August Camp Presser 8/15/19: Bud Foster, TyJuan Garbutt and Vance Vice

Bud Foster

I KNOW YOU DON'T WANT TO GO TOO MUCH INTO YOUR SITUATION AND YOUR DEAL, BUT COULD YOU JUST TAKE US THROUGH YOUR THOUGHT PROCESS ON TIMING OF ANNOUNCING THAT THIS IS YOUR LAST YEAR?

"Well, it's a combination of things. I think from me, from Whit, from Coach Fuente, I think there is a whole deal with a number of people. Coach Beamer, who I talked with, John Beilein, a lot of people, as far of the timing. To not string it along and to make it right for the kids. During the whole year, it's always going to be questions about the contract, about this, about that. And we just wanted to nip it in the bud and just move forward and focus on the task at hand. ANd that's this season. I really appreciate how the kids have handled this whole thing. They've been awesome. Just business as usual. Obviously it was an emotional day for everybody, particularly me. But the kids that have really responded well and it's no different this year than it was last year or 20 years ago as far as our approach and how I'm approaching, how the kids are approaching. As far as the timing and everything goes, I think it was just to kind of get it over with and let's move on."

SHANE [BEAMER] SAID THAT WHEN FRANK MADE HIS DECISION THAT THERE WAS A WEIGHT OFF HIM. DO YOU FEEL A DIFFERENT LIGHTNESS ABOUT YOU?

"Not necessarily. Just because we have a full season ahead of us and I want this thing to be right. Like I have had every other year. And I think maybe at the end of this season, I'll feel different. But right now, my motivation is the same as it's been every year. And that's put the best product we can put on the field and prepare our kids the best way possible. And prepare them to be the best they can be. And that's really been our focus."

YOU SEEM TO HAVE A LOT MORE OPTIONS AT BACKER THIS YEAR. WHO'S WORKING WHERE RIGHT NOW AND WHAT KIND OF PECKING ORDER IS SHAPING UP?

"Yeah, I've really got a good crew. We've got some depth all over the defense, which I'm excited about. Now, as far as numbers and some athletes and that type of thing, there's still some experience issues at some of the second and third group. But, at linebacker, obviously Rayshard [Ashby] has had a great camp. He's had a great spring, he had a great summer, has had an even better fall camp. Has really solidified that mike position. Keshon Artis has worked there, probably had his most productive scrimmage since he's been here this past scrimmage. Trying to find more athleticism in behind that. We've manipulated some people and moved them around. We've been looking at Dax [Hollifield] a little bit at mike, he's played a little bit of both early. I feel confident about him playing there. He can make all the calls, can play up, do everything that we're asking for that position coverage wise. He's a guy that could play both. We've worked Dylan Rivers there here recently as well, to try and get him in a position. Because there's a log jam at backer right now, with Dax, with Dylan, the guy who's had a tremendous camp Alan Tisdale, has been phenomenal. And then I like Amaré Barno. He's a [junior college] kid, I wish he was here in January, I think we would have a little bit more information. But he's been a quick learner, done some really good things. Been impressive at times, but also been like a newcomer at times. His mind is tying up his feet like you would expect. But a really good prospect. So, trying to find a way to get, you know, our best people in the right positions to maximize their strengths and things of that nature. So that's been a good situation. I think the guy, like I said, has been a pleasant surprise, not that he's that but I expect that, is Tisdale. He is playing very, very, well. Playing very fast. Reminds me of, a little bit, of Xavier Adibi if I had to compare him to somebody. You know, how he's playing and the speed that he's playing with. Just been around the ball all camp so far. Whether it's been practiced or been in scrimmages, he's a guy that you notice. I'm encouraged. And I'm encouraged by the defense. I'm cautiously optimistic. I know last year was a unique year, just from an experience standpoint and the situations that we had. But I like the effort we've performed with, I've liked the energy that we've come out every day with, I like the chemistry which is critical, you know, to any unit or team. I like that. And now we've just got to be consistently good in our execution. And we're seeing a little bit more of that every time. I really like our first group. There's a drop off, a little bit, in our second group as you would expect. There's a reason the depth chart is not as far as some spots as maybe it was a year ago. I really like our young defensive tackles. Those guys, Mario Kendricks, Norell Pollard, and Josh Fuga have come in and have been very, very, impressive early on for freshman. Those guys, we'll probably play by committee this fall. But those guys are going to figure in."

YOU KIND OF TOUCHED ON IT RIGHT NOW ON ALL THE PLAYERS THAT YOU HAVE. YOU HAVE A REALLY GOOD RUNNING BACK COMING AT YOU RIGHT OUT OF THE CHUTE HERE. HOW DIFFERENT DO YOU FEEL FACING A CHALLENGE LIKE THAT COMING INTO THIS YEAR THAN MAYBE YOU WOULD AT THE BEGINNING OF LAST YEAR, IN TERMS OF BEING ABLE TO STEP UP TO THAT CHALLENGE AND MAYBE BEAT THAT CHALLENGE AGAINST A PLAYER OF THAT CALIBER?

"Yeah, we've got our hands full the first week. Man, you have a group, I really think BC is going to be really good. They've got their quarterback back, obviously they have their back back, they've got a couple receivers. They lost some offensive line, but that's like O-Line U, in my opinion. I mean, them and Pitt probably, year in and year out, are just dynamic offensive line wise. I think they will be coming, playing them early, we're going to be tested early in far as our physicality, making our defensive backs tackle, how physical we're going to be at the point of attack up front. That's going to test us right from the get go. But I do like the experience that we have coming back. I know that DaShawn Crawford has never taken a snap yet in a college football game. I like the way he's progressed. Mario Kendricks, or the guys that I just mentioned, they have not taken a snap yet. But I do like their fight, I do like their determination, I do like their grit. And I think that's a great starting point. And a good core for us to have. Now, we've got to get ready to go clean up some things, technique and fundamental wise. But yeah, it's going to be a big time challenge for us all the way around against this football team, and a big physical back. Got to do a great job wrapping him up and running to the ball and not assuming he's down, as you guys see, it's hard for one guy to bring him down. So it's going to be a tremendous challenge, but a great opportunity for us all at the same time."

TAKE US BACK TO TYJUAN GARBUTT. WHEN YOU RECRUITED HIM, HE WAS A PRETTY BIG TIME PROSPECT. WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER ABOUT THAT, AND WHAT'S HE LIKE?

"Yeah, TyJuan, he had a big upside and still does. He's had a great camp as well. Just an example, you guys don't have to print this or anything, we give the lunch pail out during camp to maybe who's a guy that's really playing well and excelling. And day in, day out, he's been a guy that we could've given that to. He's really stepped his game up, he's a little bit bigger. He's playing at a higher level just because of the experience he gained last year. And he's kind of where you would hope he would be. And I see a guy that has a lot of confidence, I see a guy that knows what he's doing and playing to the speed that he's capable of playing. I see a guy that really has a chance to be a really good football player for us."

HAS HIS DEVELOPMENTAL ARC BEEN ABOUT WHAT YOU WOULD EXPECT?

"I would probably say, probably just on point. He's going to be a sophomore this year and I think he'll be ready to step up and have a good year for us. I really do."

HOW MUCH DID YOU HAVE TO PULL BACK WITH PLAY CALLING? AND HOW MUCH HAVE YOU PUT BACK IN NOW WITH MORE EXPERIENCED GUYS?

"It's hard to say without game planning right now. I think we'll be able to do a little bit more this year. We've thrown a lot at these guys. They worked hard this summer. The newcomers are the ones that we're trying to get them caught up. The young defensive tackles, a couple linebackers, that type of thing. But, you know, the biggest thing last year was not so much what you could throw at them, it was the adjustments you had to make. And those were things you couldn't call time out and walk them through a formation or a motion. Instead of drawing it up. Now I think you can hopefully draw it up and they'd be able to make the adjustments and understand what we're asking for. But we've put our whole package in, and our kids have done a good job with that. Obviously, what you prepare for, the first couple weeks of camp, is hopefully for a season. You may not use something you put in the first week of practice, and you may not use it until the third or fourth game. But at least it's a concept, or a scheme, or something that you've worked on and the kids should be able to prepare for that. Now, we'll zero in on a gameplan, obviously, as the game week comes in. And from week to week, that changes a little bit. And there's little wrinkles. And always, the biggest thing that we have to do a good job of, is understand their position, understand the concepts that we want from a run fit, or a passing game. And then just be able to make those adjustments when we need to during the course of the game."

ARE YOU ABLE TO FEEL THAT THEY'RE READY FOR THOSE ADJUSTMENTS?

"I think we are. I think we're better. I think we're farther along. Again, the best teacher, you guys have heard me say this, the best teacher is experience. And that's the one thing that we gained, particularly with some guys last year. Now, there's still some back up guys that are, you know, if they were thrown in the fire, it would be kind of starting all over again. So hopefully, we can stay healthy. And then there's some guys that can come along and not be put in the spot, maybe like some of the guys were last year, you know? We can bring them along and maybe in a less stressful situation, so to speak."

FULLY UNDERSTANDING THAT ONCE YOU MADE THAT ANNOUNCEMENT YOU'VE GOT A JOB TO DO, LIKE YOU SAID, YOU'VE GOT SOMETHING YOU WANT TO GET ACCOMPLISHED HERE. BUT AS YOU'VE GONE ABOUT THAT, HAVE THERE BEEN ANY OF THE OLDER GUYS, OR SOME ASSISTANT COACHES THAT HAVE RIBBED YOU ABOUT BEING THE SHORT TIMER, THE OLD GUY AROUND HERE NOW? HAVE YOU HAD TO SORT OF CONSCIOUSLY FOCUS YOUR ATTENTION ON NOT BEING MORE OF A HARDASS IN THE PAST? OR NOT BEING THE KINDER, SOFTER, GENTLER GUY?

"No, you know what, I told the kids that day, I'm not going to change who I am. I'm not going to change my approach. That's not who I am. It should not affect how they practice, how they play, how they perform. And you know, at the end of the day, we'll all sit down and we can all celebrate and cry. And there were some tears shed, but we'll laugh and cry together with this group. I've been fortunate to coach a lot of dynamic players here that have been a big, big part of the success of this program, a lot more so than me. It's been nice to have guys reach out, which is really cool. But, you know, that's flattering. They know me well enough to know that I'm zeroed in on what's important, and that's kind of what we focused on with the kids. What's important now is what's on the lunch pail. And that's really the task at hand this season. And let's go make this a special season. That, for me, would be really cool at the end of the day. It's not about that, it's about this group of guys getting better each and every day. And that's what I've been pleased with. They worked their tails off so far. And we're just at the tip of the iceberg, the beginning of the season right now. But like I said, I"ve been pleased with their effort, their enthusiasm, their energy, and their'"want to' ability. They want to please each other, which means a lot more than them pleasing me. That's part of it."

IN ASSOCIATION WITH THAT, HAVE YOU HAD ANY OF THE YOUNG PLAYERS, TRUE FRESHMAN, REDSHIRT FRESHMAN, SOPHOMORES, COME TO YOU AND SAY "HEY, I CAME HERE TO PLAY FOR YOU"?

No, you know, they came here to play, hopefully, for the program. I mean obviously, we'll sit down and talk if those are issues. But they're here because of the history of this program and the tradition of this program. I'm still going to be around in some form or fashion, you know? I'll still be, I told those guys when I met with them and when I recruited them, this will be a relationship for a lifetime. It just doesn't end at the end of this season. That's the one thing, even though it may be a different role, those relationships aren't going to change. And my feelings towards those guys and this team and the people associated with it, the coaches and everybody, it's not going to change whatsoever. It'll still be my family as far as I'm concerned.

Charley Wiles

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR BACKUP DEFENSIVE ENDS? I'M ASSUMING [EMMANUEL] BELMAR AND GARBUTT ARE THE FIRST TEAM GUYS RIGHT NOW.

"I'm excited. I mean, Eli [Adams] has come on. Eli was a real dynamic football player in high school. Multiple, multiple sacks and very active. And he's undersized, he's not very tall, but he was 250 in the offseason. He's 241, 242 right now. Eli's been playing good, having a good camp. Been a great move for Jaylen Griffen to come down. We've done that. We've made a living doing that. You know, guys who are maybe a step slow, get them a little closer, line of scrimmage. Jaylen is a great kid, got a great football IQ. Things that came to him real good, I mean he's strong, man. He's able to eat now. It was all he could do to stay under 250 and now he's about 260 pounds, he was a 400+ bencher. He's strong, and he's getting better all the time. Excited about him. And then, it's a shame, with Zion [DeBose]. And now, on the other side, Jaevon Becton has got all kinds of ability. Really does. The more he plays, the better he's going to be. Jaevon is long, athletic, he's kind of rolling in the number 2 spot over there behind TyJuan. That was his first scrimmage the other day, he had a little bit of a flu bug or something and was sick and didn't get to scrimmage the first outing. But practiced a bunch leading up to that, but got sick right before. But he scrimmaged the other day, was very productive. Nate Proctor is battling for some time there as well, and then, uh did I leave anybody out? I don't think so. Other than, I think, really really good walk on kid is Nigel Simmons. If he continues the long haul, which he's been great, he's got a little size, put on quite a bit of weight, he's 230 right now. But really, I'm excited about those guys, man. Eli has been a playmaker, J-Bec has been a playmaker for us. I feel very comfortable with those guys playing having the time. I really do."

ZION HURT SOMETHING?

"Yeah, foot. He hurt his foot."

WHEN WILL HE BE BACK?
"I don't know about all that."

WHAT WAS IT THAT WAS PARTICULARLY APPEALING ABOUT DASHAWN WHEN HE FIRST CAME IN? IS HE STILL WORKING WITH THE FIRST TEAM?

"Yeah. Yeah. Lot of quickness. And now he's up to about 290, you know. And that was really a question mark with DaShawn, was how big could he get? You know, you never see him around here without something to eat in his hand.He's got a smoothie, he's got a granola bar, and then all the meals that the kids are getting. And he's still got his quickness, got a little bit more pop at the point of attack. But DaShawn has picked it up really well. Big, big advantage coming in in January, obviously. But, quickness and athleticism, I think. DaShawn is getting better. The good thing is, you know, he's being pushed with all the other guys that are getting reps in there too. And that's a good thing. It's hard to play 55, 60 plays inside, you know? It really is. It's very, very, physical. You can wear down a little bit, man. You're always chasing the ball and so you get a little tired. I think Desawh is somewhere in that 25 play range. So I think he can be real productive 25, 30 plays a game."

ANOTHER GUY THAT DIDN'T HAVE A WEIGHT ISSUE WAS JADEN [CUNNINGHAM]. I KNOW THAT'S A GUY YOU WANTED TO SEE COME IN AND BE READY. ARE THERE QUESTIONS?

"Sure. Always. He's been a really pleasant surprise, to be honest with you. He's a hard spot. He doesn't get pushed around there and he holds the point well and can run a little bit. Imagine him in a year, you know, just to get in great shape and be in our program for a winter and a spring. He's going to benefit huge from that. I'm excited. We batted 1.000 with those guys, which is hard to do. He's coming along nice, and then of course, Norell Pollard and Mario Kendrick and Josh Fuga too are all getting reps. And Rob Porcher needs to continue to get bigger and stronger, you know? He unfortunately had some high school injuries that didn't enable him to train. Wrist, or something. Some minor, but he wasn't able to train a couple times. And then he had a shoulder in the offseason. So just lacking some upper body strength, but can play in great body position. Plays behind his pads. But, there are some competitions out there, you know? And that's the best thing. Knowing that you're in a direct competition, and then it's a production based business, man. You got to play at a certain level and you got to make plays, or be productive. Or somebody is going to get your spot, you know?"

OBVIOUSLY, IN TWO WEEK, YOU'RE GOING TO FACE A TEAM THAT HAS A GOOD O-LINE. GOT [AJ] DILLON. HOW PREPARED DO YOU THINK YOU GUYS WILL BE FOR THAT CHALLENGE IN TWO WEEKS?

"That's the thing man. We know Boston College well, and what they're all about. You described them well. They've got a big back, they're always good on the offensive line, I don't care if they graduate guys or not, they recruit well and they're going to be physical. So we'll be ready to roll. We'll be ready for the challenge. I think they knocked us around a little bit last year, you know, at some spots, and we'll certainly look at some of that. We've got to go in and play technique and play fundamentals and play physical. We know what kind of game we're getting into. We'll be ready to roll."

TyJuan Garbutt

HOW DIFFERENT DO YOU FEEL THIS YEAR AS OPPOSED TO 365 DAYS AGO WHEN YOU WERE JUST A REDSHIRT FRESHMAN AND YOU HADN'T PLAYED ANY YET? HOW MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE DO YOU FEEL? IN A DIFFERENT POSITION FROM A LEADERSHIP STANDPOINT?

"Really, like you said, to answer you question, last year I was one of the younger guys that seemed to have come on and impressed during camp and also still learning as I was trying to, you know, make the travel team. Trying to give Coach Foster, Coach Wiles a reason to travel me. This year, with more experience under my belt, game experience, I'm trying to help push other guys and also trying to lead by example by practicing harder every day."

WHAT ARE SOME AREAS THAT YOU FEEL THAT YOU'VE MADE THE BIGGEST STRIDES IN?

"I want to say, my consistency. Some plays last year, I would show flashes what I could be, and this year, with me being more confident in the defense, confidence in myself, I would say I've made a big improvement. It's just being more comfortable to go out there and execute my assignment. But not only do that, but make a play while I'm executing my assignment."

ANY OF THE OLDER PLAYERS HAVE AN IMPACT FOR YOU?

"Houshun [Gaines], he always brought a bunch of energy. You can't really replace the energy he brought. That guy was live. He was always in a good mood. You couldn't really tell if he had a problem. When he hit the football field, he was ready to work and ready to lead younger guys like me. So I try to keep whatever issues I have off the field or whatever when I get here. And just be ready to work and be ready to bring some of these younger guys along."

I KNOW YOU PROBABLY HAVEN'T STARTED PREPPING SPECIFICALLY FOR BOSTON COLLEGE YET, BUT YOU KNOW WHAT KIND OF TEAM THEY ARE AND WHAT THEY LIKE TO DO. YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT THE RUNNING BACK I'M SURE. WHAT KIND OF CHALLENGE DOES THAT PRESENT RIGHT OFF THE BAT? GIVEN WHAT THE RUN DEFENSE WAS LIKE LAST YEAR, HOW MUCH MORE PREPARED DO YOU FEEL YOU GUYS ARE TO MEET THAT CHALLENGE?

"I mean, we kind of put last year behind us as soon as we came back in January for our team meeting. Just knowing that we're trying to get back to old standards of LPD, and not really worry about what happened the year past. Because that wasn't us, a lot of us are coming back this year having a bunch more confidence, more experience. Like guys in the back end, a bunch of the DB's, and just us up front. We want to be a more dominant group. We felt last year we kind of were okay, but okay is just what our record was. It was average. So we want to get back to dominating games on our side of the ball."

Vance Vice

ON LUKE TENUTA

"He's had a great, great offseason. I know we were able to redshirt him last year. He's put on about 50 pounds since I've gotten to know him, and he fits in great with this group. He works every day, and just like the most of them right now, they're all fighting for one of the five spots. I'm excited about him. Obviously, he's intelligent and understands what we're trying to do. He's able to play multiple positions, also, so he's got a lot of value right now. He's having a great camp so far."

ON JESSE HANSON

"Jesse, obviously, it was very beneficial for him to be here in the spring being a mid-year. He sort of understood a little bit more so than the incoming freshmen what was going to be expected. He's out there grinding every day right now, and he's done a great job in the classroom and in summer school and is in the weight room every day. He knows what it takes. The same as I just mentioned with Luke, he's fighting for an opportunity."

ON IF THIS IS THE MOST COMPETITION HE'S HAD SINCE HE GOT TO VIRGINIA TECH

"Yeah, there's five spots right now. With this group of guys and their mentality and work ethic, there's legitimate competition at every spot with every person in my room. I mean, from the front to the back. I mean, you can have a bad day, and you're going to get shuffled around a little bit, but it's legitimate competition. You've got guys that have got experience advantages over some others, but you know, just the caliber of kids that we've got and more so their mentality and athleticism give them a chance to do what we ask him. Now, they've just got to put (together) back-to-back days and get right in the mix."

ON WHEN HE NEEDS TO DETERMINE THE STARTING 5 BY

"Well, yeah, we'll put five out there the first play. You know, I'm not really handcuffed anymore. If they're not doing it, I don't have to watch it. I can put five more in there if I need to, but that's a luxury you don't get a lot of times, and it's a healthy competition, too. Obviously, they've got the right attitude and mindset that they want the offense to have success. They're competing with each other, not just behind them, but beside them and everywhere else."

ON HOW BROCK HOFFMAN HAS LOOKED, EVEN WHILE BEING IN LIMBO

"Well, obviously, it's been tough, but we can only control what we can control. Obviously, we'd like a resolution, not just for us, but for Brock and his family and for everyone else. He's a leader. He brought it day one to that room, to that group throughout the summer. He's got a chance to be a very good player, just waiting on to find out when."

ON WHETHER THE WAIT CHANGES HOW HOFFMAN PREPS

"Yeah. I think in this camp I've had seven centers take snaps. You know, in this profession, you've always got to prepare for not having this guy or that guy. You don't want to be caught standing at the altar with nobody to say 'I do,' to."

ON DARRISAW AND HOW HE CAN IMPROVE ON A GOOD FIRST YEAR

"Well, I'm super excited right now, because I think he's healthy. That was not the case for three quarters of the year last year. Obviously, there's technique, and he is a sophomore and there is a lot of room for improvement. He understands that and he's a guy with a lot of pride and he's been very consistent in the pass game and the run game, and we're still working on it. Now, he did a great job in the offseason bulking up in the weight room and increasing all of his numbers in there. Like I said, he's healthy right now, and it's pretty exciting for him."

ON TYRELL SMITH AND T.J. JACKSON AND IF THEY'VE STARTED TO FOCUS ON ONE SPOT

"Well, they have been quite a bit this fall at one spot. Now, T.J.'s been moved around to two or three. The great thing about both of those guys is they've been here a while, they understand schemes and they give me depth at a lot of places, and both of those guys are fighting for a spot right now. I mean, it's time, it's time. Obviously, Tyrell is a great leader for that group. He's the only old head in there, and T.J. is very athletic and huge and has overcome that a little bit. Tyrell is mainly a tackle, and T.J. has played all of them, except center."

ON DOUG NESTER, AND WHETHER HE'S EVER HAD A TRUE FRESHMAN START RIGHT OUT OF FALL CAMP

"Unfortunately, some schools I've been at, yes, I've had to play a freshman in the first game. You don't get much sleep, but it is an adjustment. You know, at Doug's high school, they're going to run downhill 68 out of 70 plays, but with the pass protection stuff and picking up the protections – he's done an unbelievable job. He comes in there and works every day. Again, another guy that fits perfect in this group. They've accepted him and he goes out there and gives it everything he has. It's good Play-Doh, if you will, to play with right now."