With the influx of offensive talent in this year's recruiting class, I thought it would be interesting to project who will see the field in 2014, what starters may be supplanted, and any other breakout players. With the O-line still very much up in the air with Searles and 5 new linemen coming in, I'll just predict the skill positions. Here's what I got shaping up for August:
Quarterback
1. Mark Leal
2. Andrew Ford
Running Back
1. Trey Edmunds
2. Marshawn Williams
Fullback
1. Sam Rogers (duh)
2. Jerome Wright
Tight End
1. Kalvin Cline
2. Ryan Malleck
Flanker
1. Demitri Knowles
2. Willie Byrn (slot)
Split End
1. Josh Stanford
2. Cam Philips
I have no idea what will happen after Trey in the backfield, honestly. And I have Cline ahead of Malleck simply because at this point Cline has more playing time than Malleck, despite class. I don't think Knowles should be the #2 wideout, but Byrn is the slot guy and it would take Philips or someone else to step up big time to replace Knowles. I also don't know if Leal deserves the starting spot but I think at kickoff in August he will be the starter.
Project your two-deep! READY GO.
Comments
QBs - agree although there's a possibility its Ford, Leal
RBs - agree
FB - yup
TE - could very easily be Hodges, Malleck, Cline if what we've heard from practice is true
WR - Stanford, Ford, Knowles
WR - Phillips, Byrn, Carlis Parker
I'll agree with this, but I'll also double down at QB.
I am willing to say right now its almost a virtual lock that Ford enters the season as our starting QB, unless he is hurt, in which case it COULD be Durkin or McMillan. I just don't see a scenario where Loeffler wants to have 3 different starting QBs in his first 3 years at Tech.
I think Beamer and the staff are higher on Leal than everyone is giving him credit for. I don't think he will play as he did against UCLA (can't say I remember ever seeing a QB throwing a pick-6 while trying to intentionally ground). If I am wrong I will let everyone have cake and eat pie too.
Also, my prediction on Defense is we switch to a 1-1 defense with Maddy at D-line and Dadi as LB. Everyone else plays DB and gets INTs. Also, Tyrod becomes eligible again and breaks the record for most pancakes in a season.
That goes well with our Hybrid All-TE offense....
I personally can't see Loeffler chosing a quarterback who he believes isn't the current number one just because he will be there for more than one year.
Truth
Sadly I think the biggest losers in terms of playing time from this new class will be JCC and Knowles, which is unfortunate, I like both...but I just think it'll be tough for those guys to hold onto their playing time given the talent coming in at RB & WR.
Any chance we see two or even three TEs starting this season at times..something to think about.
For several years now, we've seen 2-3 TEs starting...they just weren't playing TE. Now that Newsome is gone, though...
Motley is the sleeper here, and could very well wind at QB1 by August.
100% agree. Given his performance in the secondary in high school, the fact that he's still a QB means he has a real shot.
I don't think Durkin could make it to the top of the depth chart without the benefit of spring practice. Still, that leaves us with 3 guys who "could" be the starting QB to begin the season. Late March can't get here soon enough.
SL said he likes to have qbs for 3 or 4 yrs so I also don't see Leal starting next yr. I think one of the young guys beat him out. The best will play
QBs: Leal, Durkin (I think Durkin gets used as a redzone / short yardage guy). Ford redshirts and gets stronger.
RBs: Trey, Marshawn, JCC
WRs: Stanford, Byrn, Charley Meyer / Demetri Knowles / Carlis Parker / Deon Newsome / Cam Phillips / Kendrick Holland / Isaiah Ford. I think Stanford and Byrn are the only locks for playing time. Everyone else will battle for the next 3 spots.
TE: Malleck / Cline, Hodges
LT: J McGlock, Mark Schuman, Parker Osterloh, Tyrel Smith
LG: C Farris, Alston Smith, Adam Taraschke
C: D Wang, Matt Arkema, Billy Ray, Eric Gallo
RG: B Benedict, Braxton Pfaff, Colt Pettit
RT: L Gibson, Wyatt Teller, Augie Conte
DE: Dadi, Corey Marshall, Ken Ekanem / DeWayne Alford / Seth Dooley
DT: Luther, Nigel Williams, Woody Baron, Ricky Walker, Steve Sobczak
Mike: Chase Williams, Devin VanDyke, Andrew Motouakapa
Backer: Deon Clarke, Dahman McCkinnon, Jameion Moss
Whip: Ronny VanDyke, Josh Trimble
Rover: Kyshoen Jarrett, Desmond Frye, Holland Fischer
FS: Detrick Bonner, DerWoune Greene, CJ Reavis
CB: Kendall, Facyson, Charles Clark, Donovon Riley
Would not be suprised to hear guys like Seth Dooley, Holland Fischer, and Devin VanDyke move up.
Could Holland Fisher play Whip?
Ding ding ding
I think whip is where he ultimately ends up
I don't like this as much simply cause I want him on the field 100% of the time. Seems like he'd be a good rover.
If he's got good enough DB skills to play free safety, then they wouldn't need to take him off the field. Just change his responsibility for the play call.
True, but I don't know how he'd develop (adding weight, different techniques, etc) as a whip compared to rover/free. If Bud will leave him on the field, awesome sauce. If Bud continues to go to his nickle package (and yes, that is likely pretty reliant on how much he trusts his whip to cover), keep him at safety, don't let him get too big, teach him DB techniques.
Exactly. It is always easier to work a guy in to the line of scrimmage as opposed to away from the line of scrimmage. I would say he is a virtual lock to at least start in the secondary.
pretty sure he already weighs like 220-230, which is definitely bigger than a lot of our former whips and is actually roughly the same size as dadi (based on last years height and weight)
In years past, the whip has been on the field more. The lack of playmakers at whip over the past four years has limited Bud in what he can do with that position. Cody Grimm and Cam Martin were always on the field though.
I think Ekanem beats out Corey Marshall at stud end.
Does FB need a 2 deep? Heard Rogers was deep enough to fill two spots.
I wouldn't be surprised if guys like Isaiah Ford and Cam Phillips get some playing time. Mark Leal did not help his case as a starting QB so Ford or Motley might be the starting starting in August. But, it's way too early to speculate . The coaching staff will pick the best players to win at least 10 games and play FSU in the ACC championship.
you spelled "pummel FSU" wrong.
Would be surprised if Leal starts opening game. I have a feeling he will be a 4 year backup just because of the way things are shapping up. Leal to me is like another Ju Ju Clayton, he signals in the plays helps in practice but just isn't good enough in games.
He might be the Ultimate Practice Champion but a lot of times those Champion's don't pan out too well in the games.
Leal is a gun-slinger. He was unprepared vs UCLA, but I think he'll be effective as a starter.
a gun slinger.. yes but a gunslinger without vision on the filed will do nothing. re-read French's awesome post UCLA game review. He clearly pointed out maybe 2-3 times Leal was not able to decipher his hot route, or his go to route. IE zumwalt on knowles. Yes this is his first game and it was a chaotic one at that, you should at least be able to read pre-snap coverages and know ok I have this guy as a hot route.
But I will say this: Leal is 90% unknown to us Hokie Fanatics but based off of the small sample size we already are having some doubts. I will sit back and watch and cheer on the team regardless who is QB, I just want to see improvement and a couple more TD's wouldn't hurt either.
Is there a reason that no one mentions Bucky Hodges anymore?
he is the unknown factor to this whole equation. We have Leal, Motley, Durkin, Ford, McMillan, and Bucky.. but as its been said before he is looking like a TE come opening TC
At TE, yes will be a stud. QB- no way. He's said as much in interviews that he's TE now.
Has he said in interviews how tall he is lately?
Don't think so but the last I heard was that if he got any bigger, they'd need to start using an escalator to conduct the interview face to face. Right now a ladder works just fine.
6'20" was last I heard.
QB: Brandon Motley (wishful thinking if he is good enough), Andrew Ford (should RS will start following year)
RB: Trey Edmunds, Marshawn Williams, J.C. Coleman, (RS Shai to heal injury)
FB: Sam Rogers, Jerome Wright
TE: Ryan Malleck, Kalvin Cline, Bucky Hodges, (RS Chris Durkin but put him with these guys)
Flanker: Demetri Knowles, Isaiah Ford, Jaylen Bradshaw
Split End: Joshua Stanford, Kendrick Holland
Slot: Willie Byrn, Cam Phillips
LT: Jon McLaughlin, Augie Conte
LG: Jake Goins, Alston Smith,
C: Calib Farris, David Wang
RG: David Wang, Kyle Chung, Baraxton Pfaff
RT: Laurance Gibson, Wyatt Teller
Durkin is a QB all the way. Plus if he moves to TE, the jokes will never stop.
Well, I'd think that too, but if Oklahoma can go up and convert Blake Bell into a TE, after he did a decent job splitting starting reps this year...then the sky is the limit I guess
Bell will be a tight end next season, but was at QB all of his career until this point. Durkin will be a QB this season, who knows what happens further down the road.
Quarterback
1. Mark Leal
2. Motley
I expect Ford and Durkin to RS
Running Back
1. JC Coleman
2. ?????????? Edmunds if he's healthy
Fullback
1. Sam Rogers (duh)
2. Jerome Wright
Tight End
1. Ryan Malleck
2. Kalvin Cline
Flanker
1. Demitri Knowles
2. Willie Byrn (slot)
Split End
1. Josh Stanford
2. Cam Philips
if coleman is in our 2deep next year, we wont have a good running game
Any evidence for that claim? Coleman's history of running for us is that he is determined to get every bit out of each run. He doesn't have the size to bowl people over like Edmunds, but he has the ability to make plays. If you have no hole to run through, you're not going to get very far, but the kid is talented. To say that with him in 2 deep, our running game won't be good is to say that he's incapable of being a good running back which I disagree with. A successful running game starts with the offensive line. We established a foundation last season, now it's time to build upon it. If our offensive line is capable of executing a play and beating the defense, our running back then has a chance to do what he does best and make a play. Failure on the line makes it exponentially more difficult for the back to have success.
I agree with this - JCC is definitely capable of being a good RB.
Do I think he's the best on the team? No, I think there'll be 2-3 guys ahead of him come next fall.
But, I also know that he is serviceable, and can be more than serviceable if the OL improves (which I think it will) and he continues to work hard this offseason (which I know he will, because he's very aware of his competition).
I agree too, I don't understand why we are trying to compare JC to a 5 * RB. Honestly if you took Tre Mason and put him in our backfield last year he wouldn't have had much success either. It all starts up front, our RB's can get whats blocked and every once in a while make a huge play but to be honest we don't have that guy that can consistently make a play out of nothing. Now that might change with Juice or Shai but we will have to see
Tre Mason would have had some success. See David Wilson, 2011.
we had 4 senior linemen that year, Coale, Boykin, Coles.. to also complement him. Teams couldn't just load the box and dare us to throw. A combination of new recievers and a un-healthy o-line made our running game look bad.
That was a different line, you are correct. The 2011 line had more experience and a standout (DeChristopher), but it was a Newsome line that was by no means an elite line. I would call 2011 the high end of serviceable and the 2013 line the low end of serviceable. A Tre Mason would have put up big yards behind this line. I would guess 75% of what he put up at Auburn. David Wilson would have put up 1,300 yards behind this line. JC shares the blame for his 3.4 YPC and it is certainly indicative of his long-term potential. Still, I think he has a spot in the rotation and hope he can continue to build strength while maintaining his quickness.
Agreed regarding the receivers, although they did start to show something as the season went on.
This is the idea. To say he isn't the best on the team is far different than saying our running game won't be good if he's in the 2-deep. I think our depth chart will have Trey as the #1 and then Marshawn, JCC, and possibly Wright as co-#2. But JC is still a good runningback.
I'll admit my initial statement was a bit harsh, I think JC has shown flashes, just think were better off using him as a change of pace guy, not as a back who is on the field for a whole drive consistently . I really like him as a kick returner
I think, if one RB starts the drive and is in the zone leave him in. Shane did that vs Miami this past year and it worked very well. I will be one to never complain about too many horses-on-a-treadmill ever.
I think that's a better way of putting it. I think he's capable of being on the field for a full drive, but he's not built to be an every down back. I like having him in the backfield with Trey as two options because JC runs screens well. As far as KR goes, I would like to see him and Mangus back there. I know some of our young guys could do well back there as well, but if those two are going to be buried in the depth chart at RB, they will be best utilized in the return game because they are playmakers who need to be on the field.
I expect someone other than Leal to start, honestly. One of the talented freshmen, someone like Bucky, who's been here a while and is kind of a sleeper... not a clue. I just think one of them will beat Leal out.
I'd agree with everything except QB and TE. QB, I like many others, am not sold on Leal. That'll be a battle to watch, for sure.
TE, no question at all Malleck starts, barring injury. He's going to be the biggest offensive weapon we have this year. Yes, Cline did a great job and had a very productive year for a VT tight end. However, he's not the consistent player, especially when it comes to in-line blocking, that Malleck is. There's a reason Lefty was planning on using RM so much this year and his loss cannot be overstated as a huge blow to the offense.
THIS... Everyone forgets so quickly that Loeffler is a big believer in using the TE as a weapon, and as soon as Malleck went down Loeffler mentioned how big of a loss it was and how Malleck was a huge part of the game plan. I think he is going to have a huge year if a QB can throw the ball.
It would be great if it were true, but I put Cline atop the depth chart simply because I have seen him succeed on the field, and Malleck hasn't had his chances yet. If he proves himself then he very well could be first string by game three or so.
IMO, he proved himself very well in 2012. Easily our most consistent in-line blocker and a very good receiving threat who was underutilized in the passing game. In Loeffler's offense, he's a weapon, either in-line or flexed as an H-back. I see him being used exactly the same way as DJ Coles was this year in the red zone.
*EDIT* I in no way mean to belittle Cline or his accomplishments. He was very productive and will continue to be so. Having both of them in the game will give our offense some great potential matchups to exploit.
Scott Loeffler was very high on Ryan Malleck before he got hurt and, as much as we like Kalvin Cline, he's still a little undersized. I think, if he comes back at 100% (or even 95%), Ryan Malleck will be the #1 tight end with Cline #2.
Defense:
Stud: Corey Marshal, Seth Dooley
Tackle: Nigel Williams, Woody Baron
Nose: Luthar Maddy, Ricky Walker
End: Dadi Nicolas, Ken Ekanem
Mike: Chase Williams, Andrew Motuapuaka
Backer: Devin VanDyke, Dahman Mckinnon
Whip: Ronny VanDyke
Nickle: Derrick Bonner
Field: Brandon Facyson, Chuck Clark
Boundry: Kendal Fuller, Donaldvan Riley
Safety: Derrick Bonner,Holland Fisher, Anthony Shegog
Rover: Kyshoen Jarret, Der'Woun Green
I like this except two things in the secondary.
1) I think Chuck Clark holds down the nickel, even if Fisher is pushing Bonner for playing time, freeing Bonner up for Nickel duty.
2) I don't think it's likely that Greene flips to Rover and beats out Frye. He doesn't really have the size.
My thought process at Safety and Nickel was that if we were in situations where we were playing Nickel, Holland would be good enough for Bonner to slide down leaving the best players on the field. and I think I meant Frye, I knew one of the two played last year and I couldn't remember. But thanks, I imagine that the issue with Corey Marshal was that he wanted to end his career as a DE and didn't want to be forced inside for lack of depth, forcing/encouraging the coaches to give him a redshirt year. I see him being a starter at DE for the next 2 years. But we'll never really know what went down.
Bravo, well done.
Somehow I see Sobzcak playing at nose this year and Mihota getting some time at DE
I'm going to say that I REALLLLY hope that Leal doesn't start. I feel it's a waste to have a different quarterback for 3 straight years. Even though everyone says "oh, he was thrust into the action against UCLA, that isn't a fair judgement," I still believe I saw enough from him to know that he should not be our starting QB come next season. He may not have been accustomed to game time speed, but he still made decisions that a guy who's been on the team for three or four years shouldn't make.
As with every new QB, there will be growing pains, bad plays, etc., so why put in a quarterback who will go through them and then graduate? It would just repeat again the next year. I say pick your QB of the future, and unless he literally cannot throw the football worth a damn, you gut it out with him for the season.
The 2015 and 2016 seasons are the seasons we believe we have a shot to be something special, don't jeopardize that because we wanted 8 wins instead of 7 this year. Let the quarterback play all 4 years like Aaron Murray, and then by his junior and senior season when the recruits are all upperclassmen, you have an experienced playcaller at the helm.
Like the Aaron Murray reference...we may have a few bumps and bruises to start with a freshman QB but it will payoff huge by sophomore year and beyond
I say put in the QB that gives us the best chance to win right now regardless of class. If Leal is our best QB then start him, same goes for Motley, Ford, etc.
What if you go from 7-6 to 8-5 because you played Leal over one of the young guns? Is that worth it? Would you trade 1 win for the chance to develop for the future?
Not critiquing, just wondering.
QB-Mark Leal OR Brendan Motley, Andrew Ford dresses but doesn't play
TB-Trey Edmunds, Marshawn Willams OR JC Coleman
FB-Sam Rogers, Jerome Wright
SE-Joshua Stanford, Carlis Parker
FL-Demetri Knowles OR one of the incoming freshman wide recievers
SL-Willie Byrn, Chris Mangus OR Joel Caleb
TE-Ryan Malek, Kalvin Cline OR Bucky Hodges
H Back-Joel Caleb
LT-Jonathan McLaughlin, Mark Shuman
LG-Caleb Farris, Alston Smith
C-David Wang, Matt Arkema
RG-Brent Benedict, Augie Conte OR Braxton Pfaff
RT-Laurence Gibson or Wyatt Teller
That's thirteen on the field at once, bro.
/sarcastica
IMO If Leal wins the job, Motley will be the backup. Ford and Durkin will RS. They won't blow that just so either can play in garbage time
This is a very distinct possibility, although I wouldn't put it past Lefty to put Durkin in for specific packages.
Call me crazy but:
QB: Ford, Leal
RB: Marshawn, Edmunds (i heard his break was actually really bad, something that will take a lot to recover from)
WR: Stanford, Ford, Phillips, Byrn
TE: Cline, Mallek
FB: Rodgers, Rodgers
OL: No clue with a new OL coach evaluating them
Any ideas of where Chris Mangus and Joel Caleb figure into this mess?
WRs is my guess
I like this
The idea sounds good but if he isn't ready, you risk doing much more harm than good. If you break their confidence, that player will never be the same. Also not a fan of sacrificing a season for development of a player.
I wonder how many posters here who are saying that Leal will not start in August, were also clamoring for him to start over LT just a few short months ago.
Not staring at anyone in particular, just musing...
Oh god you're staring at me through the computer screen aren't you??
It's like you can see into my soul
Had Leal played last season, I would be a strong proponent of him playing this year.
The thing that really excites me about Ford is that he is a QB (and always has been). He seems to be a cerebral guy who has a lot more shiftiness than our old friend Sean Glennon had. I'll take a 6-7 win season (so long as we beat UVA by 70-80) next year to mold him into a beast for his last 2-3.
I think Wright gets a long look at RB. I don't know if he can run with it or not, but he looked good in the Sun Bowl and I think he will be given a chance.
I agree. I really wish for his sake the backfield wasn't so crowded, but because it will be, he'll go back to fullback. Should get more reps this season than last, though, after his Sun Bowl showing.
Quarterback
1. Brendan Motley
2. Mark Leal
- I think Brendan Motley has a great shot to win the job. Should be a great competition, it's really hard for me to see rail thin Andrew Ford starting and I don't think it would be good for his development. For those bringing up an Aaron Murray comparison remember that he redshirted and, even though I think it will be improved, I don't like the VT OL protecting a true frosh under 200lb weighing pocket passer *shudders*. I could see if Leal doesn't win starting job that he would transfer. Motley starting as a RS-Soph is the ideal situation, bring on the magical year of 2016.
Running Back
1. Trey Edmunds
2. Marshawn Williams
- I think this looks good. I'm thinking there should be a good bit of shared carries between, I think Marshawn looks like he could be a special back. Wouldn't be surprised to see JC Coleman get some burn too as well. There's a potential for an abundance of riches at the RB spot which I love.
Fullback
1. Sam Rogers
2. Jerome Wright
3. Steven Peoples
- I'm hoping Rogers get's bigger and is even more of a monster.
Tight End
1. Kalvin Cline
2. Ryan Malleck
2A. Bucky Hodges
-Everything that keeps getting said about Bucky has been really impressive. Would love to see VT utilize 3 TEs sets at times.
Flanker
1. Isaiah Ford
2. Demitri Knowles/Willie Byrn
- VT needs a WR that can threaten deep and catch the ball, enough said. Get ready for a new fan favorite in Isaiah.
Split End
1. Josh Stanford
2. Deon Newsome / Cam Philips
- Good things heard about Deon Newsome. Also like Cam Philips film a lot.
Right Tackle
1. Wyatt Teller
2. Laurence Gibson
- Beast mode Wyatt Teller, might take over some of the Sam Roger memes
Right Guard
1. Brent Benedict
2. Augie Conte
- Searles recruited Benedict to UGA.
Center
1. David Wang
2. Mark Arkema
Left Guard
1. Caleb Farris
2. Alston Smith
- Alston Smith with another year of seasoning and learning the position.
Left Tackle
1. Jon McLaughlin
2. Mark Shuman
- Always think it's quite a coincidence that they both were by Shuman's dad at Fork Union
Wyatt Teller memes? GENIUS!