The Examiner came up with a list of first year Hokies player who will make an instant impact to prevent VT from repeating another mediocre season like they did in 2013. The list includes Michael Brewer, Marshawn Williams, Holland Fisher, Ricky Walker, and Carlis Parker.
http://www.examiner.com/list/first-year-hokies-who-will-make-an-impact
It seems to be a solid list, but there are plenty of other true and redshirt freshmen who could make instant impact on the team.
In your opinion, what true-freshmen or redshirt-freshmen will have to step up their game for the Hokies to have any chance of going to an ACC Championship?
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Comments
Carlis Parker played last year
What an awful article.
"Inconsistent defense"????
Drew Harris?
Terrible article. With a little research, the writer would have figured out Drew Harris did not qualify and Carlis Parker played as a freshman. My answer to the question : Bucky Hodges.
Not a freshman but a 1st time starter, Deon Clarke. Will be a nice replacement for the steady LB Tariq.
I think VT's biggest problem last year was lack of a run game. I feel like Wyatt Teller and Marshawn Williams are going to have to make an impact in the run game. I'd hope Marshawn could get 5-10 impactful carries a game.
On defense with the small defensive front 7 VT has I think Ricky Walker will be needed especially against a big physical running team like Pittsburgh.
With Marshall, Maddy, Williams, Baron, and Mihota inside, I wouldn't be shocked if Walker perhaps got reps at defensive end, especially against big pro-style power running teams like Pitt, BC, and Miami.
Three tight end formation on offense......check.
Three defensive end formation on defense......check.
Six tight end formation on offense* FTFY
11 TE formation on offense
FTFY
12 TE formation
FTFY
...wait
I'd be interested in seeing how everything develops with the DT depth after Marshall and Maddy. Nigel Williams seems solid in the rotation but think everyone else has questions marks since Baron was out all spring and Mihota is still a freshman that is a bit undersized. With Marshall being a 257 pound DT thinks its really important to have a lot of fresh bodies able to rotate inside especially against a team like Pitt. Think if a guy like Walker shows he can play inside wouldn't be surprised to see Marshall playing at DE sometimes.
Something that would be interesting in games against those physical teams is if Bud goes back to playing Dadi as an OLB at times like he did against Pitt last year. Could have Ekanem, Maddy, Williams, Marshall along the line with Dadi to give some good size to the defensive front on obvious rushing downs.
I thought for sure the writer would mention Jack Bauer. I feel he can be a breakout star for us.
Sam Rogers has asked that this author NOT hang himself. So, I guess the piece is not as bad as it could have been.
I think he might be saying that so he can hit the author himself.
Assuming that our defense holds form from last year, any impact on offense comes from replacing Logan. We need a solid QB performer and a short yardage RB since LT served as both last year. I'd say its more critical for Brewer or Motley to have a breakout year. Hopefully Edmunds comes back 100%, but that is no safe assumption, so Williams' development becomes something to watch.
I think people are over looking impact guys who will be here who weren't last year and or redshirted went through spring ball .
Brewer, who could give the QB spot and leadership spot a big bump.
Williams and Shai both went through spring and will have jump on any incoming freshman.
Malleck and Bucky could be a huge impact here folks .
Wyatt and Pfaff both highly regarded and help the OL depth
Ford he went through spring and if needed will be ahead of where he would have been
Newsome a playmaker who could be a big play threat
Asante back after a year off could help depth.
Plus the Offense has a year under the new system and our very youthfull team has a year under there belts
On defense
Marshall, could be very big addition a playmaker
RVD and DVD both were ready to make some noise before injuries special team players as well
Mihota ; VT fans ready to get their dream come true with a 6'5" DT plus with Williams and Bronson both 6'3"
maybe the wining will stop for a while and I think Vinny may play this year like his upside.
Ekanem, I will add him because I think injuries probably kept him at bay the last 2 years.
Fisher and a couple of others incoming that I think can help on the Defense, specail teams .
We have some not just replacement but some potential guys who could be the playmakers on the team that were not available last year for one reason or another . If we can get the QB play . I like the upside of this team and could surprise . Low expectaions under the radar very favorable schedule and everyone we play have major problems of their own OSU being the exception. If you look at our opponents they all have some major holes and or question marks and most of them we beat last year.
Despite enrolling early, Shai didn't go through spring as he is still rehabbing from his ACL injury.
I think he went through the spring ball and did the classroom meetings and everything except for contact . I could be wrong but thats what I heard and that is a big jump on and incoming guy if true thought he did the none contact stuff
Like Vinny too but don't see playing another 255 lb DT. He will have to be really good at that size.
I say give this author a break! He probably just took last years article and tweaked it some.
And even with the flaws, it's still better reporting than Heather Dinich could do.
That's 2 minutes I'll never get back...
... Said Mike London after his last timeout.
Definitely Marshawn, Holland special teams. Walker but would feel more confident if he reported early. Tough for first year interior lineman but he has the talent.
My hope for first year Hokie having the largest impact is.....
Stacy Searels.
Nice. I'm with you there. Really hope the OL is serviceable all year. They don't have to be our biggest asset, I just don't want to see them be a liability.
First year Hokie that will make an impact? Whit Babcock.
Another first year Hokie that will and is making real impact is Buzz Williams.
I'm pretty sure I now know less about football than I did yesterday after reading that article.