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Josh Jackson named Virginia Tech starting quarterback

By Mike McDaniel

BLACKSBURG, VA - NOVEMBER 12: Head coach of the Virginia Tech Hokies Justin Fuente looks on in the second half of the game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Lane Stadium on November 12, 2016 in Blacksburg, Virginia. Georgia Tech defeated Virginia Tech 30-20. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images)
BLACKSBURG, VA - NOVEMBER 12: Head coach of the Virginia Tech Hokies Justin Fuente looks on in the second half of the game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Lane Stadium on November 12, 2016 in Blacksburg, Virginia. Georgia Tech defeated Virginia Tech 30-20. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images) /
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Just under three weeks from kickoff, Virginia Tech head coach Justin Fuente has named Josh Jackson his starting quarterback

The biggest question that the Virginia Tech Hokies faced heading into fall camp was at the quarterback position, where the coaching staff was looking to replace Jerod Evans following his move to the NFL.

It’s Monday August 14th, and we are just under three weeks until kickoff on Sunday, September 3rd against West Virginia. Today is the day that Virginia Tech head coach Justin Fuente has named his starting quarterback.

Redshirt-freshman Josh Jackson will start the season opener against the Mountaineers, which is hardly a surprise to those who have followed the competition since jump street. When Jerod Evans declared for the NFL Draft last winter, the answer as to who would replace him seemed obvious.

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Jackson, a former 4-star recruit from Saline, Michigan, spent last season redshirting, but was one of three quarterbacks entrenched in the quarterback competition last summer when the Hokies were looking for a replacement for departing quarterback Michael Brewer.

When a quarterback recruit who is so highly touted finds himself in the starting quarterback conversation as a true freshman, it signals that the talent level is there despite the obvious youth that comes with being a first year player at the FBS-level.

One year later, despite a dual push from another talented true freshman in Hendon Hooker and an athletic junior college transfer in A.J. Bush, Josh Jackson has prevailed and will lead the Hokies offense as the starter for the remainder of fall camp and into the fall. Despite zero career snaps between the three quarterbacks, Jackson has one more year of experience in the offensive system than Hooker and Bush, leading to more “predicted outcomes” which is a trait that Justin Fuente always speaks about with his quarterbacks.

All questions regarding the position can now be laid to rest, as the Hokies push full throttle towards the Labor Day Weekend tilt with their new starting quarterback.

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