Tech Tidbits: Defensive Depth Chart Takes Shape, But Big Cornerback Questions Still Linger

In many ways, following college football requires a sort of willingness to look past the sport's many, many structural deficiencies because of the highs it can deliver, for players and fans alike. Rarely has that sort of tension been more obvious this offseason.

Leaving aside even some of the ugliness we've seen come out about Urban Meyer and Ohio State in recent weeks, the revelations about Jordan McNair's death and the state of Maryland's program have driven home just how imperfect college football remains.

In the wake of all we've learned about D.J. Durkin's methods, I think it's reasonable for just about any college football fan to look inward and wonder: is the culture at Maryland the exception, or the rule?

That's why I appreciate that Justin Fuente did address the issue at Tuesday's media availability, before moving on to the nuts and bolts of fall camp, even if he delivered just the sort of answer you'd expect on the subject.

"I know I've never been anywhere where our training staff, our team doctors, our strength and conditioning staff, our nutrition staff has ever been more on the same page in terms of caring for our student-athletes," Fuente told reporters.

I sure hope he's right. I know it's something that's been on my mind as I've anxiously followed every heartbeat of camp leading up to the season, squaring my excitement for the upcoming year with even the smallest shred of doubt that the same culture that led to a man's death exists at the program I've invested so much in over the years.

But then, in many ways Fuente's comments leave a lot unsaid — it's not just about all the different facets of the staff being on the same page. It comes down to the tone set by the guy at the top, and what will (and will not) be tolerated or excused.

Fuente's always won rave reviews, not to mention comparisons to Frank Beamer, from players and coaches alike, so here's hoping my concerns aren't justified. But I do sincerely hope that what we've seen this offseason forces a lot of self-reflection from college coaches, in Blacksburg and elsewhere.

Now, enough serious talk. Labor Day approaches.

Cornerback Depth Looks...Just Great

Bud Foster had a ton to say about the way the defensive depth chart is shaping up. But one of his answers only generated more questions at Tech's most uncertain position on defense, perhaps on the whole team.

I was perhaps mildly surprised when Foster said he felt Khalil Ladler was the clear starter at free safety, given how good Divine Deablo looked to start the season — he later added that Ladler can also play nickel and rover, opening up more room for Deablo on the field, which makes a bit more sense.

The comment that really caught my eye concerned (you guessed it) the cornerbacks.

#Hokies DC Bud Foster said Bryce Watts is currently still a starting corner. Mentions Caleb Farley next. Says Jovonn Quillen and Jermaine Waller have missed some time.— Mike Barber (@RTD_MikeBarber) August 21, 2018

Sure, it's certainly good to see Farley emerging as a starter, given the expectations the staff seem to have for him. But what about the rest?

Tech's official transcript shows that Foster specifically said Waller and Quillen have "been in and out with some things going on," but no one followed up on that. Presumably he's referring to only minor injuries for each, but boy would it be good to have a little clarity right now.

Because if one of the team's most experienced cornerbacks is meaningfully hurt — a phrase that does indeed refer to Quillen after this brutal offseason — to say nothing of a promising young guy like Waller, then the depth situation is even more dire that it initially seemed.

Foster had nice things to say about both Armani Chatman and Nadir Thompson as well, so I suppose it's good that the young guys are getting some time to make an impression.

But if you felt nervous about Tech's situation at corner before Tuesday, as I think most Hokies fans did, that throwaway line will only exacerbate those fears.

Dax Surging?

Foster was particularly talkative Tuesday, delving into the situation at linebacker a bit as well.

The upshot is that there doesn't seem to be much change to the starting pair of Rayshard Ashby and Dylan Rivers, but it sure seems that Dax Hollifield is living up to the hype.

Fuente said Dylan Rivers is leading the depth chart at right outside linebacker, with Dax Hollifield just behind him. Said Alan Tisdale has an injury that will require surgery.
#Hokies— Norm Wood (@normwood) August 21, 2018

Foster would later add that Rivers "has taken a step ahead of everybody else," but he reiterated that "I really like what Dax is about and they're both going to play at that spot."

If Hollifield really is pushing Rivers already, I'm not sure if it says more about the staff's confidence in Ashby (whom both Foster and Fuente heaped praise on Tuesday) or Rivers' growing pains.

In either case, it's probably all very good news at a position where the Hokies are replacing two talented starters.

A Good, Old-Fashioned Kicker Competition

With Frank gone and Joey Slye holding down the starting kicker spot for so long, we've had positively sparse special teams talk for the last few offseasons.

Largely, the same has been true of this one, until now: we're finally starting to learn a bit more about who will step in for Slye, now that he's gone.

Special teams coordinator James Shibest says he still hasn't made a final decision, painting it as an open competition between redshirt sophomore Brian Johnson and redshirt freshman Jordan Stout.

"I like both of those youngsters, Brian and Jordan," Fuente said. "I think they're both talented. Brian got to play a little bit last year when Joey was kind of suffering from leg fatigue, I guess, if you will. And we'll continue to kind of evaluate that and go back and forth."

But while Johnson may have the game experience, making three of his four kicks last year, Shibest says Stout has the "stronger leg." Accordingly, he suggested Stout was a sure bet to handle kickoffs, even if he doesn't ultimately win the starting job.

No one would've mistaken Slye for being the strongest kicker from distance, but his excellence on kickoffs was underappreciated and won't be easily replaced. Luckily, it seems as if the Hokies will have some options on that front, even if it isn't clear who'll be manning field goals just yet.

I'll leave you tonight by saying that I'm quite jealous of Josh Jackson in this respect.

#Hokies quarterback Josh Jackson said he hadn't heard about the Tyrod/Tuh-Rod Taylor name hubbub. These kids need to get out more often...or maybe I do.— Norm Wood (@normwood) August 21, 2018