I just saw a write-up on ESPN about the great college basketball programs (like UNC, Duke, UCLA, etc.) and what their all-time best starting line-up would look like. After glancing over it, I immediately began to think about what the all-time starting lineup, in my mind, would be for Virginia Tech football. I'm relatively new to this site, so I have no idea if this has been discussed before, I just figured it'd be a good topic to discuss during this boring offseason.
Anyway, my line-up would look like (add in's are FB, and Nickel):
Offense:
Quarterback: Michael Vick
Runningback 1: Ryan Williams
Runningback 2: Lee Suggs
Fullback: Sam Rogers, duhhhhhhhhh
Wide Receiver: Andre Davis
Wide Receiver: Danny Coale
Tight End: Bucky Hodges
Left Tackle: Duane Brown
Left Guard: Wyatt Teller
Center: Jake Grove
Right Guard: James Brookes
Right Tackle: Blake DeChristopher
Kicker: Shayne Graham
Defense:
End: Corey Moore
Tackle: Carl Bradley
Tackle: Jonathan Lewis
End: Bruce Smith
Inside Linebacker: Xavier Adibi
Inside Linebacker: Jamel Smith
Outside Linebacker (Whip): Cody Grimm
Nickel: Kyle Fuller
Cornerback: Brandon Flowers
Cornerback: Jimmy Williams
Free Safety: Willie Pile
Rover: Aaron Rouse
Punter: Nick Schmit
Keep in mind, I'm young. I honestly didn't "seriously" keep up with, and watch Tech football religiously until 2001ish range.
Comments
Good list, but I'd have Kevin Jones over Lee Suggs. Also, what about Beamer Ball?
Kicker: Shayne Graham
I agree about Jones over Suggs, and the Ryan Williams vs Lee Suggs debate could be its own thread. I would replace Danny "It was a Catch!" Coale with Eddie Royal who played the slot type role better than Coale. Really there should be three WRs with possibly Boykin or Enerst Wilford as a third. Also Antonia Freeman is still ahead of Bucky in my book and so is Jeff King. Bucky just hasn't been in the uniform enough. I think its too early to crown Teller at OG , but Jim Pyne, who deserves to be on this list, was a Center (can we move him) and Eugene Chung take the RT spot.
On Defense I think DeAngelo Hall and Brandon Flowers ( I know Jimmy Williams was a Unanimous A-A, but I liked Flowers play better) get my nod for CBs with Fuller as a nickel. Also Daryl Tapp at DT over Johnathon Lewis, the guy played bigger than he was and seemed to have a motor forever. Also was Ben Taylor a MLB? If so I think should be considered as well.
EDIT: The safety spot was bothering me with Rouse so I went to Hokiesports and I would have to put Frank Loria in over Rouse based on the awards alone and not knowing whether Frank would be able to play the position in todays game, would probably be a CB
I agree, there are so many WRs to choose from. I'm kinda going with my favorite players, not so much skill set. Antonio Freeman played WR, not Tight end. Yeah, Teller is bold, but I don't remember an O-lineman being as hyped as him. Darryl Tapp played D-end, he was great, but to me he's third behind Bruce and Corey Moore. It was a toss up between Ben Taylor, Vince Hall, and Jamel Smith. Also, I picked Brooks and DeChristopher because of the success we had running the ball with them starting ('08-11).
I hate to say it but I think Daryl Tapp is probably fourth, adding in Cornell Brown as the third best DE in Tech history. The man was a machine on the end, especially 1995 when he had 103 tackles as a DE, earning First Team A-A status from five or six different selection boards.
Bruce played on the inside when he was here correct? In Bud's defense he would still probably play tackle. That would add a better player to the defense as we have had more great ends than tackles. Engelburger was a pretty good player as well and had a long NFL career. Id pick Royal over Coale as well by a slim margin. He made some big time plays for us for 4 years.
I like D. Hall for his playmaking, but Williams was also very good. We may could have both of them on the field at the same time. I know Williams played safety for a bit, I could be wrong but I thought Hall did too?
I couldn't remember if Tapp was end or tackle. I just vividly remembering him standing up Frank Gore on what should have been a walk in TD in that terrible top 5 matchup against Miami in 2005
Antonio Freeman was the best wide receiver Tech has had to date even if he did play the tight end spot the most. Maybe the freshmen change that after they do four years but he has held the highest number of touchdowns in a season and a career for over 20 years now, ranks fourth all time in receiving yards on an offense that was run first, second and third. No need to mention the pro career of nine seasons, one pro bowl, 825 yard average per season, 61 touchdowns, 6th all time in Green Bay history, and performed his best game on the biggest stage, amassing 230 total yards in the 1998 Super Bowl, good for third highest at the time in any Super Bowl.
Another player that needs to be considered for the linebacking corps, I believe inside, is Rick Razzano, who played at Tech from 1974-1977. He led the Hokies in tackles every season, amassing an amazing 634 tackles in four seasons. Think about that, thats an average over 150 tackles a season. There are only four total seasons in Tech history over 150 and three of them belong to Razzano. He is also tied for most tackles in a season at 177. He went on to play for the Cincinnati Bengals and then to the CFL.
No offense to the legend that TKP has made Sam Rogers, but Jarrett Ferguson is still the top fullback in Tech history. He blocked for three of Lee Suggs four seasons, was critical in helping get Suggs to the 28 touchdowns in 2000. He also blocked for Kevin Jones as a freshmen in 2001. Also while doing all that, managed to score 15 rushing and 4 receiving touchdowns, with 738 yards rushing and 443 yards receiving in his career. He came before MEME generators or might have been a book unto himself.
Agree on The Raz, Razzano.
Too bad his son couldn't get into school
+1 on Jarrett Ferguson.
He was a bad mamajama.
His 76-yd one shoe off TD against Syr in 1998 had the Hokie fans jumping across the world, only to have our hearts ripped out by Donovan McNabb at the end.
Here's a recap: http://blog.syracuse.com/orangefootball/2012/05/syracuse_football_classi...
It was, at the time, and maybe even still is the best college football game that I have seen.
I remember finishing the game, heart-broken, but thinking that from a pure college football fan viewpoint, that was the greatest game that I had watched-the Flutie to Phelan Hail Mary to carry BC over the 'u' was the best prior to that.
Mickey Fitzgerald wasn't a bad fullback
Edited.
Thanks for the great post. I am sure there will be a lot of discussion generated by your lineup. I will start it off.
OK, I'm going to show my age here, but I would argue that if you are looking at that second wide receiver spot, there are some that might fit there better than Danny, and believe you me, I love Danny Coale. TE, yeah, Bucky may very well be the man, but to ignore the contributions of Mike Burnop is to ignore the running history of our offense and his contributions in a scheme that used the pass as a last option. Now, back to that second WR slot, I nominate a dark horse from the same run-first, second, and third offensive philosophy that defined VT for many years. I would nominate Mike Giaccalone. If it was close, Giaccalone caught the damn ball! He played when we just didn't throw the ball. Tough as the sole of an 80 year old discarded cowboy boot in the desert. If you don't know who he is, you should. I am sure other folks will joust with you to include their favorite players so I will stop there and leave the rest to the stats and gif crowd, but I'd love to see some of those past stars with a modern day offense.
Best all time receiver 1st all American Carroll Dale 56-59 played in 3 championship games & still holds receiving records for Packers.
Sheesh Cody Grimm and Kyle Fuller on the same defense. I guess they'll have to invent a statistic for two players both getting credited with solo tackles on every play. Maybe record a fumble and an interception on the same play.
danny coale? ryan Williams? bucky hodges after one season? how bout Antonio freeman, kevin jones or ken oxendine and Jeff king at tight end. dude had magnets for hands
Jeff King at RT and Antonio Freeman at LG. You know, to keep with the modern game.
You typed "modern" but I think you meant "Newsome".
Jeff King was not the dynamic threat that Bucky Hodges is. That being said he is one of the best tight ends to play at Virginia Tech
but he played four years. bucky imo will be better in the end but as of right now we have one year to judge on opposed to four years from jeff king. plus he was a beast in bball. haha
Hodges only playing 1 year is irrelevant. I still want him on my team over King.
Jeff King is an all-time great, not a problem child who thinks he can do whatever he wants after one good season on the field...
Leave the personal attacks and name-calling elsewhere.
Holy over-reaction, Batman!
Williams' stay here was a short one, but he was a great running back. Could do it all, and was as dangerous with the ball in his hands as Jones. Both were rated about the same when their careers were over and Williams was an injury plagued one. Not saying Jones is the wrong choice either, its really hard to go wrong with either.
King had some big catches in '04 and '05 that won us big games. Itd be hard to pick any player that has only played one season on this list. Hopefully Bucky would be a no brainer when his career is over.
Punter = Vinnie Burns
I would go with David Wilson over Ryan WIlliams, Eddie Royal over Danny Coale, and DeAngelo Hall over Brandon Flowers.
Um, Bruce Smith?
Anyone?
With you... You were just 4 minutes ahead of me.
Yeah he is listed at end in the OP.
If you're going to do Adibi at LB, probably ought to go Vince Hall at the other spot. Hall/Adibi together were probably the best mike/backer combo in Hokie history. Coach Bud loved those guys.
We have had these threads before. It is really tough at some positions. For me, some are no-brainers:
QB: Michael Vick
RB- Ryan Williams
FB-Jarrett Ferguson
C-Jake Grove and Jim Pyne would be the best war on the board. Two legends)
WR- Antonio Freeman with a big group right behind him (Andre Davis, Bryan Still, Eddie Royal)
Free Safety- Willie Pyle
Mike Linebacker- George Del Ricco
Backer- Xavier Adibi
Defensive End- Cornell Brown (gets it because he was a better all-around defender than Corey Moore)
Defensive Tackle Bruce Smith (he was a DT at VT)
Cornerback- Brandon Flowers
Rover- Torrian Gray (tough to keep Pierson Prioleau out of this spot, but Gray had so many big plays.)
Here are some of the other guys who got All American recognition:
http://www.hokiesports.com/football/allamericans.html
Ahhhh, I wasn't sure if Bruce played end or tackle at Tech. In that case, I'd go with Bruce Smith at tackle over Jonathan Lewis, and a toss up between Darryl Tapp and Cornell Brown. Didn't realize Torrian Gray played Rover, thought he was a free safety.
Yes and yes to George Del Ricco.
Talk about 'arriving with ill-intent.' Opposing players would begin excreting snot-bubbles just by hearing his approaching footsteps.
How I miss that nasty attitude where our opponents DID NOT want to get the ball, because they knew a swarm of Hokie defenders were about to make them pay.
(With an honorable mention to Ben Taylor, since we're talking 'bout LB's).
so many great hokies to chose from makes this tough! ill give my list though and im only going to go based on who ive seen play and during my time....
Offense:
Quarterback: Michael Vick
Runningback 1: kevin jones
Runningback 2: david wilson
Fullback: im going to put Shyrone Stith here even though he played RB at tech he played FB in the league
Wide Receiver: antonio freeman
Wide Receiver: andre davis
Wide Reciever #3 (slot)- bryan still
Tight End: Greg Boone (boy do i wish we had him now when we actually use TEs)
Left Tackle: Duane Brown
Left Guard: Jake Grove
Center: Will Montgomery
Right Guard: James Brookes
Right Tackle: Eugene Chung
Kicker: Shayne Graham
Defense:
End: Corey Moore *these 2 ends are 2 of the best to ever play CFB but we have some damn good names being left off because of them (worlids, ellis, tapp, coach brown, engs, the list goes on and on)
Tackle: corey marshall (when its all said and done i think he will be one of our best ever from VT, may already be)
Tackle: Jonathan Lewis
End: Bruce Smith
Inside Linebacker: Xavier Adibi
Inside Linebacker: vince hall
Outside Linebacker (Whip): Cody Grimm (this was tough i wanted to pick james anderson)
Nickel: brandon flowers (i know its not what he played but i think if we had the others its were he would have
Cornerback: D Hall *again like D-end there are some GREAT players that are being left off
Cornerback: Tyrone Drakeford (the man who started DBU)
Free Safety: Kieon Carpenter
Rover: Aaron Rouse
Punter: Brent Bowden
so many greats left off this was alot harder than i thought it would be. i know not everyone will agree with my list but i feel pretty solid about it.
100% Agree with Greg Boone, he was a very under utilized asset.
I don't think you can put Wyatt Teller and Bucky Hodges in there. It is too early for them.
TE: Jeff King
FB: Ferguson. He was a great FB.
RB: Ryan Williams and Lee Suggs. You could easily put Kevin Jones in for Lee Suggs but I think Ryan Williams was the best RB we've had.
On the OL front. Where is Matt Lehr pr Genero DiNaploli... Both blocked for outstanding RB's who are on this list.
Did you really leave off Bruce Smith AND Kam Chancellor!? Get those two in there somewhere and the defense looks even better.
Hate to burst your bubble, but Kam was not near the player at Tech that he is in the League. One of the few times that I've ever questioned Bud was when he switched Kam from rover to free safety, which meant that he'd be responsible for more man coverage duties. He got burned a lot and was wildly inconsistent in '08-'09.
Yep, huge liability in coverage.
the Bama game in the kick off classic comes to mind in 2009. they isolated and destryoed poor cam his hips were turning all over the place. love cam to death but at VT he wasnt nearly as good as he is now when he was at VT.
looking back at that game 500 yards to 150 and we were up in the 4th qtr. how were even remotely in that game.
160+ of those yards and 17 points were in the 4th quarter. Dyrell Roberts, turnovers, red zone defense, and Ryan Williams kept us in it. Although the national perception was that we got dominated, it was very competitive until late.
Freeman and Dale at receiver.
Phil Rogers might be one of my backs...it's 1973. I'm a freshman, Rogers and Barber combine for almost 2000 yards...and we go 2-9, losing to W&M and VMI...but beating UVA and FSU! Bizarro World by today's standards.
Mike Johnson would be one of my linebackers; and Razzano was one tough SOB.
Mickey Fitzgerald was a truly dominant fullback
Agree 100% with Mike Johnson at LB. He was the best linebacker to ever play at VT imo.
This is obviously not science. Some positions are obvious, but others are up or debate.
QB: Mike
RB1:KJ; RB2: RMFW (Or TD Lee)
FB: J Ferguson
OT: Eugene Chung
OT: D. Brown
OG: T Washington
OG: Teller (I know he's raw but if he stays healthy he will be a bad ass)'
C: J Grove (Imagine his attitude next to Wyatt. Some fights will probably break out.)
WR: Royal (WR you can make an argument for several guys here)
WR: Davis
TE J King
DE: B Smith
DE D Tapp (I love Moore, but his size limits him)
DT: Maddy
DT J Lewis
Mike: Taylor (Though V Hall was a bad ass and could go here too)
Backer: Adibi
Whip: J Anderson (He was great at Whip on 04)
BC: Flowers (IMO the best Corner we have had at this position)
FC: Hosely (Can put DLo or Macho or Drakeford, or K Fuller . . . . . .)
Rover: Bam Bam Chancelor
FS: Vinnie Fuller
Kicker: Shane Graham
Punter: Burns
Kick Off Returner: Dyrell Roberts or Macho
Punt Returner: DLo
How about the all offense TE team:
QB: LT
RB: Boone (ran the Wild Turkey)
H-Back: Malleck
TE: Drager, Bucky, King
OT: Brown, Ed Wang
OG: Lanier, Nosal
C: ?
Anyone remember any C that were orginally TEs?
Jack Willenbrock has gone back and forth between Center and TE.
Also IMO Bucky would be the Flanker in the all TE offense
Keith Short played tight end in high school.
I'd like to add Wayne Ward for $1000 Alex...
QB MV7
RB Lee Suggs (won the Dudley award twice and the former RB coach said he was the most talented complete back since Cyrus Lawrence)
C Jake the snake Grove
WR Antonio Freeman, Andre Davis, Eddie Royal
TE Hodges (it used to be King)
CB DHall
SS Bam Bam Kam
DE Bruce Smith
DT Cornell Brown
LB Vince Hall
LB Adibi
LB Anderson
FS Keion Carpenter
PK Graham
P Kibble
KR/PR Still
Here's my shot at it:
Offence:
QB: Michael
RB1: Suggs - The ultimate Beamer Ball Running Back and it's not close
RB2: Jones / Williams / Wilson / Lawrence - Take your pick
FB: Sam Rogers – With due respect to Ferguson
WR: Andre Davis - Best at stretching the field
WR: Antonio Freeman
WR: Eddie Royal
TE: Jeff King
OG: W. Teller (projecting a bit here)
OG: Todd Washington
OT: Duane Brown
OT: E. Cheung
C: Jim Pyne
Defense:
DE: Corey Moore
DE: Cornell Brown
DT: Bruce Smith
DT: Derrick Hopkins
ILB: Vince Hall
ILB: George DelRicco
OLB: James Anderson
Rover: Kam Chancellor
Now for some Fullers!
CB: Kyle Fuller
CB: Kendall Fuller
S: Vincent Fuller
Special Teamers:
P: Nic Schmidt
K: Shayne Graham
PR: Andre Davis
KR: David Wilson
Fun post - here is my all time Hokie team:
QB: MV1
RB: R Williams/ KJ
FB: J Ferguson
WR: C Dale/ A Freeman
TE: J King
OT: E Chung/ D Brown
OG: T Washington/ M Lehr
C: J Pyne
DE: C Moore/ C Brown
DT: B Smith/ J Lewis
Mike: G Del Ricco
Backer: X Adibi
Whip: Kyle Fuller
R: T Gray
FS: V Fuller
CB: B Flowers/ Kendall Fuller
K: S Graham
P: V Burnes
PR: D Hall
KR: D Roberts