Virginia Tech made the 2015 preseason football depth chart available to the public on Sunday. C.J. Reavis is still listed as the No. 1 Rover, but this depth chart was included in the Hokies' 2015 media guide, so it could have been published before Reavis was dismissed from Virginia Tech.
Tags:
Section:
Comments
It hits me that we look pretty thin on the OL. We have two true freshman and a recent convert from tight end as the backups.
This is what jumped out for me as well. Pray for health for the starters, because this could go sideways real quick
Given the depth (or lack there of) situation at OL, I would have thought Austin Clark would have cracked the 2-deep since other freshmen did. Is he not as college ready as initially hoped? Seems odd that Redman and Nijman would both leap frog him when neither have played on a collegiate OL before.
I thought I read that Clark was slated for RT. Being behind a Senior TE convert doesn't say much. FWIW watch the OSU highlights from last year and watch Redman decleat Bosa on Rogers' run.
Redman was ahead of Clark on the depth chart all spring long. Clark looked good on passing downs in limited snaps in the Spring Game, however we have seen very little of his all around game just yet.
I guess I am the oddball uber optimist, or maybe it is all just relative to recent past OLs,
but I looked at that chart and imagined the heir apparent QB's looking at that group and saying:
I know having freshman in the 2 deep can be unsettling for this year, but next year...
There are going to be some serious, battle tested hosses manning those stations, along with some talented young guys that will likely get loads of reps by then. If I thought I was taking the reigns as QB next year, I'd be smiling.
We seem to have broken the sled out of the ice with OL recruiting. Now we need to keep picking up speed.
To be fair, Clark hadn't played on a collegiate OL before either.
Yes, identical to the closing depth chart in the spring as best as I can tell.
If health holds up, that could be an all-time defensive line.
Two most interesting things to me are:
1. Terrell Edmunds was the backup rover behind Reavis.
2. Ryan Malleck AND Bucky Hodges. Usually the coaches use "OR" denote a 1a, 1b situation. The "AND" might imply two tight ends will be Tech's base offensive look.
thinking out loud-- Could Bucky possibly be that 3rd WR/slot guy? The match up vs a LB would be easy pickings for us and if they moved a S/CB over to cover him then its 1v1 for Ford or Phillips..
I do know Burden has been talking a lot about Knowles so maybe he is starting to get it so he could be 3rd.
Nah, it's just for emphasis. Like "'nuff said", or "drops the mic".
Edmunds was the number 2 rover in the spring game, with Donovan Riley playing as the number 2 free safety. Clark is still listed as corner with Frye as the number 1 free safety.
Assuming (and to me it is a big assumption because I think you will see Clark as the nickel back, at least against Ohio State) that Clark is the free safety and Reavis won't be back, Clark will be the first team free safety, and Frye will move over to the rover position.
As for the tight end, the Hokies finished the season using two tight end personnel even in 3rd and very long situations. I know that Burden wants to rotate his receivers often, however I would expect that every offensive repetition will feature 3 of the 5 following guys on the field: Ford, Phillips, Hodges, Malleck, and Cline. Unless Assante, Knowles, Newsome, or Bradshaw can become a zone busting possession guy (or a LEGITIMATE deep threat with Phillips moving into the slot), then Malleck and Cline will have opportunities to work in spread looks.
Loeffler's newest offensive scheme: play 12 players.
Apparently there were a few guys who thought that was the plan this past season.
Unfortunately, that ALWAYS results in negative yardage.
Look we are same...brothers!
Chuck Clark listed ahead of Facyson is interesting and a big bold OR next to the KO slot must mean that its undecided. Not sure if I like the burning of a potential RS for Mook if he is only going to return kicks. Is there a good chance he sees the field at nickel this year?
I think there is a good chance he sees time on defense. Wasnt he best new comer in the spring? I may be way off, but with his coverage skills and tackling ability, how would he fit as a rover? He may be a little light but he has good height and from what I remember from his high school tape he was a fine tackler.
I think Mook would be good for a short period in executing a rover's assignments. From a wear and tear perspective, I think it would be incredibly difficult for a true freshman to play the rover for a full season. As far as I can remember, it would also be unprecedented for Bud to start a freshman at that spot.
Mook and Alexander both had some very strong moments as cover guys. I didn't see either get many opportunities to show much in run support, although that was a strong area in their high school film.
Yes, it will be interesting to see how it shakes out. I think Alexander may be the one to see some time there. It was valuable getting those guys in here in the spring.
Joey was good friends with one of my suitemates last year and talking to him it seemed as if Ludwig was more comfortable with the way the coaches were asking them to kick the ball. They wanted lots of hang time to the 1 or 2 yard line to allow for the coverage team to make a play.
Funny, I'm more comfortable having a LB who happens to be our kicker helping the coverage team.
This tackle against OSU agrees with you.
Taken from benw92's post
Mook and Stroman returning punts, damn we might just take us a few back this year.
Peoples is the #2 FB instead of Wright.
The next Jarrett Ferguson?
I love Jerome Wright. Love him.
But it's no secret I'm hyped on Peoples.
Here's what I love about Peoples, he is listed at 214, but he hits like he is pushing 260 and the kid has some wheels. That's what I love about Peoples.
Its nice seeing Holland Fisher's name on there. Hope it clicks this fall and he lives up to the hype.
might be short lived. I thought they moved shegog to whip and there was talk of him being 2nd team.
We gotta have a WR step up this fall. Who is the 3rd one right now? Without counting Bucky, are Asante and Knowles the next on the field? I just have a hard time believing they are making huge strides as seniors, especially when there has been plenty of PT available for them earlier in their careers. Knowles has regressed it seems. Meyer seemed destined to be part of the plans for years the way Logan was talking him up, but he has all of 1 reception, two years ago. Newsome has more rushing attempts than receptions, and is a nice athlete with the ball but something is not coming together. He still is young, but needs to grow up fast. Bradshaw could be the guy, Coach Burden said he has gotten stronger and faster which will lead to a confidence boost. There is a huge opportunity for him, and even though Ford and Phillips are very good, we need another guy especially one with ability to take it to the house. Oh I forgot Caleb, I still have my fingers crossed.
I was really excited about Caleb after he was moved back to WR, but we haven't heard much about him since then. His size, at 6'2 200, and athleticism would make him an ideal candidate. Was hoping he could develop into a great slot receiver and allow us to get him the ball in space. I have a feeling we will see a lot of Bucky in the slot and even split out wide in the redzone.
he just doesn't have the speed for the position IMO. Was hoping he would end up being like an anquan boldin type with the ball in his hands, but not sure the work ethic is there to ever find out.
Everyone is talking about the "3rd WR". I don't want to see a 3rd WR, I want to see 3 TEs on the field more so than a 3rd WR. If Cline is healthy, I can't see how you can not keep him off the field. The philosophy should be, who are the best players and how do we get them on the field.
I don't see any recievers, with the exception of Newsome, who should see the field over a Cline.
It's also crazy how Knowles, after being in the program as long as he has, has yet to bust through the depth chart. His career here seems awfully similar to Dyrell Roberts; flash of brilliance, one or two big time catches/plays, yet remains a player of underachievement.
And Dyrell Roberts had a gruesome leg injury.
I think we all agree with you, it's just that the 3rd WR is really important for rotation purposes. My feeling, from how Bucky was lining up in Spring Game, we are going to see him out wide many a times which would in effect give us the 3rd WR as well as line both Malleck and Cline.
I think this is a disservice to Dyrell Roberts to have him compared to Knowles at this point.
Newsome brings with him the Jet Sweep. Anyone have an idea of what holds him back? Poor hands? Not running good routes?
I don't know what is holding him back, but it has killed all potential of the jet sweep doing much. Every time he comes in you know what is about to happen.
My only worry is that if the two TE set is our base, we are going to have Ford and Phillips out wide, Edmunds in at running back, that means that Sam Rogers is going to be on the bench? Can the bench restrain Rogers?
I know Stroman is lightning quick and has good moves but a 6' 160 lb punt returner is a little scary. I hope they keep the FG nets up when he returns punts, because if he gets popped, he's going through the uprights.
Just has to harness his inner Devin Hester. Don't let anyone touch you.
Leg. I like where your head is at. I wish Greg Stroman had Hester's speed and moves, and the 30+ pounds (5'11", 190 lb) he has on Stroman too.
I hate Hester...Miami bitch.
Refreshing news to hear for sure! Hope Kendall is right!
Assuming a nickel 75% of the time, I think I like Stroman at Nickel with Fuller/Facyson and Clark and Riley at the two safety spots.
I think we would see Fuller at Nickel and Stroman at BC with that group of players on the field at the same time.
Stroman is 170lb on a good day, playing inside where he's got to face off against TE's and OL on running downs isn't going to be effective. Fuller has better size/strength.
Do you think that the 2013 class might be the best DBU class ever for VT?
Fuller (5), Facyson (3), Clark (3), Fisher (4), and Shegog (3). (rivals' stars) - which shows that stars are over-"rated"
I know the jury is still out for the last 2 but have we had this much contribution in the secondary from a single class?
honestly star's don't mean much once these kids get on campus. its all about the results on the field.. 3 of those 5 have produced so far the other 2 (Fisher and Shegog) are still crafting
Facyson just missed being a 4 star prospect prospect in 247's in house rating (89). He was a little lower in the composite (0.8737), but still a highly ranked 3 star prospect. He was the 4th highest rated member of the class to enroll according to 247 composite, behind Fuller, Teller, and Hodges (2 higher rated players, Fisher and Reid, enrolled later). Also, Chuck Clark was a 4 star in 247's in house rating (90) but wasn't as highly regarded by others, leading to a lower composite score.
That sample size of 5 doesn't show anything
Again, I feel like someone always brings up the star being overrated argument. If you apply to the individual, yeah, you will see deviations. It is about the group as a whole. 5 stars turn out better than 4 stars and so on. That's just the way it is.
I agree with you. People here always claim stars don't matter (I don't think they're the end all be all, myself) but there are also 3 or 4 threads on TKP dedicated solely to 5 star Tim Settle who hasn't even arrived on campus yet.
For real. Maybe when Tim shows his stuff on the field, we can settle this argument once and for all.
EDIT: emphasis added
That goes against everything I just said.
Seeing Travon McMillian at KR gets me excited.
Seeing anyone other than Knowles is just as exciting.
Our o-line depth is weaker than a Wahoo's bourbon and coke
Eddie D'Antuono is apparently a year older and 2 pounds heavier when snapping for punts, as opposed to FG/PATs.
You gotta be a man to play on the punt team.
Reavis still listed as starting Rover even though he isn't enrolled? Are they optimistic that he gets back in time?
Is was probably sent out to printer prior to him being "removed, expelled".
Well the depth chart does say "As of June 1" which is far before news broke that he was no longer enrolled.
I thought I read a tweet yesterday that the coaching staff thinks he will be back. Did I make that up?