We are getting closer to Hokie football pre-season practice and the start of the 2009 season. But in the meantime, it’s still about getting through the long, dry sports season. So this post has another conversation starting “rankings” theme. This time we rank the 2009-10 Virginia Tech football position units, based on the level of talent, depth, and expectations for performance.
Which positional units do you think are the strongest for this year's Virginia Tech football squad?
Again, before we go through the rankings, to clarify the criteria, this ranking is based on how we perceive the strength of each unit to be relative to other units. By strength, we mean overall talent, depth, and expected level of performance in the upcoming season. Some of these are “no-brainers” but most aren’t, and there will undoubtably be surprises.
1. Wide Receiver. Loaded. How this happened at Virginia Tech, the place everyone said you couldn’t recruit quality WRs due to non-passing nature of the offenses, is beyond me. But with Danny Coale, Jarrett Boykin, Dyrel Roberts, returning as starters, plus new blood like Marcus Davis, Patrick Terry, and Xavier Boyce, its probably the one position with too much talent and not enough footballs. Brandon Dilliard and Tony Gregory may also factor.
2. Running Back. As it should be, the Hokies have a solid depth chart with Darren Evans a conference-leading type back returning, star in the making Ryan Williams behind him, Josh Ogelsby would start at some schools, and some good freshman. Fullback Kenny Jefferson should be solid as well.
3. Offensive Line. VT lost 2 starters from last year but may have a better unit and definitely has more depth. Need to watch this closely as the season likely rides on it.
4. Defensive Back. Macho Harris was the team’s best player last year, but Kam Chancellor may be the best on the team this year. Stephan Virgil and Dorian Porch are experienced, while Davon Morgan and whoever ends up starting at field corner will be solid.
5. Quarterback. This is a good news/bad news situation. Tyrod Taylor is a highlight reel. His backup is a major drop-off.
6. Tight End. The Hokies have quietly accumulated studs here. Let’s hope starter Greg Boone has the stardom this year we expect. Andre Smith is a solid performer, and before Sam Wheeler got hurt, he was very good as well. Another up and coming star, Chris Drager, was moved to DE.
7. Defensive Line. The problem here is depth. Jason Worilds and Jason Graves are outstanding. Nekos Brown, Codarrow Thompson, Demetrius Taylor are all solid, but for this unit (and frankly the whole VT defense) to click, some young and unproven guys will need to step up.
8. Linebacker. Besides the solid Cam Martin/Cody Grimm whip position, you’ve got new starters in Barquell Rivers and Jake Johnson, and young guys as their backup. And if the DL gets tired because of depth, your LBs are the first to suffer. Watch this unit closely starting with Alabama. Bruce Taylor could be a surprise performer.
How would you alter this list?
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{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
I would alter it considerably:
1. Running back – Evans and Williams will be one of the best pairs of backs in the nation and David Wilson incoming is so, so sick.
2. Secondary – Kam Chancellor late 1st round, early 2nd round in next year’s draft. Stephan Virgil 2nd rounder. Dorian Porch and Davon Morgan will battle it out for rover and the weakest position (field corner) has a 3 way battle of talented players to sort it out.
3. Tight end – Boone, Smith and Wheeler plus a lot of talent in the wings. This position was so deep, they took the 2nd most physically talented player (Drager) and moved him to DE
4. Defensive line – With more depth this would be #1 because the starting 4 will be phenomenal in both talent and experience. Jason Worilds will be first-team all ACC this year at end.
5. Receiver – As you mention, playmaker after playmaker and then you add in Logan Thomas? Sheesh. Not a lot of experience but talent for days.
6. Offensive line – I like this year’s line better than last years but Ed Wang needs to get an attitude and Jaymes Brooks needs to show he’s more than a one-hit wonder from the Orange Bowl especially coming off of that injury this spring.
7. Linebacker – Amazing talent and whip is manned by two seniors, plus linebackers are coached by the best coach on the staff. But there is so little experience at two of the positions that this will have to be one of Foster’s great coaching jobs this season.
8. QB – Tyrod Taylor is phenomenal but obviously there is zero depth here in terms of experience. JuJu Clayton is better than some people think and Taylor is better than a lot of people think, but this position needs more top flight players in the wings especially with Taylor’s propensity for injuries.