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inside.hokiesports.com
9
by
Jimmy
Robertson
With 2017 kickoff looming, Hokies hoping
several players emerge at several spots
Virginia Tech begins classes Aug. 28, with
the football season kicking off six days later, as
the Hokies open 2017 with a game against West
Virginia at FedExField.
Tech’s staff entered August practices feeling
confident about its first-team options on both
sides of the ball. But the coaches worry about
depth and want to find answers at certain spots.
That said, there are options at these spots.
Here are some names to keep in mind, as we
kick off the new season:
Houshun Gaines/Emmanuel Belmar
Tech’s starters at the defensive end spot
appear to be set with Vinny Mihota and Trevon
Hill, but the Hokies need for at least a third end
to emerge. Gaines and/or Minor may be the
best bets for a number of reasons.
Gaines, at 6-foot-3, 245 pounds, possesses
the size, length and speed, while Minor is an
intriguing option after not playing last season.
Defensive coordinator Bud Foster and defensive
line coach Charley Wiles really liked what they
saw from Belmar this spring after moving him
from backer to defensive end late last season.
He possesses athleticism, got stronger this
summer and now weighs 240 pounds.
These two aren’t well known by Hokie
Nation, but they could be if they progress.
Darius Fullwood/Jarrod Hewitt
Tim Settle and Ricky Walker probably
go into the season as starters. Yet the staff
remains worried about depth behind them and
hopes Fullwood and/or Hewitt play with more
consistency.
Fullwood added strength and bulk this
summer. He weighed 282 pounds before
August practices began—a gain of 30-plus
pounds. He possesses the tools, but the staff
wants to see him play more physically and
consistently.
Hewitt dropped his weight to 285 pounds,
which should give him the quickness needed
to move around inside. The staff likes his
potential, but like with Fullwood, wants to see
more consistency.
Defensive tackles tend to get dinged over the
course of a season (e.g. Nigel Williams last fall),
so Fullwood and/or Hewitt need to be able to
contribute.
Kyle Chung/Braxton Pfaff
The starting right guard position probably
hinges on which of these two young men
emerges. Fortunately, both possess the goods
to get the job done.
Pfaff has battled injuries in the past, but he
played powerfully this spring and held his own
going up against Settle. Pfaff weighs nearly 310
pounds to go with good footwork and seems
ready to move into a starting role.
Chung bulked up to 302 pounds this
summer, and he, too, has battled injuries in
the past. He lacks Pfaff’s power, but probably
moves better. Of utmost importance, Chung
possesses the ability to play several positions
on the offensive line.
Also, Parker Osterloh, who missed spring
practice, may work his way into this mix. Like
Chung, the senior can play several different
spots—and has in several fall practices.
Expect all three to play extensively this
season, no matter who wins a starting job.
Phil Patterson/Eric Kumah
Cam Phillips holds down one side and C.J.
Carroll and Kalil Pimpleton man the slot,
but Tech’s staff desperately wants a receiver
(or two?) to emerge on the other side of
Phillips. Patterson and Kumah are the leading
candidates.
Kumahplayed last seasonas a true freshman,
and at 6-2, 220 pounds, stands as the Hokies’
biggest receiver—and the most experienced of
the younger guys. He played well this spring,
showing an ability to go up and get the ball.
Patterson took a redshirt season in 2016, but
Tech’s staff nearly played him because of the
playmaking ability he displayed while on the
scout team. He drew rave reviews from the staff
for his work this spring, and he, too, possesses
size at 6-2, 193.
The potential of these two is limitless. But
Tech’s staff wants the potential to become
reality at least for one, if not both, this season.
Tyree Rodgers/Jovonn Quillen
The Hokies’ defense has three potential
All-ACC corners in Greg Stroman, Brandon
Facyson and Adonis Alexander, but Tech’s staff
wants to find a fourth in the event of injuries.
Quillenplayed last seasonas a true freshman,
mostly on special teams. He gives Tech’s staff
some size at the position, standing 6-0 and
weighing nearly 200 pounds. He played some
at safety on the scout team in the fall, but his
best opportunity for playing time comes by
developing as a corner.
Rodgers took a redshirt year. He, too,
stands over 6-0, and combined with his speed,
possesses the skills to be a top-flight corner.
Can he be that this fall?
People rarely think about the third and fourth
corners—until injuries occur. For that reason,
Quillen and/or Rodgers need to be the guy.