Virginia Tech will play football in 95 days. The countdown to the Hokies' 2016 season ticked under the triple-digit mark without even the slightest peep from this inattentive author. Normally round these parts that milestone is met with a brief fanfare, but unlike Danny Coale, I dropped the ball.
Even though Tech football sits on the back burner throughout the summer, a few things worth discussing boiled up over the last few weeks.
NFL types are bullish on Isaiah Ford's next-level potential. USA TODAY's 2017 NFL draft preview lauds Ford's size/speed combination and uses film of Ford's gaudy 12 reception, 227 yard Independence Bowl performance to highlight the junior's overall game. Additionally, NFL.com ranks Ford among its 16 offensive players who will be NFL stars.
Expect a habit of catching the ball against his body rather than extending his hands for catches to be one scouting knock, but Ford's explosiveness is elite.
@thekeyplay is Isiah Ford 1st round WR talent?— A Forman (@Austin_Forman) May 31, 2016
For my money, Ford's a cut below the prototypical first round wideout. I'd be shocked if he could post the NFL's highly coveted 4.4, 40 speed. Although, that's not a hard prerequisite to being drafted in the first round. Production isn't the issue though, Ford led the ACC with 1,164 receiving yards and 11 touchdown catches. To the detriment of defenders, he moves silky smooth on the field, and it's not completely inconceivable an NFL GM values Ford's (let's suppose improved) tape over a track sprint. Regardless, I do think Virginia Tech will be hard pressed to retain Ford for his senior season.
Justin Harper reminds us of the time Cory Holt clocked Frank Beamer.
Man I love Frank for being able to take this and still stand. @coryholt12 #Classic @VT_Football pic.twitter.com/voLkZGKZNy— Justin Harper (@Justin_Harpo) May 25, 2016
If there's anyone who can empathize over-celebrating a field goal, it's Beamer.
POUND THE ROCK OVER. The Vegas sports book South Point released early win totals for all 128 I-A college football teams. Tech's win total is set at 6.5. As of writing this, I have the Hokies pegged at 7-or-more regular season wins. Pencil in Liberty, Boston College, East Carolina (this is dumb) and Syracuse as wins. Contrarily, give me Tennessee and Notre Dame as losses. The Hokies then need to split half of their slate among North Carolina, Miami, Pittsburgh, Duke, Georgia Tech and Virginia to reach seven wins. Oddly enough, three-of-six seems doable.
"...Last name Jass, first name Hugh." In his interview with Koma, senior associate athletic director for facilities and operations Tom Gabbard discussed accommodating bigger butts in Cassell.
"Next summer, we're working with four vendors now, we'll take those seats out and replace them with a much more comfortable, bigger seat," Gabbard said. "Those rows now have 20 seats in them, they'll go to 18, but it'll be a 21-inch seat, it'll be a high-backed seat with a cup holder, padded, and it'll be a premium seat, and if that goes well, we may take that theme and take it all the way around."
Whit Babcock provided a preview of what's to come.
A year away from some new more comfortable seats in Cassell. Prototypes here. Likely dark maroon when installed pic.twitter.com/CXC7zK0LLr— Whit Babcock (@WhitBabcock) May 25, 2016
Cruitin' and cookin' out. Blue-chip Indian River safety / wide receiver Devon Hunter met Kam Chancellor at Chancellor's annual Memorial Day cookout.
Enjoyed finally to get to meet Big bro @Kam_Chancellor pic.twitter.com/hsz5NiqQm6— Devon Hunter (@devonhunter11) May 29, 2016
It's unlikely the meeting hurt Virginia Tech's chances to land hunter.
@devonhunter11 I see va tech in your future .. Congrats on everything. You just touching the surface. Take off. Represent the 757— The Enforcer (@Kam_Chancellor) February 26, 2016
Great feeling to know that your favorite player is on your side https://t.co/sBeDokn4G7— Devon Hunter (@devonhunter11) February 26, 2016
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