Yes yes..that was Khalil Ladler involved on 2 of the 4 plays on the Goal Line Stand
Between Ladler, Floyd and Hopefully a safe recovery by Deablo means our Safeties are looking good for the next 2 years.
I don't know if Adonis will go to the NFL with his injuries and suspensions, hopefully he comes back for his Senior year. I could see a scenario with Mook and Adonis playing the Corner Positions. Ladler or Floyd could play nicklewhip, and I'm assuming that Deablo will take over at Free Safety, I think Terrell goes to the NFL, either way we got good reliable depth with more guys coming next year....not to mention Devon Hunter although I'm not quite impressed him just yet, he had a bunch of penalties on special teams this year.
Fuente in the post-game also praised Quillen and Watts for punt coverage, overall a good sign for them.
Very exciting to see our young guys stepping up
Comments
In a year where only one safety on the roster had starting experience from previous seasons and two safeties have suffered season-ending injuries, I find it extremely discouraging that Devon Hunter still can't find his way on the field outside of ST. With hindsight it feels like we really wasted a year of his eligibility that he could have redshirted, though it wouldn't surprise me if not redshirting was a selling point in his recruitment.
Safety can be a difficult position for a freshman to learn. They have a tremendous amount of responsibility in getting the defense set and making sure the leverages and alignments are correct. That is the primary reason you don't see freshman in general at the safety positions. It's way too early for you to be extremely discouraged.
Mook will probably continue to be nicklewhip. Ladder will probably play corner. He was a pretty highly rated CB coming out of IMG academy until he got hurt his senior season.
Ladler was a highly touted cb before he injured himself. I think he's lost a little bit of his ability to play cb at a high level which is why he's at safety. Either way though if he's got a nose for the ball then playing safety should be fine for him.
Yup.. I think between the injury probably slowing him down a bit, and having the heavy shoulder needed in run support, his switch to safety makes sense as a permanent move.
There's also that thing where Foster likes having safeties that can cover slot WR man-to-man.
I heard some talking heads on ESPN radio the other day giving kudos to Bud Foster for the invention of the whip/nickel position. I forget who was on but it was former coaches and players saying that the NFL was evolving towards having that one guy who can stand up to the run but has the range to defend the pass, and they all agreed that Foster was the guy who was creating these types of guys for the league.
All signs point to both Edmunds brothers staying.
I only know the Edwards/Philips brothers. Who are these Edmunds brothers you speak of?
I like that so much, I don't even care about #sauces, I'm going with it.
I'm not worried about Hunter not playing yet. I mean, look at Settle his freshman year. He could barely play consecutive plays without going into cardiac arrest. But being the unquestionable talent he is, the work ethic and football education caught up to him and he is a wrecking ball out there. I expect Hunter to do the same eventually.
The biggest positive for me is that our depth should be insane in the defensive backfield.
Not so sure about our cbs. We have a lot of unknown there. Safety and lbs we are set for next few years thsts for sure
Only thing I'm concerned for next year is corner depth and who will be replacing Motu
I was kind of a jack crow on Motu his freshman year...but holy cow that kid has became a man. Definitely gonna miss him.
He is probably one of the most improved Hokies I have watched from where he started (cringe worthy) to where he is now.
Haha love jack crow being used as an adjective. But yes you're so right, even his sophomore year I was skeptical, but the past two years he has been so much more of an asset than a liability.
I believe Terrell Edmunds will be back. He spent this season chasing too many plays down from behind to jump to the NFL IMO, especially coming off shoulder surgery. I think both will be back.
My prediction for DBU starting lineup next year
CB: Alexander
CB: Webb*
Whip/Nickel: Mook
FS: Dealbo
RV: Edmunds
key backups who get reps: Watts (CB), Quillen (CB), Ladler (FS/Nickel), Floyd (RV/FS), Hunter (RV)
Might see Floyd at Nickel a bit too, but his 1on1 pass D isn't quite there yet. I think Ladler is more of a backup/successor to Mook at Nickel. Quick, can cover, and can take on blocks.
Funny how 6 months ago, many were penciling Hunter in as a starter and early NFL guy. Now most would't even have him starting as a sophomore.
Kinda sums up recruiting euphoria and reality...
He had some injuries in the preaseason and early season that kept him from getting the practice time a freshman generally needs. I'm pretty sure he got some game time against Pitt, and I think he'll be a factor eventually.
I was commenting more on the peanut gallery than Hunter...
Ladler had some "uh oh" moments this week (he got out of position in zone coverage a couple of times and then he lost inside leverage on Zaccheaus on his longest catch. Fortunately Newsome (who had outside leverage) was able to track him down. I do love Ladler's physicality around the line of scrimmage. He has a very heavy shoulder for a little guy.