Tech approaching midway point of spring footballTech approaching midway point of spring football
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Tech approaching midway point of spring football

Opens in a new window VT Football Spring Notes

Head coach Justin Fuente and the Hokies wrapped up their seventh practice of the spring on Tuesday morning. After COVID-19 and quarantine stripped Tech of its entire spring schedule in 2020, Fuente is appreciative for every opportunity to get on the field this spring. 
 
"We're grateful for every single one of them," said of Tech's allotted 15 practices scheduled this spring. "You look across the country at teams that have had to pause – I think there's three of them in our league – probably nine or 10 across the country that have had to pause. We've been fortunate so far and we've got our fingers crossed … We've gotten good work on fundamentals and special teams." 

Fuente indicated that Tech is delving more into situational football this week. The Hokies will be back on the field on Thursday. Throughout spring practice numerous players have pointed to Tech's 33-15 win against Virginia last December as a "complete game" and a sign of the potential of this squad in 2021. 
 
Make sure to download the PDF of Tech's 2021 spring notes and 2020 season review. 
 
Herbert Appears on NFL Network's Good Morning Football 
Perhaps the unusual bit of "news" that was broken today came on NFL Network's Good Morning Football. Although no secret in the Tech locker room, Herbert revealed that he was born with 12 fingers (six on each hand) and six toes on his left foot. Among more predictable tidbits the Tech running back dropped was the fact that his favorite NFL running back of all time is LaDainian Tomlinson, who owns a similar physique and running style. Combined with the fact that his birthday is April 21, the No. 21 that Herbert wore in college is also an homage to Tomlinson. Check out the complete interview. 
 


 
31 NFL Teams Attend Tech's Pro Day 
Blacksburg was the place to be on Friday as every NFL team but the L.A. Rams (who aren't travelling to Pro Days this spring) was in attendance. While CB Caleb Farley didn't work out due to a recent back surgery, he did conduct a group Q&A with the coaches, scouts and executives in attendance, in addition to answering individual questions from NFL teams and the media.  

T Christian Darrisaw was worked out by several NFL offensive line coaches, including Tom Cable of the Raiders. S Divine Deablo went through the entire array of Pro Day testing and was put through his paces in defensive back drills by Steelers' defensive backs coach Teryl Austin. RB Khalil Herbert enlisted the assistance of QB Ryan Willis as he displayed his route running skills on Friday. Like Deablo, Herbert also went through all testing and drills, and also fielded punts for those in attendance..  

 
Packers GM Brian Gutekunst Returns to Blacksburg  
One of the most high-profile attendees at Tech's Pro Day on Friday was Packers' GM Brian Gutekunst. No stranger to Blacksburg, Gutekunst spent five years growing up around Virginia Tech when his father, John, was an assistant on Bill Dooley's staff from 1979-83. The elder Gutekunst would later go on to become the head coach at the University of Minnesota. Check out the full interview conducted by Jon Laaser. 
 


 
STAT OF THE DAY 
Tech returns four offensive linemen who own a combined 92 collegiate starts – Brock Hoffman (35), Lecitus Smith (27), Silas Dzansi (16) and Luke Tenuta (14). 

 Gallery: (4-2-2021) 2021 FOOTBALL SPRING PRACTICE