:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55087975/usa_today_9636338.0.jpg)
The quarterback situation at Virginia Tech is a true enigma. There are several candidates with literal skin in the game. There are populist votes, and there are write-ins happening almost weekly. I am not brave enough to forecast a Virginia Tech starter as of yet, but I do feel comfortable enough to talk about why that matters. Taking the global view of the A.C.C., it seems Virginia Tech has brought some knives to a gun fight. Louisville should feel the best about itself in this particular comparison. As I look back to my notes from last year, Brad Kaaya was the “Belle of the Ball” in the Coastal Division. He didn’t exactly light the world on fire. In the Atlantic Division, Deshaun Watson took home the heaviest hardware of them all.
Watson was a two year starter. The last time Virginia Tech had a 2 year starter, Brenden Motley started the very next game. Michael Brewer suffered a broken collar bone, and in effect, capsized Frank Beamer’s final season. No knock on Motley. He did what he could do. Motley was a back up. Motley was an emergency plan. There was a reason Frank Beamer decided to play the transfer or JUCO carousel. Brewer was it. I love Michael Brewer, because he is the rarest commodity in my profession: He is honest. Brewer walked me through the whole Ohio State game debacle, but was a good teammate to the end.
“Michael Brewer was a free agent for sure, but he was our best option.”
—Roy Hatfield
Where does that leave us now? It leaves us at a similar position to last season. Everybody remembers Jerod Evans. The JUCO kid who came to Blacksburg and put up some serious numbers. Excuse me, he put up some some serious Virginia Tech numbers. Evans wasn’t drafted where he wanted to be drafted. The Philadelphia Eagles signed him to a free agent deal, then cut him. I wish Evans all the best, but I continually look forward. So where does that leave us? Your guess is good as mine, but keep the name Joshua Jackson top of mind.
If Virginia Tech wants to get serious, they need a legit QB1. Right now, there is a bunch of also rans, never rans, and some interesting transfers. Coach Fuente needs to get this locked in or suffer a similar fate of 2016: Kind of good, but not “real good””.