Justin Fuente's tenure as head coach of Virginia Tech ended with two games left in the 2021 regular season, as both he and the school mutually agreed to part ways in mid-November, after six years together. At that time, the Hokies were in limbo at 5-5 overall, hoping to clinch a bowl berth.
The team fulfilled its goal by beating rival Virginia in the Commonwealth Cup, and received an invitation to play Maryland in the Pinstripe Bowl. But efforts to win at Yankee Stadium were futile -- Virginia Tech lost by 44 points -- and former team pass-rusher and NFL prospect Amare Barno believes that their tumultuous year was due to several players lacking focus and commitment.
"It was just the morale of the team. It wasn't like role clarity -- everyone just thought they could just do what they want," Barno explained to The DA Show on Tuesday. "It messed up our season... Just going through the season, you could just see it. Players not showing up late to practice, but not as early as they usually would be. Not doing the same things that they do after practice.
"It just showed. You can only say so much to a person, to try to get them to do what you want them to do. But they've got to feel it too... I definitely think [Fuente's future affected us]. I think it did because people were saying like, 'What are we playing for?' and stuff like that. But it still was a go because we still had to go out there and play."
Barno, who declared for the draft in December, is currently listed as the 26th-ranked edge rusher and 190th overall prospect on Pro Football Focus' annual big board. Listed at 6-foot-4 and 239 pounds, the redshirt senior racked up 35 total tackles and 3.5 sacks during 2021, and also received an invitation to the Reese's Senior Bowl last month.
The NFL's scouting combine drills begin this Thursday in Indianapolis, and Barno will be one of the 324 prospects in attendance. This year's NFL Draft will take place in Las Vegas, from Apr. 28-30, and Barno is projected to be selected during the mid-rounds.
The entire football conversation between Barno and DA can be accessed in the audio player above.
You can follow The DA Show on Twitter @DAonCBS and @CBSSportsRadio, and Tom Hanslin @TomHanslin.