Virginia Tech Football: 5 Toughest QBs Hokies Will Face in 2015
The Virginia Tech Hokies have struggled to replace former ACC Player of the Year Tyrod Taylor going on five years now. Logan Thomas was under center for three years and had some really good moments. However, most Hokie fans will remember Thomas for his running ability and propensity to turn the ball over.
So the Hokies know all about good quarterback play. Tech had flashes in 2014 with Michael Brewer. Much like Thomas, though, Brewer had his battles with turnovers.
Make no mistake, a good quarterback makes the difference between a good team and a great team. In 2015, the Hokies will face their fair share of talented passers. VT opens the season against defending champion Ohio State, and the Buckeyes don't yet know who their quarterback will be. But it doesn't matter. They're all good. Really good.
Who's the best quarterback Virginia Tech will face in 2015? Here are the top five passers on VT's schedule for the upcoming season.
5. Marquise Williams, North Carolina
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North Carolina quarterback Marquise Williams enters his senior season with high expectations. Finally a full-time starter for the first time in 2014, Williams flourished. He passed for 21 touchdowns against just nine interceptions. He also rushed for 788 yards—12th among quarterbacks nationally—and 13 touchdowns.
However, UNC fans were a bit nervous this winter when it was announced Williams would miss all of spring practice after recovering from surgery to repair a partially torn labrum in his left hip.
Fear nothing, says UNC head coach Larry Fedora, per Brett Friedlander of the Star-News.
"Marquise is our starting quarterback,” Fedora said. “I’m looking forward to watching all the quarterbacks compete in fall camp, I anticipate Marquise taking that first snap against South Carolina and getting after it.”
Williams is the type of quarterback that has given the Hokies problems over the years: a big, athletic passer who is capable of burning Tech through the air or on the ground. The Hokies and Heels meet November 21 in Blacksburg.
4. Jacoby Brissett, N.C. State
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Jacoby Brissett quietly had a solid season for the Wolfpack in his first year in Raleigh in 2014. A Florida transfer, Brissett was one of only three quarterbacks in the Power Five conferences to pass for at least 2,000 yards, rush for 300 yards, pass for 20 touchdowns and throw five or fewer interceptions, per N.C. State's official website. Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota and UCLA's Brett Hundley were the other two.
What can Brissett do for an encore?
He isn't going to sneak up on anyone this season, but he's a player the Hokies have never faced. He, like Williams, is big and athletic. He runs well, too, although he's better in the pocket than most athletic quarterbacks.
VT hosts N.C. State Friday, October 9.
3. Justin Thomas, Georgia Tech
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The Hokies know Justin Thomas quite well. Last season, the Yellow Jackets came into Lane Stadium and pulled off a big road win behind Thomas and his 165 rushing yards. Thomas didn't exactly light it up through the air, but Georgia Tech quarterbacks rarely do.
As the season wore on and teams started to focus on Thomas' running ability, he started to become a better passer. The highlight of GT's season was an Orange Bowl triumph over Mississippi State, where Thomas completed 58 percent of his passes and tossed a touchdown, while also rushing for 121 yards and three more scores on the ground. Before the game, analysts were talking about Dak Prescott. After the game, it was all about Thomas.
Expect bigger things from Thomas in 2015. Bud Foster's defense generally does a good job against Georgia Tech's triple-option offense. But to stop—or slow down—GT, you first must contain Thomas. If the Hokies fail to do that, they'll struggle to defeat the Jackets.
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2. Brad Kaaya, Miami
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Miami quarterback Brad Kaaya had a sensational first season for the Hurricanes in 2014. He completed 59 percent of his passes for 3,198 yards and 26 touchdowns. His play was a big reason the 'Canes were much improved offensively last season.
Now that Kaaya is under center, there's reason to think "The U" is back. The Hurricanes have had talent over the last decade but have struggled to find consistency under center. With a healthy Kaaya, that should not be an issue.
At 6'4", 209 pounds, he has ideal size for a pocket passer. Sure, he could stand to add some weight, but he has a strong arm and is an accurate passer. At times last season, Kaaya looked like one of the better young quarterbacks in all of college football.
Miami dominated the Hokies last season, although Kaaya was quiet in that contest. Getting pressure on him will be a major priority for Bud Foster in 2015.
1. Ohio State's Quarterbacks
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Ohio State is the envy of college football. Not only are the Buckeyes the defending national champions, but they also have three quarterbacks who could start for most FBS teams. Yes, that's three quarterbacks. Most teams struggle to find one.
Senior Braxton Miller went down before the start of the season last year. Miller was expected to be a contender for the Heisman Trophy before he missed the season. Enter freshman J.T. Barrett. Barrett struggled early on but quietly put together a strong season before an injury in the season finale against Michigan.
Enter Cardale Jones. Jones is the biggest of the group. At 6'5", 250 pounds, he is a physical specimen. He's OSU's best downfield passer. He can run, too.
All three are back, and according to Bovada, via College Football Talk, Barrett is the odds-on favorite to start the beginning of the season. Remember, we are still three months away from the beginning of the 2015 season. Whichever quarterback takes the field against VT on Labor Day will give Foster and his defense fits. All three can run Urban Meyer's offense with precision and are dangerous on the ground and through the air.
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