Per twitter.com/VT_Football
@CoachSBeamer has announced that walk-on true freshman fullback Sam Rogers has won the starting fullback job for the opening game.
It was difficult to determine how effective Sam was in the scrimmage as a lead blocker, as the #1 group did very little running the football. However, he made several very impressive catches during individual and team drills.
Also, and perhaps more alarming, Mike Barber (www.twitter.com/RTD_MikeBarber ) is reporting that Tariq Edwards was listed as injured and sat out today's practice. Edwards was moving fluidly during Saturday's scrimmage.
In other position battles:
1) Duan Perez Means appears to have won the #2 tight end position. Zach McCray is now listed as 3rd team with Darius Redman.
2) Nigel Williams and Alston Smith are tied for the #2 defensive tackle spot vacated by Corey Marshall, with Woody Baron entrenched as the first DT backup. Kris Harley is still listed as the #3 tackle after a scrimmage where he failed to impress and then reaggrevated a shoulder injury.
3) Ken Ekanem is now listed behind co-starters JR Collins and Dadi Nicolas at defensive end.
4) Kendall Fuller is still listed as #1 field corner, with Riley backing up Kyle Fuller and Fayscon backing up Kendall.
Comments
Damnit French, I was just coming here to post this news. You're too quick, sir!
#HARD WORK---He is built like a FB or ILB.
Sam Rogers, continuing in the proud tradition of hard-working Hokie walk-ons. Show us what you're made of, Sam. Go Hokies!
How many freshman we have now starting against 'Bama? Good for him, does this mean he earns scholarship? Wasn't sure, thought he was walk-on.
Depending on the packages we start with, it's looking like 2-4 true freshmen starting. Jonathan McLaughlin and Kendal Fuller most likely starting, Brandon Facyson and Sam Rogers could also start depending on the packages we use on our first offensive and defensive series. I think Trey Edmunds is the only R-Freshman in the running to start, but the coaches could also go with JC Coleman since it's looking like he'll be back in time.
I can't think of the last time a walk on was a starter as a true freshman. Granted, I think we will see more two tight end alignments than I formation work.
That'll just make him that much hungrier (and angrier) when he's on the field!!!
Was he the walk on with the Hulk like Basket Ball picture? where he looks like he his yelling the other kids head off?
HULK SMASH, BLOCK PUNY DEFENDERS
I think I'm going to refer to him exclusively as Bruce Banner from now on.
Given how many times I accidently called Brent Benedict "Bruce" over the last two seasons, please refrain from using the name Bruce as often as possible.
Ha, fair enough. "Hulk" it is.
to reply to my own post here is the pic:
He looks like a wrecking ball. Hope he is also a decent receiver.
This guy is going to be a Hokie legend.
The legend begins... A walk-on true freshman earns his way onto a D1 starting line-up during his first camp, then makes the game-winning catch as time runs out to defeat the 2-time defending national champions... Cue Hollywood!
#beatbama
Right before he shoots a 3 at the buzzer and...walk off home run!
And a touchdown for Lionel Messi!
Don't forget his blocked punt on Pride and Joy.
When was the last time we didn't have a walk-on (current or former) in the starting lineup? Does anyone actually keep stats like that?
What's the other news?
Updated depth chart posted on hokiesports.com:
http://www.hokiesports.com/football/depth/
http://www.hokiesports.com/football/depth/
Weird, my link got eaten somehow...
Sam Rogers ate it...
Grimm, Tyler, Rogers...#ALLOFTHEWHITEWALKONS
I said this right after he signed, but this kid is going to be our new favorite Hokie. Where do I get a #45 jersey?!
Looking forward to seeing Rogers sneak out in the flat and in the screen game. Might bring memories of Brian Edmunds and Marcus Parker!
If I count correctly, that's 9 redshirt or true freshmen in the two-deep. Wow. REALLY hope Corey Marshall comes back for Bama.
As I mentioned above, 5 of them are either #1 or co-#1 at their position (Including Facyson in Nickel packages)
Sam Roger is good & strong marketable name for a FB (and footballer for that matter).
I was reading through the depth chart and clicking on the players bios to learn more about them. I find the bottom paragraphs interesting, which players are pursuing challenging majors, relatives, etc. A few highlights.
1. Do you know who Damien Russell is? You should find him and thank him. He was a DB at VT from 1989-91....and....most importantly....cousin of the Fuller family. You like some Fullers, no? Thank you, Damien Russell (played in 16 games for the 49'ers in 1993)
2. Speaking of Fuller, Kyle is studying Finance.
3. Speaking of Finance, Tone has a degree in Finance already and is pursuing a degree in Marketing now. And, in case you forgot, Tone's middle name is Chavez.
4. Jon McLaughlin, is of course, the cousin of Cam and Orion Martin. But...most impressive thing I read in any of the bios was this sentence: "Had perfect attendance for all 12 years of school." Dude shows up to work. He's going to be fun to have for four more years, thanks ECU!
5. Deon Newsome has two younger brothers. I gotta feeling we should recruit them. Der'Woun Greene has three younger brothers. Nigel Williams has two younger brothers.
6. Brandon Facyson wants to be a heart surgeon.
7. E.L. Smiling's sister won a silver medal in 400Hurdles in the 2008 Beijing games. Also of note, there is no further detail for what E.L. stands for. His dad's name is E.L. Maybe we can just drop the .'s and call him "El Smiling!"
8. We've got a native Kiwi, Belgian, Haitian, Bahama'ian and Canadien, eh. 'Sup, diversity.
9. In case you haven't heard the Josh Trimble story, his dad played at Maryland and in the NFL for three years then passed away right before Josh came to school. He has three older brothers who played at West Point. I gotta feeling he will do okay for himself.
10. My personal favorite, Nick Bush. He's a cornerback from Lebanon (Va, not Syrian staging area), which in itself is unique. But he's also studying Ag Science. Yeah, cornerback farm boy! Please let that kid dress one game.
I've always rooted for Trimble for those reasons. He played with my cousin at O'Connell with his dad as the coach.
I have a friend whose name is BJ (pronounced Bee-Jay), it doesn't stand for anything, he doesn't have a middle name, etc. just a two letter, no vowel name that looks like initials.
What are the alternative pronunciations of BJ?
Bah shjaee. If you live in Charlottesville. Like "la sabwaahhh"
I've called him Beej (beejuh? Beeg? beeguh? not sure how to type how I pronounce it) before and I've seen some names that are written very differently than how they are pronounced. My main point is that it may not stand for anything.
I only know one other way to say it. Just don't say it 3 times
I knew a kid whose name was James Brown and he went by BJ.
I have a cousin who goes by BJ, but his first name is Scofield. He's a "junior" and his dad goes by his last name quite a bit, so it carried over.
For some Braves references, we have David Jonathan "JD" Drew ("JD" for "Jonathan Drew") as well as Melvin "BJ" ("Bossman Junior") Upton.
It happens.
BJ Upton's actual first name is Melvin. The BJ stands for "Bossman Junior", as his dad's nickname was apparently Bossman. In other news, he can't hit a baseball to save his life.
JINX!
I imagine Sam did something like this after finding out...
I'm imagining this happened first
GIFSoup
followed by this
GIFSoup
hulk throwing the bear just brightened up my whole afternoon
I think Box (or some other GIF wizard) needs to put Sam Rogers' face on Hulk and substitute an elephant for the bear.
That's what's wrong with 21st century America. You just don't get to see any more bear-throwing...probably because of political correctness.
Thank you so much for the bear tossing GIF. I can't stop watching this.
All it needs is Rogers head with a mullet on there and you're all set!
A PLACE AT THE TABLE!!!!
My girlfriend is still mad Hulk didn't kiss or hug his mom at the scrimmage. He did give his dad a "bro hug."
Clearly, he didn't hug his mom for fear of breaking her in half. HULK SMASH!
I bet she'd give Leonidas a bunch of crap for not kissing his wife goodbye too.
Any good girl would know what this is from. Every girl I date has to answer this correctly to move on to the Hokie quizzing
Sam Rogers once caught a touchdown pass from himself. He also had the lead block on the play. And he kicked the extra point.
Chuck Norris wears Sam Rogers underoos.
I like where this is going and I hope it continues.
Sam Rogers once took a dump in the woods. We now know that location as Charlottesville, VA
edit: spelling
Sam Rogers once ripped Wolverine in half
true story
Sam Rogers once stopped being such a badass and let Logan score 6 TD's in a scrimmage. Why? Because he's team first.
Sam Rodgers messed with sasquatch and then made jerky out of it.
When he was in 9th grade, Sam Rogers made CavMan fall off of Sabre just by sneezing at the TV.
Hahahahaha.
Sam Rogers took all of the shitty parts of Exit 118 on I-81 and moved to Exit 118 on I-64.
118B, to be precise.
Sam Rogers drinks Mike London's tears for breakfast
Sam Rodgers makes London cry by looking at him.
They were going to name a bridge after Sam Rogers...but nobody crosses Sam Rogers
Sam Rogers likes #allmarooneverything because it hides the blood stains.
Corey Marshall is taking time off until the Alabama game because he's scared of Sam Rogers.
Sam Rogers was originally intended to star as Ivan Drago in Rocky IV, but due to scheduling conflicts with his birth Dolph Lundgren was cast instead.
Once a year, sharks tune in to The Discovery Channel to watch Sam Rogers Week.
*wipes eyes* I'm so proud of you guys.
The Drilfield started sinking because Sam Rogers did push-ups on it
Sam Rogers knew Mike London was a cop before Mike London became a cop.
Mike London quit his job as a cop because he knew that Sam Rogers was patrolling the streets, rendering him useless.
Point of Correction. London has always been useless.
Stipulated. I will amend my previous statement to the following: "Mike London quit his job as a cop because he knew that Sam Rogers was patrolling the streets, and thus he finally realized he was useless."
Jim Weaver only allows Sam Rogers to stick it in
That's phrased a little awkward but I'll roll with it.
Wasn't my best effort
This video is hilarious. Every Steelers fan I've ever showed this too or talked to about it can't say anything hah
I thought it was hilariously awkward. I'm also glad he's no longer in Pittsburgh, though sounds like RMFW might be out of a job now...
Cody Journell would never pull an airsoft gun on Sam Rogers. Never. Ever.
True Story, it was actually Sam Rodgers who told Beamer that he needed to show O'Cainspring the Door
Once Sam Rogers forgot to wear his football pads. He didn't notice.
(for the engineers in the crowd) Sam Rogers is both the immovable object and the unstoppable force. Shit just got real.
Sam Rodger's first words were "Don't deny my Pussy Touchdowns"
THIS. perfection
Yes.
I actually laughed out loud to this one.....
This must become a Tshirt at some point.
Chuck Norris wears a SAM Rodgers jersey when filming to make him feel like a man
18 years ago a scientist tried to clone a hybrid of Bud Foster and Jeff Grimes.
The name of that experiment: Sam Rogers.
"SAM ROGERS, WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSION?"
"HA-OO, HA-OO, HA-OO!"
+1
They had to build the new scoreboard to fit the Hulk on it this season.
Every night, before he goes to sleep, the Sandman checks his closet and under his bed.....for Sam Rogers
Rumor has it that Metallica is writing a new song, entitled "Enter Sam Rogers."
I don't think that came out quite the way you meant it to...
Wow, even my gutter-dwelling-thats-what-she-said mind found anything wrong with that statement. Now I can't unsee it.
David Wilson went to eat Chic-fil-A on Sundays (natch) only to find Sam Rogers already there
"From day 1, hes been on a mission," Beamer said of Rogers, a former Hanover High School star. "Some walk-ons come in and they want to make the travel squad or they want to eventually play on special teams by their second year. Hes been on a mission to start from day 1 and wasnt going to be denied."
http://www.newsadvance.com/sports/article_976dafee-0bee-11e3-a915-0019bb...
Damn... Even Beamer knows Sam Rogers won't be denied his pussy touchdowns.
The first score Sam Rogers gets this season, there will be a small group of Hokie fans in the stadium and abroad smiling thinking of pussy touchdowns.
Excellent.
I can't wait.
- Joey Phillips
Oh my god if Sam Rogers grew a mullet
This video would be 100% funnier if the willow smith song was playing in the background
Funny and obnoxious are not the same thing
Joey Phillips grew a mullet because Sam Rogers told him to
This was the most hilariously awkward posts ever.
Rodgers better grow a mullet and a wicked stache
This kid is a true freshman and is going to start against Bama in his first college game. How was he not more heavily recruited?
I van ask this now since he's already enrolled with us :)
5'11" QB's don't get a lot of hype. He did have offers from FCS level schools but chose to go for the big leagues.
In addition to what DBU said, we don't usually recruit scholarship fullbacks, they're usually in the same boat as our kickers/punters and come as preferred walkons with a promise of a scholarship if/when they win the starting job.
"Sam Rogers started his first ever collegiate game against the juggernaut, 2-Time defending national champions, Alabama, and laughed." This stuff writes itself!!
There's no "D" in Rogers. I say this for your safety.
Duly noted and edited. Thank you! Being a packers fan isn't going to help in this situation...
Little known fact: Our beloved patriotic figure used to be referred to as Uncle Joe until Sam Rogers found out. Since that time, no one has seen or heard from Joe.
Sam Rogers once got in a knife fight and the knife lost.
Fear of spiders is aracnaphobia, fear of tight spaces is chlaustraphobia, fear of Sam Rogers is called Logic.
Sam Rogers does call a wrong number. You answer the wrong phone.
There used to be a street named Sam Rogers. They changed it because no one crosses Sam Rogers and lives.
Sam Rogers has already been to Mars, that's why there are no signs of life.
I love this kid's attitude and drive.
I'm starting to worry that Sam Rogers doesn't go to class. I think he just hangs out on the practice field all day and follow any coach he can around asking if he can do some more drills. Then again, Sam Rogers gets straight A's because the professors know what's good for them.
Sam Rogers doesn't GO to class. Class comes to him.
Sam Rogers is never late to class because class doesn't start until her gets there. The professor knows better than to start without him.
Sam Rogers doesn't need to go to class, he has enough CLASS already
Sam Rogers graduated college in Kindergarten.
Sam Rogers reads the textbook in the first night then shows up with notes for the whole class. Why? Because he's team first.
Sam Rogers delivers his semester paper/project during Syllabus Week.
For those Boyer fans out there:
Sam Rogers is actually the Plaid Avenger
Sam Rogers once beat Bill Brasky in a wrestling match
I love that sketch! BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEL BRASSSSSSKY!
The defense played so well against bama because Sam Rogers gave the most glorious pregame speech of all time. Chuck Norris, Jack Bauer, and mcgyver all cried upon hearing it