaches to the point going back to what This is all about being on the trail problem about George balance out of cocks down in Virginia Beach, and Latrell Sutton out of Highland Springs belongs dad's plate here. You know, back in the 1980s, Brother played baseball here at Tech. 61 linebacker luttrell's, and outside, linebacker 61 195. This is how you make inroads. You w player. They both had offers to other schools and Especially sudden I mean we talked about the importance of you know we've had two back-to-back years of taking a preferred walk-on from Highland Springs.

18:59 True back-to-back years, got a preferred walk-on from Highland Springs absolutely got Purnell as part of this class in terms of scholarship athletes. So getting those inroads is still big and it's going to matter long-term and Again getting a guy like Latrell sudden. I think he's you know, I don't know if he's a guy that can eventually earn a scholarship but I think you know guys that have played there in Holland Springs, they know how to ball. Yes, they do. So if they can get some other things cleaned up in their game that could potentially be an offer there, but you know, worst case that's going to be somebody that can give us a good look. You know, we can week out.

19:39 Yeah. And again it just keeps building the inroads and recruiting into vital recruiting areas. Our future and in and again, it's also awesome to see George dad played here. You know, guy gets a chance to follow in Dad's footsteps which is always a cool thing just like a lot of the brother's stuff. So awesome to see that I'm sure. We'll have a few more preferred walk-on before the end of the week. Probably, for the next time we meet. All right, Brian. So what we decided to do is you know, we will always went through these players when a lot You know Brown would break them down real quick and sometimes that would take a long time.

20:20 So as we are getting into season 3 here of the boundary Corner podcast, we're getting smarter not work, it's hard but still making things. Interesting. So we're smarter not harder right smarter not harder. And so the kind of the way we looked at this class and we're going to talk about every player, but we kind of put it into three categories in Players that we like in each category and we kind of broke them down. This we talked about and we mentioned this before, we have a crown jewels of this class. We were kind of the upper echelon for whatever reason we call them one a blue-collar grounder guys, Brian Fields on tape. They just go in there. They do their jobs. Going to have a chance to make it and then the under-the-radar, guys.

21:05 So Brian. Let's start it. Let's start with the crown jewels and there's four of them. Gunner, Givens start with him. The highest rated player in this Virginia Tech, recruiting class Gunnar of top 200 player. Top 25 at the defensive end position, you know, for Star basically in the, you know, mid-90s low to mid 90s. He is the crown jewel of this class, would you not agree? Yeah, he's definitely there. I put him in. Probably cam Johnson 1A 1B Gunner gets the the slight nod there with the with the slightly higher rating.

21:46 And, you know, just the pedigree that everyone was looking at that kind of the one of the big dogs in the state. So, and I like it. I mean, you know, it looks like he's going to be be on the defensive line for us. He was kind of That tweener spot as his recruitment went along. There. Is he going to be an interior offensive line? Is he going to be potentially a tight end? Is it going to be defensive linemen settled on defensive line? I think that's probably the best place for him. He's shown good athleticism on both sides of the ball. So I like him there. So they don't make a lot of 65 to 70 coming, straight out of high school. Now, that's that's one of those things of like, if given Comes in. I think he's enrolled already and it starts clicking on the defensive line.

22:35 He's going to have potential to have a role year one, just because of body size. Now you already mentioned the second Crown, Jewel, cam Johnson, you know, top 300 player. You know in probably one of the bigger reasons he's up here is where he plays, he plays at st. Francis Academy at is an elite private school for free. Ball. Six, foot, 165 pounds, already enrolled love. Seeing that, how big is it to get that in road to st. Francis with KM, it's huge man.

23:16 It's huge getting in with schools like st. Francis and I mean, we can just we can run down the list of the screen there. Yeah. We could run through the schools there that we would like to get better relationships with but Saint Francis is definitely up there. You know, with the big boys in that area. And you know, I like this guy's take, you know, he's probably a little bit. I wouldn't say raw but definitely a little little little rough around the edges in some areas of his game but I think out the gate I mean he's got great athleticism and good technique overall. I think you'll make an impact.

24:02 I don't know about your one but he's a, he's definitely a guy that you need to look out for your to as some of the older quarterbacks on this roster start kind of cycling out after 2022. It's all so new here. So again, cam Johnson, another one of the crown jewels Use of this class. All right, we kind of started arguing about the next to but we finally settled. We had a debate, we did. But the next crown jewels looked at was Benji guys. Know the, you know, the 65 240, tight end played in Hillsville, this year, originally from North Carolina, he is in the North Carolina rankings, you know, four-star guy, you know, top 20 at his position.

24:47 You know, top 350 and a country in he was originally committed to Ohio State decommitted. Whatever reason, I'd have to go back and read those stories, but there was a late surge by North Carolina. Try to get him in their boat, in crying them. Essentially closed the deal on it and we know how important North Carolina can be for recruiting. Yep, that's why he's here. Yeah, that's the big thing. So, I mean, when we talk about Benji, guys, do you know, regardless of the, the physical traits, he brings good size, 65 240, going to stealing a From North Carolina's backyard. After they've eaten our lunch for three straight Cycles is pretty pretty fucking good.

25:33 And I like that we were able to make those moves and get that deal closed, especially with the coaching change and then pry being able to come in there and finish things off. Yep. So again, big big, you know, land getting the footing back in North Carolina, stealing a good player from down there. Big time the The fourth one. He's been there for a while for us and I don't think it should come as and eat it might come as a shock to some people. We consider him a crown jewel, but I feel like we feel like Richard Purnell is a crown jewel coming out of Highland Springs. We're still wondering what people are rating him on.

26:15 I mean, you know, winner on you love this tape to playing at three technique. You feel like he also could slip out the big end. And something playing, something like a 56 technique. And it's getting that Holland Springs. One of their Elite guys yeah getting that guy to commit stay committed be one of the if you didn't notice were shot out there recruiting every day trying to get kids to come on and he's a crown jewel of this class. Yeah, in my opinion, he is, I mean, we look at it and, you know, I'm going to give the most Credence here to his 2247 ranking and 89 which is, you know, borderline four-star, composite is kind of that that high three item id, three kind of bullshit.

27:08 In my opinion, I think he probably probably should be literally a high three or borderline for in most rankings. He's not quite there in a couple that, that brought him down there, probably because some of them have him as kind of a tweener on the d-line. That that might be what I think that but watching the tape, it speaks for itself coming from a program like Holland spring speaks for itself. So yeah, definitely a crown jewel in our book. Exactly. So there are the four crown jewels Gunner Givens cam Benji and Rashad the crown jewels of the 2022. Hokies recruiting class.

27:51 Now, next Braun, we're going to look at the blue collared. Rounders guys tape. Taped it, you love more than the others because I know I know one of them. One of them I was on immediately. You sort of got me suede into the other two and let's start with it. We've already got his brother Kayden here Braylon more and Brian just like big brother. While he a blue-collar ground and did a bunch of nasty and him, he had a bunch of nasty and I'd say he's probably got a little bit more potential upside than his brother but probably isn't going to be able to out the gate play as quickly, so we'll see about that. But really nasty.

28:41 Really good in the Run blocking game, just like his brother. Hopefully we'll see him really soon. Get on the field and get some chances to show what he can. I do, but I like what we're doing overall with this with the interior offensive line in this class, we're going to speak about the next guy here in a couple minutes. But yeah Braylon more is going to be somebody to keep an eye on because he's going to go in there. And again, that nasty guys always get end up playing somewhere somewhere somehow. I have a feeling to just because of defensive line, I know, we're kind of okay at d-tackle. His sighs. I mean, he could be right there, you know, battling for that soon.

29:24 So, again, there might be internal fighting between JC, frison, Rudolph soon? Yes, 63 to 90. So, he's kind of got that, he's a saint. Yeah, he's kind of, right, well, you want to play. You don't play me guard, you want to play him, it d-tackle. I guess it's going to pinned on, if knowing him knowing and seeing his game, he's going to probably with that, whatever spots going to get him on the field, the fastest, that's where he's going to end up. He's already enrolled to so they will get to see him in Spring, which I think better helps to get that evaluation when side of the ball. He's going to be on. Yeah, you can get that evaluation pretty quick and that way gets get things settled before you really get into what will probably be a redshirt year for him, his freshman year, so Way he's working with his position group that he's going to be with long term because you got to get a good evaluation on him, you know.

30:18 Really before that redshirt freshman year so that's going to be important. I think that'll that'll put him fast track on his on his route to you at least the too deep. Yep. Alright, next Guy, Brian, kind of already gave it away. Although we've got a few offensive. Lineman Brian loved. Johnny, Dixon out of Corpus Christi Texas, the 75 cents. Of transferred to Texas. Who's coming back to Virginia, a true Center, correct? Yeah, yeah, I'm sure we're Center. Yeah, I think that's probably why he's on the blue-collar ground because he is a true Center where, you know, those guys have got to be rough.

30:59 Tough and also smart, as hell, Johnny, not enrolled, yet will slowly start figuring out when these guys will enroll, well, whether it will be First summer session. Second summer session will be getting here in August, but why did you you steer me really hard towards Johnny. Why why Johnny he's got a nasty trade but again, he's a guy that uses his intelligence, his ability to get in the right place and make the play to his Advantage. Just looking at the tape, it looks like a guy that could especially how thin we are at the position after the 2022.

31:40 To, I think he could be a guy that's going to slip into the starting role or at least a 2d parole by his second year on campus. Also note here, that and again, it was awesome to hold onto him after the old staff left. Yeah. And he talked about what he when he committed back in April Point 21. He talked about, you know, He was he was a Virginia kid, his army kid though, or a military kid, and they got moved out there. And it's almost like this kid, was always a Virginia kid. It didn't matter who the staff because I think he might have came here. Whoever it was. Yeah he was looking to try to get back on this on the east coast probably particularly in Virginia from Jump Street. You know, this wasn't a Texas to BT situation. This was a I'm trying to play a beat irregardless situation. Baa 2, TX 2 VT.

32:38 There we go. And include again, kudos to the staff. The current staff were closing the deal on the, on the handoff there because you know, things can still go sideways, you know, in those situations. So the fact they were able to stay on him and and close it out was good because he had quite a few good offers. So it was one of those to stay on and make, you know, make sure you close the deal. Alright, final guy here, speaking of VA in the 15 Kyrie moist in the 64 220 pound, defensive end out of King's Fork down in Suffolk. In this is one you pushed even more on me than Johnny but why do you see is him in that grinder, type role with moist and so he's got a motor and he's going to need it because he's probably going to play play that smaller end opposite of Gunner opposite. You know, Pernell if he ends up sliding outside He's got quick as he he often pass rush with his hand in the dirt and standing up.

33:42 So he's kind of got a little bit of Versatility there. When it, when it comes to pass rushing, really good at getting flattened fast, chasing running backs out of the backfield. So you got a lot of tackles for loss where he tracked down a running back from behind behind the line of scrimmage. So I like his game overall. Again it's going to be a little bit of getting Ting, getting some weight on him and seeing how he can handle that. But, you know, out the gate, I like his his ability. Excellent. So again, our blue-collar grinders for whatever reasons, the streaks of nastiness Motors intelligent play bread and more.

34:23 Johnny Dixon Kyrie moist in there. All right, Ron three guys, we are putting it under the radar and we've already talked about one of these guys. It was Daquan right. He was again a mid three-star. Just five months ago and now four star. We've talked about his athleticism, his versatility being able to probably line up anywhere as a tight end. And even though now he's a four-star we put him here because he wasn't he committed, it was just like well this is a good player and he's all for. This is still somewhat somewhat pedestrian, right? Somewhat very pedestrian. So you know, definitely under the radar In you know, it seemingly some of that extra tape with 24/7 made them go.

35:10 Whoa, this is, this is a little different with this kid. Yeah. I'm, I was sitting here from day one. When I watch this guy's take. How is he not a four-star? How you do that? You did. It was mind-boggling how this kid was not a four-star and, I mean, you know, 24/7 is updated their their ranking for him, you know? We looked at it when we were putting this, some of the notes together for this episode. Well, yesterday or day before? Yeah, Rivals having him as a wide receiver is what's bringing down his, his composite rating on on 24/7 and on on three, if y'all have it checked out on three, some of the, the folks that started 24/7, have another recruiting site.

35:56 Now, they've got ranking similar to 24/7. They go a little bit deeper industry standard. Great because if you look at industry standards, shout out at three industry standard. You're like when Brian was I'm sure you went on three. It's like who's bringing him down freaking Rivals? Hasn't like a 5.5 like a load. Not a myth 3 star. They have him as a low three-star. Even what ESPN has him. He was either a 79 or 80. Yeah, it was like a, it was a it was a high three very high three-star. So on three you kind of Of see a composite of a girl over there. You figure out who's bringing him down.

36:38 Alright, next Guy Brian under the radar price. Do you? Yeah. Bryce Duke one of our many scholarship running backs. One of our many scholarship. Hey Willie a couple this class. Yeah yeah we we trimmed it down significantly. Compared to was it 2020 and 2021 aliens but Bryce. Do you got a Tuscarora up in Leesburg 5 1196 pounds running back and re-enroll, which is great. We were up at Tuscarora visit again because obviously, they they're not one of those. It's every 10 years.

37:18 Tuscaroras putting out solid players every day, you use it, not every year, but why is he under the radar? He won the Metro player of the year, he had some ungodly numbers. In. I was told the brown I'm like we got to put in here because it's where he plays and who he plays those scores, not in the biggest division, the or Northern Virginia. So they're not playing allow the powers. If Bryce jute, put up those numbers somewhere here in Richmond or down in the 75. He wouldn't be a, he's like an 85 composite, he'd be a 95 composite. Yeah, it breaks to played in Chesterfield.

38:00 Virginia Beach. Every every D1 school would be coming after him. Chris time. Rumors, he put up. Yeah, Chris time but he doesn't. So last year we are now What we don't know is does, his does that Talent scale up yet? Yep. We haven't seen what that Talent looks like against higher level competition and we want, it'll be enough years. Yeah. It's going to it's going to be at least a little bit but I think I mean you can't turn your nose up at that production. Know it's hard to ignore that and running back is a position that you don't necessarily the jump in. Doesn't necessarily negate the ability, right? Yeah.

38:50 Because Usually the thing that is that you see more with with the running back position, is that with other positions? I should say not the running back position. Other positions level of talent, you're usually talking about a lot lot. Bigger players, yep. But that matters more in the trenches that matters more when you're a linebacker as a running back. I mean as long as you can take the hits I mean the level of competition is only going to impact you so much. Only so much now I will counter this if you're playing what a or to a yeah and now that really has been interested in something. Look at what tusks or is I thought they were 38. We're efforting this and I might be completely wrong, but I swore Tuscarora High Schools 3A.

39:46 I don't think they're too are. I don't think they can be to A1A being up in Northern Virginia and that's impossible. I hope he's by the way, up, 14 points, early, keep it rolling early 17, they're really putting the hammer down which is great to see. Obviously it has been more than a couple times this year having good leads and letting them dwindle away. And I feeling that tonight, that just missed a big dump for Georgia Tech where is Tuscarora, Brian, efforting efforting Georgia Tech cannot literally by shot right now. Ten-foot jump shot rooms out to get the rebound way up there. Short, we hit a three and now we're up 17. There we go.

40:44 That's what we like to hear. That's what we like being in their division for early so therefore they're not the five or six. Therefore so they're playing some decent schools. So again it's not one or two, a or don't but don't Don't crap on one day or two a guys like Jeff King. No Justin Hamilton and other players have came from those small schools. All right Brian. Let's hit the last one up. The under-the-radar guy still trying to figure out his raid in here. From the RBA Thomas, Dale, Malachi moss and 63. 310 pound guy, guys. Got interest from pet interest from pitt, had interest in Colorado, Iowa State, Minnesota, Mississippi, State, NC State, Penn State West Virginia, UCF. You see ya?

41:33 So good programs had super interested in. He's right at the mid-30s. I can't figure this out. He plays for a good. Team he plays in a good League, he chose production, he has size. He also doesn't scale as a scholarship which is awesome. If y'all read that story, some military stuff with his family, he's going to be on the team and he is not going to count as a scholarship, which is awesome for the team. But, you know also that, you know what kind of background he comes from. Yeah, I mean, this is the legit division one player that doesn't count against the scholarship. This isn't, you know, a chair, a charity.

42:14 Even this this is this is us getting a guy that I think can do a good amount of damage and not counting against the scholarship number. So that's huge and, you know, we talked he's under the radar, you know, he's right there in that mid three range but I mean looking at looking at his tapie's Look at the build 633 10. I mean, he's going to be you interior. He's on the Indie tackle. This is a big need position for us and I think just foundational wise he's coming in at a size where like I said it's more of a you know you buff out the edges and I think he's going to be ready to do some damage inside there. Yeah and one of the tougher things to again it's where like the recruiting stuff Kind of screws up is. Any player that size is a mid three. You know is it's just really tough. Sorry having to do something here. Folks.

43:16 It's just really tough to figure out how this guy flies under the radar. I would understand if we look at his offer list and we were his biggest. All right, let's see, have the CF and he had some coastal's and other places like that. But the school's I mentioned are legit Big Ten, Big 12 and you know, s Using spoons. He's got all of the Big G five schools on the east coast and then a good handful of power five schools, some of them with you know histories of putting out some really damn good defensive lineman like pit and like NC State in the other thing is where you place Thomas Dale, he's playing teams like bird.

43:57 We know the product bird can put out in the toeic has put in players out, he playing Hopewell, where Henderson went Petersburg Dinwiddie That's a good schedule, that's a good schedule, that he played against, so blows my mind why he's one of the under the radar guys. So again folks the three under the radar guys. They Quan right. Bryce Duke, Malachi my Madison. So and like I said, we could have put Daquan right in there with the crown jewels if it wasn't for the fact that he was legitimately under the radar June. So the class in general again 33rd we feel, we feel good about it because there are some players in that, had some good tape and with this change in regime We feel like the probably going to be able to use them better and More in touch.

44:52 Yeah. And you know, I think we kind of were expecting A big loss in the class as being a side effect of moving on which we needed to do and it you know, banerji players aside. You know, I think we came out about as good as we could have. Expected was a bump in the road and it's yet how easy to think. When Justin Fuente essentially stepped down, we were 26 27, we only drop about five to six spots which is only does not happen. All right, Brian. Real quick. I want to just hit you on this and then ask you a quick question. The recruiting makeup scholarship wise of this class? I mean, including Malachi Madison just because he's that type of player offensive ly, one quarterback. One running back two wide outs, three defensive ends. Six offensive, lineman defensively, six defensive lineman's one linebacker and three defensive backs. What it if this is you, if you're the director of player Personnel, recruiting whatever, how would your typical year look?

46:01 Like, how would you want it balanced out? Because to me, this year is a hell of a lot better than what. We've done the last couple of years. It's a lot better because you always want to be like every year you want At least a handful offensive lineman at least a handful of defensive lineman, I think, defensive lineman and all of its alignment. We probably went a little heavier than we would in a typical year just because we have such a deficiency on both sides of the ball at those positions right now. And you always D bodies because you got five on the offensive line, you got to start, you got four on the defensive line, you got to start and defensive line, you're probably rotating a full eight, guys.

46:46 To get it right? Yeah. To get even so. So so you're talking about eight positions that you're going to have to have game day. Ready on both sides of the ball? Yep. So you're saying probably offensive defensive line four to five a year regardless. Just we're taking eight to ten. We could go 11. We could go 12 exactly what about defensive back because that's when we went three I felt like we could go one or two more. Although I put zaevion Bradshaw at wide receiver he could Be over on the defensive backs that he does have that skill set, same with defensive back for 25 or do you could you go lower because of I think you can go, I think he can go for just because there is some position fluidity with some positions that we have. Now, you know, there's some guys you recruit as a safety that might end up at Sam.

47:38 There's some guys that you recruited saying that might end up at safety. So there's some position fluidity there that could have some overlap But I think like 4324 in a given year, maybe at the top end 5, but for would probably be the nice little middle middle ground there for DBS. And, you know, some of that's just going to depend on how the cycle is going through. Whether you're still heavy at corner, whether you're still having a safety and what that makeup looks like because safety. Obviously there's a little more position fluidity that there would be at somebody that's a true Corner. Yeah like km and like DJ last year Yep. And then the the rest, the linebacking groups, the tight ends wide receivers running backs. Quarterbacks, I'm one of those, I think we should take a quarterback every year.

48:26 You don't know who's going to hit. You don't know who, you know, who's going to click. When they get to College the running back room. The way we add done it, just completely messed it up. I don't think we can take one of year. I think that's a two or three position a year because sometimes you have those guys come in and it does take them a while to get going, some guys can Take a look this year, it would happen. Give it a few games started rolling. You should have six to eight scholarship running backs at any given time. Not six to eight in one cycle. We had at one point. What 12? Or 13?

49:06 Scholarship running backs on the roster? Yeah kind of insane can't do you know I feel like wide receiver linebackers depending on your Or offensive system incited. The peony offensive systems that's going to fluctuate you could probably get by with when we're here in front private generally say tight end dominant offense I don't think we're going back to the 1970s and run you know some sort of 78 million line just pound the ball but I think what they're looking to do is you're probably going to have minimum two tight ends on the field at a time 12 Personnel unless we are in Some sort of hurry up come from behind mode, but then, but then you take a look at guys like Daquan, right? And even a guy like, Drake or James Mitchell, we're even you can stay in 12 Personnel, right?

50:00 You can say it well, personnel and still run your entire Playbook. They're playing The Joker. So, it's one of the interesting things going to 2023 will be paying real attention to keep an eye on folks. See how our, how their balance in this class out. Look at avoids of the next couple years. All right, Brian. Oh, by the way, we did take a kicker Didn't want to leave him off. We have a kicker on scholarship, he better be kicking field goals year, one much like Peter Moore did hunting. All right. Have you worked out last year? Hopefully it works out this year Order review, Brian, no ends no out. I guess that's good. Guys, this point, that's good. I mean right now we're probably going to see a little bit of fluctuation as we get towards the end of winter workouts, and will probably see more fluctuation. Or the spring Gabriel as we approach, the spring game but the fact that we didn't lose anybody in the process there, I think bodes well for folks, buying in at least in the short term, you know.

51:06 I know some people are going to if they don't see themselves jumping up the depth chart like they want. That's another story, but at least in terms of what the coaches is, is selling right now. They're buying it. So I'm good with that now. Nobody in nobody out, but Jamari, Connor, and Annie Dear Thompson announced they're turning. That's good for the back end and I was big and I think I think Shamari Connor is going to be Sam. I think you doing the same. Now do you think he's going to play Sam and nickel or because what we've seen and what? Everybody Robbie who were going to be discussing within a couple weeks here last couple years? They stayed in base regardless like you go, three wide cool. We got a Sam linebacker, I can run what I want to run out of here with him.

51:52 And I think it's good for him for Jamari, Connor to play that Sam. That's what he's going to play in the league. Now, the question is going to be, if we do, go to Nickel mr. Mori. Leave the field. That's the question. Yeah, a big one. And so there's there's two schools of thought here because You know, playing Sam. He's probably going to get less day-to-day practice at the things that he's probably are the deficiencies in his game. Yep. So he, that may not be something where you can just kind of flip the switch and moving back out there again and best, he'll still probably had the same liabilities in those situations that he had this year because he's not going to be wrapping it as much, even as he was last year that said having Having some fluidity there where you don't have to go. Nickel a true nickel package every time that that definitely helps.

52:53 Well, it helps if you plan hurry UPS, right, very up team just like, we don't need to sub out. We're going to go to this next. If you have, if you got a team that you know, you get them in a third and long and you got a chance to, you know, they're not hurrying up so you can get your your true Nickel in there and get yourself package in there. That's fine. But if they're going hurry up, then you can stick with your base and still not. Be vulnerable, even though you still, you know, you don't have it as many still have, probably more holes than your nickel package has if they're going. Hurry up, but you're not bleeding. No, you're not at all. All right, Brian. Well let's flip it over to this. We're going to talk about more staff additions. We are completely away from Mom and Pops. Now we're not we're not you know Nationwide corporate we're definitely Regional corporate now and let's start with this one.

53:43 If you recognize the name sounds familiar especially the last name it shouldn't surprise. You Jalen Belen has been hired to serve as the Director of own campus. Recruiting, why does the violin name sound? So familiar ask well, John Berlin was basically Frank's chief of Staff. 30 years, basically from the moment, Frank walk through the door and tell you he she comes from Wake Forest where she was an assistant. Essentially she was day, Paulson's chief of staff and their on-campus recruiting coordinator. So what she's doing here? So obviously has some backgrounds had been there for a couple Seasons graduated from Georgia, Southern mom. Mom is the chief of staff of the men's basketball program that are watching right now who was up 20 points. Second ago, love the high run.

54:41 Yeah, I mean, you can say, you know, ties, I mean obviously that's that. You can spend that one way or the other but you know she's got the Bona fides to the back that up and I think it's going to be a good good asset and someone that Already kind of has an understanding of the way Virginia Tech operates and I think that's important and that's that's the big thing that prize. Been looking at, as he's built both the on the field staff and the off. The field staff is some of that familiarity with how Virginia Tech operates the, how to sell it. And also understanding the limitations and how to make sure that those don't get highlighted as well, which is just, as important in the recruiting process has anything else as well.

55:22 Exactly, it's that she's basically been a hook your whole life with the exception. Option of going to Georgia, Southern for undergrad. You know she you know she left Blacksburg at 18, she's lived in Blacksburg for 18 years. You don't think she doesn't know that place ins and out like you said, know what to sell know what not to sell. Now she's the director of on-campus recruiting. So I think that she's primarily going to be the person when they show up for their visits. Now, the director of recruiting Kami Nations Kami Nations coming to us from Marshall. So, obviously Mike Villa on the ground. Anna. All of fingerprints, all over this higher. So, what did you do with her Thunder hitch? Yeah, she was at.

56:11 She was at Marshall, when they signed their best class ever, ever. Ever. In bullying me wrong, I think having Charles up there is helping them out a lot, but having knowing someone like, this saw it be done in a way. It's awesome. But, you know, you know it, as at worst, they're not fumbling the bag behind the scenes, they're getting everything done. That needs to be done. Yeah. You know whether they're moving the needle forward. They're not, they're not setting the needle back. Nope, not at all. Um, she's actually been in Collegiate football since 2013 where she started as an assistant, a student assistant LSU that is her alma mater. So she graduated there in 17, then she went over to Mississippi State and served as a recruiting assistant while filigrana was the director of recruiting.

57:01 Also some connection there joke, Moorhead was coaching there during That timeframe also Chris Marvel's are at that point in time as well. So obviously we see some interconnections there. Yep. In Dom, you know 1920 she was over at Austin Peay You know, I feel like this is, you know, solid resume, not blowing your things, but I feel like this is a villa Grana Comfort higher, from where his position is NOW essential he's worked with her and basically, he's saying to himself, she's going to get her shit done. I'm not going to have to worry about what she's doing that office.

57:43 Yeah, well I think there's two things that stand out to me. So number one is obviously the relationship with the look Rana and the come Effort level that he has with her doing the roll. Number two, you know, we talked about the resume, but the resume says to me is that she's seen the inner workings of pretty much every level of college football to some degree up to this point. Yeah. The biggest programs. The bit, one of the biggest programs, your run-of-the-mill SEC. She's seen high-level G5. She's seen FCS. Yep. I mean, she seen how the recruiting happens at different levels and brings That experience to the table. Yeah, awesome. So welcome her aboard. All right, Brian.

58:25 The next guy. when this floated down to us, was about 10 days ago, Like we have a pretty big high school head coach. He's coaching 275, he's coach down in North Carolina and it looks like he's going to be doing something. Glenwood Fair be gets announced director of high school relations. All right, so first of all, you've been in North Carolina, last couple years down Jewish Chambers down outside. Charlotte this team is 3085 over the last three seasons, they won back-to-back state titles in 19 and 20 before that. He was Devon Hunters.

59:11 Head coach down in Indian. River, and he coached down at Lakeland in the 75. and soften went to Liberty. I mean. What more do you want from a director of high school relations than that resume? See a, what is there to say Glenwood Farabee to me, it sounds like a golf name right Linwood. Farabee approaches the par-4 9th for his tee shot. Yeah, but what I really like about this higher is that it speaks further to that point that we've been making is that this isn't mom-and-pop anymore. We're approaching this from a corporate standpoint. Wait and wait for him to improve our Outreach to those high schools and improve the relationships. Also kind of set things up for the future because having those relationships, please helps us be strategic when we were just getting out of it, you know, which are which is really good to hear, because the guy has, I'm going to be director of high school relations in.

1:00:22 I've been out of it, eight or ten years. You might have a good feel of what it's going from the University and what to look at. But maybe not so much. What's going on inside the high schools now, as you know, kids evolved. But Brian, let's continue to flip because the strength conditioning staff has added quite a few new members as well. And let's start by taking a look at the first to me. This looks like a basic hiring of this is my right-hand, man. He knows how I want stuff done, Greg Allen six years ago. Dodie you. So obviously, spend some time with the white Galt Also Serve down at Richmond before that in Marshall.

1:01:12 This just seems like this is the whites right hand man. Yeah, definitely seems like this is a guy that he has a high degree of comfort level with that. He's bringing on. So yeah, I think that's going to be the guy that he's leaning on most in this staff, probably at the gay just because of that Comfort level. Yes, sir. Now, the next man needs no introduction. In Blacksburg Jarrett Ferguson returns Ferguson obviously a crucial player in the 99 season play for the Hokies 98. 201, then came back as the senior strength and conditioning coach 16 or 2006. 217 again it, you said it just a few minutes to go with Jalen Belen.

1:02:03 In. You've got to know your culture and it seems like it every level Brent prize having a culture higher? Yeah, every level there's a culture higher. There's a guy that understands Blacksburg understand what it means to be a hokie understands the tradition and Jared Ferguson is just, another example of kind of getting back to the roots but still pushing pushing forward into kind of a new era as well. So, I think that's really what the staff is about. Injured person is kind of a microcosm of that on the strength and conditioning stuff.

1:02:43 Absolutely absolutely. Alright. KJ forms, I'm still trying to figure out how we stole this guy KJ Florence last year last few years had served as the assistant strength and get you coach down at Old Miss. Yep. You just primarily for running backs, tight ends, and quarterbacks and specialists. Obviously, Matt Correll has shaped himself into probably being a first-round quarterback this year. You know, maybe it's just getting back home, guys, originally from Virginia Beach. He had went sometime in Marshall and 19 digit, some internship down at Georgia. So he's seen some workings of two, pretty big SEC programs and now we have him here really like this higher.

1:03:29 Yeah, this is big for us. You know, again, getting back somebody that meeting with the Virginia Beach area, you know, went to Old Dominion for undergrad, graduated in 2014, So this is somebody with deep ties to Virginia that we were able to kind of bring back into the fold and I think having that pedigree and then seeing again, talk about old miss, you know, you also was at What marshall yeah from a while as well. So he seen seen a good deal of programs in a short period of time. I think he's going to be a big asset for us. Absolutely last one.

1:04:09 Matte green holla. Coming from Georgia Southern. So obviously, you know, obviously probably has some contacts with Brad, Glenn there but did an internship down the South Carolina and if you know remembered the white did have some connection down to South Carolina. So to me it's not a probably not probably partially a buddy higher. Yes. But someone who spent three years at Georgia. Southern, he'd spent three years in appstate as system strength. Conditioning directors. They're probably Is one of those things where you've got. You got your right-hand man this is an up-and-comer that knows what you like same way important. You got Ferguson to me, you got Ferguson who knows the culture you've got Blacksburg.

1:04:59 You've got KJ who sing big-time programs and develop some big-time players. And then once again you've got the whites kind of guy. So kind of a guides. I know these guys are going to hell. If these other guys along. Yeah, I mean, you know, we talked about strength and conditioning. I mean, yes, they have, you know, they're not quite as impactful day-to-day as the coach would be. But, you know, we talked about a guy that was interning in South Carolina and was working primarily with the defensive line that had your baby and clowning on it. You know. That's, that's a, that's a pretty big deal UGA. It's the Citadel spent time at appstate. Now, Georgia, Southern now with that, it comes to us. This resume is a guy that is kind of building there and I think this is yes it's a I don't I wouldn't call it a buddy higher, it's a relationship higher. Yeah and I think this guy has shown aptitude to get the job done, wherever he's landed at.

1:05:55 So, freaking lutely. And then, Brian, there is a new position amongst Virginia Tech strength or Virginia Tech strength conditioning. And that is the director of sports science, who is Brian Jackson. He's had Add a similar role to this down. We've been married last year. Also did some stuff down at Duke implementing Sports Performance program is down there. It's really interesting to if you heard prior talk today. Basically he's it sounds like he's monitoring everything. These guys are doing, like, I know he mentioned something about like if a guy has a hamstring injury and he says he's okay in the stuff that Jackson's reading says now something's going on because his explosiveness is here.

1:06:45 It was here. Yeah. And so he's almost like I'm not saying a private detective for the coaching staff on this sort of stuff, but he kinda is, and then his background, he was in the 82nd Airborne. I mean, what could it, you know, what are you going to say to a guy who's done that? Yeah, I mean he's here Here's a parachutist lady's life out there did that, and, you know, doing it in a way that, you know, is is even intense relative to, you know, the the normal side of that.

1:07:28 And then and then coming into a roll like this, you know, I think putting putting science behind those essentially, the training aspects that we're looking at here and, you know, whether someone can be pushed harder. Whether they need to be pushed a little less but, you know, based on the data and based on things that he seeing, I think that's going to be big for us having in the scientific approach. And again, this this speaks more to us kind of coming into the 21st century and using, you know, all the tools that are available at the tool belt and not overlooking anything that could benefit us off the field and on the field.

1:08:09 Yep. 100% couple other things announced today, too. Big of a Winslow and you know, in a petty are going to be retained. Thank both those guys doing very good jobs in. This is interesting, kai-shan. Jared is going to move to a defensive GA roll me and you were trying to look back felt like Kai Shang was doing something with the Redskins a few years ago more on field than in a development role. Don't know. If this is one of those things is like as they are slowly building the analytics and changing the player development team. It's cool that he gets to stay because he is a hokie through and through probably one of the better safeties in the last 5-10 years and guy who had shot him and Chuck. Yeah.

1:08:57 If not for probably a freak neck injury probably would still be in the league in some capacity because he was showing out there Yeah, I think this is big and I think getting him into a role where he can kind of have an impact on the field as well, is going to be good for him. I don't know what his long-term goals are in terms of whether it's coaching or, you know, a higher level off the field roll. But this kind of gives him that, you know, he's got experience both off the field and now he's, you'll have some on the field that he can kind of pivot, whichever way he decides to go and, you know, hopefully that ends up being long term with the Hokies but I This is a good good kind of career building move for him and something that's going to help us on the field as well. Abso-freakin'-lutely.

1:09:45 All right, before we get into some of our other topics tonight, we are going to take a quick pause for a message from our digital partners because we take a quick break. We'd like to tell you about getting your free website report from our digital partner, Grassroots, digital marketing Studio. They'll tell you how your website ranks on Google on-site, SEO and social Social media. No commitment to buy anything, you can get your free report by visiting. Grassroots digital studio.com forward slash free Dash website, Dash report. Now back to the episode and we are back in for those who are watching us or watching the game, listening to us Hokies up 16 with less than six minutes to go over.

1:10:28 Georgia Tech. Let's just go ahead and put it away and make it a 20-point victory. There we go. All right Brian. This week, the schedule was announced. We knew everybody, we were playing, we just, and we knew a few of the orders, but we didn't know the complete order, and now it's kind of been laid out there. Let's kind of do this by quadrants of for. Right, let's take a look at the first four games we are at ODU, which will either be a Friday night or a Saturday game. Pretty sure. CBS Sports has that. I'm pretty sure they're probably going to put that in a prime time window. So be looking at a six or seven kick either one of those nights. So pretty big there.

1:11:15 Yep. And then the home opener is not an easy task for Brent Pride, you know. Boston College in, you know Djokovic coming back and a pretty well coached team. They're well-coached team and a team that during the Fuente era kind of had a snake bitten. Most of the time except for that, that one game we got them when they were turning the ball over. So I think this is going to be an interesting one to look at. You know, are they going to be a step up or step down from where they were last year? I think, you know, See how we are at this point? I think ODU is probably a good, a good team to kind of cut our teeth against before we get into an ACC opener. Yep.

1:12:03 Because they are, they are a team that doesn't have as much talent as we do, but they are a team that plays above their talent level, at a consistent level. So I think that's kind of a good, a good way to cut our teeth and then we'll see what we got against Boston College. Yeah. 19th of September is the Wofford game and, you know, an FCS team in which we need because September 22nd Thursday night Lane, Stadium against West, Virginia. What? When you this series happened, right? In, you know, it's Thursday nights aren't what they used to be for Collegiate football because the NFL is essentially taking it over, but this is like a power play right here because you're talking about the, the, the mountaintops of Thursday nights.

1:13:02 Yeah. We're some of the West Virginia games. Absolutely. Absolutely. And I think Going to be Jack that game. I think the crowd is going to be Jack. I think there's going to be a bunch of people from the ages of 23. 273, not going to work Thursday or Friday that weekend and making it a full weekend. But to have that game because you immediately, when that thing popped up Thursday you you that's a Nike. Oh yes. As soon as it pops I was like yep. That's going to be Thursday night. Prom time. Prime time. We got West Virginia. Leah coming in to Blacksburg. They've got the Black Diamond.

1:13:42 We want that shit back. Yes we do. And that's really going to kick off. What becomes a The Gauntlet stretch of this schedule, right? Yeah. The next four games, including the by go as follows at UNC, which is not scary place to play at pit, where it is scary, because it's so damn quiet. Miami at home on the 15th, open on the 22nd for a by and then a Thursday night game, the only Rowley he's hey yeah. That's gonna be a big A game which of those four games worries you the most probably. Probably Thursday.

1:14:27 The NC State is going to be our toughest competition but I'd say pit is probably one be just because of how we historically play when we go to Heinz Field and even though I think pits not going to be as good as they were this year. I think they're going to still have a little smoke, they'll be good enough and that might be hopefully we're not the same same team that's traveled to Pittsburgh the last few years. And laid some eggs. Exactly, let's hope that is going to be washed away in the prior era. The other two games are just probably the two most talented teams will play all year. Rankings y star, y, yes.

1:15:09 And in terms of just over all the recruits that they put have in the guys that they've grabbed in the portal UNC and Miami will be the most Talent Laden teams that we will play in this period. Despite the fact that they haven't always played up to that their their ranking the exactly. I kind of look at the first eight games and so much is going to be tone setting, right? Yeah. What happens in those first eight games, is it? You know expectations I don't some people already like a twin six wins. 10 wins, somebody said 12 wins, trying to realize what that person was on but you know, to each his own.

1:15:56 Ha ha ha. Well, um, I mean there's there's not a game on here that we couldn't win. No, there's not, but there. But there sir. I don't think I have no illusions that we would come close to running the table. Yeah, the best part about this schedule. Let's talk about the last four games. Georgia Tech is going to be November 5th, Then followed by at Juke at Liberty, and then UVA at home. Best thing about this schedule, top to bottom is the furthest drive. This team has is pit, so they're definitely going to be getting a lot of these Places. You know, some Pro Hokies they're going to get you know like we should try that we should travel. Well you don't have to worry about the the travel fatigue is much.

1:16:45 Yep. You're not on you. Not on a plane as long as I own the buses long and I mean, I'll all that is shortened. And then you talk about the stretches. So we start, I'd say we started about it. The average level, we ramp it up. A little bit. But then we kind of got a little bit of a, of a coast and Coast into the Finish. You know, I don't think it. I don't think it gets easy, but it definitely tapers off. I think it's easy. I'm sorry. Georgia Tech is Georgia Tech and Duke. Yeah, I'll give you their hemorrhaging players. Yep. Hemorrhaging players, I mean with Georgia Tech is hemorrhaging, Dukes under Elko on her brand-new system. Brand-new everything trying to get back to Duke where they were there.

1:17:31 Are going to be a tough out. I just don't think they have the talent right now to do anything no, not this year. Liberty, Malik, Willis ain't coming back. They got Charlie Brewer. I've seen Charlie Brooker play, Charlie Willis, I know you freezes, it, freaking genius all offensively but he's not exactly working with a potential NFL quarterback. He's working with a average Collegiate starter even called that's trying to salvage a career because of concussions. Exactly, which is just so we don't know if Charlie was going to be starting by the next to last week in the season but more so with Liberty is all right, we saw what they did in 2020. Yeah, we lost one.

1:18:18 We saw, they had a great season. They didn't have a great season last year. They were they were fine. They were okay, but they weren't doing or not doing. I think some people a rhythmic if they, if they were in a power five district, they'd be a Flirtin With the bowl. They'd be somewhere between five wins and maybe seven wins and be there up Grand last year last year with Miley. Those with Malik Willis. All right. So then UVA obviously they're going through their own coaching change. Lot of kids in the portal Armstrong's back. Yes. So I think they so that they won't have the same offensive line they had last year, but they've at least stop the hemorrhaging of offensive lineman that they were having with some of the signings that they had.

1:19:10 But I think the overall Talent level is a step back. Now, we'll see you your to Jake and get them turned around really quick, but I think you definitely see a step back and offensive line play for UVA. I don't think they have a quick fix for that defense. So I mean, it's still going to be the Brandon Armstrong show and they had. I hope that works at least for the 2022 year. I figure exactly. All right, Brian. So there's the AC sketch that's are just an initial thoughts, obviously, as we get deeper, Deeper into the season and get closer to the season. We will do what we did last year game by game. Thought process.

1:19:51 While we get our records you got a gut feeling that the Gate of how many you think we get. I don't honestly won't because I sit here and I think most important positions quarterback right there to me Jason or Wells, or better quarterbacks in Braxton was I think we're at least gonna get. Yes. Well I feel like you know we're going to talk about it in two weeks when we me and Robbie break down the both sides of the ball. But the competency of the of the play calling, I feel like is going to be significantly higher from what I've seen so far in the tape. I've watched so far so y'all can that's my teaser for two weeks from now.

1:20:41 Y'all look forward to that. But I think that alone, even if you talked about the same Talent level coming back, you know that probably gets this one or two wins in the other direction now. I think we probably at least initially Talent. Why's it taking a step back on defense? So we'll see if if the pride factor is able to offset, that may be so, so we'll see. But I mean, if I had to go gut, I'm saying that somewhere between Five and seven. I think we might could get if you told me right now we get six, I'd be happy with that and that's based on the roster as it's constructive. Now, ask me again, once we have the next big portal and portal out after the, the spring game.

1:21:30 Well, why don't we talk about the spring game? Because heck spring game, April 16th at 4:00, we could see something there and you could look at me and be like, did I say six? Higher higher or lower, but springing, April. 16th 4 p.m. will be on SEC network. You mean, it's going to be a SEC network and people can go in person. Yes, they can. What a novel fucking concept crazy, our current status for that game is TVD because we have weddings around the same time where you're going to be out of town a couple weekends, I'm gonna be out of town. Couple weekends in.

1:22:13 Sometimes as you grow up to be an adult to ask to go out of town again, it doesn't fly all the time but either way we're going. What we're what we want to do is we want to get probably a quick hitting episode live from a tailgate at the spring game. We're hoping that happens. Obviously there's there's still some moving parts to that but we will let you know as soon as we both have. We've been given the green light both from our own mindsets and from our wives there's your key right there. Now let's talk about this. Braun spring. Practices are going to start March 18th in something that cry talked about. During the presser really caught my ear. He talked about those opening days of spring, practice aren't really practice days.

1:23:08 Um, say this today, like the 18th 19th and 20th. Like installation days more step. Then hard-hitting practice days. What does that tell you? Do you think this is like his Norm? Or is this just this is brand-new here and I have to do it this way this year. Well I think you probably I don't know if we get as many practices but you're going to spend a good deal of practices out the gate especially in spring with installation, you know, you're bringing along more than likely some new Shman, obviously that have just enrolled, you're bringing along freshman at redshirting the previous year that probably ran more of the other teams Playbook than they ever got to look at our own teams play books.

1:23:54 So the level of installation is going to be something like that out, the gate, regardless, it's always a good refresher to get some of the veterans back into that mindset as well. You know, there are there are some guys only team, you know, particularly a quarterback that almost has to do this. But then other position guys. That kind of really they soak up the Playbook. It's in their head unless it's a new play or something or another wrinkle. That the coordinators adding to the offense, they've got that shit in the memory bank and then there's other guys that they have to get those reps to really have that muscle memory. So that's why you do things like that, with installation because there's there's two guys that learn differently that our veterans and you got to bring those young guys along as well.

1:24:38 Makes sense. 15 total practices. Brian will be the amount and starting the 18th are starting a little bit later than the old staff did for whatever reason. I think maybe a couple of it is I'd have to look but Tech Spring break is probably somewhere in that neighborhood. Maybe it's that we're going to wait a few days till they're back from spring break to get them into. It makes a lot of sense to me. But there are two new rules that have been passed concerning spring practice. The first is going to limit full-contact to no more than 75 minutes of a non scrimmage practice. What does that say to you?

1:25:25 And you hear those words like that. I think it's good and bad, you know, I think we talked about 75 minutes, no more than that for non scrimmage practice. You don't want guys getting beat up during the Spring but you also want to make sure that they are hitting your in the spring because that's when you get to do a lot more with fundamentals. You get to do a lot more with install, but if you're going to run install, you need to sometimes get that going full speed as well. So I don't, I don't hate it from a long-term Health perspective, but it gets you probably a little less out of some of those practices.

1:26:07 Then you didn't even want I got you. I got what you mean by that. Um, I want to say used to be 90, so down about 15 minutes that is a lot of time. Overall I think again. I get like you've got to get physical because that is the nature of this game, but it's also if we're looking at a safety thing, which is going to go more and more to like, what's 15 minutes really? What's 15 minutes? What can you do that? You can't do in 75 now, the other one, this is a super interesting one, because They are going to be banning full-contact from occurring on two consecutive spring days.

1:26:52 So basically no back-to-back pads, which obviously going to save some on the body, but also tells me there, it's going to probably be a thing for coaches. Like you now have to be really smart of how you plan these things out, right? Yep. Yeah. I think they're going to change how they probably do the their practices. They're going to be Periods where they that they don't include on the days where they can hit and there's going to be certain periods that they include only on days that they're going full pads. So yeah, I think that'll just change how they're going to structure those practices based on which periods in which specific drills and things are done on a given day.

1:27:40 So, again, some new rules of the coaches have to abide by and live with. I think we're lucky in the sense that Brent prize a new coach, he new head coach. You can say, well, he's been at Penn State and they've been doing certain things, certain ways, coolest, part is, he gets hired as a head coach, he gets to put this together and then they say, well, you can't do this anymore, cool. Well, I was writing my plan out anyway and I can just take that into account for look forward to, which is a really great thing. First of all, right, before we get ready for our last segment here. Hokies up. Thirteen. Fifty seconds, left pastner in the punchable face and his stupid looking sideburns is he's like, he took a timeout down, 13. I mean, we've seen, we saw Reggie Miller do the impossible one time.

1:28:34 But come on man. Yep, I don't think that's going to happen. I did confirm actually their spring break ends March 13th, so that they're essentially giving them a few days to get back in the swing and then going full bore. But, but think about the genius of, they're probably going to do two or three days at weekend, right? Yep. Friday, Saturday, or Friday, Saturday, Sunday, huge installation program to start it right off the bat. We're the guys. We are back in the swing versus you know, doing it 2:14-15, middle of the week, you know, to me. It doesn't make sense. Alright Braun. There is essentially one game left in this football season and it is the CP available.

1:29:23 And unfortunately. You got one guy that's not happy on this on this podcast or less happy much less happy for myself. It is not the same for Cisco. 49ers with our Guy Darryl Tapp helping them out. It's the Rams and it's the Bengals. Thankfully, it's the Bengals. Yeah, because there are certain things we don't have to see leading up to that game. That pretty much as a Sporting Community, unless you live in Kansas City, no one wants to see Jackson the homes, not nobody.

1:30:07 Nobody really wants to see Brittany either but definitely nobody wants to see Jackson homes, definitely - you Jackson so bingle's Rams on or off of mechanical bull. I said on or off a mechanical bull. I don't know if you saw that video this week and not see that videos this weekend, okay, but this game, we're not going to be spread here, but I just want to see what the line is. Rams are four point favorites. 49 and a half over under. Will let you do the saving because I can't right now. What do you think on this game, Brian?

1:30:47 He got and I know we're really a long ways out, so people get hurt. You can always take your bed away. Yeah, I'm going to go, I'm going to go Bangles. You know, I think that that defense does a good job of keeping them in there. I think there's a little bit more fight in in the Bangles will see if they can hang with that defensive line because that's really the only thing that concerns me is that defensive line, getting after burrow, and causing Havoc, because the Bangles almost don't have an offensive line.

1:31:33 But if they're able to slow them down enough for Borough to cook, I think they could be onto something. All right. Interesting call Hokies win by the way. Let's see if we can meet like nine in a row going to the tournament next month. Um, I'm completely against you. I think the Rams are going to win this game. I think it's going to be a seven and nine point win and it's exactly what you just said, it's defensive line versus offensive line. And that is a bad offensive line. No, if ands or buts about it and let's go through.

1:32:14 It does Kansas City have an elite defensive line. Now does the Titans have an events in Italy defensive line I would say above average but not Elite. Now Do the Raiders know? So how they got here is they play three teams without Elite defensive lines? If I think Aaron Donald and Von Miller going to just eat all night and where most teams don't have that, one lockdown Corner, Jalen range is just going to follow you more Chase all over the field. I think Jamal Chase is going to get his but I think Jalen's probably going to be able to limit them enough. And I think personally that defense is good, not great. Eight.

1:32:59 And I think our defense is great. And we held that team to 20 points and we have an elite defensive line. We have right, borderline Elite linebacker. Play our back end is a little bit struggling, but are back in. I think so. But I think this game is like 3526, I think the Rams are going to score it will end its. Is it funny for me being the West in the NFC West guy and I'm not paying to see the rims win because Stafford. Like they have their a-holes on that team but they also have like good guys, like, you know, Yeah, I get you. I get you.

1:33:44 Yeah. So, bronze on the Bengals. I'm on the Rams, I'll grab the Bangles for now. Like I said, I'll, I'll re-evaluate a little bit but my gut listen. That's pretty freaking funny.

1:34:33 That's great. All right. Well, if you've got none, let's wrap up this episode of the podcast. I'm Curtis Wilson. I'm Brian Sigler, visit our website, builder e Corner, bbc.com to the All of our episodes while you are there. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube account and your favorite podcast Source including Spotify Amazon and apple podcasts, as always we let our buddy. Jason long playlist in, he plays us out, catch him on Spotify, and apple music. Also, check out his page on YouTube where you're going to see some really cool covers. I don't know if he's put it up here yet. He what did he do? The Judas Priest. Yeah, breaking the law.

1:35:15 Thank you. The law cover pretty freaking sweet. Jason we thank you always guys for listening to us. Season 3 has started and as always. Let's go. Okay.