Coach Fuente outlines spring points of emphasis for HokiesCoach Fuente outlines spring points of emphasis for Hokies
Football

Coach Fuente outlines spring points of emphasis for Hokies

Head coach Justin Fuente addressed the media following Tech's 11th practice of the spring on Thursday morning. He explained the three main points of emphasis that have been stressed on both sides of the ball since the Hokies kicked off spring drills.
 

  1. The Ball – "We have to have a huge emphasis on taking care of the football and how we take it away." 
  2. 3rd Down – "We were unsatisfactory on both sides of the ball a year ago." 
  3. How We Practice – "We've taken big strides there." 

 


 
Scrimmage Saturday 
Fuente indicated that the team will conduct its most comprehensive scrimmage of the spring this Saturday, which is slated to include a variety of situational periods, including goal-line work, plus two-minute and four-minute situations. Tech is scheduled to conduct its final three practices of spring next week. The learnings from Saturday's scrimmage will determine the areas the coaching staff feel need additional work. 

Depth, Size on the Interior of Defensive Front is a Plus in 2021 
While Tech may not boast lots of game reps at defensive end (noting that DE Amare' Barno only made that move from linebacker during fall camp in 2020), the Hokies have a plethora of experienced talent at defensive tackle. 
 
"On the inside, Mario (Kendricks) and Norell (Pollard) had great off-seasons," Fuente said. "Jordan Williams has been really good for us. (Josh) Fuga continues to improve and we've got DaShawn (Crawford) who is getting healthy … That's the one spot last year where we played multiple people. Those guys in that room know they're going to play."  
 
The biggest addition to that group in terms of size and stature is Clemson transfer, DT Jordan Williams, who is listed at 6'1" and indicated on Thursday that he's currently weighing in around 300 pounds after departing Clemson weighing around 317 pounds. 
 
"I feel a lot healthier, a lot faster, a lot quicker," Williams said." But I also feel like I've got my power and strength behind me. I'm currently at 300 and feeling good." 

"He's jumped right in and fit right in with the players," added Fuente. "He's a pleasure to be around. He carries some weight because he's been around some really good teams and he really wants to do a good job of contributing to this one." 
 
The increased size and stature that the Hokies possess on the interior of the defensive line could potentially give Tech the potential to shift its pre-snap alignment less frequently.  
 
"When you're not as big, you need to move your front more, that usually helps you out a little bit," Fuente explained. "With Jordan, he can both move like that and stand still and be effective playing defensive tackle. That's a nice benefit to have, a guy who can split a double team or when the double team comes off, be able to shed the block and make the play without having to move the front. As you start to move the front, things start to change behind you … When you start moving those gaps it starts changing the picture that the linebackers see which then changes the picture that the safeties see. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it can make things more complicated. Jordan certainly has the ability for us to leave it a little more stagnant if we need to." 
 
Williams was also asked about whether the NFL coaching experience of defensive line coach Bill Teerlinck is something that he's soaking up.  
 
"Absolutely. The NFL experience, ultimately that's where everyone in our room wants to be," Williams said. "So to take some of his knowledge and the things he's taught the pros in the league, you just have to be a sponge and soak it all in." 
 
The NFL Draft Countdown is on! 
The NFL Draft officially kicks off in Cleveland three weeks from tonight on April 29. The buzz is beginning to pick up and we'll keep fans up to date with all the latest interviews and insight from our prospects on the @HokiesFB Twitter feed. 
 
CB Caleb Farley invited to Cleveland among first 10 players selected to attend the 2021 NFL Draft in person. You may also want to check out T Christian Darrisaw chatting with Jim Rome. 
 



TE Drake Deuliis Making Strides 
"I'm so proud of Drake," Fuente said. "I'm proud because he's had an interesting journey … He's just continued to stay the course and is becoming a leader for us. He's a well-respected guy. He's picking up what we're asking him to do and he has to be diligent because we're asking those guys (the TEs) to do a lot. He's a great example, in my opinion, of a guy who stuck it out, continued to work hard and now is reaping the benefits. He played a big role for us last year and is going to play a big role for us again this year." 

Quote of the Day
"Will's been great. I think he's getting more reps than he ever dreamed of right now, that we ever dreamed of. As soon as he stepped out of the car he was in there taking reps." – Coach Fuente on walk-on offensive lineman Will Jones (6'6" 286) from Stuart's Draft, Virginia.