Coach Fuente talks roster, recruiting, coaches and more at media sessionCoach Fuente talks roster, recruiting, coaches and more at media session
Football

Coach Fuente talks roster, recruiting, coaches and more at media session

BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech's roster is well stocked and the coaching staff has been filled out as the Hokies enter the month of February. Head coach Justin Fuente conducted an expansive media session on Wednesday, delving into a wide range of topics. Here are some of the key takeaways. 
 
Watch Coach Fuente's Full Media Session
 
"Overall, I'm excited," Fuente said. "We've never had this many people in our program in the spring. Our numbers are better than they've ever been. Our grades are better than they're ever been. Our kids are working hard and are hard at it. We've gotten this semester off to a great start. We expect to have a great spring and a great summer, and quite honestly, I expect this team to be good. We've got guys coming back at every position and I'm awfully excited about the potential of what we can do." 
 
Fuente indicated that seven players are taking advantage of an extra year of eligibility and thanked Tech's administration for allowing him to bring this group back for the 2021 campaign. 
 
Seven Super Seniors
DE Emmanuel Belmar
DT DaShawn Crawford 
WR Changa Hodge
DB Keondre' KO  
CB Tyree Rodgers
K John Parker Romo
S Devin Taylor 
 
Incoming Transfers 
Three of Tech's four incoming veteran transfers are on-campus and engaged in winter strength and conditioning workouts. Fuente elaborated on all three, including 757 native DT Jordan Williams, who came to Blacksburg after playing the last three seasons as Clemson. 
 
"Watching him briefly here jump in and fit right in has been good to see," Fuente said of Williams. "Obviously we have not been real big at defensive tackle and that's been part of what we need to do. He certainly brings that first and foremost."  
 


 
Fuente also talked at length at two additions to his on-field coaching staff, J.C. Price (co-defensive line/defensive recruiting coordinator) and Jack Tyler (linebackers). Both men were all-conference players for the Hokies during their playing days.  
 
Fuente on J.C. Price
"He's obviously got a lot of ties in the state of Virginia. They were very good on defense at Marshall last year. A seasoned veteran with ties to Virginia Tech. Both he and his wife were standout student-athletes here, so excited to do that." 
 


 
Fuente on Jack Tyler
"An obvious choice," and a "slam dunk." "You don't want guys that pine to be the coordinator. You want guys that understand the big picture." 
 
Position Changes 
Fuente indicated that Lakeem Rudolph has "outgrown" the safety position and is moving linebacker. He also told media members that he believes offensive line is a position where Derrell Bailey is better suited. 
 
Spring Football
After a tumultuous 2020 that saw Tech get exactly zero spring practices in, Fuente shared that he has the 2021 spring schedule "in pencil." While he's aware that some teams are moving up spring ball or delaying it, Fuente currently has Tech's on-field practices scheduled in their normal slot, knowing anything or everything could be subject to change.