Which 12 Hokies freshmen could make the dress squad? Let’s do some speculating
Virginia Tech has post-practice availability with defensive coaches today and offensive coaches tomorrow, so we’ll probably get a better idea of which freshmen might have a chance of making the dress squad then.
Follow me on Twitter and Facebook.
But why wait when you can speculate? The Twitter account of Frank Beamer‘s website posted Sunday that after the coaches had their meeting Sunday that as many as 12 true freshmen still have an opportunity to make the dress squad.
Which 12? Let’s take some educated guesses about who might be on the list:
Sure things
- RB J.C. Coleman: He’s ahead of his freshmen brethren on account of enrolling in January. And he showed a big-play capability in the scrimmage with a 52-yard run. Right now he’s the third-string running back, but he could definitely move up or, short of that, be used situationally. (UPDATE: now he’s co-No. 2.)
- WR Joshua Stanford: Keep in mind that just making the dress squad doesn’t mean you’ll play. Tech has several seniors at the top of the list, and Demitri Knowles figures to have a role (Kevin Asante had an active scrimmage as well). But Stanford has impressed coaches with his maturity. And wide receiver is a spot where players can rotate in seamlessly in certain spots.
- CB Donaldven Manning: Another early enrollee, he’s been slowed a bit by a hamstring problem this August. Still, of the many true freshmen in the secondary, he’s the most experienced. Someone will have to be a backup cornerback. He figures to be at the top the list.
- CB Donovan Riley: He’s currently a backup cornerback on the depth chart, along with Manning. He had a rough scrimmage, getting beaten for touchdowns a couple of times, but defensive coordinator Bud Foster has been pleased with his progress this August. Again, someone will have to be there in case Kyle Fuller or Antone Exum gets hurt.
- P Hunter Windmuller: There’s been no update to the depth chart since the scrimmage, when Windmuller had three punts for a 24.7-yard average, so he’s still listed as the No. 1 punter (UPDATE: now he’s No. 2 to the next guy on this list). Beamer has said repeatedly that he’s impressed with the freshman, and given the Hokies’ lagging punting situation, the more options the better.
- P A.J. Hughes: Option 2 at punter, he actually had the better scrimmage, with three kicks for a 53.7-yard average. If the lefty continues to punt like that, it wouldn’t be shocking to see him jump up to the No. 1 spot. Either way, expect both Hughes and Windmuller to dress.
Call them maybe
- RB Trey Edmunds: He looked solid in the scrimmage, running decisively (although that was against the third-team defense). The problem is Tech has Michael Holmes, Martin Scales, Coleman and Tony Gregory in front of him. That’s a lot of players to leap just to get a few carries. Still, one injury could change a lot.
- WR Joel Caleb: There’s no denying his physical skills. He’s 6-2, 211 pounds, so that’s a good frame to start with. But he’s still adjusting to playing wide receiver after finishing his high school career at quarterback. He might need some more time to develop before he can get on the field.
- WR Charley Meyer: He’s a walk-on, but the Richmond product caught the coaches’ eyes in the youngster scrimmage last week, catching three passes, including a touchdown. He had a quiet day Saturday, but he’s at least on Beamer’s radar.
- LB Deon Clarke: Normally he wouldn’t be on this list, but with Tariq Edwards‘ recovery from offseason leg surgery coming along slowly, Tech isn’t as deep at linebacker as you’d think. Clarke made some plays in the youngster scrimmage and could be an emergency guy at one of the inside spots.
- FS Desmond Frye: Another defensive back, Frye is currently listed as the No. 3 free safety behind Detrick Bonner and Boye Aromire. Aromire has had some hamstring issues this August and, despite getting on the field a little last year, isn’t exactly a seasoned veteran at the position. That’s far from a hold on the position.
- CB Davion Tookes: He too has been slowed by a hamstring injury this August, but before that he was it the mix with Manning and Riley for one of the backup corner spots. He was in a green, no-contact jersey for the scrimmage, sitting out when the action got underway, but if he gets back healthy, there isn’t a wealth of experience keeping him from one of the No. 2 spots.
- PK Brooks Abbott: It would seem odd for Tech to bring back Cody Journell and not start him, but Beamer said Abbott could be in the mix as a kickoff guy (it also seems odd to burn a guy’s redshirt year for kickoff duties). Either way, it’s probably not the worst idea to have a spare kicker dressed out in case of injury.
- LS Eddie D’Antuono: Joe St. Germain is the starter, but it’s such a specialty position that the backup might dress out in case of emergency. I’m not sure if Andrew Miller or any of the backup centers ever do long snapping during drills.
Small chance
- OL Augie Conte: Let’s be clear: I don’t think he’ll play. But tackle depth isn’t the greatest, especially after Nick Acree tore his ACL and will miss the season. Michael Via can play both tackle spots, so that helps in an injury situation, but Conte is listed as the third-string left tackle right now. That might be high enough to dress out.
- DL Alston Smith: Luther Maddy and Antoine Hopkins are vying for the starting tackle job, and whoever doesn’t get it figures to be a backup. But Smith is listed behind them on the depth chart. The Hokies have plenty of options for inside guys. Kris Harley is making his case, and Zack McCray and Corey Marshall can play inside on occasion. Then again, no one expected last year’s tackles to play a lot until injuries popped up.
August 20, 2012 - 11:42 AM
I’m personally most concerned with the lack of depth in the secondary. Giving up the big play (mostly passing) has been the thorn in the side for Foster’s crew for a few years now. Everybody wants to talk about Danny Coale’s catch/non catch and the botched punt call as being the reasons for Tech’s loss in the Michigan game. Honestly though, it was the secondary giving up the big plays that opened the door for Michigan to win. The Hokie D was strong and shut the Wolverines down otherwise. Giving up long plays also did most of the damage in the Clemson debacles. Riley getting burned twice on Saturday doesn’t instill much confidence (plus I hear Exum got toasted at least once). Getting those young guys healthy and some meaningful reps would seem to be of utmost urgency.
I think that Edmunds probably would redshirt since he was one of the players to enroll over the summer. With the tailbacks Tech have right now, I don’t see Edmunds cracking it unless, as Andy noted, injuries ravaged the stable.
For the punter, I’d like to see Hughes getting the starting job. I think he booted the football pretty consistently, and gave the ball some nice bounce to extend the length of the kick.
Manning/Reily will be okay once they start picking up the playbook, listening to Gray’s instruction, and getting ton of reps during practices. They have potential, that much I observed, and they should be fine down the road.
I don’t envy the decisions the coaches are going to have to make, especially with the NCAA roster limit, and there’s only so much they can do on the field.
I agree with Dan about the concerns for lack of depth in the secondary. Lack of depth at LB is concerning as well. In years past it seems like our defenence is able to hang with the top teams in the first half but then we get tired and get beat in the second half. Some examples are the Georgia and Standford games. Of course, some of this has to do with our offense’s inability to sustain long drives. A big key to the health of the defense will hinge on the offense’s ability to keep the D off the field. It will be interesting to see if the no-huddle/faster paced offense will be good or bad in regard to getting the defence some rest. I guess if we’re scoring it will be good.
I was impressed with a couple of the punts I saw on Saturday. It was nice to see us actually get some kicks inside the 20 for a change.
One thing to remember is the left footed punter gives you an advantage. Beamer has always given the nod to a lefty in the past. Not sure of the time but had a run of 2 or 3 in a row recently. Have heard him say that the opposite direction of the rotation will get you a few mis handled punts a year. Same as with a lefty QB will get some dropped interceptions a year only because the ball hits your hands spinning backwards and catch instincts are not prepared. If the operation is smooth for both Frank will go for the lefty everytime. Very impressed with the pace of the offense in the scrimmage. What looked the best was that we did not sell out to hurried pace but. Swithced it up to the point the D has to stay prepared for faster pace and we may have a few occasions every game that they will show their hand early and we can adjust after they have set.
That was the most overall offense I have seen in the 1st scrimmage in the past ten years. I was especially impressed with the Freshmen. BUT talent has not been VT’s trouble. The trouble is the old men on the sidelines that lack the intellect and skills to utilize the said talents.
Peppers Ferry,
“Old men on the sidelines”? There are young coaches on the sideline, also, whose opinions and skill are respected by the “old men”. VT is known for developing talent and using walkons who go on to the NFL.
Someday you will be an “old man” and I hope your knowledge, if you have any, will not be dismissed by some arrogant younger person.
You tell them spaznelli!
Why was my last comment deleted? Was it because of my preference for bathhouses in San Fran or my support of Coach Frank Beamer?