Virginia Tech football D-Line Coach Charley Wiles Discusses Need at D-End

Hokies defensive line coach Charley Wiles answered questions about his group at BeamerBall.com. It's an insightful interview. Foremost, Wiles is well aware of Tech's lack of depth at d-end.

"Make no mistake, we need depth at end," Wiles told BeamerBall.com. "I held my breath all season that Dadi Nicolas and Ken Ekanem wouldn't get hurt. There was just too big of a drop-off after those first two."

That's very similar to a comment I made a month ago.

According to Wiles, Dadi Nicolas (18.5 TFL, 9.0 sacks in '14) and Ken Ekanem (14.5 TFL, 9.5 sacks in '14) will get just enough work this spring to remain sharp and the focus will be to identify other contributors. That's a prudent decision. There's no need to overwork, or allow for more injury opportunities to, two All-ACC performers.

"I have to get Seth Dooley better, I gotta crank up Yoshua and I have to see exactly where we are with Melvin Keihn. We moved Melvin over from linebacker and he's a great kid, did a great job on special teams, but I have to find out if he can be a consistent performer at defensive end. He'll get a lot of work this spring."

Seth Dooley looked the part prior to last season, but didn't take the next step on the field.

It's not a surprise Keihn will at least start spring at d-end. At this point, there's a basic need for bodies. If the 6-1 Gilman School product checks in at more than 210 pounds in March, then perhaps he has a future with his hand in the dirt.

Yoshua Nijman is a bit of an x-factor. Wiles echoed the Beamer Co. party line on the former Fork Union standout; he'll start out at end.

"He moves around great, he's long, he's not stiff, he can really run, and he's every bit of 6'6" 275 pounds. So, I'm very excited about working with him. He's a guy you want going full steam ahead. He's a guy who can be a disruptor. Turn him loose, tell him go get the quarterback, go get the ball carrier. I can't wait to see what Mike Gentry does to his big body. This guy has the tools," Wiles said.

If he has the bend, burst and twitch that Wiles looks for in a defensive end, Nijman's size won't be anything but a bonus.

Also, Wiles did not mention Dewayne Alford, who was in the two-deep last year, which could mean nothing or something.

The situation at defensive tackle is the exact opposite of end. Wiles has a bevy of experienced playmakers and just four spots on the depth chart.

"We're going to play the best guys. I'll throw 'em all in a big pile, let 'em battle it out, bloody their knuckles and see who comes out on top."

Luther Maddy, who had two knee surgeries last fall because of a torn meniscus, won't be part of the melee. He won't get the "green light" until June.

That leaves Ricky Walker, Woody Baron, Vinny Mihota and Steve Sobczak to earn a spot in the two-deep along with Corey Marshall and Nigel Williams. Both Walker and Baron contributed quality snaps, it will be fun to watch Mihota and Sobczak push them.