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With 26 days left until the Virginia Tech Hokies face the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, we turn our attention to one of our newest incoming freshmen Mr. Mark Irick (pronounced eye-rick). The one complaint I’ve had over the past decade is our lack of size at wide receiver. Up until this past season, our most productive wide receiver was also one of our tallest in Ernest Wilford. I’ve always been a fan of recruiting more physical guys at wideout so hopefully our 2012 class changes that trend. That is the reason why I’m thrilled about Irick officially enrolling this fall. Judging from a lot of insider reports, I think he may end up having the best career out of any of the other 2012 wide receivers.
The Scoop
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 185 lbs
Position: Wide Receiver
Year: Freshman
High School: Calhoun County High School
How Did He Get Here?
I’m always amazed at some of the players we grab out of Florida, South Carolina, and Georgia who are overlooked by the in-state SEC schools and end up becoming studs for us here at Virginia Tech. There seems to be a long list of players fitting that mold. Irick seems like another who could have a fantastic career in Blacksburg even though South Carolina and Clemson both failed to show much interest. The South Carolina native held offers from only Virginia Tech and Kentucky according to his Rivals.com profile.
2011 Season Rewind
Irick finished his senior season with 38 receptions for 880 yards and 10 touchdowns.
2012 Prediction
Since we’re closing in one the final 1/4th of our countdown, we’ll be discussing some of the true freshmen that have already enrolled and will be seeking playing time this fall. The Hokies have four senior wide receivers this year, which could make it difficult for a player like Irick to see the field this fall. Just judging by some reports out of Blacksburg, Joel Caleb and Josh Stanford may be the only two wide receivers that challenge for playing time right away.
Irick is going to be a good wide receiver in time but he needs to bulk up. With his frame, It wouldn’t surprise me to see him add ten pounds of muscle by this time next year. It’s hard to imagine but Irick is actually a full 40 pounds lighter than Marcus Davis despite being the same size. I think the best course of action is for Irick to hit the weight room hard over the next year and try to secure a spot in the two-deep in 2013 when the depth chart is much more up in the air.
Completely Made Up Fact
For awhile, Irick had the rap name “Marky Mark” until he realized Mark Wahlberg had already beaten him to the punch.
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Agree that MI will eventually be a real good one. Good hands & route running. He reminds me of another South Carolina native –Sidney Rice. Same build, same style of play. However, I don’t think he will need to bulk up to the size of DJ & Marcus though. Looks like 200+ should be his target playing weight..
Observations from day one: Nick Acgree is HUGE, he has bulked up to 321 and I swear his body fat is no more than 10 percent! JC Coleman has also added muscle; he was 5’8” 178 in the spring and now tips in at 192. I am excited about how he looked at practice, a ball of muscle and as quick as ever, he needed the bulk to give him more confidence and I now think he will be a big factor in our running game. Corey Marshall also was in the weight room since spring ball and went from 250 to 267 and is now listed as a DE. It looks like the coaches are trying to cross-train CM to play all of the D-line positions. Like Michael Via on the OL he can fill holes as needed, plus I think Kris Harley is playing well enough to get some snaps at DT, so that will be an interesting play-out. On the flip side Brent Benedict has slimmed down from the 320’s to 304, which make since because the coaches described him in the spring as a bit slow in space and this should make him quicker and alleviate any pressure his reconstructed knee may be experiencing during a long season. And lastly according to sources Darrell Roberts looked like his old self…great…if he stays healthy he could be a major factor and could possibly lead this team in total yardage (receptions & returns)
Do we have a legit shot at gettin Dorian Johnson, now that he decommitted from Penn State?
I heard that 2013 LB/S Oren Burks will announce his decision this Saturday. What are the odds that he picks VT? Is he someone that we need? Is he worth using up a precious spot for?
Inmy opinion – It’s hard to say what Johnson is thinking. Kind of early and it came as a shock to a lot of people but Cornell Brown is his recruiter and that is a big positive in my opinion. He visited Ohio State right before his Pen St. commitment and he had an official visit to Pitt in May. So if there are any questions with those two schools maybe we have a chance. Early on in his recruitment he was giving WVU some serious thought but ended up dropping them. I think we are the wild card in this one. If he likes and respects Cornell and he takes an official to B’Berg soon, then I think we have a decent chance. 247 ranks him the #2 OL in the country and one of only two 5 *’s, I can’t remember getting this close to an OL this good in a long time…
I think Burks ends up at UVA, not a big lose as long as Teller gives Tech another visit. I wouldn’t be shocked if Johnson doesn’t even visit and commits to Pitt or Ohio St soon recruiting is a weird business. What freshman are looking good so far.
Yea Burks is a good player and a bit of a late blommer at South County but the Van Dykes were the stars from the begining. Burks got his exposure because of them. It will be interesting to see if he is at their level his Sr. year??