Q&A Session: DL Budd Thacker

Doug “Budd” Thacker committed to Virginia Tech yesterday, becoming the 11th verbal commitment for the 2006 recruiting class. Techsideline.com caught up with the 6-2, 250-pound Seminole (Sanford, FL) star last night to discuss his decision, what position Virginia Tech may be recruiting him to play and more.

Thacker boasts impressive physical credentials, which he displayed earlier this year at the Nike Camp in Miami. There, he ran a 4.19 shuttle and benched 185 pounds 45 times. Both marks were tops among defensive ends at the camp. Quickness and strength are two of the top reasons why Thacker had received offers from Maryland, South Florida, Wake Forest, West Virginia and, of course, Virginia Tech.

“I think some of the things I told you about last week,” Seminole head coach Mick Harris replied when asked what Coach Jim Cavanaugh said Virginia Tech’s staff liked the most about Budd. “His strength and they were impressed with his hands. They feel he uses his hands well in the actual playing of the game. Obviously, his strength is another thing. Budd and his teammate, Trevis Hodges, both won the bench press competition at their positions down at the Nike Camp in Miami this year. Coach Cavanaugh felt Budd had room to grow and get some extra weight on. That’s basically what he talked about.”

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