2007 Statistics

Winning football games is the main object, yes. But the lack of production since the 2005 season has been baffling in that Tech looks bad on offense with so much talent throughout the roster. Now, let’s be real…winning 11 games keeps us from indicting coach Beamer, for he manages rotating QBs Tyrod Taylor and Sean Glennon well a majority of the time. But one also cannot escape the fact that VT has not averaged 200 yards neither rushing nor passing the last two years. Many will point to the ample scoring reflecting a much higher result than the total yardage rankings would indicate, but that is skewed by the Hokie’s non-offensive scoring, a total of nine TDs last year. Factor in the measly 36% third-down conversion rate and you can see how moving the ball has been a challenge at times and has likely kept Tech from reaching that upper echelon they were a part of earlier this decade.

QUARTERBACK
Traditionally, Tech hasn’t done as well when their quarterback struggles. They also don’t do as well when they employ a QB rotation, which they did in ’07 and are likely to continue. A main weapon fans know will create ground production is 2007’s top dual-threat QB prospect, the oft-used Tyrod Taylor. It isn’t fair to judge anything about him by his first game as a collegiate starter, versus BCS champs LSU. Since then, he has gone undefeated as a starter. Taylor is a ground burner, but has yet to show discipline in his arm. Like many strong running QBs, he seems to throw it to keep foes from cheating in for the times he runs it. A top 10 prospect himself, Sean Glennon is Taylor’s flip-side – he passes with command and has some speed, yet doesn’t run nearly as well as he throws. But whereas Taylor throws it quite often (more than he runs it), Glennon won’t run it without an excuse (like chasing DLmen and LBs). The complimentary nature of this pair will make deciding which to start a weekly evaluation. Many will point to this in ’07 and say it was what kept VT from the BCS, but they actually did a good enough job such that the QB rotation is not complicit as to why the team struggled.

RUNNING BACK
But there is a cloud with a silver lining in the running game as Brandon Ore was dismissed. Ore was the shizz as an underclassman, but his numbers had slipped a bit (mere 3.7 ypc average in ’07 compared to 4.9 ypc in ’06 and nearly 6.0 ypc as a frosh), so someone else is likely to get the Hokie running game back on track. Kenny Lewis seems like the logical choice, but this competition at TB will go on throughout the summer and probably into the fall so all of the guys can push each other’s production and a winner will then emerge who earns the majority of the workload. Jahre Cheeseman looks like the guy who would ground the spot best – he has really bulked up and now has the size to truly bang between the tackles as he also makes DEs stay home for when he scoots outside so effectively. EA Sports National Player of the Year Darren Evans burnt his redshirt last year; he looks like another top candidate, as does untapped classmate Josh Oglesby. But don’t discount the arrival of this year’s No.3 RB prospect (top recruit “in [open] space”, Rivals), Ryan Williams, as an event that will impact the backfield. The fullbacks are both bruisers, not runners. UPDATE: Kenny Lewis, the lead candidate to replace Branden Ore as the Hokies' No. 1 tailback this fall, has undergone surgery for a torn labrum in his left shoulder and is expected to be sidelined for four to six months.

TIGHT END
One thing the offense can count on is the efforts of the tight ends - Sam Wheelers 4.6 second speed in the 40 and ex-QB Greg Boone’s intimidating size (and soft hands) make this tandem one of the ACC’s best. Boone passed Wheeler last year on the depth chart, but an ACL injury took Boone out for the remainder, hence both listed as starters. We expect to see them together much of the early part of the schedule with the new faces at every receiving position (either is effective as an extra hat for picking up the pass rush). And, yes, we have a clue as to whom will soon be seen at wideout and in the slots.

RECEIVER
Zach Luckett has been making strides and is expected to man one spot, as is the most experienced guy besides the TEs, 6’4 ex-QB Ike Whitaker. Ex-sprinter Brandon Dillard is the obvious next choice with his speed, 38.5” vertical jump and knowledge of the system (scout team maven). But the real impact receiver who guarantees results will be Cory Holt. The big senior never quite gelled behind center here, so his physical skills will be utilized nicely as a receiver in his last campaign. Holt becomes an X-factor, if you will, a “slash” player who may be found under center and/or hurling it downfield on a play where he lines up elsewhere. Six more enter in this incoming class, so the snarlers are there and just have to be broken in. As long as the line can get it done, the offense can be a dominating group. UPDATE: Brandon Dillard will be out for the season after rupturing his right Achilles tendon this spring.

OFFENSIVE LINE
Then there is the line, an area much more to blame for troubles on this side of the ball. With only two starters back last year, it was painful to watch the four senior receivers go out so many times only to never have a throw develop…only two other teams allowed more than the Hokie’s 54 sacks. Factor in the rushing woes and you see how the OL was the reason Tech never hit on all (or many) cylinders. The in-state Gatorade Player of the Year for 2005, Ed Wang, is the hopeful solution for the left tackle spot. Blake DeChristopher gets thrust into the spotlight as a starter, a well-calculated gamble with a capable newbie. Marshman, Render and Graham seem to have the guard rotation set, but that isn’t the best news since all three were part of the past two debacles. Ryan Shuman sits out spring, giving quick-footed Beau Warren reps this spring. Warren can play guard, a hint to coordinator Bryan Stinespring for when troubles begin again up front. Still, we feel the link between the hiring of line coach Curt Newsome in ’06 and the OL’s inconsistencies that started then have to have some cause-effect for recent results. If not, doesn’t Stinespring need to be examined for his contribution and/or lack of being able to stop opposing defenders from achieving their goals?

Things don’t change much from year to year on the Hokie defense. Sure, names come and go, but VT’s basic swarming style translates each and every campaign. Knowing of Tech’s struggles on offense, the D has saved and won games when better teams shut offensive production down. We expect no less this time around. The run stuffing has been the focus most of the time under Beamer, yet the pass rush is also good enough so that the secondary rarely falters when opposing QBs force hurried throws and/or run for their lives. The system/approach works…it ain’t broke, even with the turnover at DL, so we recommend Tech not try to fix it.

DEFENSIVE LINE
Orion Martin is the foundation for forming the new DL; the senior broke out in his first campaign as a starter (after many pooh-poohed his prior efforts as a reserve), leading all linemen with 58 tackles and the team with his three forced fumbles. Martin benefited from Chris Ellis demanding double-teams, a favor he will repay to the new DE who fills Ellis’s slot, Jason Worilds. Out for ’06 with a shoulder surgery, Worilds proved his worth in ’07 with 15 QB hurries, the same number as Martin, yet Worilds didn’t start. Backup Nekos Brown had the same number of TFLs as Worilds (4.5) and had more overall tackles, so there is much talent to fill in the open outside slot. Tackle John Graves is a hybrid end, playing in the middle but moving like he should be lined up elsewhere. Thompson is a Stafford product who over-achieved in prep (43 TFLs in his 100 tackles as a senior got him D.C. Player of the Year - Washington Post). Cordarrow is a true tackle, the only 300+-pounder on the two-deep. This is why we feel not-yet-bulked-up Dwight Tucker – at 280lbs as he arrives - might have a place, especially with 4.7 second speed in the 40. There should be no drop off in the level of play for this DL.

LINEBACKER
The linebackers, usually used in pairs here more than in threesomes, also turn over. Brent Warren may not be Hall or Adibi YET, but his respectable return in ’07 from a foot injury that allowed him to be redshirted the prior year gives hope that production will not drop much, if any, from the corps. Excalibur Award winner Purnell Sturdivant (given internally to the team’s best player for off-season conditioning and strength) is the other senior backer who has also seen the field enough to know the ropes already. His lightning speed is worthy of having him line up against opposing receivers, even the best ones. Can Martin is a great fit at WHIP, another LB-SS hybrid who has proven numbers to back his starting status. Cody Grimm is a nickel-type of extra LB, a smart player who will have to use everything he’s got to hold off incoming four-star prospect Quillie Odom (Hargrave) and the other hungry candidates.

DEFENSIVE BACK
Hey, speaking of new faces, Rashad Carmichael gets the Brandon Flowers spot. A former mid-range sprinter, Carmichael will not be quite the same as the All-American right off, but he will soon be “all that”. Former SuperPrep All-American Cris Hill also has some pretty solid credentials, so he will also get his chances to prove Tech has another shut-down corner to join preseason All-American Vince Harris. Only 19 other players in the FBS had more passes defended last year, making it an easy deduction that Harris isn’t going to see nearly as many attempts come his way. Stephan Virgil has the nickel spot sewn up, but he could see action as a starter with his experience. Kam Chancellor is the incumbent at ROVER safety – this ex-QB’s knack for knowing how plays will develop is uncanny, keeping him in position at all times (can play corner, if needed). New free safety Davon Morgan was decent as a true frosh, but he has a way to go before being at the levels played of a classic Tech DB. Dorian Porch is the same level of player – decent, but not quite meeting the Hokie standard…yet. The two are reported to be dead even after spring, so a battle that will wage into the fall can only push both to the heights needed. Torrian Gray has kept the DB tradition strong since his arrival two years ago.

Bud Foster deserves the most credit – here since 1987, his arrival with coach Beamer has been a huge reason for the consistent results Tech has achieved as a team (not just on D). Foster isn’t going anywhere, and the defense will be on time as he creates another squad of soon-to-be-known assassins.