Five Thoughts After Virginia Tech's 2023 Spring Game

Andy Bitter

Senior Staff Writer

April 16, 2023 41

Take everything from Virginia Tech's spring game on Saturday with a grain of salt. (Jon Fleming)

Take everything from the Virginia Tech spring game with a giant grain of salt. Those are solid words to live by.

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2023 Spring Football 2023 Spring Game Five Thoughts

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41 Comments

SkykingHokie April 17, 2023 at 4:47 PM

Agreed. He has the tools to be a very solid QB for us. I hope we can get him a decent OL to make the most of his chances.
rahokie April 17, 2023 at 3:38 PM

I thought Witke looked equally as impressive as Watson all things considered. Both had great speed on the run. Seem to recall that he had a touchdown pass just out of reach of the receiver. Future does indeed look great!
j201111c April 17, 2023 at 3:35 PM

Andy question. Is it just me that notices how unsuccessful rollouts are for Wells. Even with no back pressure he seems to eventually just run himself to the sideline which lessons his options of the reduced field. He did this all last year with hardly no success down field. The least pressure and it’s a race to the sideline.
woodyd April 17, 2023 at 1:50 PM

For that PFF pass rushing stat, are Garbutt and McCray's rankings for just the ACC?
1. Andy Bitter April 17, 2023 at 1:58 PM
  
  Yes. Sorry. That part was omitted.
vttailgater April 17, 2023 at 9:50 AM

We need to go all in on Troy Everett from App St. He entered the portal Saturday, was a freshman All American last year, has 3 years of eligibility, and we need offensive linemen!
1. Andy Bitter April 17, 2023 at 10:54 AM
  
  He'll be a hot property in the portal. Oklahoma already offered.
  1. vtsquirm April 17, 2023 at 3:38 PM
    
    He's from Roanoke, right? These are the types of wins we have to get.
    1. SkykingHokie April 17, 2023 at 4:45 PM
      
      We need to get him and 1-2 more. If we go into the season with what we have... it will be long and hard, and not the good kind....
2. middletennhokie April 18, 2023 at 9:31 AM
  
  Amen!
LifetimeHokie12 April 17, 2023 at 9:09 AM

Hey Andy, maybe this has been mentioned, but can we get some improvement on the formatting? Your mailbag and this were made a tad difficult to read due to the questions and your numbered thoughts not being noticeably bolded or larger than the paragraph body.
1. Andy Bitter April 17, 2023 at 10:53 AM
  
  Not sure, but I can look into it.
  1. Will Stewart April 17, 2023 at 2:44 PM
    
    We can do that.
    1. TwoWhiteCards April 18, 2023 at 11:15 AM
      
      Also, a mobile app would be tremendous and help the engagement. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has mentioned this.
HtownHokie April 16, 2023 at 8:18 PM

Did Grant Wells really kick-off, twice? What is that “move” about? I’m guessing if he turns into a good to excellent QB we need, he won’t be exposed to a possible cheap shot injury on the KO squad.
1. Andy Bitter April 17, 2023 at 10:54 AM
  
  The stats crew mixes up duplicate numbers sometimes. Those are screenshots from VT's live stats.
HOKIEBO07 April 16, 2023 at 6:39 PM

"5 Thoughts" has returned! I love it! Those other chumps have lost my money. TSL FTW! Go Hokies!!!
1. MammyWhammy April 17, 2023 at 12:14 PM
  
  I was looking for an excuse anyways, this article proved I made the right decision.
TomTurkey April 16, 2023 at 4:12 PM

It's great to have "5 Thoughts..." at our fingertips so we can read and digest your comments. This is the 101st thing we should know about Virginia Tech. In no particular order. :)
Ronfarmer27 April 16, 2023 at 3:20 PM

It’s so marvelous to see “5 Thoughts the Day After…” Gave me a big smile
GO_HOKIES_GO April 16, 2023 at 3:19 PM

When Michael Vick was red-shirting the rumor amongst the players was that he was something special - what is the gossip amongst the veteran players about Watson? It would be great if he had a year to get stronger and learn the playbook, but if the production at QB does not improve there will likely be a new OC/QB coach next year anyway. I hope “it” transfers into success at VT and not a transfer to a bigger P-5 program with more NIL resources.
1. Wtcarter12 April 17, 2023 at 7:58 AM
  
  Players like Vick don’t come to VT in todays recruiting world. I’m not saying Watson won’t be a good player but he was playing against guys that are mostly 3rd, 4th string. People don’t want to hear this but grant Wells has all the ability to be a good QB, he showed that in the spring game. He just has to do it in a real game.
  1. MammyWhammy April 17, 2023 at 12:18 PM
    
    Wells isn't a bad QB, he has some learning to do and last season's line never gave him the time of day to actually figure out how to make the step up to the next level.
    1. SkykingHokie April 17, 2023 at 4:47 PM
      
      Agreed. He has the tools to be a very solid QB for us. I hope we can get him a decent OL to make the most of his chances.
PenthouseAlumni April 16, 2023 at 2:35 PM

What Position does Pheldarius Payne play? Is he still rehabbing from last year?
1. Andy Bitter April 16, 2023 at 2:42 PM
  
  He's kind of a tweener. Had been inside this spring, best I can tell.
HokieDelNorte April 16, 2023 at 2:07 PM

Did Xayvion Turner-Bradshaw play? I don’t recall seeing him. Also, any highlights on Watson? I recall the pass to Holloway, but missed the runs.
1. Technically April 16, 2023 at 8:07 PM
  
  He was at punt returner in the first half.
2. vtgriff09 April 17, 2023 at 6:56 AM
  
  Turner Bradshaw played. They missed him on a deep ball 2nd half.
Irish Hokie April 16, 2023 at 1:53 PM

Pop is the future at VT…he’s clearly got the ‘it’ factor. Also, I would have liked to have seen swapping out Wells for Drones on the Maroon team…that would have been a better indication of his progress. Drones literally had no chance to succeed behind that White OLINE. Coupled with the fact he couldn’t run, made it even more ridiculous for him to have any success. We are better. Finally, watch out for the DE Jenrette who’s enrolling in the summer. It wouldn’t surprise me if he ended up being a starting DE …McCray is lacking in strength. Nelson needs to seriously step up.
1. gaholder81 April 16, 2023 at 2:56 PM
  
  Agree. Despite the coaches and others desperately wanting someone to unseat Wells it ain't gonna happen. Not that Wells is good. He isn't. But he is way ahead of Drones and moderately ahead of Watson. The true competition seems to be who will be the second team QB during the season. Excited to see Watson more in the years to come! Also excited about our DBs!
  1. Tailgate Guru April 16, 2023 at 8:48 PM
    
    I seriously doubt the coaches “desperately want” someone to unseat Wells. I think they want the best guy to play, whoever it is. And Wells is more than good enough to help this team win if we can block and put some receivers on the field who can create separation.
    1. LXNTN_HOKIE April 17, 2023 at 12:30 AM
      
      Amen to that.
    2. gaholder81 April 17, 2023 at 6:14 AM
      
      You are right! I should have said desperately want someone to PUSH Wells. I stand corrected. I just don't think we have a guy on the roster that can. That was my point. Bad choice of words on my part.
2. HokienGeorjaw April 16, 2023 at 5:05 PM
  
  +1.
3. JD08 April 17, 2023 at 9:03 AM
  
  I thought the same thing...but the other thing we have to factor in is that the spring game is choreographed. There is every bit the likelihood that Drones looks far better than what we saw on Saturday and there is every bit the possibility that's exactly what CBP wants.
fosterD1 April 16, 2023 at 1:49 PM

Would like to see Holloway put on 20 pds before September…
1. Irish Hokie April 16, 2023 at 1:54 PM
  
  ☝️☝️☝️ On Holloway….try a few protein drinks and a steak a day for starters. GEESH!
  1. 91HokieBob April 16, 2023 at 3:32 PM
    
    Kid looks like he's lost about 15 or so pounds! Nickname him Twiggy. Might be fast, but if he can't get off the LOS or block....ehhhh hurts the O overall.
2. VicDrit April 16, 2023 at 2:46 PM
  
  Cam Johnson as well.
3. VT_Consul April 16, 2023 at 5:22 PM
  
  He can have the extra 20 I'm carrying around...

Five Thoughts After Virginia Tech's 2023 Spring Game

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