Predict the Defensive Two Deep at the of Week 1 Fall Camp

Stud (Right) Defensive End:
James Gayle, Tyrell Wilson
Gayle is the most important Hokie this season, as he will be counted on to stay healthy and be productive consistant;y. Tyrell Wilson is a dependable player who is effective in this role, but I would not be shocked if Ken Ekanem gets major snaps if Gayle has injury problems.

Defensive Tackle: Derrick Hopkins and Luther Maddy are locks to start if healthy. Hopkins has been the most underappreciated Hokie the last two seasons, while a healthy Maddy provides big play explosiveness. I am not inside practices, but in scrimmage situations, the first team offensive line could not handle Kris Harley. He has big play X-factor from the tackle position. Coaches raise concerns about his work ethic, but I can't see it on film, so I fully expect Harley to be the third tackle. The fourth tackle is a major concern. The depth at defensive end could result in Corey Marshall moving back inside, but that leaves the Hokies with a very small front. Long time Key Play readers know how high I am on Woody Baron, but as a converted end, he needs a big bear at tackle to keep double teams off of him. Nigel Williams is perhaps the highest regarded tackle amongst the redshirt freshmen, but neither he nor Alston Smith did anything in the spring game to raise my skirt. If Wyatt Teller wants early playing time, is this the spot? My money is that Corey Marshall moves inside, and I will not be pleased with it.

Defensive (Left) End: JR Collins was outstanding until the Georgia Tech game in 2011, and has not been the same player since. Despite praise from Charlie Wiles, Collins will have to be incredibly productive to be the opening game starter. Dadi Nicolas was unblockable all spring. He can be a big play machine, but his ability to make blockers miss result in him occasionally being out of position. He also looks much smaller than his listed size, and when blockers do engage, he can be driven off the ball. Corey Marshall split starts with Collins, but didn't generate as much pass rush as I expected. While Coach Wiles brow beat Harley in the media, Marshall seemed to drop out of the starter discussion in the spring without much fan fare. Could that signal a return to tackle?

Mike Linebacker: Jack Tyler will start, Chase Williams will back him up. Devin Van Dyke had a dynamic spring game, but with Williams experience, I'd imagine that Van Dyke will focus on making a special teams impact this season.

Backer Linebacker: As we will discuss later in the month, Tariq Edwards had an excellent spring game and will likely play more in the traditional backer alignment versus the passing strength edge alignment that Bruce Taylor utilized often towards the end of 2012. While Williams served as the primary backup at both backer and mike last season, I expect that Deon Clarke will get the first call if Edwards has any injury issues. Clarke is raw, but has terrific range. When the game slows down for him, he will be very good. Devin Van Dyke could also contribute at backer, and in a nickle package, I could envision Ronnie Van Dyke sliding to backer with Edwards leaving the field.

Whip: We will focus on the whip position later in preseason analysis, but Ronny Van Dyke will have an opportunity to be the man this season. Van Dyke has every tool to be great, but last season he played tenatively once he got a regular opportunity to play, and he was soon replaced by Alonzo Tweedy. Van Dyke is as good a coverage whip as Tech has had in ages, and he physically can challenge blockers. However, on film you would like to see him make more plays. We will discuss more in a film review devoted to the new role of the whip and backer later this month. Dahman McKinnon is listed as the back up, but if the young corners can play, Kyle Fuller could possibly move back to the edge, where he demonstrated terrific blitzing prowness in 2011.

Boundary Corner: Perhaps Boundary Corner is the biggest unknown of the fall. If Antone Exum is healthy, of course, he has the job. Donaldven Manning received the starting nod in in the spring game, and didn't impress. Meanwhile, Donovan Riley is a bigger body, was physical in run support, and played lock down coverage the entire game. I really walked away impressed with Riley. I would be stunned if he isn't the 3rd corner if Exum is healthy (with Kyle Fuller moving to the slot) and the starter if Exum is out. The wildcard is Kendall Fuller. I imagine that his commitment came with a promise that he will be given every opportunity to win a job. If he is just so good that they have to get him on the field, he will be used at boundary.

Field Corner: Kyle Fuller is firmly entrenched. I think Manning is more suited to the field, but I thought Brandon Fayscon was more impressive in the spring game. Fayscon is my pick as a back up, and I expect that the loser of the battle will be redshirted.

Free Safety/Rover: Kyshone Jarrett and Bonner are established as starters. Greene and Tookes made plays in the spring game, but the Hokies must stay healthy at this position. As we will discuss next week, the rover is much more of a hybird type DB-linebacker in the more aggressive 4-4 that Foster uses at the end of last season, and Jarrett is the only player amongst the potential safeties that fits that role (Holland Fisher and CJ Revis will be perfect in it.) Meanwhile, free safety is the primary signal caller, but must have cornerback quality coverage skills. Greene and Tookes both are good cover safeties, and Bonner looks to improve after a strong end last year. Chuck Clark could be a tremendous free safety, but I imagine he will redshirt as he learns the Hokie secondary's communication scheme.

Freshmen who could see the field: 1) Kendall Fuller 2) Brandon Fayscon 3) Wyatt Teller

*Added note: I can not wait to see David Prince return kicks. I am not sure if it will happen this year or next year, but I think he will end up being a sleeper guy who will find some way to get on the field and contribute.