Enter Scot Loeffler, who was hired at Auburn last season to install the pro-style power running offense. It didn't work and Loeffler was out when Gene Chizik's staff was shown the door after a 3-9 season. So there were a few eyebrows raised when coach Frank Beamer hired Loeffler and veteran offensive line coach Jeff Grimes to fix the offense. Grimes made a bunch of changes on the line as he installed more of a zone blocking scheme. Needless to say it will still be a work in progress when the Hokies return to Blacksburg this summer.
There won't be a lot of time for experimentation come August as Virginia Tech opens with Alabama, the two-time defending national champions, in Atlanta on Aug. 31. "Yep, that one has everybody's attention," said Beamer, whose team was 7-6 in 2012 after eight straight seasons of 10 wins or more. - Tony Barnhart, CBSSports.com
01/15/2013 - Virginia Tech quarterback Logan Thomas is returning for his senior season. The 6-foot-6 redshirt junior told the Hokies coaching staff on Tuesday, the final day to declare for the draft. Thomas has started the past 27 games for Virginia Tech, passing for 6,096 yards and 37 touchdowns while running for 1,015 yards and 20 scores. He will enter his redshirt season year third in both career passing yards for the Hokies - 901 behind Tyrod Taylor's record of 7,017 yards - and in career total offense - 2,102 behind Taylor's record of 9,213 yards. Thomas graduated in December with a degree in human development.
"I'm deciding to come back to Tech to better myself and this team for the future," Thomas said in a statement released by the school. "I'm looking forward to what this upcoming season holds. The NFL has always been a goal of mine, but the NFL will always be there while college is only a five-year experience that you can't get back."
Thomas had said before the Hokies left Blacksburg, Va., for the Russell Athletic Bowl that his decision would be "up in the air" even if the NFL draft advisory board suggested he could be a first-round draft choice. Some early draft projections had him ranked highly among quarterbacks because of his size and running ability, which have drawn comparisons to Cam Newton. Thomas said he didn't think he was consistent enough to be a winning NFL quarterback, and that "I love the university, I love the people here, all my friends are still here, and ... I think I need some work to do." - AP Sports
01/15/2013 - Few quarterbacks intrigued NFL scouts in 2012 more than Virginia Tech's resident goliath, Logan Thomas, and few fell further on draft boards over the course of the season. But even fewer have an opportunity to set the record straight: With a disappointing junior campaign behind him, Thomas confirmed Tuesday that he plans to return to Blacksburg this fall to rehabilitate both his stock and his team's sagging record.
"Going 7-6 left a bad taste in my mouth," Thomas told ESPN's College Football Live. "I think I have a lot to work on. I can get better... I want to come back and have a better season next year."
There is no doubting Thomas' physical qualifications: At 6-foot-6, 260 pounds, he's a towering presence in the pocket with an arm to match, while also possessing enough athleticism to lead the Hokies in rushing last year, even after subtracting negative yardage on sacks. In 2011, his first season as a starter, Thomas broke the school record for total offense, picked up a second-team All-ACC nod and led Virginia Tech to a BCS bowl. But scouts who projected him as a potential first-rounder were always more intrigued by his potential than his production on paper.
In 2012, though, the decline was too glaring to ignore. Although Thomas ultimately broke his own record for total offense with 3,503 yards for the season, he also finished dead last among regular ACC starters for completion percentage (51.3) and interception percentage (3.73), serving up more picks than all but six other quarterbacks nationally. In five of 13 games, he failed to complete even half of his passes. His overall efficiency rating plummeted by nearly 20 points. - Matt Hinton, CBSSports.com
01/15/2013 - Virginia Tech quarterback Logan Thomas announced on Tuesday that he will return to Tech for his senior season instead of entering the NFL draft. Virginia Tech will have a new offensive coordinator next season, with reports suggesting Auburn offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler will run the Hokkies offense next season. That led to reports that Thomas might turn pro rather than try to adjust to a new coordinator. But he ended that talk by announcing his return.
"I'm deciding to come back to Tech to better myself and this team for the future," Thomas said in a statement released by the school. "I'm looking forward to what this upcoming season holds. The NFL has always been a goal of mine, but the NFL will always be there while college is only a five-year experience that you can't get back." The Hokies finished 7-6 this past season. - The Sports Xchange
01/11/2013 - While Beamer and the Virginia Tech faithful are thankful Thursday for the return of these two defenders, the most critical piece of next year's puzzle -- quarterback Logan Thomas -- has not yet made his intentions clear. Thomas, like Gayle and Exum, requested a grade from the NFL Advisory Committee. Considering Thomas' imposing 6-6, 260-pound frame, big arm and powerful running style, it's easy to see why talent evaluators could fall in love with his upside, especially considering the relative lack of help he received on offense. While Thomas only threw two more touchdowns (18) than interceptions (16) last season, he also led the team with nine rushing scores and accounted for 3,500 of Virginia Tech's 4,898 all-purpose yards.
Logan is clearly a significant work in progress; he struggled with consistency and accuracy throughout his junior season. But he possesses a skill-set that every NFL coach would love to work with, which is why he ranks sixth on NFLDraftScout.com's list of the 2014 quarterback class, ahead of more polished passers like San Jose State's David Fales, Fresno State's Derek Carr and Washington's Keith Price. - Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com
01/11/2013 - Thomas, who saw his numbers drop in virtually every statistic this year after a breakout 2011 season in which he completed 59.8 percent of his passes and scored 30 touchdowns, acknowledged that he has a long way to go.
"There's still a lot of work to do. There's no doubt about it," Thomas told reporters when asked of his looming decision. "Consistency is a big thing for me. I wasn't consistent throughout the year, and that's where, when you go to the next level, you've got to be consistent at all times. ... I don't think I could go in and start an NFL game right now and be fine and come out with a win, so I think I need some work to be done. But that comes with practice." Thomas, like all of the other underclassmen considering making the early jump to the NFL, has until Jan. 15 to alert the league of his intentions. - Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com
01/03/2013 - Will quarterback Logan Thomas stay or go? Earlier in the season, it sounded as if Thomas, a junior, was a lock to return for his senior season with the Hokies. But Thomas, 6-foot-6, who struggled on the field this year, still is being projected by some experts as a first-round draft pick. He was scheduled to meet with Tech coach Frank Beamer this week, after getting back his paperwork for the NFL's Draft Advisory Board. By the end of the season, Thomas sounded more and more like a player who was open to making the jump to the NFL.
Tech cornerbacks Antone Exum and Kyle Fuller and defensive end James Gayle, all juniors, also are considered pro prospects. Exum and Fuller are fully expected to return for their senior years, while Gayle's position could best be described as 50-50. - Mike Barber, The Richmond Times-Dispatch
12/28/2012 - PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Logan Thomas is the lifeblood of Virginia Tech's passing and rushing game. He has only completed 52.6 percent of his passes, but he has come through with some big throws in clutch situations this season. And he has been the most viable option for the Hokies in the run game. He leads the team with 528 rushing yards and has scored nine rushing touchdowns to increase his rushing touchdown total over the last two years to 20. - The Sports Xchange
12/28/2012 - Virginia Tech lost 23-20 in overtime against Michigan in last season's Sugar Bowl to drop its bowl record to 8-11 under head coach Frank Beamer. The Hokies are 9-16 in bowl games all-time. Virginia Tech played in five BCS bowls in its previous eight seasons.
Scouting the Virginia Tech passing game: Virginia Tech doesn't win six games this season without Thomas, but the junior quarterback has taken a step back from his outstanding first year as a starter in 2011. His accuracy has taken a hit this season, with many of his passes hitting high or low of his targets. He has completed only 52.6 percent of his passes this season, but he is only 217 yards shy of becoming the first quarterback in school history with multiple 3,000-yard passing seasons. - The Sports Xchange
12/28/2012 - Virginia Tech came back from 10-point, fourth-quarter deficit to beat Rutgers 13-10 in overtime Friday night in the Russell Athletic Bowl at Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium. Hokies junior quarterback Logan Thomas passed for 193 yards and connected with senior wide receiver Corey Fuller for a game-tying 21-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter. Cody Journell kicked a go-ahead 22-yard field goal in overtime.
Rutgers' attempt to tie the game in overtime was unsuccessful, as Nick Borgese's 42-yard field goal try sailed wide right. Virginia Tech broke a two-game bowl losing streak, and ended Rutgers' five-game bowl win streak. The Hokies have beaten the Scarlet Knights 12 straight times. The Hokies (7-6), who lost six of eight games in the middle of the season, avoided their first sub-.500 season since 1992. Virginia Tech ended the season on a three-game winning streak.
The Hokies' defense carried the team for most of the game. Virginia Tech held Rutgers to 196 total yards and forced two fourth-quarter turnovers. Hokies junior cornerback Antone Exum, the game's most valuable player, set up Fuller's game-tying touchdown with a critical interception and 32-yard return to the Rutgers' 21-yard line with 11:11 left in the fourth quarter. - The Sports Xchange
12/28/2012 - The Hokies are 8-11 in bowl games under head coach Frank Beamer, and they've lost back-to-back bowls to quarterback Andrew Luck and Stanford in the 2011 Orange Bowl and to Denard Robinson and Michigan in last season's Sugar Bowl. Finishing above .500 is a major goal for this current group of players, who are trying to put the taste of this below average season out of their mouths.
"I think it says a lot (to win and finish above .500)," Virginia Tech quarterback Logan Thomas said. "It doesn't say that we're a middle of the road team. It says we're above a middle of the road team. ... Seven and six would be nice, especially the way the season has gone. - The Sports Xchange
12/18/2012 - Sometimes, George Whitfield would speak over the phone with quarterback Logan Thomas only a few hours after a particularly disheartening loss this year. After other games, Thomas would wait a few days before dialing up the Los Angeles-based quarterback guru known for training NFL signal-callers Cam Newton, Andrew Luck and Ben Roethlisberger.
And though there was plenty to critique after Thomas threw 14 interceptions and saw his completion percentage fall to 52.6 percent, Whitfield always kept in mind that Thomas is only five years removed from almost exclusively playing tight end. "I think he just went through a learning experience quarterbacks have," Whitfield said this week when asked to evaluate Thomas's season. "I know 12-year-old quarterbacks that have started four or five years. It's a maturation process and you're learning at the highest level. It's hard to discount even if physically, he's like a marvel. In terms of just seeing circumstances and situations and all that, you need the at-bats."
Whitfield remains passionate in his belief that Thomas is one of the top college quarterback prospects in the country. Regardless of whether Thomas decides to return to Virginia Tech for his senior season or declare for the NFL draft, he has already made plans to work with Whitfield again this offseason.
Thomas hasn't shied away from that assessment, admitting last week that "I don't think I could go in and start an NFL game right now and be fine and come out with a win." But at times during the season, Whitfield said, Thomas could be really hard on himself. - Mark Giannotto, The Washington Post
11/17/2012 - Logan Thomas threw for two touchdowns - the second a 7-yarder to Randall Dunn in overtime - and ran for another score to help Virginia Tech keep its bowl hopes alive with a 30-23 comeback win over Boston College on Saturday. The Hokies (5-6, 3-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) need to beat rival Virginia at home next Saturday to become bowl-eligible for the 20th straight season. The Eagles (2-9, 1-6) look to avoid matching their worst record since 1989 next week at North Carolina State. The victory snapped Virginia Tech's seven-game losing streak away from Lane Stadium. It was the longest since nine straight in coach Frank Beamer's first two seasons - 1987-88.
Thomas completed 16 of 33 passes for 247 yards and added a 1-yard touchdown run. Cody Journell kicked three field goals for Virginia Tech. Rolandan Finch rushed 26 times for 133 yards and Nate Freese booted three field goals for BC. Chase Rettig was 13 of 30 for 129 yards and one touchdown for the Eagles. Boston College won the toss before overtime and elected to play defense first. Virginia Tech scored on its initial possession. The Hokies then held BC, tackling David Dudeck 5 yards short after he collected a swing pass from Rettig on a fourth-and-11 play. - AP Sports
11/14/2012 - Virginia Tech quarterback Logan Thomas isn't hiding from the fact that his year hasn't gone as planned, but the redshirt junior revealed Tuesday that he will likely file paperwork with the NFL draft advisory board "just to see" what talent evaluators think about him once the Hokies' season is complete. The Lynchburg, Va., native told reporters two weeks ago that he plans to remain at Virginia Tech for his senior season, and did not indicate his mind had changed in that regard on Tuesday. But after some predicted Thomas could be a top five pick, his draft stock has taken a hit during a campaign that has seen him throw 14 interceptions, the second most by a Football Bowl Subdivision quarterback this year. "I would say it's middle of the road," Thomas said when asked to evaluate his performance this year. "I'm not excited with how I've been playing [and] I'm not hating how I've been playing. Interceptions are up, but like I've said before, it's because of a number of different things. They're not all my fault. Thomas said Tuesday one thing he plans to work on this season is his accuracy throwing on the run. He also has a tendency to overthrow receivers, particularly when there's pressure in his face. Thomas added that the spotlight on his up-and-down play doesn't bother him. As O'Cain put it, "You don't like it at all, but that's the way it is... That's one of the only positions that everybody thinks they know what they should be doing because they see him every time. He's out there, he's out there on an island." "If some of these people say stuff to my face - they sit there behind computers, cellphones, whatever - maybe we'd have a problem," Thomas said. "But I don't think anybody is going to say something to my face." - Mark Giannotto, The Washington Post
11/08/2012 - Hokies quarterbacks coach Mike O'Cain said he's concerned about Thomas' interceptions in recent weeks but not overly concerned. Thomas doesn't lack for confidence. He doesn't lack for competitiveness either, which is why he is taking the losses to heart. "The thing that worries me more was if he was forcing the ball," O'Cain said. "If that was the reason he was throwing interceptions, I would be overly-concerned. " ... But I don't think he's had an interception this year where he's forced the ball. It's been a high ball, it's been a low ball or whatever it may be." - The Sports Xchange
11/08/2012 - Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer met with junior quarterback Logan Thomas at the beginning of the week to reassure him after an especially tough loss at Miami last Thursday night. "I don't want him to put too much of the load on himself," Beamer said. "I think the quarterback is always going to be a key point. I think sometimes he feels like he needs to make some plays and so forth, and I think it's just one of those things where you've got to play your game." Thomas took the Miami loss hard. He turned the ball over three times, including twice inside the Hurricanes' 20. He has turned the ball over five times (four interceptions) in the last two games. Virginia Tech's coaches said Thomas had his head buried in a towel following the game, and declined requests for postgame interviews for the first time in his career. "I didn't really have anything to say to you guys," Thomas told reporters a couple days later. "You all were going to ask the same questions y'all ask every single game after a loss. "It was going to be the same answers. I think you could have just said, 'Logan Thomas said ...,' and it would have been the same as every other game. I guess I just took this game a little harder than the rest." - The Sports Xchange
11/08/2012 - THIS WEEKS GAME: Florida State at Virginia Tech, Nov. 8 -- The Hokies look to stop the bleeding from their two-game losing streak against Florida State, which is dominating essentially every statistical category in the ACC. The Seminoles lead the conference in total offense, scoring offense, total defense and scoring defense. This is Florida State's first trip to Blacksburg since 2007, which was the only game Frank Beamer won against legendary coach Bobby Bowden. The Hokies and Seminoles have split their four games since Virginia Tech joined the ACC in 2004. The Hokies won the last meeting in the 2010 ACC championship game. KEYS TO THE GAME: The Hokies have the talent to knock off the eighth-ranked Seminoles, just as they had the talent to beat Clemson and Miami and Cincinnati and North Carolina. They just haven't played consistent football for an entire game. Sloppiness on special teams and offense has put the defense in a bind the last couple of games. If Virginia Tech could avoid the costly turnovers, particularly in the red zone, and if it could avoid the inconsistent play on special teams, it could certainly give Florida State a challenge, especially at home on a Thursday night. The Hokies are 19-6 all time and 11-3 at home in ESPN Thursday Night games. PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Logan Thomas -- The junior, who has rushed for 422 yards and passed for 2,109, is one of only six FBS quarterbacks leading their teams in rushing and passing. The others are Northern Illinois' Jordan Lynch, Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel, Ohio State's Braxton Miller, Michigan's Denard Robinson and Army's Trent Steelman. - The Sports Xchange
10/23/2012 - ACC: NFL DRAFT PROSPECT WATCH -- WEEK 8: 3. QB Logan Thomas, 6-6, 260, Virginia Tech: Why he has the third spot: Thomas did not have his best game in his team's 38-17 loss at Clemson, completing 15 of 28 passes for 207 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. He also rushed for 99 yards on 21 carries. One of his interceptions was returned for a touchdown and was a crucial turning point in the game. Thomas has also dropped on draft boards, but he just does not have a lot of help around him, especially at running back or along the offensive line. Season stats (seven games): 133 of 248 for 1,910 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 53.6 completion percentage. 92 carries for 298 yards and 5 touchdowns. Player ranking: Thomas is ranked No. 53 overall and is the sixth-highest quarterback in CBSSports.com's latest player rankings. Up next: Virginia Tech enters its bye week before playing at Miami on Thursday, Nov. 1 in a crucial Coastal Division matchup. - Sean Bielawski, CBSSports.com
10/16/2012 - ACC: NFL DRAFT PROSPECT WATCH - WEEK 7: 3. QB Logan Thomas, 6-6, 260, Virginia Tech: Why he has the third spot: Things were looking bleak on Saturday when Thomas had an interception returned for a touchdown against Duke in the first quarter, putting the Hokies in a 20-0 hole. Virginia Tech then proceeded to score 41 unanswered points, and Thomas had another good outing. He finished 14 of 23 for 256 yards and two touchdowns. Thomas also ran for 50 yards on 11 carries. Season stats (seven games): 118 of 220 for 1,703 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 53.6 completion percentage. 71 carries for 199 yards and 4 touchdowns. Player ranking: Thomas is ranked No. 50 overall and the sixth-highest quarterback in CBSSports.com's latest player rankings. Up next: Virginia Tech plays at No. 14 Clemson on Saturday. Thomas did not play well in two games against the Tigers last year, but that has to change Saturday in order to keep up with Clemson's explosive offense. - Sean Bielawski, CBSSports.com
10/13/2012 - Virginia Tech overcame a dreadful start to beat Duke, 41-20, on Saturday at Lane Stadium. The Hokies came back from a 20-point first-quarter deficit in their biggest comeback in Frank Beamer's 26 years as coach. Virginia Tech (4-3, 2-1 in the ACC) avoided a three-game losing streak and prevented the Blue Devils (5-2, 2-1) from becoming bowl eligible for the first time since 1994. The Hokies fell behind, 20-0, in the first quarter, but scored the last 41 points. Junior quarterback Logan Thomas led the charge with 256 passing yards and two touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Marcus Davis was Thomas' favorite target with five catches for a career-high 144 yards and two touchdowns. Tailback J.C. Coleman became Virginia Tech's first 100-yard rusher of the season with 183 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries. The Hokies allowed 150 yards to Duke in the first quarter, but settled down and yielded only 189 the rest of the game. Virginia Tech recorded a season-high five sacks, matching its total from the previous four games, and also forced a season-high four turnovers. - The Sports Xchange
10/10/2012 - ACC: NFL DRAFT PROSPECT WATCH - WEEK 6: 3. QB Logan Thomas, 6-6, 260, Virginia Tech: Why he has the third spot: The Hokies fell to 3-3 on the season with a 48-34 loss at North Carolina Saturday, but the loss wasn't on Thomas, who played the way many expected heading into this season. He completed 26 of 49 passes for 354 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception. Thomas has received little help from the running game. Virginia Tech had 40 yards on 25 rushing attempts Saturday, and he led the team with 20 rushing yards and a touchdown on seven carries. Season stats (six games): 104 of 197 for 1,447 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, 52.8 completion percentage. 60 carries for 149 yards and 4 touchdowns. Player ranking: Thomas is ranked No. 48 overall and the sixth-highest quarterback in CBSSports.com's latest player rankings. Up next: Virginia Tech hosts Duke in a must-win game Saturday. The Blue Devils have given up at least 230 passing yards in five of their six games. - Sean Bielawski, CBSSports.com
10/02/2012 - ACC: NFL DRAFT PROSPECT WATCH - WEEK 5: 3. QB Logan Thomas, 6-6, 260, Virginia Tech: Why he has the third spot: Thomas is receiving the benefit of the doubt and staying in the third spot. He had another subpar outing in Saturday's 27-24 loss to Cincinnati, completing 17 of 30 passes for 242 yards a touchdown and two interceptions. He had 10 rushing yards on nine carries with a touchdown. However, Thomas did throw a 56-yard touchdown pass to WR Corey Fuller with 1:49 left to give the Hokies a late lead. Season stats (five games): 78 of 148 for 1,093 passing yards, 8 touchdowns, 6 interceptions, 52.7 completion percentage. 53 carries for 129 yards and 3 touchdowns. Player ranking: Thomas is ranked No. 48 overall and the sixth-highest quarterback in CBSSports.com's latest player rankings. Up next: Virginia Tech plays at North Carolina Saturday. The Tar Heels have given up 444 yards per game in their two contests against teams from BCS automatic qualifying conferences. - Sean Bielawski, CBSSports.com
09/25/2012 - ACC NFL DRAFT PROSPECT WATCH - WEEK 4: 3. QB Logan Thomas, 6-6, 260, Virginia Tech: Why he has the third spot: Again, Thomas did not have an impressive stat line (11 of 26, 144 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception) in Virginia Tech's 37-0 win over Bowling Green. Thomas ran the ball 15 times for 65 yards. In the previous two games, Thomas had 14 rushes combined. Given the running game woes for the Hokies, Thomas might be asked to carry more of the rushing load moving forward, especially between the tackles. Season stats (four games): 61 of 118 for 851 passing yards, 7 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, 51.7 completion percentage. 44 carries for 119 yards and 2 touchdowns. Player ranking: Thomas is ranked No. 48 overall and the sixth-highest quarterback in CBSSports.com's latest player rankings. Up next: Virginia Tech plays Cincinnati at FedEx Field in Landover, Md., on Saturday. The Bearcats beat Pittsburgh 34-10 in their first game and held Delaware State to 261 yards their time out, which was Sept. 15. - Sean Bielawski, CBSSports.com
09/22/2012 - Virginia Tech put last week's struggles behind in a resounding 37-0 victory over Bowling Green on Saturday at Lane Stadium. Junior quarterback Logan Thomas passed for 144 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 65 yards and one score, and running back Michael Holmes rushed for 51 yards and a touchdown on four carries to p spark the Hokies' offensive attack. Virginia Tech (3-1) bounced back from a 35-17 defeat at Pittsburgh last week. The Hokies' defense also had a bounce-back game. It held the Falcons to 266 yards and recorded its first shutout of the season. Bowling Green lost its second consecutive game and hasn't beaten a major conference opponent since toppling Pittsburgh in 2008. Tailback Anthon Samuel of Bowling Green was held to a season-low 32 rushing yards on nine carries and quarterback Matt Schilz completed only 36 percent of his passes for 87 yards and an interception before being replaced by Matt Johnson in the third quarter. - The Sports Xchange
09/22/2012 - Logan Thomas helped Virginia Tech find its running game and the defense showed up, too, as the Hokies bounced back from a humbling loss a week ago with a 37-0 victory against Bowling Green. Thomas, who had been reluctant to run in the first three games, had key runs on three consecutive drives in the second quarter. Each ended with a touchdown as the Hokies (3-1) built a 21-0 lead. The Falcons (1-3) managed just 71 yards in the first half, switched quarterbacks midway through the third quarter and turned the ball over on downs three times in Hokies territory in the second half. Thomas threw scoring passes of 10 yards to J.C. Coleman and 42 yards to Dyrell Roberts and ran 1 yard for another score, all in the second quarter. Not counting a sack, Thomas ran for 45 yards in the half. - AP Sports
09/17/2012 - Week 3 Rewind: Thomas had better protection but made worse decisions on each of his next two interceptions, however, appearing to simply overthrow (by at least five yards) his intended targets and giving strong safety Jason Hendricks two easy picks. Thomas completed just 14 of 31 passes on the day for 265 yards. He did throw one touchdown - an 85-yard catch and run by Davis late in the third quarter that closed Pitt's lead to 28-17 with three minutes and change left in the third quarter. It was the closest then-No. 13 Virginia Tech would get to the Panthers, who entered the game 0-2 and with zero turnovers forced thus far in 2012. - Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com
09/17/2012 - Week 3 Rewind: Another reason why it could be a position other than quarterback to lead off the 2013 draft is that to this point at least there hasn't been a junior quarterback really step up to put pressure on the incumbent senior leaders, Barkley and Arkansas' Tyler Wilson. Virginia Tech's Logan Thomas was a chic pick to ascend to that role entering the season but after a three interception performance in a shocking upset to Pittsburgh Saturday, it's becoming clear that the redshirt junior may want to consider returning next season to iron out some of the wrinkles to his game. Scouts are mesmerized by the 6-6, 260 pound Thomas' upside but each of his three interceptions against the Panthers Saturday were progressively worse decisions and inaccurate passes. His first interception came on the Hokies' first drive of the game. Pressure in his face didn't allow Thomas to step into his throw but the pass was accurate enough to hit his intended target, senior Mark Davis in the hands. The pass, highly contested by Pitt cornerback Cullen Christian, was tipped into the air and intercepted by free safety Jared Holley. - Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com
09/17/2012 - 09/17/12 NFL DRAFT SCOUT FALLER: 2. Logan Thomas, QB, Virginia Tech: Barkley wasn't the only projected first round quarterback that struggled on Saturday as Virginia Tech junior Logan Thomas played more like an undrafted free agent than potential top-15 pick. The Hokies arrived in Pittsburgh as the easy favorites over the Panthers, but left as losers, falling 35-17. The normally stout Virginia Tech defense allowed over 250 yards rushing and Thomas couldn't get the offense going, struggling to get in any type of rhythm and consistently move the ball downfield. Entering the weekend with four touchdowns and no interceptions, he finished the game with only one score and a career-high three interceptions against a mediocre defense, sailing passes and forcing throws into coverage. While no one doubts his natural talent, Thomas showed why many have reservations about him as an early first round pick, telegraphing his passes, struggling with pressure and failing to correctly read the defense. With the rare combination of quickness and size for the position that is reminiscent of Cam Newton, it's easy to buy his potential, but until Thomas shows signs of improvement between the ears as a quarterback, his draft stock will be based strictly on upside. - Dane Brugler, NFLDraftScout.com
09/15/2012 - Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster compared previously winless Pittsburgh to a wounded animal last week. Seems like an appropriate metaphor for the feisty Panthers, who came out fighting Saturday at Heinz Field and handed the 13th-ranked Hokies an improbable 35-17 defeat. Pittsburgh (1-2), set to join the ACC next season, rolled to a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter and held on to score its first victory for first-year coach Paul Chryst. The Panthers, who out-gained the Hokies, 537-324, have won four consecutive games over Virginia Tech. The Hokies were ranked in the top 15 all four times. Pittsburgh senior quarterback Tino Sunseri completed 19-of-28 passes for 283 yards and three touchdowns, and senior tailback Ray Graham scored three touchdowns, two on the ground. Wide receiver Mike Shanahan had five catches for 111 yards and a touchdown. Tailback Rushel Shell rushed for 157 yards on 23 carries. The Panthers defense forced four turnovers, including a career-high three interceptions by quarterback Logan Thomas of Virginia Tech. Thomas completed 14-of-31 passes for 265 yards. - The Sports Xchange
09/13/2012 - Virginia Tech's offense hasn't quite clicked the way it needs to, especially if the No. 13 Hokies are going to play their way into the national championship picture. The time it has been sharpest is when quarterback Logan Thomas runs the 2-minute attack. Pittsburgh (0-2) may get to experience that firsthand when the Hokies visit Saturday. Thomas directed a 51-yard drive in just 44 seconds that ended with Cody Journell's game-tying field goal in Virginia Tech's season-opening overtime victory against Georgia Tech. He also led Virginia Tech on a 71-yard touchdown drive in 1:06, just 26 seconds before halftime last week against Austin Peay. Wide receiver Dyrell Roberts says Thomas gets to call his own plays in the two-minute offense, and seems to know exactly what he wants to do. - AP Sports
09/10/2012 - No. 13 Virginia Tech was battered and bruised but it left its home field Saturday afternoon with a satisfied feeling after withstanding a tough two-games-in-six-days stretch. Unlike 2010, when the Hokies played two games five days apart and lost both, Tech is 2-0 and feeling good about where it is. "Mentally, a whole lot better," senior linebacker Jack Tyler said when asked how he felt after this grueling opening-season stretch as compared to 2010, when the Hokies lost to Boise State and JMU to start. "Physically, about the same. Obviously our bodies are a little banged up on the short week, but we wanted to come in and get the win. That's what happened. Mentally, we're obviously very happy." The Hokies, who beat Austin Peay 42-7 Saturday, had Sunday off to recover from their taxing first week, but they were already looking ahead to Monday to start preparing for their next opponent -- Pittsburgh. "It was definitely tough. Happy to have it done," Tech quarterback Logan Thomas said of the first week. "Looking forward to ... being able to rest a little bit, but Monday we'll be rested and ready to go, getting ready for Pitt." Tech will have a chance to build up some momentum against its next four opponents, who are a combined 3-4 on the season. The Hokies travel to 0-2 Pittsburgh on Saturday for their first road game. - The Sports Xchange
09/08/2012 - With the offense struggling, Virginia Tech turned to its old friend - special teams - for a pair of big plays to spark a 42-7 victory over Austin Peay on Saturday. Kyshoen Jarrett reeled off a 46-yard punt return to set up the No. 15 Hokies' first touchdown, and Tony Gregory's punt block led to their second score before Virginia Tech - playing its second game in six days after a season-opening overtime win over Georgia Tech - finally got untracked. The Hokies (2-0), long noted for their special teams play, finally put together a 71-yard drive in the closing 1:32 of the first half. That was followed by an 80-yard scoring march on their second possession of the second half for a 28-0 lead, and the rout of an overmatched FCS opponent was finally on. The Governors (0-2) responded with a six-play, 78-yard drive of their own to extend their string of consecutive games without being shut out to 75. Wes Kitts had a 32-yard run on the drive to go over 100 yards for the second consecutive week, and Terrence Oliver scored on an 8-yard run. Virginia Tech promptly reasserted control, though, with a 72-yard drive capped by Logan Thomas' 13-yard pass to Randall Dunn to make it 35-7, and by late in the third period Thomas was done for the day. He finished 15 of 23 for 212 yards and also scored on a 1-yard sneak after the second-quarter punt block. The Hokies undoubtedly would have liked to get more out of their running game against a team that lost its opener 49-10 to Western Kentucky and wasn't expected to put up much resistance. The Hokies are looking for someone to replace first-round draft pick David Wilson, but the duo of J.C. Coleman and Michael Holmes couldn't find much running room against the Governors - especially early. The 260-pound Thomas usually is one of the Hokies' biggest rushing threats, but that wasn't the case Saturday as Virginia Tech focused on trying to get the tailbacks going. - AP Sports
09/06/2012 - THIS WEEK'S GAME: Austin Peay at Virginia Tech, Sept. 8 -- The Hokies follow a critical ACC Coastal Division game with a match-up against Football Championship Subdivision foe Austin Peay. While this should be a cakewalk for Virginia Tech, as the Govs have been outscored 142-13 in their last two games against major conference teams, it's understandably cautious because of recent history. The last time the Hokies played a game on only five days of rest, they fell to FCS opponent James Madison on their home field. This year's circumstances are obviously different, but Virginia Tech will be on high alert against an overmatched opponent. KEYS TO THE GAME: A good start is a must for a Virginia Tech team looking to shake off the rust it showed in the opener. The Hokies could use some success in the passing and running game to build confidence for their young offense, and establishing a big lead would give Tech's inexperienced reserves a chance to get some real-time game action. - The Sports Xchange
09/06/2012 - Junior quarterback Logan Thomas experienced some arm soreness during a scrimmage last Saturday and took it easy during the first couple of practices this week. He said Thursday that his arm is fine and the soreness is something that he had experienced in previous seasons from the increased workload from the summer to preseason camp. - The Sports Xchange
09/06/2012 - SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: The Hokies struggled to run the ball against Georgia Tech, accumulating only 96 yards on the ground, and QB Logan Thomas was erratic at times throwing the ball. However, the offense got better as the game progressed and came through with some big plays in the fourth quarter and overtime. Thomas accounted for 230 yards passing and two touchdowns, and he was the team's second-leading rusher with 40 yards. - The Sports Xchange
09/06/2012 - Virginia Tech's offense sputtered out of the gates in its season-opening 20-17 overtime win over Georgia Tech on Monday, but the Hokies showed promise at the end of the comeback victory. The Yellow Jackets keyed on the Hokies' rushing attack, allowing only 96 yards on the ground, and forced quarterback Logan Thomas to make plays. Normally, that's not a problem for Thomas, but he showed some opening-night jitters and passed erratically for the first three quarters. Thomas settled down in the fourth quarter and led two scoring drives, one that ended with his 42-yard scoring strike to redshirt freshman wide receiver Demitri Knowles, and another that culminated with Cody Journell's 41-yard game-tying field goal at the end of regulation. On both scoring drives, Thomas showed much improved accuracy. "I just struggled, and I wasn't putting the ball where it needed to be," Thomas said. "Overthrows, underthrows, just very sporadic. In the end, I started picking it up, putting the ball where it needed to be when the time counted, and ultimately got the win." The Hokies were confident afterward that they can correct the mistakes they made and be better offensively for Saturday's home game against Austin Peay. Thomas was just happy he was able to shake off the rust and lead his team to victory. "I was joking with (quarterbacks coach Mike) O'Cain, and I said, 'If I didn't win this game, I might not be here tomorrow,'" Thomas said. "He gave me a big hug and told me that's why we play the game. "It might not be pretty for three quarters, but in the fourth you come through and keep chipping away and it ends up right." - The Sports Xchange
09/04/2012 - ACC: PLAYERS WHOSE NFL DRAFT STOCK IS FALLING: QB Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech: Thomas came through when it mattered most in the fourth quarter against Georgia Tech. However, he struggled with his accuracy for most of the night, overthrowing a lot of his passes. Thomas finished 21 of 38 for 230 yards and two touchdowns in Virginia Tech's 20-17 overtime win over Georgia Tech on Monday night. He didn't throw any interceptions, but for a quarterback who has received some No. 1 overall pick buzz in the media, his accuracy has to improve. You can see him next: Saturday vs. Austin Peay, 1:30 p.m. (ESPN3). - Sean Bielawski, CBSSports.com
09/03/2012 - PLAYERS TO WATCH: Quarterback Logan Thomas may be the tallest starting signal caller in school history, but he certainly had some shoes to fill in replacing four-year starter and 2010 ACC Player of the Year Tyrod Taylor last season. All Taylor did in four years was lead Tech to three ACC titles, set a school record for wins by a quarterback (34), as well as marks in total offense, passing yards and many more. Thomas showed last year he was more than up for the task, breaking Taylor's school record for total offense in a season with 3,482 yards. He also became just the second quarterback in school history to pass for over 3,000 yards in a season and tied the school mark for rushing touchdowns in a season by a quarterback with 11. After a breakout 2011 in which he earned second-team All-ACC honors, the 6-6, 254-pounder who wears a size 16 or 17 shoe depending on the make (17 cleat; 16 regular shoe), is poised to pick up where he left off last season. The redshirt junior was recruited as a tight end, but was moved to quarterback just before his first preseason camp and began the process of being groomed for this season. Thomas was a standout basketball player at Brookville High and received scholarship offers to play basketball at JMU, Duquesne, Liberty, Akron, Richmond and Tulane but he decided to focus on football. He's also an avid golfer who likes to hit the links whenever he has free time. - Virginia Tech football
09/03/2012 - Virginia Tech experimented in the preseason with an up-tempo no-huddle offense in hopes of putting more pressure on opposing defenses. And the Hokies have installed a package of plays out of the Pistol formation to create more downhill running opportunities for Thomas, who had 469 rushing yards last season and a team-high 11 rushing touchdowns. Tech has also installed more spread formations to take advantage of its speed. "We just have team speed on offense, including the offensive line," Thomas said. "We're very fast. We're very strong. And we're very smart as well, which has enabled us to go more up tempo. "We're able to call out plays from the line of scrimmage and our offensive line is able to pick it up, and our receivers are able to pick it up. I think that's a big reason why we can go up tempo." - The Sports Xchange
09/03/2012 - Virginia Tech is known almost every year for its suffocating defense and opportunistic special teams play, and its offense has sometimes lagged behind. That's not OK with Hokies' quarterback Logan Thomas, who has made it clear he wants to offense to hold up its end of the bargain this season. Thomas said he has liked what he's seen out of the offense this offseason. It's clear to him that the unit is working hard not to be seen as the team's weak link. "You don't want to be the side of the ball that lets down the other side of the ball," Thomas said. "Practice has been probably the hardest practices we've had since I've been here, and I'm excited to see what the rest of the year holds just simply because we don't want to let down each other." There is little question that Virginia Tech's defense has what it takes to be successful this season, with nine returning starters from last season's unit that finished 10th in the country in yards allowed per game (304.64) and seventh in points allowed per game (17.64). But the offense must replace eight starters from 2011, including record-breaking tailback David Wilson, stalwart receivers Jarrett Boykin and Danny Coale and four offensive linemen. The Hokies appear confident in their replacements, but they have decided to tweak their offense to take advantage of their strengths, team speed and a confident quarterback in Thomas. - The Sports Xchange
09/01/2012 - Five I'll Be Watching This Weekend: QB Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech*: The general consensus among NFL scouts is that Southern Cal's Matt Barkley and Arkansas' Tyler Wilson enter the 2012 season as the favorite to be the first quarterbacks selected in the 2013 draft. Each of these players are seniors who have already faced and succeeded against top competition. Thomas, however, could play the role that Cam Newton and Robert Griffin III have played each of the past two years as the surprising breakout candidate to leap into argument. The 6-5, 254 pound Thomas is a good athlete with a strong arm. He demonstrated surprising accuracy and poise in the pocket a year ago despite it being his first season as a starter and only the third year removed from signing with the Hokies as a highly regarded prep tight end. Thomas showed improvement from week to week a season ago and finished the year completing 59.8% of his passes for 3,013 yards and 19 touchdowns against just 10 interceptions. He also ran for 469 yards and two more touchdowns (11 total) than star running back David Wilson, who the New York Giants selected in the first round. Thomas dominated Georgia Tech a year ago in the air (three TDs/0 INTs) and on the ground (70 yards, two TDs) and no doubt the Yellow Jackets will be better prepared to face him this year, especially considering the game's primetime Monday night platform. - Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com
08/30/2012 - Rob Rang's 08/30/12 Top 32 NFL Draft Big Board: 11. - The Sports XchangeLogan Thomas, QB, Virginia Tech: Thomas isn't as polished as the two senior QBs ranked ahead of him but the upside on this 6-5, 254-pound monster is through the roof. With his combination of size, mobility and accuracy on the deep ball, comparisons to Cam Newton are growing. - Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com
08/04/2012 - 2012 PRESEASON JOHNNY UNITAS GOLDEN ARM AWARD CANDIDATE: Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech...One of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the nation, all Thomas did in his first season as a starter was break the school single-season record for total yards with 3,482. The Hokies' second-leading rusher in 2011, Thomas accounted for a total of 30 touchdowns, including 11 on the ground. - The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award
07/20/2012 - 2012 DAVEY O'BRIEN PRESEASON WATCH LIST: Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech, has been selected to the Preseason Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award Watch List for the 2012 college football season, presented annually to the nation's best college quarterback by The Davey O'Brien Foundation. - The Davey O'Brien Foundation
07/20/2012 - 2012 PRESEASON WALTER CAMP PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD WATCH LIST: Logan Thomas, junior, QB, Virginia Tech, has been named one of of fifty preseason "players to watch" for The Walter Camp Football Foundation 2012 Player of the Year Award, the nation's fourth-oldest individual college football accolade. - The Walter Camp Football Foundation
07/10/2012 - 2012 MAXWELL AWARD PRESEASON WATCHLIST: Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech, QB, Jr., has been selected to the preseason Maxwell Award watchlist for the 2012 college football season, given to America's outstanding collegiate football player since 1937 and named in honor of sportswriter Robert W. "Tiny" Maxwell. - The Maxwell Football Club
06/22/2012 - Top-five Virginia Tech prospects for the 2013 NFL Draft: 1. QB Logan Thomas (6-6, 260)...Fair or not, get ready for the Cam Newton comparisons because Logan Thomas looks the part and shows flashes that will remind you of the former Heisman Trophy winner. At 6-6 and 260 pounds, he has a big-league arm with the athleticism to make plays with his legs and move the offense up and down the field. Last season in his first year as a starter, Thomas accounted for 30 total touchdowns (19 passing/11 rushing) while leading the Hokies to an 11-win season and trip to the Sugar Bowl. He had just one 300-yard passing game and struggled in some big moments, but he could be just scratching the surface of his potential, which is the largest reason for the intrigue around his pro prospects. Most high school quarterbacks lament the thought of changing positions, but Thomas was recruited as a tight end/wide receiver and he had no problem with that, he just wanted to play offense. The Lynchburg-native actually preferred to stay at tight end, but the Hokies' coaching staff had other plans, moving him to quarterback soon after he arrived in Blacksburg. After redshirting in 2009, he was the back-up quarterback behind Tyrod Taylor in 2010 and was also used at receiver in a few packages. - Dane Brugler, NFLDraftScout.com
06/22/2012 - Top-five Virginia Tech prospects for the 2013 NFL Draft: Thomas became the starter last season as a redshirt sophomore, finishing with 3,013 passing yards, 469 rushing yards, 19 passing scores, 11 rushing scores, 10 interceptions and a 59.8% completion percentage. He earned Second Team All-ACC honors in his first season as the starter and made believers out of a lot of doubters, including himself. Now with a year under his belt, it will be interesting to see the development of Thomas and you can bet the NFL is watching, extremely close. Is he a future No. 1 overall pick like Newton? Too early to tell, but the raw talent is too good to dismiss the thought. - Dane Brugler, NFLDraftScout.com
06/16/2012 - Over the next month every major college football program will host hundreds of kids at their summer camps who come there hoping to make an impression. The pressure that these teens put on themselves can be enormous as they try to measure up. For quarterback hopefuls, it's even more stressful. A pecking order develops and prospects--whether they know it or not--are connected. They learn fast how small these windows are. That's one of the reasons that makes Logan Thomas' evolution as a quarterback as different as any big-time college QB's story as we've heard in a very long time. For starters, the imposing 6-6, 262-pound junior who made second-team All-ACC last year in his debut season as a starter for Virginia Tech was a standout high school quarterback who actually didn't want to play the position in college. Most gifted young QBs now won't even consider a college who won't give them a crack at playing the position. Rivals ranked Thomas as the nation's best tight end prospect in the 2009 recruiting class. Thomas, as Tech QB coach Mike O'Cain is quick to tell you, also isn't one of these guys "who has been to 37 QB camps" since the time when he could barely walk. "I grew up picturing myself as a receiver," said Thomas, who as a high school senior threw 20 TD passes and ran for 11 more. Was the kid just being a realist? After all, how many guys quite as huge as Thomas did you see playing QB in the NFL? Those guys were making millions as tight ends. "That's the way I was looking at it coming out of high school," he said this spring. "But now Cam (Newton) has kinda opened the door." Thomas' size and athleticism (he was clocked in the 40 at 4.63 this spring) prompted many to make comparisons to the former Auburn great. Thomas' first season as a starter wasn't at that level, but he did throw for over 3,000 yards, ran for 469 more while totaling 30 TDs and completing 60 percent of his passes, leading the Hokies to the Sugar Bowl. - Bruce Feldman, CBS Sports
