Countdown to ACC Kickoff, No. 15: Brent Benedict and David Wang
The ACC Kickoff (aka media days) is fast approaching. I’ll be using the blog to count down to what we media members consider the unofficial start of the football season. This isn’t a list of the 25 best players on Virginia Tech’s roster. It’s a list of 25 things/people that will determine whether the Hokies’ 2012 season is a success or not. That includes players and coaches from both Virginia Tech and, occasionally, a few of its opponents.
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No. 15: Brent Benedict and David Wang, offensive guards
Plenty has been made about the inexperience on Virginia Tech’s offensive line. Well, that’s more starting inexperience than anything.
Three of the offensive linemen expected to start — center Andrew Miller, left tackle Nick Becton and right tackle Vinston Painter – have been in the program for a while. Miller and Becton both had significant roles last year and versatile senior Michael Via is another fifth-year player who has been in the mix.
But the guard spots are where there’s relative inexperience, with Brent Benedict and David Wang having rarely played in games for varying reasons.
Benedict, a 6-foot-5, 311-pound sophomore from Jacksonville, transferred from Georgia last year, sitting out per NCAA rules and working on the scout team. Originally a tackle, he moved to guard in the spring to better take advantage of his power and keep him away from situations where he would have to block out in open space, so he’s still adjusting to the position. He’ll have big shoes to fill following two-time second-team All-ACC pick Jaymes Brooks.
Wang, a 6-foot-1, 286-pound junior, was expected to have a significant role last year and rotate with Greg Nosal at left guard, but he broke his foot at East Carolina, an injury that kept him sidelined the rest of the season. The coaches have high hopes for Wang, the younger brother of former Hokies standout Ed Wang.
Offensive line coach Curt Newsome calls him technician but would like to see more aggression from the junior. Wang has high potential, having been named the most improved player in the spring of 2011 before getting hurt.
An offensive line’s overall success will never be about how good each of the individual players perform but rather how they play together, something that last year’s group did particularly well. Still, there can’t be any weak links in that chain.
And while Painter is a key component and will have a challenge locking down the edge (spoiler: he’ll appear later in this countdown), Benedict and Wang will have to prove that they’re capable of playing at a high level at the interior spots. If they don’t, Via and backup center Caleb Farris are waiting in the wings.
Coming Sunday: He’s a school record holder.
Previous entries:
- No. 25: Randall Dunn, senior tight end
- No. 24: Donaldven Manning, freshman cornerback
- No. 23: Pick a punter
- No. 22: J.C. Coleman, freshman running back
- No. 21: Georgia Tech’s option offense
- No. 20: Antoine and Derrick Hopkins, defensive tackles
- No. 19: EJ Manuel, Florida State quarterback
- No. 18: Bud Foster, defensive coordinator
- No. 17: A fourth wide receiver
- No. 16: Cody Journell, junior kicker
July 7, 2012 - 9:43 AM
No matter the experience or ability, our line is doomed with a D-III coach teaching (?) them to play. The weak link strike again, Newsome must go.
I think this group has alot of potential. My question is about Painter.His numbers are off the charts for a offensive lineman. Why has he not played before now?
Some big time football programs have O-line coaches with NFL experience some have ones with JMU experience
Newsome should of been gone years ago, if Beamer really cares about taking that next step as a program he needs to fire a couple of coaches. Look at oregon they were average for so long they hire a new coach and now their a national power, that could be us but of course Beamer is too DAMN old fashion and conservative.
Last year’s OL was good because there were 4 seniors. This year’s OL has the potential to be very good because of the talent of the players. I am optimistic.
Last time I checked we had three single season rushing records the last few years .I would think that the oline and the oline coach had a little something to do with that
Great point! I have only been a VT fan for the last five years. It seems to me VT football fans are seperated into offensive fans and defensive fans instead of being VT Football fans.
Tony,could you define D-III coach/teaching? Are you suggesting that there is isn’t good coaching at the Division III level…if so, that is one of the most dumbest things every said on here.
Hay Mike and John, sure they had lots of rushing yards, but remember David Wilson had over 800+ yards after being hit, so how much could he have gotten if there were real holes in the line ?? Also, how many times did we not make a first down when needed and it was less than 2 or 3 yards for the first ?? The bottom line is Newsome is the WEAK link in our coaching staff !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jerry hits the bullseye, and not just in discussion of O-line coaching.
Great point Tony. Some people think VT coaches from top to bottom can do no wrong. Most of them are very good but there is a weak link or two.
Yeah stack, division III is where NFL/Alabama/LSU goes looking first for coaches
It is even worst than that,everybody in Southwest Virginia can not believe, and make fun of the fact that Newsome coached at Ervinton HS and is now a coach at Tech.
Now that Ervinton HS is a real hot bed for coaches and players. LOL
Stack, not saying the D-III coaches are not good coaches, but experience level is not up to compete against “big time ” coaching in D-I at schools like Alabama, other SEC schools, Texas, Oregon, Southern Cal, and on and on…… recruiting, organizing, pressure, etc are much more intense in D-I football, and Newsome is not up to it.
Jerry, and other Tony…fyi Arkansas, which plays in the SEC and was ranked 3rd last year has 5 coaches in their staff with DIII experience, Bill Belick was a DIII guy. Chip Kelly, the Head Coach at Oregon and played for a national championship, coached at Johns Hopkins a DIII school. As for Alabama, Jeff Stoutland, their offensive line coach, coached at non-scholarship Cornell. Also, their secondary coach, Jeremy Pruitt, coached at 2 different high schools before joining at Alabama…you guys have no clue.