Justin Fuente on the ACC’s Spring Teleconference
By Justin Cates
With another edition of spring football practice in the books, it was time for ACC coaches to speak with the media via teleconference Wednesday.
Here’s a recap of Virginia Tech head coach Justin Fuente’s thoughts on spring ball.
Opening Statement
“I’d like to start by thanking everybody that came to the spring game. We had a little bit of a rough weather situation, but the Hokie Nation turned out in full force, and that was fun for our kids.
Also want to thank everybody that’s joined our Drive for 25 campaign with our Hokie club. It’s the single best way for them to help our program.
I want to send well-wishes to our guys in the NFL Draft coming up. Got a couple guys, I think, that are going to have a chance to the play in the league for a little while, at least.
And we had a productive spring. We’ve got plenty of work from both sides of the ball and on special teams. We’re looking forward to our kids finishing up finals and turning their attention to the summertime.”
On Tech’s quarterback battle…
“Well, in my mind all three of them are in the middle of the competition. I’m not sure one of them is any further ahead than the others. They all bring a little bit of uniqueness in their skillset. But we’re certainly not repping different types of offenses with those guys. I like the way he’s progressed. He does have some talent.
It’s still a long way to go from being a high school senior to being a true freshman quarterback in college. But he certainly took strides in that direction during the springtime and will need to take strides in that direction during the summer and during fall camp.”
On some of the Hokies hoping to be selected in the NFL Draft…
“Well, when you think about Isaiah Ford and his ability to make contested catches, to me, he’s a highly intelligent kid that was a great basketball player that really loves football. And he’s a pleasure to be around on a daily basis, and has the ability to go make contested catches.
Bucky, when you look at his size, weight, and speed, it’s appealing. I think he’ll need to find the right fit for an NFL team that wants to try and use and develop that skillset.
Then Jerod is a guy that looked incredibly productive this year, running and throwing the football. Part of that business is finding the right situation, and hopefully he finds the right situation.”
On what he wants from his quarterbacks…
“Well, we had 15 practices to evaluate them. I think there were some good and some bad in there with all three of them.
The thing that we’re looking for are predicted outcomes. I want to see them deliver the ball in the manner we’re coaching them to do. Sometimes the outcome may not be good, but I want to see them do what they’re coached to do on a consistent basis. I want to see them make the easy fundamental plays consistently, and I want to see them value the football.
All three of them at times did that and at times didn’t do that. So I think that’s why the competition is continuing into the summer and will continue through camp.”