Virginia Tech Spring Football Preview: A Look at the Quarterbacks

The Sean Glennon days are over and the Tyrod Taylor days will resume a normal schedule at Virginia Tech.

Taylor, who has spent the last two springs expecting to be redshirted, will finally get his chance this spring to work with the offense and develop his game even further without having to look over his shoulder to see a “No. 7” standing there.

Taylor has really matured and improved since his first drive against LSU 19 months ago, but he is clearly nowhere near the ceiling of his almost limitless potential. Hokies coaches will continue to work with him on reading defenses in hopes of “T-mobile” having very Bryan Randall-esque junior and senior seasons.

Before I continue with more of my clearly remarked “man love” for Taylor, lets take a look at how the depth chart will look when spring practice starts in late March.


First String

Tyrod Taylor started 10 games in 2008 and will hopefully start a full 14 in 2009. He is coming off a year where statistically wasn’t the best he has ever had.

Taylor threw for just over 1,000 yards with two touchdown passes and seven interceptions. However, in typical Hokies quarterback fashion, he made up for his passing stats with his 738 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns.

It’s safe to say Tyrod is beginning to live up to that hype that everybody built around him when he was still in high school.  Just two years into his college career, the Hokies have two ACC championships and an Orange Bowl trophy. This is not bad for a kid who is just 19 years old.


Second String

This is where the question lies, since Cory Holt and Glennon have exited stage left. Who will be the quarterback to come in if Taylor gets hurt?

Most signs point to redshirt freshman JuJu Clayton getting the nod as second string quarterback this fall. Clayton is a good football player but after seeing him last fall, he is one of the players that need to have a good spring.

JuJu has a good arm but lacks consistent accuracy. However, he does have good field vision from what I’ve seen out of him and he can make a lot of the throws necessary to be a quarterback at Virginia Tech.


Third String

Marcus Davis was a prized high school recruit back in 2008 that underwent shoulder surgery, which forced him to redshirt last season.

Davis will probably start off this spring at quarterback to give the Hokies an extra body. However, I could see Davis working out at quarterback some the first week then spending the rest of the spring at his more natural position, wide receiver.

Davis is a tall and athletic kid that has a solid arm but if he does want to player quarterback, he will need drastic help with his mechanics and throwing motion. Plus he had surgery on his right shoulder, which is his throwing shoulder. That may all but seal the deal on him moving to wide receiver full time.


Summary

As long as nothing happens to Taylor, the Hokies will be fine at quarterback in 2009. Clayton will be a solid backup that will only get better with experience.

Virginia Tech has plenty of other options as well next fall with Logan Thomas being able to throw the ball and Greg Boone coming back. However, the Hokies will desperately need to find a couple quarterbacks in the 2010 class after missing on four very talented in-state quarterbacks in last year’s class.


Players Lost from 2008

Sean Glennon (Graduation)

Cory Holt (Graduation)


Enrolling in fall 2009

Antone Exum