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With 52 days left until the Hokies face the Yellow Jackets, we turn our attention to #52 on the roster Mr. Nick Acree. Acree was a very highly touted defensive tackle recruit out of high school. He was impressive physically but so far, he hasn’t lived up to those expectations. Now as an offensive lineman, Acree has a new lease on life of sorts. But, he’ll need to continue progressing if he ever wants to make an impact here at the FBS level. Acree will be the 3rd left tackle on the depth chart this fall and will be in line to become a backup in 2013.
The Scoop
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 299 lbs
Position: Left Tackle
Year: R-Sophomore
High School: Fork Union Military Academy
How Did He Get Here?
The behemoth defensive tackle was one of the highest ranked players in the 2010 recruiting class despite being the very first player to commit that year. His potential as a tackle was enough for most recruiters to take notice (or it could have been his he-man like physique). Either way, Acree was a huge pickup for the Hokies especially since he was the first to jump on board.
2011 Season Rewind
After struggling to grasp the defensive tackle position, the coaches decided to move him over to the offensive line last fall. He spent the majority of the season on the scout team.
2012 Prediction
Acree is a player that needs to get on the field and record some in-game snaps. However, with Mark Shuman being just as green in front of him, the likelihood of that happening is slim. However, it would be nice to have some film of Acree in a game situation to analyze just to see how far he’s come since his first open scrimmage as an offensive tackle last fall.
From a true prediction standpoint, I think Acree has the ability to become a starter as a senior. But, he still has a ways to go to get to that point. He needs to continue working on his technique and learn how to recognize different schemes on defense. Knowing what’s coming at you, as an offensive lineman is crucial to having success. Being able to recognize that the outside linebacker is blitzing could be the difference between a game winning touchdown and a game-ending sack. I think Acree is on a good development cycle but as a redshirt sophomore, he’s running out of time to make an impact.
Completely Made Up Fact
Nick Acree once fought Chuck Norris. It ended in a tie.
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{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
What 2013&2014 recruits are camping this weekend? And which ones could you possibly see committing?
Here’s my list:
Obviously there will be a lot more but those are the guys I’ve been able to confirm via social media sites and emails. As for commits I think there are a lot of possibilities but I don’t see a major commitment happening this weekend. 1 or 2 are always likely if somebody gets an offer. But we’ll have to wait and see.
Well damn… the link didn’t show up. Try this http://virginiatechfan.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=5
Justin i know it gets repetitve but Fuller is our top target and my top concern haha so with that being said, how do you feel about him to this point. It seems to me in general people are starting to assume he is more of a Clemson lean at this point. I am afraid that he wants to create his own legacy and not follow in his brothers footsteps. I do think things get over thought and everything little thing he says creates a buzz.I think he knows we give him the best oppurtunity to go pro at his position and that our depth chart is in great shape for him to get playing time as a true freshmen. I think all of that factors in and may give us a slight edge but to be honest i think this is close as sh*t. I believe he is going to us this weekend and then Clemson the following and after that he makes his decision. I just hope our depth chart, our pedigree of elite DB’s, and our superior coaches win out in the end, cause frankly i think the family card is irrevelant and maybe even a negative at this point
He’s a Hokie unless something goes wrong over the next few months. He likes Dorian O’Daniel a lot and I know he’s in his ear about Clemson. But when it comes time for him to make his decision I think he’ll commit to VT. He’s made it interesting though and if he wanted to add in some drama, he certainly has.
should we be concerned if da’shawn hand doesn’t come to camp this weekend and is at bama? also what’s your feeling on fuller at this point? is derrick green coming to camp?
Dashawn Hand is not going to commit for a long time, he’s already been here twice and has a great relationship with our coaching staff. He’s going to be back this fall and try to visit for the UVA game. There’s a great video on 247 where he’s interviewed. He won’t be doing much in terms of recruiting until next year.
You know, I watched that video and there was a small piece of dialogue that really stuck out to me. He said he wasn’t going to do much in terms of his recruiting over the next year and wanted to wait until his senior year to make a decision. Why that stuck out is because on September 1st, coaches can begin to contact him more via phone calls, Facebook messages, Text messages, twitter DM’s, etc. It sounds like he wants to shut his recruitment down for a bit and with him being the no. 1 player in the country, I seriously doubt that’s going to happen.
My point is I wonder if all of that takes a toll on him over the next 6 months and by the spring of next year, he starts thinking about committing early and just getting it over with. If so, the Hokies could be in very, very good shape. He’ll be down again for a game or two this year and will likely return for our Junior day next February. I feel good about this recruitment, I really do. Hand seems like an intelligent young man and I think he is one of those kids that gets it. He doesn’t buy the BS Dabo Swinney will sell him. Plus, why not come play for the best defensive coordinator in college football and be able to have your entire family come watch you play?
Rivals has an interesting article on Justin Evans, OL out of South Carolina. He is the #3 ranked OL and 8th ranked player in the state. Charlie Whiles has been on him since last year and he is listed at 6’6” 275. Film of him is good, good feet and positioning and he looks like he can carry 30 more lbs. with no problem. He will be on campus this weekend and I think he will commit on Monday.
That’s a big visit for us. I’ve been wondering if he was ever going to give us a shot. I would love to see us add Chung this weekend and make a play for him as well. He’s a guy who could easily develop into a very good OT with a few more years of strength training. Let’s hope he enjoys his visit.
I am a VT grad as are my three daughters. If Kendall Fuller is a family type person as I suspect he is, I can say from my personal eperience – Kendall, don’t miss out on a lifetime of fun and cameraderie with your brothers at VT games in B-burg and at championship and bowl locations. At my house, and in Charlotte we all get together and enjoy the games with a bond that would not be at all the same if one of the girls had gone to another school. Don’t miss that lifetime of fun Kendall. You will have really missed enjoying a lifetime, special bond with your brothers and parents that is priceless. Be part of the Fuller Hokie family.
Justin – Brandon Sturdivant? What happened to him?
As far as I know, he’ll be here in August. Not all walk-ons enroll for the 2nd summer session like the scholarship guys. Some just normally enroll and show up a little early for fall camp. Since all walk-ons redshirt, it’s not a huge deal.
If he doesn’t show up in August I’ll see if I can find out a reason why but as far as I know, that’s when he’s scheduled to be here.