Bud Foster lands a big time linebacker recruit. So far, the Hokies have not received a commitment from a single mike or backer prospect in 2011, despite linebacker being the weakest position on the field in the 2010 season. Instead, Foster again interviewed for a head coaching position where he was not a favorite, likely in an effort to secure a raise.

Listen, I like Bud Foster's defenses. He has taken mis-matched talent and created a hybrid system which gets the maximum output out of the talent he has available, but ultimately, Virginia Tech's program depends on developing an identity on offense and getting top talent for the defense. While playcalling and execution continue to leave us scratching our heads, the Hokie offense will return at least 4 NFL type talents (Wilson, Boykin, Coale, and DeChristopher) with lots of potential with Laurence Gibson, Nick Becton, Logan Thomas, and Vinston Painter. Meanwhile, outside of Jaron Hosley and Bruce Taylor, who are the NFL talents on defense? Maybe Antoine Hopkins (who I really like), but he is a little smallish for an NFL DT. The talent just isn't there.

This year, Bud Foster had the best linebacker in the country in his backyard. Curtis Grant plays at a school, (Hermatige in Richmond) that has essentially been a feeder program for Virginia Tech over the years. Grant had VT slotted as his top school as a junior, and he was the defensive MVP of the Blacksburg Skills Camp. Nevertheless, he did not get one in person visit from Foster, and somehow the best LB prospect since Xavier Adibi in Virginia now has Florida and UNC as his top choices. Travis Hughes, also a Virginia kid and a highly touted LB prospect, also decided to head to UNC, and Foster has lost some talented DB prospects to UVA. TO UVA! Even after beating them like a drum for the last 7 seasons. This has to stop.