Greg Stroman Commits to Virginia Tech

This is a very interesting commitment for the Hokies. Stroman was considered a strong UVA lean, so I didn't devote any time to evaluating him. Today's announcement stunned me, as I expected the Hokies to only take one more defensive back and heard rumors that it would be Lamont Simmons from Florida.

In the end, Coach Gray won over Stroman and his father.

"Talking to Torian Gray, he was kind of a key point to that, knowing he's such a great DB coach and knowing what he's able to teach," Greg Sr. said. "I really wanted Greg to be under him, going out from under my wing and going to someone I trusted, so when he does get on the field, I feel confident he'll be prepared."

I turned on the film of Stroman, and let me tell you that was as entertaining a 15 minute-ish film clip of high school football that you will watch.

The film features Stroman playing as a spread/read option quarterback. It is difficult to say how well his athleticism translates to defensive back, but if I was a high school defensive coordinator, he would scare the hell out of me.

Stroman is a wizard on the read option. He buries the ball into the mesh point of the running back and keeps it there until the defensive lineman commits to the back, and then pulls it and explodes upfield. He changes gears with ease, and has terrific top end speed with short quick strides. Even though he is only 6-1 and 170 pounds, he finishes runs and doesn't shy away from contact.

In passing situations, he was forced to make plays behind one of the most abysmal offensive lines I have watched. On many plays, defenders were in his face before he planted his back foot to throw. While his cuts are not quite Tyrod-esqe, his straight-line speed is even better when he explodes out of a cut. He is getting no help and making plays.

The Hokies have had success taking athletic QB's and making them contributors at other positions, but the transition will take time. Stroman, like David Prince, has terrific athleticism and plays with a tough edge. I imagine that he can contribute as a kick returner and on kick coverage immediately as he learns the nuance of playing defensive back. Without being able to see how he tackles, it is difficult to project where he may be best suited, but with his frame and ability to change direction and speed quickly, I would expect that he would be a boundary corner when he starts practicing, but he may get looks and field corner and free safety as well. Either way, I may have to take a Friday drive down to Manassas to see the kid play this fall.