PFF: Teller and Nijman Two of Tech's Three Top Returning Players

By: Joe Lanza
PUBLISHER
on July 26, 2017, 9:54 AM | 24 comments

I found this ranking interesting. I can't remember the last time multiple offensive linemen were among the Hokies' top returning starters. (I certainly thought Cam Phillips would've been among the top three.) Also note the 7.4 delta in grade between Teller and Nijman, yet advanced metrics still rank Nijman fourth best returning offensive tackle in the ACC.

As far as humans are concerned, Teller (52) trailed only Clemson's Tyrone Crowder (123) in preseason All-ACC votes. Nijman only earned 5 votes.

The left side of Virginia Tech's o-line is not a concern, but the play from center on down through the right will determine whether or not the Hokies' offensive line will indeed be "special".

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Comments

HokieAlum6144's picture HokieAlum6144
| 8 years 12 months #

I want good things from the O Line this year. It seems like every year we can either run block or pass block but can never do both.

AXD1985's picture AXD1985 | 8 years 12 months # ^

New year, new era, new expectations, new results.

DsmeezyVT's picture DsmeezyVT | 8 years 12 months # ^

And same coach (a good thing, we hope)

RealDiehl's picture RealDiehl | 8 years 12 months #

I still find it surprising how much hype Stroman is getting, considering the other CBs he's playing with. But he had a phenomenal year last season and will probably play even better for his senior season.

I just sit on my couch and b*tch. - HokieChemE2016

ACowne63's picture ACowne63 | 8 years 12 months # ^

Stroman is a senior.... I have never sensed my own mortality more than right now. Didn't he just sign?!

Leonard's picture Leonard | 8 years 12 months # ^

Dude, I'm still getting over the hype of the new, exciting QB signee...

Kam Chancellor

Leonard. Duh.

kff17's picture kff17 | 8 years 12 months #

Its so crazy how Yosh came into spring ball like a baby giraffe at LT and ended up playing a ton his true freshman year, bouncing an incumbent LT to RT. I hope he has a first round year more than anyone else on the team.

gobble gobble chumps's picture gobble gobble chumps
PLS
| 8 years 12 months # ^

I see your Nijman and raise you our starting QB

"Why gobble gobble chumps asks such good questions, I will never know." - TheFifthFuller

DsmeezyVT's picture DsmeezyVT | 8 years 12 months # ^

I agree, especially since he didn't want to make the move. I hope it ends up paying off for him to make his sacrifice worthwhile

HokieChemE2016's picture HokieChemE2016 | 8 years 12 months #

left side of the OL is going to be elite. Center to RT is going to be a sieve unless something changes drastically from last season. I'm happy to get new blood on the OL given last year's performance, but continuity is huge and so is game experience.

dcvt13's picture dcvt13 | 8 years 12 months # ^

Yeah like French has mentioned, Gallo is gonna really have to step up his game for us to be a dominant line. Nijman and Teller are two future high-NFL draft picks but I actually think that we will be more okay than you think on the right side. Pfaff and Smith along with Osterloh and others should be capable replacements for Conte and JMac, considering neither of them played excellent for most of the year.

SharkbaitHokie's picture SharkbaitHokie | 8 years 12 months #

As far as humans are concerned

oh good this is meant for me

Ask me no questions, and I'll tell you no lies

dcwilson40's picture dcwilson40 | 8 years 12 months #

Our OL is like our men's hoops program injuries and bad luck. We have been "behind" there forever- since the famous class where we only signed Dick Graham IIRC. At any rate- there are currently 15 Scholarship OL listed on the roster. If Vice can't coach up 8 of those guys- with two being NFL caliber right now, then he needs to go. Enough already of the "OL issues and excuses" other P5 teams seem to always have good OL- Pitt, Wisky, WVU, GT, BC, etc.. not to mention the "elite" teams- Bama, FSU, USC

Hokielegs's picture Hokielegs | 8 years 12 months # ^

OL is a tricky unit. VT's has been a weakness for years now, but even elite programs can struggle to produce cohesive, dominant OLs. Prime examples last year include Ohio State and FSU. Both teams recruit as well as anyone not named Alabama. Yet, if you poll their fan bases, I'm certain the loudest grumblings about last year will include complaints about OL play (just like our fan base).

bluehokie2006's picture bluehokie2006 | 8 years 12 months # ^

Shoot, I'm beginning to think that OL is a weakness everywhere at all levels. Maybe it's just the NFL and college teams that I end up seeing the most, but it seems like I'm always making a comment about weak OLs.

HomebrewHokie08's picture HomebrewHokie08
🍺MAKES "BEER" ⚗️🦃
| 8 years 12 months # ^

I am starting to fall into this camp as well. It seems like our OL recruiting has really picked up in both quantity and quality starting with Grimes and then Searels. I know there has been attrition and injuries, but Vice has the best OL pool of the last decade and needs to make something happen.

Plan for the worst and hope for the best, not the other way around.

HokieAlum6144's picture HokieAlum6144
| 8 years 12 months # ^

I liked Searels both as a person and as a coach. I was pretty bummed when he was told his position was terminated.

vtfly's picture vtfly | 8 years 12 months # ^

Me too. It made it a bit easier when our DL owned his new OL though:

http://www.thekeyplay.com/virginia-tech-football/2016/10/12977/giftory-f...

"We judge ourselves by our intentions and others by their behavior" Stephen M.R. Covey

“When life knocks you down plan to land on your back, because if you can look up, you can get up, if you fall flat on your face it can kill your spirit” David Wilson

bluehokie2006's picture bluehokie2006 | 8 years 12 months #

TELLER AND NIJMAN TWO OF TECH'S THREE RETURNING PLAYERS

Man, I didn't think the attrition was that bad after last year...

HokieJeep's picture HokieJeep | 8 years 12 months # ^

2026 Season Challenge: TBD
Previous Challenges: Star Wars (2019), Marvel (2020), Batman (2021), Wrasslin' (2022)

jhnbrynt's picture jhnbrynt
TURN UP THE WICK
| 8 years 12 months #

That offensive line in Blacksburg may be something special this season...when running to the left

FTFY

dragone's picture dragone | 8 years 12 months # ^

I was thinking the same thing too. Enjoy a leg.

Let's Go

HOKIES

dragone's picture dragone | 8 years 12 months #

Time to destroy opposing tenderonies and meat them in the trenches.

Let's Go

HOKIES