Matthew Jordan has a new position coach and a new status as the first-string quarterback, but he’s trying to approach his work the same way.
“Last year, I had to prepare every game like I was the starter, and doing the same thing this year,” Jordan said Saturday after the team’s fourth spring-practice session, the first in full pads.
Behind Jordan are TaQuon Marshall, a fellow junior, and redshirt freshmen Lucas Johnson and Jay Jones. Jordan said he has been trying to help them learn the offense and bring them along.
A main goal for him this spring is his footwork.
“One thing, obviously, I just need to settle down in the pocket, not have happy feet,” he said.
While he has not thrown much – he has 18 career pass attempts – he’ll have to develop consistency in order to convert third-and-long situations and maintain the threat of the deep ball in Tech’s run-heavy scheme.
The leader of the upset win at Virginia Tech last season has gotten off to a good start with new position coach Craig Candeto. He began meeting with him after the end of the season when Candeto was named the successor to former quarterbacks and B-backs coach Bryan Cook, now the offensive coordinator at Georgia Southern.
Candeto played quarterback for Johnson at Navy – he was his first quarterback there, in fact – which Jordan appreciates.
“I like coach Candeto,” he said. “Don’t get me wrong, I like coach Cook, too. It’s just a little different personality, I guess.”
He has been developing a connection with starting receivers Ricky Jeune and Brad Stewart and was encouraged by redshirt freshmen Jair Hawkins-Anderson and Steve Dolphus.
“Honestly, I’m excited,” Jordan said. “Steve is a big guy and Jair might be one of the fastest guys on the team.”
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