Nick Acree Moved to Offensive Line

As reported by Hokies long snapper Collin Carroll, Nick Acree is now an offensive lineman.

Here's what defensive line coach Charley Wiles had to say last week about Acree to Kyle Tucker.

Not ready. Not reliable enough, not a consistent enough performer. Not a very instinctive football player right now. Kind of a robot. Tries to apply everything you’re saying literally. I mean, play a little bit. Everything isn't going to work exactly like we say it. We’re trying to coach you, but there comes a point where you've got to play. Right now, coming out of spring and what I saw today ... I don’t see a guy who's instinctive enough right now. If we can get two years out of Nick somewhere through this process, I would call it a win.

As of right now, that two years won't be at defensive tackle.

Fans, including myself, have been obsessed with Acree since he committed to Tech because of his measurables, currently 6' 5" 278. You can't just plug a big body into the defensive line and expect it to play, it's not a USB cable, and that was a horrible, yet intended pun. Last week when I read Wiles describe Acree as a robot I thought to myself that he didn't have a chance at defensive tackle. Defensive line is all about "reading" what the offense is doing and reacting to it quickly. Which players are pulling, how white the fingers and knuckles in turf are, which way the o-line stepped, are all keys, simple ones at that, that a defensive lineman must understand and adjust to. It's hard a position; you got "it" or you don't.

Personally I sucked at defensive tackle. I can't remember how many times I ran upfield on a trap and got decleated by a pulling guard. However, I was a pretty good offensive lineman. Some players, including myself, need that map of where the play is going. I really hope Acree is one of those kids.