A service of TechSideline.com

Thomas Progressing Faster than Expected
by Chris Coleman, TechSideline.com, TSLMail #481, April 22, 2011

Logan Thomas has put up impressive numbers for Virginia Tech so far this spring. Though three mini-scrimmages and two full scrimmages, Thomas has put up big passing numbers while throwing just one interception.

Here's a look at the scrimmage-by-scrimmage numbers.

Logan Thomas
Event Comp. Att. Yards TD INT
Mini-Scrimmage 1 4 6 100 0 0
Full Scrimmage 1 8 14 75 0 0
Mini-Scrimmage 2 8 17 110 0 1
Full Scrimmage 2 9 16 214 2 0
Mini-Scrimmage 3 11 17 113 2 0
Totals 40 70 612 4 1


Those numbers are good enough for a 146.58 quarterback rating, which would have been good enough for 23rd in the country last season. As a comparison, Tyrod Taylor was 13th nationally in quarterback rating, with a mark of 154.80.

Despite being rated the #1 tight end recruit in the country coming out of high school, Thomas has been a quarterback since his junior season in high school. He was a wide receiver for Brookville during his sophomore year, catching over 50 passes, but began taking snaps as a junior and never looked back.

He was not regarded as a quarterback recruit coming out of high school because he had a long release, and his accuracy was a question mark. He completed just 52.9% of his passes as a junior, though that number improved to 57.8% as a senior.

His early work as a quarterback at Tech was inconsistent, as it is with most young quarterbacks. In a backup role last year, he completed just 12-of-26 passes, a 46.2% mark. Mike O'Cain noted earlier in the spring that his biggest concern with Thomas was his accuracy.

That hasn't turned out to be a problem, as Thomas has completed 57.1% of his passes this spring. If you throw out that one mini-scrimmage, Thomas is 32-of-53 (60.4%) for 502 yards, with four touchdowns and no interceptions. That's a quarterback rating of 164.8, which would have ranked in the top 10 nationally in 2010.

Through five scrimmages, his accuracy and completion percentage has been better than expected. Most of his incompletions have come on deep balls or throwaways under pressure. His short and intermediate passing has been very good thus far. In the last mini-scrimmage, he showed that he could complete short, finesse touchdown passes, placing the ball perfectly over the top of the defense.

For a guy who wasn't supposed to be a quarterback on the college level, Logan Thomas is looking pretty advanced so far, and he's only entering his third year in the program. A lot of credit has to go to quarterbacks coach Mike O'Cain, who is used to coaching tall, pocket passers such as Thomas.

Thomas will have an opportunity to compete against five other former Virginia high school quarterbacks who will be starting for other ACC schools. All of them were regarded as pure quarterbacks during the recruiting process. They are: E.J. Manuel (Florida State), Bryn Renner (UNC), Mike Glennon (NC State), Mike Rocco (UVA) and Tajh Boyd (Clemson).

Thomas wasn't recruited as a quarterback by most schools, but physically he is as good or better than anyone on that list. He's already developed quite a bit in a short period of time. Hopefully the development continues.


 

Virginia Tech Fighting Gobbler Trucker Hat: $19.99

Virginia Tech low-profile adjustable trucker hat with soft mesh back and felt applique. Snap back closure. 65/35 cotton/nylon. Shown in Dirty Maroon.

   TechSideline.com Updates From the Past Week

Friday Q&A and Discussion: April 22, 2011

April 22, 2011
Tomorrow's Spring Game will be a fun day for fans, players and coaches, but it will also be an extremely important day for the program. Not because Logan Thomas will play in his first Spring Game as the starting quarterback, and not because it's a chance to continue to develop defensive line depth. The Hokies will be hosting lot of top recruits this weekend, and the new staff will have a chance to make a great impression.
more

Events This Weekend
April 22, 2011
There's a lot going on this weekend in addition to the Spring Game. Here's a quick rundown of some events you might be interested in, hosted by TSL or TSL sponsors. We're having our usual Spring Game Tailgate (which we've been promoting on the message boards for a couple weeks), so read on to find the specifics on that and more.
more

Recruiting Diary: New Offers For Prosise
April 22, 2011
At the time of our first "Recruiting Diary" feature, Woodberry Forest (VA) safety/wide receiver CJ Prosise had four scholarship offers, including Maryland, Vanderbilt, Virginia (the first to offer) and Virginia Tech. Three new offers have since come for the versatile junior, who is steadily becoming one of the state's most highly recruited prospects.
more

Clover Hill Notes: 2013 Standout Emerges
April 20, 2011
It's no secret that Clover Hill High School (Midlothian, VA) features one of the most highly sought after prospects in the 2012 class in 6-3, 210-pound athlete Joel Caleb. This offseason, another Clover Hill standout may be emerging as a top 2013 class prospect.
more

Spring Practice Thoughts: The Defense
April 20, 2011
The starters on the defensive line certainly looked good on Friday night. The Hopkins brothers know each other well obviously, and they are going to really work very well together on the field. Antoine is going to stay motivated the entire season because his little brother is going to be better than him.
more

Catching Up With The 2011 Class: Cole, Harley, Vandyke
April 19, 2011
In this first installment of "Catching Up With The 2011 Class," Cave Spring (Roanoke, VA) safety/linebacker Michael Cole gives insight into Virginia Tech's spring practices, Warren Central (Indianapolis, IN) defensive tackle Kris Harley talks leaving home, and South County (Lorton, VA) safety Ronny Vandyke provides the latest on his status.
more

Spring Practice Thoughts: The Offense
April 19, 2011
That was probably the best scrimmage I've seen, in terms of the crispness. You usually see some sloppy play, but we didn't see much of that at all. They kept things moving quickly. I'm not sure we've ever run as many plays in a two hours scrimmage. There wasn't a lot of wasted time.
more

L.C. Bird Notes: The Latest On Deon Clarke
April 18, 2011
L.C. Bird (Chesterfield, VA) head coach David Bedwell has known Deon Clarke since Clarke's days as a ball-boy for the Skyhawks. Clarke, who arrived at Bird almost three years ago as a "baby fat kid that played aggressive," has developed into one of the state's best linebacker prospects in the 2012 class.
more

Scrimmage Observations: Defensive End
April 18, 2011
Well, the first thing I'd like to report is that this was one of the more crisp and well-executed spring scrimmages I've seen in the last several years. The offense was fluid and in rhythm, and the team was in and out of their sets and situations quickly. The coaches must be very pleased with the players and their sense of urgency and professionalism. I sure was. The offense, and the offensive line in particular, are further along than I have ever seen them at this point. Anyway, on to the defensive ends.
   TSLMail is a trademark of TechSideline.com - Copyright © 2011 - All Rights Reserved
   To unsubscribe from this email, reply with the word "UNSUBSCRIBE" in the subject.