Virginia Tech backer Tremaine Edmunds got the nod as a first team linebacker on Campus Insiders' 2016 Sophomore All-American Team.
Physically, the Hokies believe they could have their next Xavier Adibi in Blacksburg. Edmunds took a big step toward fulfilling lofty expectations in 2016. He has the frame of a budding defensive end, 6-foot-5 and 236 pounds, to go along with the range to fly all over the field to make plays. Edmunds is still learning the cerebral side of the game, yet parlayed 99 tackles, 17 stops for loss, 4.5 sacks and nine hurries into Second Team All-ACC honors.
It's certainly not the oldest or most prestigious of the post-season All-American teams, and it's limited to just sophomores, but it's well deserved recognition for one of the top up-and-comer defenders in the ACC. Additionally, Phil Steele placed Edmunds on his first team All-ACC squad. The Danville, Virginia product also made the ACSMA and coaches' All-ACC second teams.
Comments
I saw his numbers late in the season, and I was very pleasantly surprised, not because I thought he was playing bad, they were just that good. We haven't seen that kind of production from a Backer in awhile. \
He's a pretty good example of how having a superior athlete on the field makes the "learning" portion of their early career more productive and can help mask some of the mistakes they are bound to make.
Great, glad to see him get some credit. It's cool seeing him track down
someone and tackle them.
Man, he seems way older than a sophomore.
This guy is a physical specimen. 6'5" 236 and flies all over the field like a SS. Another winter/spring in the weight room and he might be approaching 250(+). Which poses the question:
As effective as he is at LB, is his ceiling higher there or higher being moved to the edge as a DE?
Or, should they adjust his progression in the weight room to avoid packing on more lbs. and maintain him under 240 and keep him at LB?
I hate to see him get moved from LB because I think that gives him more freedom to roam, but the larger he gets, the more prone he is to being exposed in coverage. However, DE going into 2017 may be a bit thin so his presence would be immediate. Either way he's a force to be reckoned with.
Also, Adibi was listed at 6'2" 236 as a Sr., so T.Ed appears to be speeding next to and about to pass those measurables.
I would love to see him used in similar fashion to Khalil Mack who has the ability to play up and roam or down in 3 pt in the pass rush.
IDK man, his frame is pretty filled out already. Packing on 14+ pounds seems a little crazy to me.
Key words: *might be*.
Maybe for the plan of keeping him at LB, but that's exactly what my question poses. If they adjust his regimen, both in the weight room and cafeteria with the thought of moving him to DE, it's not that crazy. Even at 240, he'd still be a bit undersized at a DE. He very well may be at his physical threshold, but he's only a true Soph. and we here at TKP have no idea about his body and growth patterns.
I might be rich. I'm not but I might be.
I don't know why, but that comment reminds me of this.
I might be Mitch Hedburg...
RIP in Peace, man
I'm voting no. If he keeps progressing he will have the NFL salivating to get him into a 3-4 system with his range, size and skill set.
No as in moving to DE or keeping him at LB?
I'd like him to stay at LB.
It seems pretty uncommon to see a player on our roster, particularly on defense, that has the size to match up with just about anyone on an opposing offense. The 'mismatch nightmare' you commonly hear about with Bucky-sized tight ends aren't so nightmarish if you have a 6'5", 245-250 lb LB with range to defend him. At his size, he could stand out at OLB and have potential on the perimeter of a front seven in either a 4-3 or 3-4 defense.
My preference would be for him to stay at LB as well. That's a good point in reference to him defending stretch TE's on the outside. Even more progression and another year showing his abilities in both the run and pass game is going to increase his stock even more. Glad he's roaming our side!!
No. This is the old mentality on defense. He would be an end and Mihota would be a tackle. Let us not return to those days.
Lord help other teams when he figures out how to disengage from blocks. He was tremendous in space this year.
Or don't help them. I'm cool with that too.
Now if only we can find the next Vince Hall to pair with him next season.