Will David Wilson stay?
I think it goes without saying that David Wilson is one of the most electrifying backs that Blacksburg has ever seen. As this season begins to draw to a close, and he continues to impress by playing his best football yet - one of the biggest questions for Hokie fans everywhere begins to arise - will he stay?
Wilson is currently listed as the #3-#5 (depending where you look) running back prospect for this year's NFL draft. This likely would result in a 2nd round draft pick at best. It will be interesting to see whether Wilson goes out and takes the money while its there, or comes back for a chance at solidifying a first round draft pick. I also find myself wondering if the cautionary tales of recent teammates like Darren Evans will aid in his decision-making process.
Taking a look at next season's schedule, it won't be the leisurely stroll down candy cane alley that this year was:
-Season opener @ Pittsburgh - Not exactly world beaters but it sure aint App State
-Cincinnati @ FedExField
-@ Miami
-Finishing up the season playing Fla. State in Lane and a last-week trip to Clemson
...clearly - a step up from this seasons schedule (as we were one of ~10 teams in the country without a ranked opponent on the beginning-of-season schedule.
I wouldn't be surprised if that VA Tech/FLA State game in week 10 had some serious national title implications.
There is no doubt that Logan Thomas will be in full beast-mode come next season, but with the 1-2 punch of him and David Wilson, we have a chance at a real special season.
So what will Wilson choose to do? Does he take off for the league while a substantial amount of money is calling his name, or does he stick it out for another year in the 'Burg for a chance at a bronze statue and a shiny diamond ring?
This Hokie fan has his fingers crossed for the latter.
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Comments
My gut tells me he'll stay, #
My gut tells me he'll stay, because he wants that degree and he seems like the kind of guy who is really enjoying his college experience, but you never know when money is involved.
I also figured at least one of Ryan/Darren would have stayed, shows what I know.
Something to consider is David would be running behind a 80% new offensive line. But he'd also have some heavy Heisman buzz, as would LT I think. For the sake of the very limited run game we have behind him theoretically next year, I am hoping he stays.
He seems the type of guy to #
He seems the type of guy to want to finish his degree. Also, he may want to do track for one more season. If he chooses to enter the draft, there is no way his agent would let him compete in track. So, I think it is at least 50/50 he stays.
He did tweet this today:
Not to mention that he is not #
Not to mention that he is not a pure NFL 3-down running back. I think he could definitely benefit from another year of developing his vision and one-cut move. That plus the NFL seems to be putting much less emphasis on drafting running backs early
DW #
My head says he leaves. My heart wants him to stay. My gut says he comes back for another shot at the Heisman. I don't know why, but I just get the feeling he returns.
Not sure #
Not sure he cares too much about the Heisman...but he still has many personal goals to be achieved! Hoping he stays.
It's a great day to be a Hokie!
That schedule isn't right... #
We'll open up the season with another FCS team...
The schedule on Hokiesports isn't listed chronologically. It's just a list of the opponents and they have the Atlantic Division rotations at the bottom. Obviously that's beside the point but I feel as though Wilson realizes the potential this team has, but you have to realize Tech will start 4 new offensive lineman next year...
Woops - you're right. Looked #
Woops - you're right.
Looked at the future sched. on Hokiesports and got excited. Either way - looking like a much more respectable year as far as title-hope SOS is concerned.
I really like next year's schedule. #
I'd have to think no one would predict us better than 10-2, myself included. The team will be loaded next year on defense, at kicker and hopefully one of the punters can step up. On offense the strengths from biggest to smallest are quarterback, receiver, offensive line and running back. If Wilson returns, obviously running back isn't a concern anymore. On the o-line Miller is as solid as a rock, if he wasn't hurt Lil Wang would be rotating in this season and Via has proven dependable. Becton and Painter both have huge upside and hopefully they'll embrace the challenge this off season and solidify the line. The backups next season are all highly recruited kids and hopefully the fit Newsome's system well.
David Wilson eats Chick-fil-A on Sundays.
More worried about the O-line than RB #
Due to the fact it always seems it takes at least 3-4 games for them to get in sync and sometimes longer with newbies. The starting 5 will probably be some combination of Becton, Via, Wang, Miller and Benedict, but it is hard to say right now. Maybe Painter, Gibson or Schumann can get in. They have bodies, but who will step up and compete at a high level right away?
If DW4 goes, VT will find another RB. Seems like they always have. Whether it's Gregory, Holmes, or Coleman who will enroll early, one of them will be successful. (My gut says, if DW4 goes, Coleman will be the starting TB) Of course, their success goes hand in hand with the O-line... But, defenses will not be able to stack the box with LT3, so that should help.
Also, I definitely love the sched next year. Let's hope either Pitt or Cincy have a good year in the Big East. It looks like ECU was dropped the next two years because of the 'Bama game in 2013. Wonder who will be put on the sched for 2012. JMU or BSU revenge?? Hope it's Boise St in November...
OL #
Loss of OL starters will be the reason he leaves... unfortunately. What an exciting player to watch! Wish him the best
@Nik_A_Bando
David Wilson is #
David Wilson is Benton/Fenton...and the guy chasing is the opposition.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dsb5HH8m24Y
I think his biggest flaw is #
I think his biggest flaw is carrying the ball in traffic. He doesn't tuck it and protect it like Oglesby does. Overall he just needs to work on running between the tackles a bit better. If he can run inside like he does outside, he'll be (more) magical.
Could go either way. #
I read in an article that he was considering the draft if he was projected 1st or 2nd round... Since he's projected 2nd or 3rd by most analysts, there's a sizeable chance he might leave.
However, I don't think that DW is just focused on the money. I think (and I hope from the deepest depths of my soul) that he will stay to finish his degree and give the Hokies one more season of spectacular football.
In Wilson we trust.
No lie, I bleed M&O.
Leaning on staying #
I think he stays. I figure he was only the RB3 last year so after one year of starting i think he'll want to come back to improve his game and to prove himself. I'm sure he knows that if he comes back and plays well he might get drafted in the 1st round and be in the Heisman race...not to mention possible National Championship game.
McShay Now Says He's a First Rounder #
https://twitter.com/#!/nwartersLNA/status/141559843130576897
As much as I want to see him in the orange and maroon next year, I'd take the money and run.
David Wilson eats Chick-fil-A on Sundays.
McShay.. #
He also had Mark Ingram as the 15th pick last year in his mock draft but Ingram actually went 28th. I expect Wilson to be the third RB taken this year probably somewhere around where Ryan Williams was selected last year, 35-40 range. I believe last years third RB selected was in the upper 50s. I think Wilson is better than that but his fumble concerns will cause him to slide. RBs tend to fall into the trap more than any other position of believing they will be drafted earlier than they eventually will. Tech has had a few RBs drafted much later than many expected.
From Hokies Journal #
From Hokies Journal Twitter:
"#Hokies RB David Wilson confirmed tonight that he will file paperwork with the NFL draft advisory board after the Clemson game Saturday."
He's always said he would #
He's always said he would
The paperwork doesn't bother #
The paperwork doesn't bother me because everyone does that just to see what people think about him. I wonder if Reggie Bush's success, or lack there of, in his first few seasons would make people more hesitant to take an outside runner. I really hope for the best for all Tech players in the draft and the NFL but I think one more year helps both Wilson and the Hokies, but probably us more than him.
DW4 #
I feel like if we win the ACC championship and Orange Bowl and David Wilson plays well in both games (100+ yards) we will never see him in Orange and Maroon again...
Great Point #
Agreed. Next two games are key: if he has normal games with some fumbles I can see him staying to improve and get a shot at a Heisman and maybe even that elusive BCSNG Bid. As an RB if he's projected first round, with the usually short career length of past RB's he's gotta take the money and run.
Virginia Tech '08
Fordham University (NY) '11, '12
Twitter: @duffmanhokie
PSN Handle: duffmanhokie1568 (NCAAF '12, NHL '11, Battlefield)
Hokies, NY Rangers, NY Jets, NY Mets (sigh), USA Hockey, Richmond Renegades (R.I.P)
DW #
Watching the game last night you could see his draft stock dropping as he can't run though traffic. However, combined with this post-game comments criticizing the game calling, I'm even more uncertain. If he stays another year he could definitely work on his goals, and work on ball security.
I think last night will make him think more about leaving #
When he's only getting to run the ball 11 times in our biggest game of the year. There is a problem. He had 0 holes last night, and its only going to be worse next year. I think he jets outta here now.
Logan 3:16
Double Post #
Sorry to post twice guys and gals but after watching that game and seeing some highlights again early in the week, Wilson should CONSIDER (and I stress "consider") removing his advisory request from the NFL Draft Committee/Board. Here's what I saw and will expound briefly:
VTJawo hit the nail on the head: Wilson could not create his own holes in traffic. Though not claiming to be any expert of the RB position, a constant trend of NFL RB's is to not only make guys miss (which DW4 does incredibly well) but to exhibit a proper amount of patience and weave through good defensive lines and linebackers. He was able to do this against Wake, UVA (no cake d-line), and ECU but neither UNC or Clemson, two of the three best d-lines in the ACC where his effectiveness was limited, and that is being kind. The first match-up vs Clemson he created a ton of YAC's on the one reversal run. Other than that- good for 1-2 yards with occasional 7-9 yarder (I was ok with it honestly). But the performance in the ACCCG was head-scratching- hoping that is all it was. As to the patience, a blend of appropriate weariness and wreckless abandon is necessary (RB coach from my high school varsity teams years ago explained this to me when I asked why my fat butt center couldn't be an RB- dumb question, right?), hence his word choice of 'patience'. Though the blame here falls on the offensive line for not opening up any holes, Wilson did not hit the line of scrimmage nearly hard enough, particularly when holes were open, to gain meaningful yards on most carries (Branch and Co. had a hell of a lot to do with that tentativeness without question- mentally DW lost that mathcup and understandably so). On at least 75% of his carries, I found myself saying "why didn't he just put his head down, eyes up, and hit the freggin line?" At times the hole was nonexistent or merely a figment of my imagination as the replay pointed out, but at other points holes were open just long enough, if churnin' from the exchange, 2-4 more yards could've been achieved (running hard and ball-carrier line vision come into question here against an effective d-line). He ran seemingly tentatively from the start even on his better carries. Also the fumbles are a huge issue that needs to be corrected. I know its a product of him trying to make too much at times but we got lucky this year when he did give the ball away. Honestly, I could see him having trouble sticking with a team that plays Sunday Ball if those issues aren't corrected.
If he has a great game against Michigan and Big Blue's disgustingly great defensive line then take that metaphorical bread and run laughing and yucking it up to the bank along with a probable first/high second round pick. If not, don't worry about play-calling and come on back to work on those fundamentals and maybe even get a Heisman while your at it. Unlike for most, its a win-mostly win for DW (I say mostly because of possible injury factor). Even with this I refuse to take away any praise for his game- most elusive RB I think I have ever seen at VT as a fan (was a Miami (BOOO) fan before going to VT) and has the tools to be an incredibly effective RB on Sundays. Hell, he wasn't the ACC Player of the Year because he was mediocre- easily the best RB in the Conference (along with Montel Harris- injury unfortunately kept him off) whose reward was well deserved. Also his speed. Fin (ha).
Virginia Tech '08
Fordham University (NY) '11, '12
Twitter: @duffmanhokie
PSN Handle: duffmanhokie1568 (NCAAF '12, NHL '11, Battlefield)
Hokies, NY Rangers, NY Jets, NY Mets (sigh), USA Hockey, Richmond Renegades (R.I.P)