Editor's Note: This is Will's last piece for TKP. I had hoped he'd stay onboard throughout his tenure at Tech, but he's pursuing a great opportunity to become EMT certified this summer and plans to work with VT Rescue in the fall.
Building a successful football team is a result of the proper amount of pressure and competition.
Even when J.C. Coleman hoisted the Military Bowl MVP trophy after rushing for a season-high 157 yards, and propelled the Hokies to a 33-17 victory over the favored Cincinnati Bearcats, there were no guarantees he'd return as Tech's featured back after salvaging a late-season run without the assistance of a pair of ailing freshmen tailbacks.
The reality of personnel variability has kept the senior motivated through a spring which saw the resurgence of Trey Edmunds and the emergence of youngster Travon McMillian — both of whom rushed for scores in Tech's annual spring game Saturday.
A crowded backfield, however, is something Coleman has grown accustomed to over the course of a career that's been feast or famine.
"It's always been a crowded backfield for us," Coleman said. "I wouldn't say it's any different than in years past."
The oft-forgotten Chesapeake, Virginia, native makes up for what he lacks in size with heart and mental toughness.
"I would say I'm really reliable. I'm not always the best guy out there or the strongest guy or the biggest guy but I always know my role, know what to do, know what's about to happen and the coaches love that," Coleman said. "I'm a guy that can go out there and do his job and know all of his assignments. I don't think I had a mental error all spring."
As a veteran, Coleman has also taken on the role of bringing up the young talent within his position group.
"I try to challenge those guys every day to go out there and give it their best," Coleman said. "Nothing's solidified out there. I want to get those guys to do their best every day."
Trey Edmunds breaks two tackles on a hard run for a touchdown.
Like Coleman, the path of Edmunds' career has been a winding road.
From a broken leg suffered in the Hokies' 2013 regular season finale to incurring a fractured clavicle against North Carolina last season, the Danville product has found a renewed sense of strength and a resolve for the future.
"I've been feeling really good physical-wise and health-wise and things like that," Edmunds said. "It's forward from here. I hope to improve on my new skills and rehab and keep everything strong and healthy.
"I feel myself again. I'm not having to worry about little bruises and things like that. I'm just going out there and playing football. That's what it's all about so I'm definitely happy to be here."
Edmunds brief-but-shining body of work in the spring game resulted in a team-high 21 yards on three carries, including the touchdown which gave Team Pylon its largest lead of the game.
"It's been awhile since I've been there," Edmunds optimistically joked after reflecting on the span since his last live touchdown. "It's definitely a place I want to make myself at home again."
Edmunds didn't score in 2014 after finding paydirt 10 times in his debut season. The redshirt junior has felt the glory of being the Hokies' rushing leader, and understands how quickly it can be taken away.
"I feel like every year I've been here has been competitive," Edmunds said. "You have to bring your A-game every day of the week and there's not days off. Even the days we don't have practice, coach wants to see who's watching film. It's definitely been a competition but if you want to be the best you have to go through competition. Every one of us feels like that. We just want to have fun and make plays for our team."
Edmunds feels that the time off provided a chance to improve in areas not related to his key assets.
"I've been trying to improve on reading the holes," Edmunds said. "I sat out most of last year so I had time to sit back and watch. My first year I knew a little bit about it but I didn't really know it like I needed to."
With many talented backs, Edmunds suggests that each one can do something different.
"Each of us has our own skill set," Edmunds said. "I'm more of a speed and power-type guy combined. I feel like each and every one of the backs has a certain technique or certain asset that they put in their game to make something good."
The competition is one that's welcome by the position group's most tenured veteran.
"We have a really good thing going," Coleman said. "We've been able to run the ball on our defense and that's a tough defense to run on — a very tough defense.
"I feel like the sky's the limit. We're going to get better and better as we get older and more experienced."
Comments
Thanks for all the content Will. Good luck with VT Rescue.
Great article to go out on.
Thanks for reading!
Also pro-tip for VT Rescue, as per my friend that ran it while I was there. Do the extra work to be the driver, because driving through campus on sidewalks is the tits.
Being the first time I've seen him yesterday, McMillian sure looks the part
I said the exact same thing. He is a physical specimen.
If he can handle it health wise, anything less than 12-15 carries a game for Trey next year should be considered criminal.
The starter should be getting at least that many carries yes but Trey should only get those carries if he is the starter which I see being a 50/50 with JC right now
if they "split" the role, Trey should still get 60% of the carries. I think hes more of a threat to house it than J.C. is, plus hes a big, tough runner. Hes essentially an every down back, hes just gotta hold up like one now (fingers crossed)
JC had a more prolific set of 4 games than any back since David Wilson last season and he doesn't have a history of major injuries. He has also been practicing will Edmunds has been rehabbing. He should be the starter
there are arguments for both. Trey is more dynamic and has done more in the passing game IMO. Trey's game against Alabama trumps any game any RB on our roster has had. No other RB on this team is scoring a TD on that same play that Trey did.
Anyone could have scored on that play the hole was so big
I believe what all the kids are saying these days is "PHRASING!"
very few RBs have the speed to run away from Alabama's secondary that year. Even the announcers made the same comment that it's rare to see a RB pull away.
And McMillian is reportedly faster than Trey. We are going to have some speed in our backfield this season.
They were so out of position it didn't matter, and JC is faster than Edmunds anyways, ask the track team.
I'm not saying this is the case here, but speed on a track without pads doesn't necessarily directly compare to speed on the field wearing pads.
But there is a reason that fast players are said to have "track speed"
Trey out ran the angles that the defenders took. Again, IMO, no back on the roster that year outside of trey scores a TD there. JC's longest run outside of the duke game was 38 yards and he barely breaks a 20+ run. I have heard JC has gotten faster, which may give him an edge in the 40 yard dash w/o pads etc. but trey has always looked faster on the field to me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkARlD_eWlo
If I've learned anything from French and Mason in my time here at TKP, it's that 9 times out of 10 the announcers don't know what the heck they're talking about
considering Alabama rarely gives up a 100 yard rusher, I think in this case it would be the right assessment.
sure, but how many of those RBs got past the front 7 and really stressed the DBs?
I'm sure a few have in the last few seasons and they rarely give up a 100 yard back. Just know Alabama fans were shocked that trey was able to house one. Maybe not as bad as the one guy they made a .gif out of, but still it was a surprise.
Maybe not a history of major injuries, but definitely a history of minor ones. Don't think that having August legs in November last year didn't play a part in his resurgence.
And, FWIW, I think the notion of a "starter" at RB is kinda pointless.
I'll take a guy that got nicked up over a guy that was out for major injuries multiple times.
JC, Tre, Travon, Peoples, Rogers should all see the field this year. They are all very good RB's. Just think ,we have two guys in rehab that are no slouches and McClease on the way.
I think there's still a good chance Peoples redshirts, he would most likely be at least the 5th option at RB and would be behind Rogers and probably Wright at FB. Given the depth ahead of him at both RB and FB, special teams is about the only place that I see him seeing the field this year. I don't think we have a dire enough need on ST to burn his redshirt when he has the chance to be a three year starter at FB after Rogers and Wright graduate
Will...thanks for all the great articles! Surely you will be staying on as a member, right? (Once a TKPer always a TKPer)
I misread your ending statement so badly...
Thanks for reading! I'll absolutely be staying on as a member.
Hats off to you man, nothing better than trying to help those in need. Hope it all works out for you and good luck in Hokie life!
I am sad to see ya go. Your writing was excellent. Good luck in your endeavors and I hope to see you in the comments section
That means a lot, thank you!
Great work Will! We'll miss your writing.
From the spring game, it looked like Trey Edmunds was far and away the best tailback on the roster. Let's hope he gets a lot of touches and can stay healthy this year!
Thanks for all you've done to make this the best Hokie website on the innernetz, Will (and all others).
Will make sure you go all in and get your National Registry EMT,NREMT or NREMTP. People will tell you it's not important but it is. Especially if you ever leave Virginia, if you need any help in finding out information about it let me know.
I appreciate the advice. Thanks!
Thanks for all the great posts Will. If your certification is anything like my brother's you should have plenty of time on those late shifts to find your way back here and join the conversations. Best of luck!
Excellent. Thanks for reading!
Thanks for all of the hard work Will.
Now post a comment on here so we can leg the crap out of it.
Thanks Will for the awesome write ups, good luck on the future endevours.
Thanks, Will, it's been a pleasure reading your material.
Good luck, Will. Nice piece, as always.