1. What happened to RVD this year? He was the next big thing then hes on special teams only
2. Where is Holland Fisher? Hes been quiet since coming last summer....
and
3. Who is the biggest impact freshman next year? Id go with mook......
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Pencil me in for Bradshaw (r-Fr but still a frosh) helping out in the passing game.
I would agree if there was less depth at the wide receiver position. Bradshaw will likely be used in Byrn's role as a possession receiver, but we saw that Loeffler preferred using two wide, two tight (Hodges and Malleck) personnel in 3rd down and 4-7 yards much more than he used three WR and one tight end down the stretch. Granted, some of that was so Malleck could perhaps chip a pass rusher or stay in and max protect, but he went out as a safety valve much more often than he stayed in to block.
With Kalvin Cline presumably healthy next year, and with Malleck back, is it possible maybe we see Bucky line up more as a true WR and let Cline and Malleck play more of the TE position. Could allow the offense to start I. Ford and Hodges opposite each other and let Cam Phillips work the slot while still having 2 solid options at TE.
That would be scary. Scary good for us. Scary bad for defenses.
The nice thing about that lineup is the flexibility it presents.
I like Bucky in the slot or tight as he's a mismatch downfield with a LB covering. Outside he is as well, but it's more of a jump ball/positioning mismatch. We need to stretch the field.
1. recovering from injuries I believe?
2. redshirted and penciled in at safety
3. Whoever wins #2 job for qb as brewer will likely have a short leash (not convinced we will keep motely there as he seemed to only be utilized for wildcat and durkin is a tank so a better wildcat option by all appearances)
fisher had clearinghouse issues and missed some practice this fall as well. Doesn't sound like he'll be starting next year unless something drastic happens this off season. Hopefully being a dad will get him motivated.
Has anyone seen Durkin take a college snap? Even in practice or a spring game? Not saying it's incorrect, but I'm not sure why everyone seems to think he can just supplant Motely?
Because he's huge and we miss being able to do this:
I love watching that 12 yard QB sneak...
"sneak".. Horses don't sneak.. they plow.
Sorry, I should have used the quotation marks around sneak. I meant to say 12 yard QB "sneak".
Bionic Plow horse... Not sure if this fits the conversation, but it looks cool.
Virginia Tech. Invent the Future.
Get that thing on a treadmill, now!
I have watched Durkin throw during warmups, but much of the chatter in fall camp was that Durkin was THE GUY running what ultimately became the Wildcat/Motley package, especially in goal line and short yardage situations. There was a ton of buzz about how he could make an impact, but ultimately the staff decided that it wasn't worth burning a redshirt year for Durkin just to be a situational player, especially with Bucky and Motley available to run the package.
I WANT TO SEE A FRIGGIN JUMP PASS TD!
I'd love to see it too -- but could you imagine trying that with the kinds of O-line we've had these past several seasons?
Even odds our QB would get carted out on a stretcher.
1. He was able to play STs with the shoulder recovery so I think DiNardo supplanted him at Whip for some other reason.
I am going to put my money on Fisher or Settle as impact freshman on defense and Kendrick Holland on offense.
must be talking 2016 for settle? If we are talking impact freshmen i'm going bradshaw on offense as the vertical threat and mook on defense in the nickel.
Settle is in Mook's recruiting class.
everything I've read suggests settle has to prep this year so if he's the defensive standout it may be at FUMA.
but there are also some sources that say he has improved his grades and is on track to come right in.
haven't seen that suggested anywhere that he may make it right in. some are suggesting he got his grades high enough to be able to prep rather than having to go JUCO.
Tim said himself that he should qualify for VT by the end of spring, or summer at latest and he would be ready for fall camp.
sincerely hope he's right but how often do kids say they are going to have to prep?
I don't know who's telling the truth, but when a kid makes a public statement about himself, that trumps all other #sources. I hate people propagating rumors about a kid's grades; it's just not something I think should be put out there (mostly because there are literally laws that protect such things), but if the kid himself makes it public, that's the only thing I trust and the only thing I will repeat.
fair enough. like i said hope it's true, but we'll find out in summer i guess.
Agreed. His grades are none of our damn business until enrollment day hits. Then, if he enrolls, there is no story, and if he doesn't, people can report that he didn't qualify. I think it is ridiculous for folks to speculate about his grades until then. These are still kids for crying out loud.
Impact freshman, I am going Austin Clark.
This.
kinda hoping this is the case. While we need OTs I think clark is best suited for OG. I'd try conte/McLaughlin at OTs wyatt/(next best OG could be clark) at OGs and probably gallo at OC since they blew his redshirt already.
When did they pull Gallo's redshirt? I just don't remember seeing him in any games...but I'm getting old
They blew Gallo's redshirt? I don't remember him getting any snaps this year.
Bowl depth chart has Gallo as backup center. But I don't remember him going in.
http://www.hokiesports.com/football/extras/VTFBdepth.pdf
http://www.hokiesports.com/football/players/gallo_eric.html
Yep, Gallo played a handful of snaps early in the year.
Not saying it is our business but it would factor into this discussion if he doesn't qualify.
Ah my bad. Missed that. Leg for you sir
1. Given how well Dinardo was playing, and RVD's injury, he was shelved except for ST.
2. Had early season shoulder surgery.
3. DeSean McClease.
Whomever lines up next to Teller.
I'm thinking Austin Clark may get a shot somewhere, I think of him more as a tackle but I thought Conte did better this year at tackle than guard, and we could use a strong right guard to help out with whoever our new center is.
If I recall correctly Conte and Teller were lifting buddies and broke some records this past offseason.
My impact freshman is Xavier Burke...TE's dominate the sport.
Pencil me in for this guy....
Leg for BMS
If we're talking about TRUE freshmen, then I believe Austin Clark has the best chance to make a serious impact next season. Yes, he's an O-lineman which is hard to play as a true freshman, but he's enrolling early in January. I think the lack of depth at OT/OG and enrolling early puts him in a position to play meaningful snaps next season.
I'd say if Foster continues to employ variations of a 3-2-6 vs spread teams, then Mook Reynolds will probably have some impact.
Barring injuries, I don't see Austin Clark being ready to make a signifcant impact yet and Settle will get some snaps but there are already 4 quality DTs ahead of him and that's not counting Baron.
Edit: Just remembered Trevon Hill. There's a chance he could have some impact.
1. What happened to RVD this year? He was the next big thing then hes on special teams only
A: Ninja training, so if you didn't see him, he's getting good at it.
2. Where is Holland Fisher? Hes been quiet since coming last summer....
A: He's right behind you... (ninja training and/or daddying)
3. Who is the biggest impact freshman next year? Id go with mook......
A. Clark. Mook's tight. But we need someone to step into the shoes that are waiting for Clark.
1. What happened to RVD this year? He was the next big thing then hes on special teams only.
-he wasn't healthy in fall camp. With the exception being against some of the more run oriented teams, DiNardo was on the field as a whip in the 3-3 stack, which was a blitzing alignment. RVD is more of a cover guy. Also, RVD was moved at some point inside to the backer position where he backed up Deon Clarke. Clarke wasn't coming off the field for any reason.
2. Where is Holland Fisher? Hes been quiet since coming last summer....
That is a mystery to me, but in all honesty, his recruit highlight film was not super impressive. In high school and at FUMA, he seemed to be playing close to the line of scrimmage in more of a linebacker type role. While I heard that he performed fantastically at camps in coverage (which triggered Alabama's fervent pursuit), he looked like a small linebacker rather than a safety on film. I said all along that CJ Reavis would see the field first because Reavis (a high school corner) has the ability to play in coverage as well as support the run, and Bud Foster has now put a premium of having "five corners" as his defensive secondary- all of whom can support the run, cover in man, play leverage, robber, and tackle.
3. Impact freshman? Watching tape, I think it is going to be awfully difficult to keep Mook Reynolds off the field. But, unless Brandon Facyson is still hurt or Chuck Clark gets moved to a safety position, he will have to have a Kendall Fuller caliber fall camp to win a job. My pick is Trevon Hill. He is a little undersized, but he has outstanding technique and plays with a nasty attitude. He ability to take on blocks and then get off those blocks is perfectly suited for stud defensive end, and given how Dwayne Alford didn't have a very productive season, Hill could get immediate playing time behind Dadi.
I know a bunch of folks are penciling in Austin Clark to be an immediate starter, but I think everyone needs to be patient. The speed of the game ramps way up, and offensive line does take some time to develop. I expect Clark to contend for a spot in the two deep and be an outstanding player for a long time. But, the reality is that Conte can play either RG or RT. Hansen was serviceable in every way except for pass protection, and he will improve as he learns the position. I believe Braxton Pffaf will be a good player, and Billy Ray Mitchell and Colt Pettit now have a year under their belts. There will be a ton of (much needed) competition.
you sir are a gentleman and a scholar.
With the way our defense played this year in the beginning and down the stretch. Who missed RVD or Fisher.
If we get contributions from all the recent r-freshman and some of the new recruits come in ready. The Hokies will be in good shape and I will not care who has the biggest inpact.
Im Curious what we get out of Calvin Klein this year. After a lost year hes an unknown but could be a huge asset if we get 2013 production from him.
1. Injuries. IMO he won't see the field on defense again. Special Teams Ace is his new position.
2. Fisher. Things haven't clicked for him yet. His redshirt year was also impacted by Clearinghouse delays (kept him from practicing for a while) and becoming a parent. Still a talented player who may contribute down the road. Probably not in the mix for signifigant playing time in 2015 unless he blows up in the spring.
3. True freshman.. Clark or T. Smith.. They play positions of need. Clark is highly rated, Smith has a bonus year of experience. Trevon Hill might see snaps as a #2 DE.
Redshirt Freshmen... Mitchell @ OG. Pfaff was ahead of him but got injured while Mitchell put on good weight during his redshirt season. Terrell Edmunds at CB/Nickel... people who think Mook is going to play need to remember about this guy. Kendrick Holland @ WR. DJ Reid @ RB (assuming McKenzie & Williams redshirt).