When Georgia product Malik Willis flipped from Virgnia Tech to Auburn in December, it opened a spot at quarterback for the Hokies. That especially became a need after this year’s starter, Jerod Evans, declared for the 2017 NFL Draft.
Former Nebraska signal-caller A.J. Bush has been brought in from the junior college ranks to further solidify Tech’s outlook at the position. He’ll compete with redshirt freshman Josh Jackson and 2017 prospect Hendon Hooker, an early enrollee who’ll go through spring drills.
Bush shared time this past season with Andre Nunez, who’s headed to Robert Morris, at quarterback and didn’t put up the gaudiest of numbers at Iowa Western Community College. He threw for 602 yards on 45.6 percent completions with three touchdowns and eight interceptions.
When Bush went to Nebraska, he spurned overtures from Boston College, Cincinnati, Georgia State, Kansas State, Marshall, Toledo and Troy. During his senior year at Norcross High School in Georgia, he accounted for 2,865 total yards and 29 touchdowns in helping his team win the 6A state championship.
At Nebraska, Bush didn’t see the field. He’ll have two seasons of eligibility left at Virginia Tech with the Hokies hoping to see him replicate some of the success Evans, another JUCO product, enjoyed.