Inside HOKIE SPORTS | Vol. 10 No. 4 | March 2018

18 Inside Hokie Sports ’ s football program amassed nine wins in 2017, and it comes as no surprise that the Hokies played well on offense in those wins, averaging 32.9 points and 438.9 yards of offense per game. Offensive coordinator Brad Cornelsen wants to see that type of production on a game-by-game basis, so this spring practice represents the next critical stage in the development of an offense that played well in wins, but struggled in three of the four losses this past season. In most statistical categories, Tech ranked between 50th and 70th nationally. The Hokies averaged 412.8 yards per game, which ranked 53rd, while finishing 54th in rushing offense (173.4 ypg), 54th in passing efficiency (135.39) and 57th in passing offense (239.5 ypg). Arguably, Tech’s most important accomplishment in 2017 was taking care of the ball. Redshirt freshman quarterback Josh Jackson only threw nine interceptions in 13 games, and Tech only turned the ball over 14 times. That ranked tied for 19th nationally for fewest turnovers. Jackson returns to the lineup, along with seven other starters. The Hokies still need for their younger players—including Jackson—to develop heading into this fall. The process to do that started March 17 with the opening of spring practice. Cornelsen sat down a few days before the start of practice and answered some questions about players and his expectations this spring: Q: Josh Jackson was sixth in the ACC in yards passing (2,991) and fifth in touchdown passes (20) and completion percentage (59.6) this past season. How would you assess his play? BC: “I was pleased. Going into the season, we knew we were going to be pretty young and inexperienced offensively, certainly, at the skill positions. We had a pretty good defense coming back, so protecting the ball on offense … We knew we had a chance to have a pretty good year if we could protect the ball and execute a little bit. We knew there were going to be some growing pains. So having a guy there that we knew would take care of the ball and steady through some ups and downs and continue to be a leader for us was important. I was really pleased with him with that. “I think he was certainly a freshman, too. There were some really good plays in there at times and there were some mistakes at times. I think there is definitely another level he can get to with his consistency. But overall, I was pleased. We’ve got to get better at quarterback, and he’s got to get better—and he knows that. To be a freshman and be inexperienced at the positions around him, I thought he did a good job.” Q: What are your expectations of him heading into spring practice? BC: “The thing about Josh is that he’s smart, and he’s a self-aware kid. He knows what he needs to get better at, and he’s going to work to get better at them. I expect him to take another good step this spring. He can get to a good level mentally about the game. He’s that type of kid, with that type of intelligence and football IQ. He needs to continue to be a step ahead of everything. That needs to be his niche. “Throwing the ball, just his consistency with his ability to execute at a fast pace, quickness with which he gets the ball out, accuracy … those are the things that, just at times, he missed a few things. There is a fine line with quarterbacks of anticipation, throwing the ball with anticipation and taking care of the football. It’s really fine. It’s hard to coach. There are instincts and talents that are involved with that. I think Josh is going to have to continue to push that line of taking more risk at times in order for us to continue to improve in the passing game. “I thought there were a few throws that he played too safe. That’s just part of it. Certainly, those guys [Tech’s quarterbacks] are coached hard to side with protecting the ball. Eventually, that’s what he did. I feel like he’s the type of kid that knows the difference and knows exactly what we’re talking about and can probably take a few more chances.” Q: What can we expect to see from Hendon Hooker and Ryan Willis? BC: “I’m really excited about that group. It’s going to be an extremely competitive spring. It’s going to be the situation that you want —a returning starter and guys that have the ability to win his job, to beat him out. So now, you’ve got an extremely competitive situation, which you hope to have at all positions. “Hooker is a kid that is really, really talented. He’s got a really nice skill set. He’s still figuring out the nuances of the position and the offense, and he is an extremely hard worker. He’s really got a big upside. “He was in position to go in the game if something had happened to Josh. Him and A.J. [Bush] were both sharing the backup position. At a certain point late in the season, it wasn’t worth burning his redshirt, so we made that decision to redshirt him, but it certainly could have been a scenario where Josh gets hurt in the third game and Hendon starts the last six games of the year. That would not have surprised us one bit. He’s got a lot to learn, and he’s working his tail off to do it. “Willis started several games as a true freshman at Kansas in a program that is trying to get rebuilt. He didn’t play quite as much his sophomore year, and then he came here and watched for a season. He’s extremely skilled and talented throwing the ball. He has one of the better releases. He’s got some nice instincts. Those things that we talk about with Josh as far as playing it safe, Willis is flirting with the other end of that spectrum. He’s got such a talented arm, and he understands the Josh Jackson threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns in his first year as the starter, but will be asked to do more this spring.