Tech Offers 2015 DT Eric Whitehead

By: Joe Lanza
PUBLISHER
on March 29, 2014, 4:21 PM | 8 comments

There are highlights on his Hudl: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1457653/eric-whitehead. According to 247Sports, Virginia Tech is his only BCS-level offer.

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Recruiting
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Comments

french60wasp's picture french60wasp
| 12 years 3 months #

Stout powerful kid at the point of attack. He does a terrific job stayed keyed on the ball carrier even though he is engaged with the blocker. I'd hate to be a center having to block him. He also does a good job chasing down the play.

This is his first offer, and that is likely because of his body type. He doesn't look 6'2 and plays with his arms tight into his body. Most defensive play a read and react two-gap responsibility which requires long arms to get separation from the blocker so he can cover the gaps to his left and right. Fortunately for VT, Foster's defense requires the tackles to get into a gap and then hold their fit. He could be a very good fit (although he will need to be able to be strong at the point of attack moving east-west and not just north-south.)

With defensive tackle depth at a premium, and the competition fierce for top guys like Tim Settle, finding good depth players that have the potential to become a diamond in the rough is critical. Whitehead certainly could be that guy.

Five star get after it 100 percent Juice Key-Playing. MAN

DBU's picture DBU | 12 years 3 months #

Aside from the bowling ball body type that reminds me of Derrick Hopkins, I see a DT who has a lightning quick first step, good push once he gets into a blocker, and great pursuit laterally off blocks when he get's stood up. It's weird but despite all that he doesn't look as strong as you'd expect, based on the plays he's making and his size. Maybe he could stand to convert some dead weight into muscle? (Doesn't every DL though? Say hello, Coach Gentry!) Maybe he's not playing low enough? Maybe he's just holding ground until the RB commits? I dunno. I think he winds up being rated as a 3-star by most services, but is the type of 3-star that can be really effective in our system.

oh, and his teammate is 4-star ILB that we're also recruiting. http://247sports.com/Player/Darrin-Kirkland-Jr-32396

Wiley, Brown, Russell, Drakeford, Gray, Banks, Prioleau, Charleton, Midget, Bird, McCadam, Pile, Hall, Green, Fuller, Williams, Hamilton, Rouse, Flowers, Harris, Chancellor, Carmichael, Hosley, Fuller, Exum, Jarrett

TechHokie13's picture TechHokie13 | 12 years 3 months #

Wow, his tape is impressive (yes, I know it's a highlight tape, but still). He causes more fumbles than I've ever seen out of a DT just by being incredibly disruptive. He looks like the prototypical VT DT: Short, quick, high motor. I think he could turn out to be a major diamond in the rough for Tech, no question. Really hoping we land him.

arnie3959's picture arnie3959 | 12 years 3 months #

His recruitment will pick up

zoom4vt's picture zoom4vt | 12 years 3 months #

Powerful. Relentless. Attitude. Hustle. Nose for the football. Daddy likey.

If it ain't orange, it better be maroon...and if it ain't maroon, it better be soon!

AspenGobbler's picture AspenGobbler | 12 years 3 months # ^

Don't you mean Dadi likey?

Tyrod Taylor is my Homeboy's picture Tyrod Taylor is my Homeboy | 12 years 3 months #

Every time one of these kids says it feels like family it makes my heart swell. Love seeing that out of recruits.

Sigh. I hate UVA.