Anyone else concerned about our depth at key positions this year, not to mention a real concern about 2012 depth? I know, I know, getting way ahead there, but lacking any other football information my mind tends to wander. Plus it beats working:
- Cornerback: Jayron a likely early exit to the NFL and Cris Hill leaves. I've heard good things about Detrick Bonner, and this is a position that we recruited pretty well this past year, so there may not be a ton of concern here. It's just likely that another true soph will be the starter opposite Fuller.
- Running back: depending on what DMFW does, and with the graduation of Josh Oglesby, suddenly Tony Gregory is your starter. That doesn't sit particularly well with me - I really wish we had signed a marquee running back for this class. Holmes might turn out to be a productive runner in the Darren Evans vein, but it's essential that we nab a major contributor for this year's class.
-Offensive line: 4 seniors graduate this year. Depending on when things click for Nick Becton, he could be a difference-maker as a senior (and I'm hoping that he starts this year). But then you'll have V. Painter likely grabbing the other tackle spot and a bunch of r-sophomores competing elsewhere. We don't handle experience very well at this position, so I'm concerned about what a young VT line would look like.
Comments
I was actually thinking about this a couple of days ago. We are going to lose probably close to 75% of our receptions with Jarrett Boykin, Dyrell Roberts and Danny Coale all graduating. Having only two realistic starters (D.J. Coles and Marcus Davis) in '12 is going to sting a bit.
I am not worried about running back as much as the other positions because we always seem to be able to find the right guy to plug in and eat up yards. I think there's a high probability that DW could have the type of season that would allow him to leave early. But, I don't know, he just seems like the type of kid who stays in school for four years. Regardless, we need to bring in a stud in this class.
Such is life. Here is a link
Such is life.
Here is a link to all the returning receiving %s for this coming season.
http://www.tomahawknation.com/2011/3/7/2033215/acc-returning-receiving-y...
On the other hand
If everything goes our way, and Jayron were to stay, then the only starter from next year's defense that we would lose would be Eddie Whitley. If K. Battle gets his starting spot back, then that makes two, but still no worse than two starters gone from the 2011 defense.
Offense is a different story, losing the WR trio and 80% of the schedules starters on the line. But (and God help me for thinking this is possible given our history on the line) let's assume that Via, Painter, Becton, and Wang not only pan out as back-ups but get a good amount of reps. Couple that with LT having a year under his belt and maybe DW staying in school...."so you're saying there's a chance?"
The BCO and I were talking about the 2012 line last night. We were both giddy about Wang at guard and the toughness he along with Miller and Via are slated to bring. We have a lot of talented freshman and sophomores that will hopefully develop into a couple of good ones.
Also, with the three new receivers in the 2010 class, what about a couple of them not red-shirting and getting special teams/garbage reps in preparation for 2012?
I had read that Dyrell would be OK with red-shirting too if his leg injury isn't 100% by the fall
Agree with Joe on the fact that DW just seems like that type of guy. He doesn't seem the type who wants run off to the money immediately. He's having success in two sports, seems to love Hokie fans, and really enjoying being a college student while he can be.
Our depth at wide receiver will certainly take a big hit after this season but that could easily change with a good recruiting class this year. Remember when all of these guys were freshman receiving a lot of criticism? That ended up working out alright, didn't it?
I think the offensive line also certainly has potential to be weak but it seems as though the coaching staff has been working to build not only the first five but some of the back ups as well.
I honestly hope Dyrell does not redshirt this season. I would rather see him out there with the rest of his class giving it one last run.
I know E.L. Smiling and Jerome Lewis have grabbed some balls during the scrimmages so at least some of the youth is stepping up and making the most of their opportunities. Hopefully the 2012 class can land one stud receiver.