Establishing Depth, Staying Healthy are Priorities for Virginia Tech's Defensive Line this Spring

Virginia Tech returns all four 2014 defensive line starters this season. It's undoubtedly a premium of the 2015 team. The frontline of Ken Ekanem, Dadi Nicolas, Corey Marshall and Luther Maddy warrants little discussion outside of health, rather it's who follows behind that should draw your attention this spring. The Hokies must address issues of depth along the defensive line.

Without defensive end Ekanem, who will miss spring practice following offseason shoulder surgery, and defensive tackle Luther Maddy, who was recently granted a medical redshirt, young returning veterans will have their chance to compete for spots in Charley Wiles' two-deep rotation.

The Hokies signed a boatload of defensive linemen in the 2015 class, not the least of which is defensive end Yosuah Nijman. The Fork Union product will be the lone defensive lineman to sign with Tech in 2015 at spring practice, and may be able to make a name for himself early with Ekanem out.

At six-foot-seven and 277 pounds, Nijman's enormous size might indicate more of a tackle's build, but with his quiet athleticism and long body, he may fit in better at defensive end — and that's where the Hokies desperately need playmakers.

"Make no mistake, we need depth at end," Wiles told BeamerBall.com. "I held my breath all season that Dadi Nicolas and Ken Ekanem wouldn't get hurt. There was just too big of a drop-off after those first two."

Nijman possesses a unique combination of size and speed, and a productive spring could alleviate some of Tech's depth concerns at end.

As French previously wrote, his upside is evident, but Nijman may take time reach his true potential.

I didn't have to watch film long to see how Nijman could impact a game on the defensive line. He is a big, intimidating presence with great reach. He is also athletic, and that mixed with his size and length enable him to make plays just by being in the right area. His highlight tape is full of quarterbacks who often get rid of the ball way too early because they can feel Nijman breathing down their neck.

That being said, of the players in this class, I expect Nijman will be one of the kids that will need some time to develop. His technique is very raw, and while his measurables are impressive, his film doesn't present him as being as productive as his Fork Union teammate Xavier Burke (who also played defensive end). Nijman has good change of direction, but when he runs he takes long strides so it takes a bit of time before he gets up to full speed. He is slow out of his stance, and usually has to gather himself before initiating a leverage move or pursuing a ball carrier.

Seth Dooley and DeWayne Alford return as two ends that contributed on the defensive line's second team last season.

Like Ekanem and Nijman, Dooley has a tall, athletic build. The Salem, Virginia, native is fairly skilled at shedding blocks and is most adept once in the open field due to his speed. With only four years of football experience, Dooley's room for improvement may likely be greater than some think.

Approaching the start of his fourth year in the program, Alford brings the most experience of any end vying for an open spot. Alford has been around, and has fairly extensive experience but may have to compete to remain on the field in 2015.

The inexperienced Melvin Keihn and Jeremy Haynes are the only two other defensive ends that were on the Hokies' dress list in 2014. The six-foot-one, 209 pound Keihn appeared in every game mostly as a special teams player, but may be too small to be an ACC end.

Haynes will enter his fourth year in the program this fall, having only one year of varsity experience.

There's a logjam of talent in the middle, a good problem for any team to have. Defensive tackles Corey Marshall and Nigel Williams are the incumbents and will be given chase by Woody Baron and Ricky Walker — both of whom were forced into action last season with the loss of Maddy.

Walker is a player that defensive coaches salivate over due to his ability to pass rush, fill gaps and hold ground. Even though he may not have seen action as a true freshman if not for the loss of Maddy, getting his lumps early may prove to be beneficial moving forward.

"He's a guy that can put pressure on the quarterback," defensive coordinator Bud Foster said after the Hokies signed Walker. "He can pursue down the line of scrimmage extremely well. That's kind of what we want. We want an aggressive defense that can play from sideline-to-sideline and end zone-to-end zone. He's one of those guys."

The battling defensive tackles will be joined by Vinny Mihota and Steve Sobczak, both of whom are coming off of redshirt seasons.

The Hokies must develop solid second-line guys at end this spring. Those backups must not only come into a game to give Ekanem and Dadi a blow, but make plays, something that didn't happen often last season. Barring injury, Tech seems more than set at defensive tackle. The real competition at DT will be for the fourth spot, fought for by two players with notable game experience. The Hokies have options at end, but unfortunately most are unproven. Spring practice can be an opportunity for Dooley, Alford, Keihn and Nijman to shine, or it might leave Foster and Wiles to turn their attention to d-ends enrolling this summer.