Between now and fall practice, we're going to take a walk through the 2015 Hokies schedule and preview each opponent with the people that follow them every day. We will be taking a look back at last season and spring practice, as well as attempting to forecast the year ahead.
Former Big East foes Virginia Tech and Miami will face off once again this fall in a battle that will impact the ACC Coastal Division race. Despite returning talented signal caller Brad Kaaya, the Canes lost a number of household names, including running back Duke Johnson and linebacker Denzel Perryman. But as founding father Benjamin Franklin once said, "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death, taxes and talented playmakers at The U." In an effort to learn a bit more about Al Golden's bunch and how he intends to replace a number of longtime playmakers, we asked our friends at State of the U to provide some insight. I had the pleasure of exchanging questions and answers with Jerry Steinberg at State of the U. Jerry's answers to my questions are below, and you can find my answers at State of the U.
After thoroughly dominating the Hokies in Blacksburg last season, the Canes followed up a win over UNC with four straight losses to close out the season on a sour note. What has the off-season sentiment been surrounding this program, and what are realistic expectations for the team this year?
The fans, alumni, media, and past Hurricanes players alike, all head into 2015 dissatisfied and uncertain about the future of this program. 6-7 is unacceptable at any time for UM. But when you consider how many players they had selected in the NFL Draft, it is especially hard to swallow. General consensus is that Head Coach Al Golden needs something resembling major improvement on the field to retain his job. Perhaps nothing short of winning the ACC Coastal Crown will be accepted. And while the team has largely underachieved under this staff, they still have the talent up and down the roster to, at a minimum, contend for the Coastal. I do not believe anything more than that is realistic. Personally I think this is an 8-4 squad. 10-2 if they overachieve. Another 6-6 season or worse would be disastrous and likely lead to change.
Though sophomore quarterback Brad Kaaya was widely seen as a future star, few expected such a mature and efficient performance in his debut season. Do you see Kaaya continuing to build off of his freshman season and take another step in his development, or do you feel that he may have overachieved and could regress a bit in Year Two?
Kaaya is the real deal, and the biggest reason for optimism heading into this season. I have no doubt that based on his reported work ethic, his natural abilities, and watching/listening to him take on a much larger leadership role this off-season he will continue to develop. The real questions are about the players around him. Miami does have a deep receiving corps, including talented players like Rashawn Scott, Stacy Coley and Braxton Berrios, just to name a few. But the offensive line is young and inexperienced. Players like K.C. McDermott and Trevor Darling are certainly talented, but they are still green. If the 'Canes keep Kaaya upright, he will have a tremendous season. But keep an eye on pass protection for UM. If he takes a lot of punishment it could hinder his otherwise very promising potential.
In the absence of Duke Johnson, how do you see mighty mite Joseph Yearby faring this season as the feature back and where does he compare to other Hurricane rushers of yore?
While I love Yearby's skills, I do not think he will be the feature back. Don't get me wrong he will get plenty of touches, and especially help out in the passing game. But I expect Gus Edwards to lead the team in rushing this season. Reports out of the spring and heading into fall camp are that the 235 pound Edwards has really stepped up his game. Add to the mix highly touted true freshman Mark Walton, who will see a lot of game action from the onset of the season, and you have more of a three headed monster at TB than what Miami had featuring Johnson the past few seasons.
Several longtime defensive studs have moved on to the NFL since last season, including defensive anchor Denzel Perryman, Anthony Chickillo and Thurston Armbrister. Who are some of the players expected to step up to lead the Hurricane defense this season?
Perryman will be impossible to replace. He wasn't the Butkus Award runner-up last season for nothing. But Raphael Kirby was pretty good last year at OLB and will get first crack to replace DP52 in the middle. He should be solid if not spectacular. By season's end, all around defensive dynamo Jermaine Grace had already displaced Armbrister for PT. Look for even more from Grace this season. And while Chick was solid, the return of big time prospect Al-Quadin Muhammad (suspended all of 2014) and the development of former 5 star DE Chad Thomas, more than make up for his loss. Keep an eye on DT Courtel Jenkins, mainstay S Deon Bush, and CB's Artie Burns and Corn Elder to be big time playmakers on D as well.
Who are some of the breakout performers from this past spring, as well as incoming freshmen, that you expect to make an impact this upcoming season?
Aforementioned Grace could be special on D. Muhammad and Thomas are also potentially (potentially being the key word) a pair of NFL type bookends if they reach their potential. On offense, I really think TE Standish Dobard will come into his own now that Clive Walford is in the NFL. Among the freshman, I expect Walton at RB and big time safety prospect Jaquan Johnson to hit the ground running.
Last question: Is this the year that The U is truly back?
Not at all. Back for "The U" means contending for National Championships. This team will be happy to contend for the ACC Coastal. Who knows when or if the program will reach those heights again. Certainly with the talent they have in the backyard to recruit from, it is always possible. But it feels at least a few more big recruiting classes away. Perhaps even a major staff overhaul as well.
Previously in this series:
Comments
Thanks for Lawson!
I don't care at all for the line "But as founding father Benjamin Franklin once said, "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death, taxes and talented playmakers at The U".
I understand the attempt at humor here with the idea that they have talent, but this analogy doesn't really apply to Miami anymore. This idea maybe fit 15 years ago, and sure they have some talent, but it really doesn't make sense for Miami anymore. There are many programs that have much better talent coming in every year. And I think VT gets just as much talent as Miami and we obviously have better coaching. They have had higher ranked classes according to stars for lots of years but I'll take our guys any day of the week.
The man says right before treating said joke like it's a statement of fact...
But this is precisely the point. No one has done less with more than Miami has for the better part of their entire ACC tenure. Constantly talking about how great their athletes are, then winning like 7 games. Many go on to the NFL, clearly indicating they're capable athletes and good football players, yet for some reason Miami still sucks.
Couldn't have explained my rationale better. Thanks, as always, good sir!
I have always felt they over-recruit for talent, and under recruit for character. To many egos to play as a team. Maybe a great coach can get them to overcome their egos to achieve up to their team potential, as they did in the past, or maybe those coaches were as concerned with character as talent.
Reminds me of the way loluva used to be. Got highly rated recruits, couldn't win squat with them, they go to the NFL. Now it's more like they get the highly rated recruits, they stay for a year, transfer somewhere else because they actually want to win a few games.
Miami had 7 players, including two first rounders, drafted in 2015. Miami's last 3 recruiting classes ranked 14th, 12th and 27th respectively according to the 247Sports Composite. There's still plenty of talent on the roster. It's not the loaded program it was in 2001, but that was one of, if not the, most talented college football team of all time.
The talent has always been there. And yet they've only finished in the top 30 in F/+ 3 times in the past decade (we beat two of those teams) and they consistently lose 5-6 games. The talent simply hasn't translated to the field and even when it has they simply find ways to lose.
Wrong thread this isnt the UVa preview, I think you looked up UVa's talent and lack of head coaching.
UVA hasn't even finished in the top 35 in F/+ in the past decade, last year was the first year they finished inside the top 40, and they typically lose 7-8 games a year. UVA's program overall has been way, way worse than Miami's. They aren't even worth mentioning.
Well TIL
With the caliber recruiting they have done I thought they and Miami were on the same level. Besides recruiting I dont follow to much of UVa
Remember when Randy Shannon brought in the #1 overall recruiting class, and they proceeded to peak out at what, a Sun Bowl berth?
They can recruit, but they suck at putting together football teams. Hell, even in their heyday, they were basically winning on talent alone. Once recruiting went national, their shaky foundation crumbled.
loluva has lots of talented players too, where has that gotten them? TIMEOUT!
So I gotta ask is Kaaya really ready to lead the team to new heights or is he just the latest installment of hyped Miamie QB's. I mean I can't be the only one to remember the hype for Harris right?
Kaaya looks way better than Harris, to me. Harris was hyped as a Heisman contender a few times but was never really that good. Kaaya looks the part, at least from what I've seen.
JACORY FOR HEISMAN!
Remember when he was going to wear that pink suit and fedora to the Heisman ceremony?
I still shudder at the Raiders Overalls pick, especially since I am a Raiders fan...
Now a backup in the CFL.
Kenny Kelly?
I can't say that Im upset that Duke Johnson is gone...
What's that?
I think the ideal ACC would be us and Miami (I know, I hate them too), competing for the top spot in the Coastal, with Clemson and FSU dueling it out in the Atlantic. Having said that, I don't want Miami to be "back" until we're ready to whoop up on them every year.
Its like they think that era wasn't 15 years ago, when the recruits they are currently targeting were newborns
Is this gif not taken from the UVA game where the Hoo student was dancing with a fake goose?
Ironically, they were somehow destroying Miami at that point in the game
And the follow up interview...
here
WHY?!?
Hey he's a really hard working fun guy who just happens to be a complete goofball
IMHO i don't think the U will ever relive its glory days--the environment of college football has changed drastically and Miami has never found a capable coach...but then again, i've been wrong on a lot of things!
As long as south Florida is stocked with talent, Miami always has a shot to make it back. Nebraska on the other hand..
I think Miami has the same problem now that we have with the 757... Too many hands in the cookie jar and too many choices for these kids out of high school. The big problem for Miami is that most of these kids growing up there is that the only first hand knowledge they have of Miami is with half capacity crowds, pathetic fan support, and a complete longing for the past at the expense of the present. They compare that to what they see at the SEC, FSU, etc, and there is no comparison. Not to mention the huge NCAA scandal a couple years ago that dominated (and still dominates the South Florida) airwaves.
You're acting like Miami doesn't pull in talent. I don't know why that is because even with all of the disadvantages Miami is at, kids still want to play for them more than 757 kids ever have for us. Even after sucking for a decade Miami still pulls in top 15 classes. We do not have the same problems Miami does. We have the exact opposite problems.
Like it or not Miami is still cool, and kids want to play there. All it will take is a semi competent coach to put two and two together.
I have to ask... why is it that when I see you post on here its always about why we aren't good or why things are never as good as we think?
Are you this negative in real life, or do you only show it on here?
You're the one that brought us into the discussion. Not me. I was just pointing out that Miami recruits well for their circumstances. Saying we have the same problems is misguided.
Calling me negative is so hilariously ironic considering you constantly say every writer that doesn't love us is a fucking idiot or drinking another teams koolaid. Any program other than ours is a joke for anything they do. Other fans are "ignorant dumshits" (your words). I've literally never seen you give any credit to another team. If I had a dollar for every time you called something "a fucking joke" I'd have enough money to support TKP by myself.
Even now you're ignoring the fact that Miami does actually recruit well in favor of a personal attack.
Really I've seen multiple posts where Alum had issues with: coaching, recruiting, play calling and how the adminstration does things, him and I have even gone round and round on issues, here is the difference. He does it using examples and gives credit where credit is due. You, well you are just negative about EVERYTHING!!
Some people are just contrarians for the fun and challenge of it.
Said the guy that posted that The Homeplace sucks. /s
I was so excited for the Miami game last year. I bought myself a new maroon sweatshirt... great cool clear fall weather... first Thursday night game as a Hokie... and a train wreck of epic proportions. As a Buckeye I clearly have some beef with Miami so it was irritating seeing all 38 of their fans happy.
I give you full permission to wear your Ohio State sweatshirt to the game in a few weeks...
I'm still surprised their entire home crowd made the trip up
I wish you had checked with me before buying that sweatshirt.
NEVER BUY NEW GEAR BEFORE THE MIAMI GAME! From Section G.12-1a of the Karma code.
I bought a sweet hoodie at the bookstore on a fateful Saturday night back in 2005. I still wear it... in North Carolina.
Luckily I already have plenty of scarlet for this year's Orange Effect.
I saw this on my drive this morning. Not a good way to start the day. And we're in Maryland, and it has MD tags.
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