Football Offseason, Vol. 1 (Tech Transfers edition) ...

The quickest way to do this is just to post my short story for tomorrow’s paper. The news is already out there about LB Jake Johnson and WR Patrick Terry transferring. Hopefully the below info, namely the quotes, will provide a little context.

As for the actual news, well, I never did get a press release or any other alert of any kind on this from Virginia Tech. None of the actual journalists did. No, this news broke on coach Frank Beamer’s own Web site. On the pay portion of the Web site.

I’m a little bugged by this practice. I don’t think you should have to pay the head coach for basic personnel information. I certainly don’t think the guys covering the team should have to pay for the information.

So, since it’s out there, on Beamer’s own site, that’s the equivalent of a press release in my eyes. From the Big Whistle’s own mouth, here is the news ...

By Kyle Tucker

The Virginian-Pilot

BLACKSBURG

Jake Johnson, who started the first eight games of last season at linebacker for Virginia Tech’s football team, is one of two players who have requested a transfer out of the Hokies’ program.

Wide receiver Patrick Terry of South Boston, who will be a redshirt junior next season, is the other player seeking a new school. Terry was buried on the bench behind Tech’s talented corps of wideouts and never caught a pass for the Hokies.

But Johnson, who is from Fredericksburg and will be a true junior next season, was a touted recruit and an early fan favorite. A chiseled 6-foot-2, 232 pounds, Johnson was among Tech’s top strength athletes.

After starting the first half of last season, though, his play declined. He lost the starting job to former Salem High star Lyndell Gibson and was moved to defensive end at the start of spring practice last month.

“Jake, he’s got great speed – straight-ahead speed – and he’s tough and strong and explosive. But he’s limited in space,” defensive coordinator Bud Foster said at the time. “And I think his football IQ, to adjust and do those things, he could be better at. Maybe getting him closer to the line of scrimmage is a better situation for him.”

The Hokies held onto their high hopes for Johnson, who played in 22 games at Tech and had 56 career tackles, 4.5 for loss and two sacks. But by the end of 15 spring practice sessions, Johnson was struggling to pick up his new position and couldn’t crack the two-deep at end.

Line coach Charley Wiles said Johnson had “no real football awareness at the position.” His and Terry’s next stop has not been announced.

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