According to the Virginian-Pilot’s Kyle Tucker, QB coach Mike O’Cain told him earlier today that Logan Thomas and Ju-Ju Clayton will still practice as co-No. 2 quarterbacks, and a decision on that spot might not come until midseason. My guess is they plan to protect Thomas’s eligibility and keep it that way unless something catastrophic happens or he just proves to be too good to not play.

Here’s my story for tomorrow’s paper. I have to get back to writing my high school football previews.

BY NATHAN WARTERS

(434) 385-5540

Virginia Tech freshman quarterback Logan Thomas informed his former high school coach Thursday that the Hokies plan to redshirt him this season.

“Coach just told me I’m getting redshirted unless they need me,” Thomas texted Brookville coach Jeff Woody before the Hokies’ afternoon practice.

Apparently that doesn’t mean Thomas has been demoted from co-No. 2 at quarterback with redshirt freshman Ju-Ju Clayton.

Tech quarterbacks coach Mike O’Cain told The Virginian-Pilot on Thursday that Thomas and Clayton remain tied for the backup job and will continue to practice that way. O’Cain didn’t mention anything about a redshirt for Thomas, however.

“We’re going to keep it like it is, keep them both getting enough work to keep them both ready,” O’Cain said. “It’s a very hard decision. We may not know until the middle of the season.”

The Hokies aren’t averse to pulling a player’s redshirt if a situation calls for it. In each of the previous two seasons, the Hokies planned to redshirt quarterback Tyrod Taylor, but Taylor played both years.

So if Thomas continues to progress, and he has acclimated himself to the college game very quickly, he could still play this year.

“I want to play. I don’t want to sit at all,” Thomas said after the Hokies’ first practice Aug. 6. “That’s not the type of person I’ve been, but if I have to, I guess I have no other choice.”

Thomas, who was recruited to Tech as an athlete with the ability to play multiple positions, didn’t know he was even playing quarterback for the Hokies until Aug. 3, three days before preseason practice opened.

By the team’s eighth practice last Thursday, Thomas was practicing as the co-No. 2 quarterback alongside Clayton.

Thomas was quick to learn the offense and he flashed nifty moves and a strong arm in Tech’s first full scrimmage Saturday, when he completed 6 of 14 passes for 128 yards and a touchdown.

“I think he’s got a great personality for quarterback,” Beamer said after Saturday’s scrimmage. “He’s a leader. He’s smart. He doesn’t get rattled.”