Virginia Tech defensive line coach Charley Wiles has always been known to be of the gregarious type, but on Wednesday he gave the media a deeper glimpse inside his dynamic personality. The topic? Straight Outta Compton, the latest film to take Hollywood by storm.
"I'll tell you what, it was good, man. It was good," said Wiles. "Have ya'll seen it? I mean, you need to go check it out."
After coaching 18 to 22 year olds for nearly all of his adult life, Wiles has gained an appreciation for hip-hop and rap, and since watching Straight Outta Compton, the 51-year-old coach has even taken a liking to N.W.A., the group chronicled in the film.
"Coming out of there (Straight Outta Compton), I've started listening and going back and YouTube-ing and just listening to the lyrics, because it was really neat," said Wiles. "I mean, you say neat, but you got a dude living out in the country and he writes a song about shooting a squirrel or whatever. Going hunting, farming, catching catfish, drink some clear, whatever. This guy here, he's talking about slinging rock and you're seeing a guy get murdered. It's kind of a product of...It's real. It's very real."
But when Wiles isn't contemplating the complexities of NWA's body of work, he's working to whittle down the Hokies' deep defensive tackle rotation.
Given the depth at defensive tackle entering fall camp, it was clear that Wiles would have some tough choices to make regarding playing time. With kickoff against Ohio State now under two weeks away, it seems that Wiles has finally made those decisions.
As of now, Woody Baron will serve as the first option behind starting defensive tackles Luther Maddy and Corey Marshall, and Nigel Williams and Steve Sobczak have won the 4th and 5th spots in the interior.
"It's about making plays. It's about turning plays. It's a production-based business," said Wiles. "Woody's made a lot of plays for us."
Sobczak beating out Ricky Walker may come as a surprise to some, but Wiles was clearly impressed with the camp that the redshirt freshman has enjoyed. That leaves Walker as the odd man out, meaning he'll redshirt in 2015 barring any injuries above him.
"Unless something happens, we would probably try to redshirt Ricky (Walker) this year," said Wiles. "Ricky had a good spring and a good camp, really poured himself into it, and I talked to him about that coming out of spring and that it would be a possibility."
For his part, Walker seems to be taking the news in stride, confident that it's the best move for him as an individual and for the team as a whole.
"I'm definitely OK with that," said Walker. "They don't want to waste another year and all of the sudden I'm a junior. I'm OK with it."
Tim Settle, the 359 pound freshman defensive tackle who made waves in the first open scrimmage after an impressive, if not downright humorous, interception return. will also be redshirted this season barring any injuries.
"Right now, how do you get Tim (Settle) enough reps to get him ready to play?" said Wiles. "We're not in a position, right now, that we have to play him. If you had to pour every single day, every single rep into him, you could probably get him ready to play."
Wiles again became animated while discussing Settle, clearly excited about the future of the big-bodied freshman. During his year on the sideline, Wiles is hoping to get Settle a little bit lighter to make him an even more dynamic player.
"Tim's not going to be 300. We can get away from that. Those days are in his rear-view mirror," joked Wiles. "But let's get him down there to three-and-a-quarter. Let's get him in some kind of shape where he looks like a quick, athletic guy all the time. He does, at times. The kid has got some tools, but just can't get him enough reps right now to get him ready to play."
While Wiles is equally excited about his freshman defensive ends, it appears that Darius Fullwood and Houshun Gaines will also redshirt in 2015.
"Yeah, they ain't ready to play, man," said Wiles. "I'm not going to say they got worse as it went on, but they certainly got a little bit more overwhelmed. They were pretty good today...they showed flashes through camp, pretty good prospects. But as it went on, just not physical enough, and it just kind of wore on them mentally. Not mentally tough enough, but good prospects, though."
But at such a physically demanding position, injuries are bound to happen. Understanding that certainty, Wiles made it clear that no redshirt decision is permanent and that the Hokies are focusing on winning right now.
"The future is now, and I told Ricky that," said Wiles. "If the wrong guy got hurt, you're coming out here, you're going to move in there and start playing."
Player and Coaches Quotes
Charley Wiles
ON HEALTH OF COREY MARSHALL:
"He got fell on. Cole Pettit kind of slipped off a block and fell on Corey a little bit...just tweaked his ankle just a little bit. He didn't finish the scrimmage, but he didn't miss any practice because of it...Just a little basketball turn, not anything high."
ON HEALTH OF DADI NICOLAS:
"It's getting better every day, still a little apprehensive using it. But he's good on the edge, rushing the passer, just getting in there and playing square. It's just a little tender, still, but it's almost well. Should be full go here starting on Monday."
Nigel Williams
ON PLAYING ON SUCH A TALENTED DEFENSIVE LINE:
"It's good to learn from each other, definitely. Behind Luther and Corey, we all kind of push each other, learn from each other, watch film together. So it's just really competitive. We all compete off each other and just work to get better every day."
Woody Baron
ON HIS GROWTH AS A PLAYER:
"Big thing this summer, I got stronger. Just getting in the weight room over the summer, I felt like I got more strength. So that just translates on to the field. And more confidence. I'd say that's what I have the most of this summer is more confidence."
ON THE OHIO STATE GAME:
"It's definitely special. It's the only game on, Labor Day, primetime, but any game inside Lane is special."
Comments
I hadn't considered Walker redshirting but it makes perfect sense for long-term depth.
Well, it's good to know that they aren't in fact transferring haha.
ha..haha...hahahaha...hahaahah*sobbbbbb*
Redshirt gives Walker more future opportunities. I don't think SS beat out Walker the numbers and who had shirts available dictated this decision. it was a foregone onclusion the minute Maddy gOT n extra year and Barron showed great improvement. IMO
agreed. Makes the most sense for the future and still gives us 5 solid DTs.
So Foster was contemplating fining players $ as disciplinary action? D'oh! Not a very smooth move sir. Lets move on and never speak of it again and let the students keep their paltry money.
Now if we ever get to the point of paying them actual salaries and forming unions, then I'm all for it. You don't work, you don't get paid.
Tuition, room, food, massage therapist, nutritionalist, gym, swag, trainer, tutors, and 3600$ petty cash.....I say show up for sport on time with a good attitude. Getting a hell of an opportunity that most of us had to/or are still paying for. The argument that athletes are not getting paid is a farse
They are getting something in return for their services but they are certainly not getting paid. I can't stand the argument of, "well hey they're getting an education, how could they complain?". Because, if your skills in the marketplace should garner a $100K salary, but you're getting $1K instead, you'd likely have an issue with it.
The flip side is they don't have to choose to come play football in exchange for an education; however, it still doesn't make the current system right.
If my skills equalled 100k my company paid me 5 k and then gave me food to eat, a place better than most to sleep, appropriate clothes, access to medical, dental, vision, etc, and everything I need to make my next move in my career? Hmm.
I help pay it buying tickets and paying Hokie Club Dues. I get caught with a airplane bottle of makers and I get kicked out of the game. That's accountability. Coaches can't even make the players run early in the morning....weak.
In theory, you would be getting everything you need to make your next move in two careers: professional athlete (if your skills merit it, which I believe was the premise) and your area of study. Heck, considering that a good number of football players get grad degrees so they can play out their eligibility, they could be prepped for three careers by the time they leave school.
Fore, the numbers were made up for ease of math. My point is the value they get is not commensurate to the value they provide, as a whole. That statement may only be true for a small portion of college football players (5-10% being my guess) but the NCAA is making a killing off of these kids.
I don't know what the fix is, but we're at least heading down the right path by talking about it and hearing more potential solutions or ways to pay these players.
how much do you think it would cost for you to pay national television for a 3 hour slot to highlight your skills? now times that by 12 or 13. that sir, is called free publicity and marketing of your brand. it's precisely the reason why nfl rookie contracts went up from tens of thousands to millions. so tell me again about the value they aren't getting?
Welcome to the real world. You're never going to get compensated for the full value you provide. I make far more for my company than what I'm paid. That's the way it works.
You also cost the company more money than you're paid. That's also how it works.
It isn't that they aren't getting compensated. It's that they aren't getting market value. It's probably only true for 10% of football players, but nonetheless.
You don't have a skill as valuable as them. Why should they be compared to you?
I disagree with the notion that even 10% aren't getting market value. If they could go pro out of high school they would. Draft rules aside, 1 in 10,000 rising freshmen D1 football players might be good enough to contribute in the NFL. Outside of that, where is the market for their skill? I don't think it exists outside of colleges with built in fanbases.
College also gives them 4ish years to grow and develop as players, which nearly 100% of 4* and 5* high school athletes need to be effective in the pros. So it is a great opportunity for them, and they are getting paid really more than what their (essentially non-existent) market value would be without the college system.
Where to start?
- off-topic/unrelated to content above
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.... uhhh are you insulting the players? (justs seems very off-key to mention it that way)
- YOU DO NOT INSULT BUD FOSTER (insert menacing Bud pic here)
I got you.
Encouraging notes on the health of Marshall and Dadi. Sounds like both are nicked up but should be good to go.
He'll have two years of two deep work. A year just getting better without the physical toll.
That's got to be tough on a player. Contributing as a freshman and then being asked to sit out your next year.
Tyrod Taylor flashbacks running through my head....
That was actually Sean Glennon's reality. Backed up Randall in '04, redshirted in '05, started in '06.
The comments regarding the health of Marshall and Dadi were good to hear. I have been very concerned about Dadi's hand and whether it was more than a "ding" - hopefully all is well with both he and Marshall.
Straight Outta Compton was definitely worth seeing. I can confirm this as well, Coach.
Sigh*
I really miss my season tickets...
...Except that Bud is saying Dadi is a little more than dinged up.
Not a single joke about Charley Wiles watching rap videos on Youtube? I'm disappointed in you guys today.
.
I've got it. Makes Wiles a Straight Otta commonwealth shirt.
Anybody aware of a timeline on Dadi's club? It's seeming pretty clear it is not a short-term thing, but I haven't heard any predictions of when he may have it off.
AHEM!
Gotcha. I interpreted that as "should be playing up to speed with the club."
Good to hear.
Alas, we will have to wait a year to unleash Tim on the ACC. Dude could be a MAJOR disruption once he gets a little more quickness and stamina.
One question (French/someone?): What happened to mentions of him getting O-Line reps? Was this just to give him more experience on both ends of the ball or what?
When was that ever mentioned?
I think someone mentioned in one of the snapchat threads that he was on the line for field goals or extra point units. Maybe just as a body?
my understanding was that this was still in a defensive capacity (blocking kicks, not blocking for kickers)
No, he was blocking for the kicker. That being said, defensive players block on the punt and kick teams all the time. Heck, DiNardo captained our punt protection unit last year. Doesn't mean he's getting o-line reps per se.
This solidifies Mihota to DE more than anything. Next year there'll be two r-soph and two r-fresh DT's (including a more athletic Tim Settle), and I just can't see Mihota being moved back over. He better start losing weight and getting quicker at the line, because this move to DE will be for good. Which is a good thing imo. We trade the traditional quick VT DE pass rusher for a reliable run-stopper who has a high enough motor to sometimes be a threat in the pass rush.
FWIW, The Million Dollar Man started at DE before going to DT (Corey Marshall). Anchors the end on the 30 front as well. I think he may have moved in and out along the line one season too...
This line if we stay healthy is going to cause major problems for offenses. We got 9 guys and Marshall can move out and play some DE and Mihota can slide in and play some DT . Ekanem is primed for a big year . We can keep guys fresh and we can go run heavy and or pass rush heavy . This could be our best DL . We have emerging players Dooley ,Mihota and Woody to go along with the talent of the starters and the experience they have had . If the back layers are as good as I think and I think Fuller ,Facson and Clark are as good of any 3 we have had back there at 1 time . This D is going to flat out stifle some teams this year and create some field position and turnovers .
If Marshall sees a single snap at DE, things have gone horribly wrong.
Not true , VT plays a run strong team they slide Woody in and Marshall out and Dadi plays that is
a 5 front, did it against Pitt several years back and I would rather have Corey at DE than one of the freshman.
Should a injury occur . I agree Coreys best spot is DT but he is a capable DE . We are deep at DT so we have 6 DT Vinney can play and 5 DE Corey can slide out if necessary. The key is we have a bunch of guys we can mix and match and Bud has done things with these groups before .
he sees time at DE in our 3-4 look so this is completely wrong.
Corey Is a very capable DE not his best spot but he can play and would be a better option than a TF .
The key is we have options with this line, if we hadn't gotten R/Shirts for Corey , Luther ,Dadi we would be stuck with having to play Tim , Ricki and TF at end this year and this line would look a lot different with guys who would be forced to play. Exactly the reason Corey , Luther and Hopkins were forced into duty as a TF before they were really ready . This spot was the #1 concern couple years back . Corey had left Woody forced to play because of no depth ect.
3-4 DE vs. "sliding out to DE" are different. If we have Maddy and Williams inside with Corey and Dadi outside, that is a bad sign for the health of our DL.
Yea if nobody ever gets hurt I will agree but if Dadi was out . That puts Vinny starting and Corey would be used as a backup and put in the rotation at DE . Hardly a disaster in my mind. Also I think Dadi played as a 5th guy two years ago at home against Pitt and we shut them down. The situation above would put Corey at Kens spot and I think Ken may be our best DE period
Corey at DE is still better than Mihota or dooley at DE so still disagree.
You and I just disagree on that point. I'd rather keep Corey at DT and have Mihota in than have him out at end and Williams in. Not a knock on Williams as he's a great player, but Corey is no longer a DE and is far more productive from the DT position.
First Baron apparently has passed Williams and is the 3rd tackle and corey at least has significant game reps at the DE spot. Mihota and dooley do not plus corey is more explosive and stronger than mihota.
Okay, even with Baron as #3 DT, my opinion is unchanged. Corey hasn't seen significant game reps at true DE since, what 2012? 2013? Dooley played in every game last year, though just under 50% of his snaps were at DE. He was also given the Coaches' Award for a great spring. Corey is explosive from DT. Different kind of explosiveness needed at DE. Corey is a great player and I love watching him play, but I wouldn't move him away from DT.
when has vinny seen ANY reps at DE? Corey got reps at DE last year. I agree it's his better position, but we have much better depth at DT than we do at DE and it's not questionable.
seth dooley got a few snaps a game and had no significant stats (100 snaps). He also has missed quite a bit of scrimmage time including back in the spring when he won the award.
Baron and Nigel Williams have shown they are more capable backups, thus far, then either DE backup and corey would be our 3rd most productive DE behind the two starters IMO.
Okay, fine. My opinion has changed. I'd keep Corey inside and put Dooley in instead of Mihota. Geez, semantics. Point is, Corey = DT, Corey != DE to me. If Mihota and Dooley and Dadi all go down, then we can talk about Marshall at DE. Until then, it's just a talking point and not a consideration. Kinda like moving Trey to LB.
Great comparison moving trey to a position he hasn't played versus moving a guy back to the position he has played multiple years. Hopefully no injuries occur to the starting DEs, but I'm not nearly as sure that it wouldn't be a consideration as you appear to be.
No I like Mihota at DE over Corey time will tell but we shall see . Although I think both can play either, or and granted Mihota is 3 years younger but I think he makes a statement this year but hope is when Dadi is getting a blow .
Not full time yet . I think If Dooley can stay healthy he will really show up this year.
As good a DL as this year is looking to be the best is yet to come: mihota - settle - sobczcak - hill/fullwood
this is the line that is going to destroy offenses. book it
prefer this year's line to that one.
Yea this line as it all . experience, depth . play makers at all spots and the ability to get guys a blow with very little drop and some young and developing talent Dooley Mihota and Sobzak. I like the potential with this group keep you fingers crossed for good health
Yep. Especially the ends.