Remember how AJ's punts were so short?

[wildturkey]

This might be why

Virginia Tech Punter A.J. Hughes Tweets He'll Have Back Surgery | The Key Play

He says he played thru basically the entire season with a hurt back. I could definitely see that making a difference. I can't think of any good reason why he went from being so solid to having lots of punts barely go 30 yards. Hopefully everything is a success and he's back to being the AJ from before.

 

[hokiecat]

Yep, his punting was really bad this year. Best wishes to AJ for a full and speedy recovery.

 

[hokiegrad]

What I don't get is why they wouldn't say pack it in and have the surgery during the season. Do we not have a backup that could have been as "good"?

 

[NickVT10]

His distance was down but the net was better this year. Some of it may have been by design.

 

[VTscores]

Some of those 30 yard punts were pretty costly. Like the ones from VT's own end zone.

I can understand loyalty and having faith in a punter, but it seems they might have done better in this case. Did they know?

I hope that means we can expect an improvement next year. They've had time to get a good backup in any case.

 

[ckhokie]

Calling a spade a spade, AJ was turrible this year. Let's hope he has a safe and successful procedure. I would certainly hope we have a capable #2. The writing was on the wall for needing one.