#Hokies giving freshman Melvin Keihn a look at DE instead of ILB because of a lack of depth on the line, per Beamer's site.— Andy Bitter (@AndyBitterVT) August 12, 2014
And wouldn't you know it, French discussed this possibility back in May: http://www.thekeyplay.com/content/2014/may/15/defensive-end-depth-and-me....
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I hope VT can land Josh Sweat & Dalton to provide depth to the D line.
Provide *starters* to the line
not too surprising. if i remember correctly, he was primarily a DE in high school with very few coverage responsibilities. despite LB size, his experience and comfort level are probably best suited at end (at this point).
From what I understand, he played with his hand in the ground most of the time in high school. However, if he is best suited at linebacker I hope we can get him back there so he can get the reps he needs to adjust. I don't want to see a player like this fall through the cracks because we moved him around a bunch and never got settled at a position.
All of these freshmen make me nervous.
The best thing about freshmen is that they'll be sophomores next year.
Given his family situation, he probably isn't going to redshirt anyways (I don't remember the full story but I think his mother is sick and he wants to get to the NFL as fast as possible to help ease the financial burden)...if this is a way he can contribute right away, so be it. He'll probably get moved once we stop sweating our depth at DE and our d-line rotation gets settled (puns intended).
French is a psychic. He was right. And even predicted a Bruce Taylor situation and Keihn is even wearing #51.
All praises due to French.
The biggest difference is that Keihn is almost 35 pounds lighter than Taylor was, but he was very similar as a north-south player at a position (middle linebacker) where you think of guys being more east-west. Long term, he is a mike linebacker (and has the athleticism to play backer if needed.) But with Motuapuaka looking like a potential star at mike, Devin Van Dyke hopefully coming back healthy, and Bud Foster being high on Huelskamp as a former walk-on who can contribute, the immediate need isn't there.
However, with Alford and Dadi both being bothered by injuries, Keihn is needed. It also makes you wonder with today's pronouncement that Ricky Walker will play this year regardless of Baron's injury status, could Mihota (at 265) get moved outside? I just don't buy that it hasn't been considered, especially with Dadi, Maddy, and Alford all dinged up. Practicing inside on the turf because of this rain probably isn't helping those tendinitis issues.
Is moving Keihn to DE also a verdict on Seth Dooley getting PT this year?
Not sure, but we have not heard Dooley's name any.
UPDATE: Wiles did say Dooley was "coming on" during interviews. He said that Alford was having a really good practice in their first full pads practice before he got hurt.
Thanks.
Melvin Kein is a raw talent that played DE in high school. But his future is at LB. Hell make a great LB one day, but the team needs him now at DE. So let him contribute.
At 209 lbs is it reasonable to expect him to contribute at DE this year?
I would think a big time no. The last thing you want on the DL is a 6-1 209 pound freshman, imo. Honestly, that is strong safety size; he would get obliterated.
At 209 pounds you can't expect him to anchor against the run at all, the only use they may have for him is some kind of Dadi-esque rush specialist role.
I also see him and Fisher becoming bosses on special teams as well
I have a feeling they moved him to DE just for a body for camp. I bet he is moved back to LB early in the season.