Entering the spring, we knew things would be different. Tim Rattay was off to the NFL with the Washington Redskins, and Todd Fitch had taken over the QB duties.
I think Fitch taking over the QB coaching duties has been a positive. He’s intense, but he also seems to really have the respect of the players. Fitch and Holtz have coached together for years and know exactly what the other is thinking at all times. This is a positive.
I also think that Fitch has given the QB room hope of it being a best man wins scenario as far as the depth chart goes. This has helped everyone pick up their game on a more consistent basis.
J’Mar Smith:
-I think J’Mar had a solid spring. Speaking to not only the coaches but spectators as well, everyone believes that he’s stepped up his game this spring, and he needed to.
-He was completing over 80% of throws at around the halfway point of the spring.
-Turnovers were limited
-Body language was better, I don’t think he’ll ever evolve into a true leader, but he has taken steps forward
-He hit a few deep balls, but it needs to become more consistent
-He looked to be moving around better, looked to have more of a burst when he took off to run. He seemed to run with more conviction this spring.
-He has really good chemistry with Powell out of the slot
-I’m not going to say he’s going to throw for 3,500 yards and 30 TDs until I see it, he has to prove himself on the field
Westin Elliott:
-He’s a football player, we have a true option at the back-up QB spot that can truly win us games, he’s a true leader
-At times he evaluates really well pre-snap and will make great checks, but at other times he won’t read the numbers game correctly when it comes to screen game
-Extremely good chemistry with Smoke
-At times his lack of arm strength can cause problems over the middle
-Shows really good touch on the deep ball
-From when he walked on to campus two years ago to where he is now, his growth has been exceptional
-Not going to beat you with his legs, but he’s not as much of a statue as one would think based on appearance
Aaron Allen:
-I don’t think he’s progressed as quickly as I thought he would, but he’s also a RS FR that is still learning the offense
-He’s a true dual threat QB, a weapon in the open field as a runner
-He could be a guy that there is a special package for, that’s the type of player he is at this point in his development
-Still having those plays where you can see him being the next great QB at times, but at other times he’ll just throw it right to a defender and you wonder what he saw
-I think he’s the clear 3rd string QB at this point
Jakson Thomson:
-having 15 practices to learn the offense will be extremely valuable for him come this summer and fall, it was easy to see that he got much more comfortable with each passing day
-sometimes I felt like he tucked and ran too quickly, but he was also working behind a makeshift OL with the 3’s, so hard to evaluate
-he’s a good runner when he takes off, can make guys miss
-shows good touch on his throws down the field
-getting him on campus was big, he’s really talented
Overall:
-I think the QB room is in its best place as a whole since Holtz has been here 1-4, the two older guys are ready to play, and the two younger guys are plenty talented enough with plenty of room to grow
-Elliott can truly provide Tech with quality playing time as a back-up to J’Mar, I don’t have a doubt about that
I think Fitch taking over the QB coaching duties has been a positive. He’s intense, but he also seems to really have the respect of the players. Fitch and Holtz have coached together for years and know exactly what the other is thinking at all times. This is a positive.
I also think that Fitch has given the QB room hope of it being a best man wins scenario as far as the depth chart goes. This has helped everyone pick up their game on a more consistent basis.
J’Mar Smith:
-I think J’Mar had a solid spring. Speaking to not only the coaches but spectators as well, everyone believes that he’s stepped up his game this spring, and he needed to.
-He was completing over 80% of throws at around the halfway point of the spring.
-Turnovers were limited
-Body language was better, I don’t think he’ll ever evolve into a true leader, but he has taken steps forward
-He hit a few deep balls, but it needs to become more consistent
-He looked to be moving around better, looked to have more of a burst when he took off to run. He seemed to run with more conviction this spring.
-He has really good chemistry with Powell out of the slot
-I’m not going to say he’s going to throw for 3,500 yards and 30 TDs until I see it, he has to prove himself on the field
Westin Elliott:
-He’s a football player, we have a true option at the back-up QB spot that can truly win us games, he’s a true leader
-At times he evaluates really well pre-snap and will make great checks, but at other times he won’t read the numbers game correctly when it comes to screen game
-Extremely good chemistry with Smoke
-At times his lack of arm strength can cause problems over the middle
-Shows really good touch on the deep ball
-From when he walked on to campus two years ago to where he is now, his growth has been exceptional
-Not going to beat you with his legs, but he’s not as much of a statue as one would think based on appearance
Aaron Allen:
-I don’t think he’s progressed as quickly as I thought he would, but he’s also a RS FR that is still learning the offense
-He’s a true dual threat QB, a weapon in the open field as a runner
-He could be a guy that there is a special package for, that’s the type of player he is at this point in his development
-Still having those plays where you can see him being the next great QB at times, but at other times he’ll just throw it right to a defender and you wonder what he saw
-I think he’s the clear 3rd string QB at this point
Jakson Thomson:
-having 15 practices to learn the offense will be extremely valuable for him come this summer and fall, it was easy to see that he got much more comfortable with each passing day
-sometimes I felt like he tucked and ran too quickly, but he was also working behind a makeshift OL with the 3’s, so hard to evaluate
-he’s a good runner when he takes off, can make guys miss
-shows good touch on his throws down the field
-getting him on campus was big, he’s really talented
Overall:
-I think the QB room is in its best place as a whole since Holtz has been here 1-4, the two older guys are ready to play, and the two younger guys are plenty talented enough with plenty of room to grow
-Elliott can truly provide Tech with quality playing time as a back-up to J’Mar, I don’t have a doubt about that
