Virginia Tech Blog
August 12, 2010
A VT Update
By: Joseph E. Accordino
"Mr. T. The Donald. Scarface. The Fresh Prince. In the entertainment industry, some nicknames just fit.
The sports world is no different. Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Michael "Air" Jordan, and "Iron" Mike Tyson are but a few examples of how nicknames can supplement and accentuate the inherent characteristics of an athlete.
Therefore, it is no coincidence that the most critical player on this year's Virginia Tech football team has a nickname of his own. No, it's not Heisman hopeful Ryan "Lil' Sweetness" Williams, or even senior quarterback Tyrod "Nasty" Taylor. The most crucial piece of the Hokie football squad this season resides on the defensive side of the ball, and has a nickname that fits his playing style: "Rock." As in senior boundary cornerback Rashad "Rock" Carmichael.
Hokie fans are accustomed to worrying about production on the offensive side of the ball, but this year the attention (and concern) shifts to the defense, as only two defensive players who started the Alabama game last season will start against Boise State, an offense that returns ten starters. For this reason, the leadership and production of "Rock" Carmichael will be paramount to pulling the upset in FedEx Field on September 6th.
Carmichael, who started the second half of the 2009 campaign at the boundary position, returns to the role to carry on the tradition of lockdown Hokie corners like NFL Draft picks Deangelo Hall, Jimmy Williams, Brandon Flowers and Victor "Macho" Harris. The boundary position has become hallowed ground at Tech, akin to playing tight end at the University of Miami or quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys. The nature of the position breeds success, but also invites scrutiny. Forced to shut down an entire side of the field without safety help, part of the boundary corner's job description, means that the only thing higher than the level of post-graduate success for Tech boundary corners is the amount of pressure associated with the position.
The pressure, of course, makes it perfect for someone like "Rock" Carmichael. Hardened by his father's death when Carmichael was a sophomore, the senior is one of the fastest players in Tech history and took over for an injured Stephan Virgil at the boundary spot last season and hasn't looked back. Lauded for his consistency by defensive backs coach Torrian Gray, Carmichael has the focus and athletic ability that it takes to thrive as a corner in college--and beyond.
That consistency and athleticism will be crucial against a Boise State team that has weapons all over the field, from superstar QB Kellen Moore to Carmichael's likely foil, senior wide receiver Titus Young. Young, who had over 1,000 yards receiving and over 2,000 all-purpose yards last year to earn 1st Team All-WAC honors will be a tall task for Carmichael. If "Rock" has trouble with his side of the field, forcing safety help to come over, that will be one less Hokie available to rush the quarterback or deal with the Broncos' other wideouts. And with a young defensive line that may struggle to get pressure on Moore coupled with an inexperienced linebacking corps, Carmichael will need to be a sure thing on every play for Tech's defense to stay in the game.
His performance, for better or for worse, will certainly validate the claim that he is the most important player on this team. In fact, Carmichael may need to be more reliable in this game than any of his decorated predecessors were at the boundary spot for Virginia Tech. Carmichael will need to do more than serve as an occasional leader and make big plays; over the course of this game and this season, he'll need to be solid as a rock."
August 17, 2009
A VT Update
By: Joseph E. Accordino
There is no shortage of traditions at Virginia Tech. The jangling of keys when the defense needs a stop on 3rd down, the Hokie Pokie, and of course, “Enter Sandman” are a few of the most popular gameday customs.
And let’s not forget about the on-field traditions, like the importance that is placed on the boundary corner, the emphasis on the running game, the pride that the team takes in special teams, or the regularity with which incoming freshmen take a redshirt year.
Even Michael Vick, one of the most talented players in Hokies history, redshirted his first season on campus. The year off enables the top-notch strength staff to develop the players, and for the athletes to get acclimated to college life and learn some of the team’s schemes.
In fact, there are only two reasons that freshmen don’t redshirt at Tech. There are those players that don’t redshirt out of necessity; that is, depth at their position is thin and they are thrown into the fire early (David Clowney, Tyrod Taylor). Then, there are players whose talent is so prodigious that the coaching staff wants to get them on the field as early as possible (Kevin Jones, Macho Harris).
This year, Virginia Tech has two true freshmen in Logan Thomas and David Wilson that won’t redshirt for both of the reasons listed above. Not coincidentally, Thomas and Wilson came in as Tech’s top two recruits and consensus top 100 players in the nation.
However, few people knew how much playing time Thomas and Wilson would get as true freshmen, or if they would even play at all. Thomas was projected as a tight end, played wide receiver in the US Army All-American game, and started at QB for his high school team. Tight end and wide receiver being two positions that the Hokies had no shortage of young talent at, Thomas’ role was uncertain.
Many thought Wilson would have a hard time seeing the field this year as well. Playing running back, once the most stacked position on the team, it was conceivable that he would be 5th string behind returning starter Darren Evans, Ryan Williams, Josh Oglesby, and Kenny Lewis, who would return from surgery.
But football is an unpredictable game, and in one offseason, the fates of Thomas and Wilson have dramatically changed.
For Thomas, the lack of emergence of a dependable second-string QB behind Taylor necessitated a move to quarterback, where he is now tied with redshirt freshman Ju-Ju Clayton as the No. 2 QB.
Wilson was making a strong bid to play this year even before Evans went down and Lewis’ return from surgery was delayed, and he will be one of the three RB’s the Hokies use against Alabama on September 5th.
But Thomas and Wilson have more in common than seeing the field as true freshmen: both are physical specimens and athletic freaks, and are making their presence felt early. Thomas has been wowing coaches and teammates alike with his strong arm and pocket presence, and Wilson’s frequent gymnastics displays are nothing compared to the speed and agility he exhibits while running the ball in practice.
While Logan Thomas and David Wilson will have an impact on the Hokies’ fortunes this year, their starring roles will be reserved for future seasons. Playing as true freshmen portends success for these two young Hokies, and so while the present for Virginia Tech football is favorable, the future looks bright as well.Joseph E. Accordino is a Creator and Executive Producer of the College Emmy-winning One on One Sports. You can visit the temporary website at http://org.elon.edu/estv/oneononesports.html.
August 12, 2009
A VT Update
By: Joseph E. Accordino
Every season has a defining moment. It is the instant that everything changes, that fortunes shift and fates are realized. This moment can inspire, it can challenge, and it can motivate the players and team as a whole in an entirely new way. Goals that seemed unreachable before the defining moment suddenly become attainable, and anything seems possible.
Virginia Tech’s defining moment last year came in the final game of the regular season against UVA. The Hokies were coming off a brutal five game stretch in which they had gone just 2-3 and the offense had been historically anemic.With time winding down, UVA was driving and poised to score, down just 17-14. On 3rd and 11, Cavs QB Mark Verica dropped back to pass and heaved the ball toward the end zone, and time seemed to stand still.
This was the defining moment. If a UVA receiver managed to corral the ball, the Cavs would likely go on to win the game and deny Tech the chance to play in the ACC Championship game. But as the ball soared through the air, it wasn’t a UVA wide receiver but Tech rover Dorian Porch who snared the ball, securing the game for the Hokies.
Tech would finish the season in dominating fashion, beating Boston College and Cincinnati in the Orange Bowl by a combined score of 50-19. Truly, the game—and the season—had turned on Porch’s interception.
But this season is different. The defining moment won’t occur in the first game of the season against Alabama, and it won’t occur in the 12th game of the regular season against UVA.
The defining moment happened August 11, 2009 during practice, when starting running back Darren Evans tore his ACL, knocking him out for the entire season.
Hokies fans know how important Evans was to the team last year. Just a redshirt freshman, Evans was forced to carry an inexperienced offense on his back, breaking numerous team records en route to amassing 1,265 and 11 touchdowns.
A moment like this does not merely require the other young running backs to step up. An injury of this magnitude will test the mettle and resolve of the entire Tech squad. How the team responds to this setback will have a profound effect on the level of success the Hokies achieve this season.
Josh Oglesby, Ryan Williams, and possibly David Wilson will have to elevate their games and set an example for the team. If they are up to the task, Oglesby and Williams can form a potent power and speed combo, and Wilson could contribute as well if the staff decides against redshirting him.
Certainly, this is a less than ideal start to the fall camp for a Hokies team that is preparing for a showdown with #5 Alabama on September 5th. But there is an old saying, that “adversity causes some men to break; others to break records.”
We will find out a lot about this Tech team in the coming weeks and months. But while they may not realize it, the defining moment of their season has already taken place.
July 28, 2009
What to expect from Virginia Tech
By: Joseph E. Accordino
Hokies fans! Let’s start the year with a one question multiple-choice quiz:
1. Which of the following players will be key to Virginia Tech’s success this season?
A. Tyrod Taylor
B. Jake Johnson
C. Jaymes Brooks
D. Barquell Rivers
E. All of the above
If you answered “E”, you are off to a hot start. While better known Hokies like Taylor, Darren Evans, Jason Worilds, and Greg Boone will play a huge part in determining Tech’s fate this season, new starters like Johnson, Brooks, and Rivers will have a major role as well.
Hokies both young and old will need to play the best football of their lives to live up to the lofty preseason expectations that Tech has been burdened with. A nearly unanimous member of preseason top 10s across the country (with many top 5 appearances), the Hokies were also recently picked by the ACC Media to win both the Coastal Division and the ACC Championship outright.
While Tech has often played better when flying under the radar, there is reason to believe that the Hokies will meet this season’s preseason predictions. In addition to young players like Brooks and Rivers giving fans a glimpse of the future with strong performances in the Orange Bowl, strong spring camps by Hokies like Johnson and RB Ryan Williams, along with the improvement of veterans like Taylor and Safety Kam Chancellor combine to form one of the most talented Tech teams of the decade.
Indeed, the depth in many areas of this year’s squad will create some intriguing position battles. Williams, a flashy redshirt freshman, is involved in what will likely be a yearlong battle for playing time at running back. He is looking to unseat incumbent sophomore Darren Evans, a steady, reliable runner who was the bright spot of Tech’s anemic offense in 2008.
Sophomore Josh Oglesby, a big back who saw spot duty last season, may have to become the player that the Hokies can trust in 3rd and short situations to earn consistent carries.
Senior Kenny Lewis could start the year fourth on the depth chart despite starting the first few games of 2008 at RB before sustaining a season-ending injury. Lewis may see the field as the 3rd down back to utilize his superior pass-catching ability.
Finally, true freshman David Wilson is determined not to take a redshirt year despite the rugged competition. Possessing a scintillating blend of power and speed, Wilson is one of the top running backs in his class and will make his mark on the program before he graduates.
At rover, Richmond native Davon Morgan will attempt to regain the starting job from senior Dorian Porch, who took over after Morgan missed the second half of last season due to injury.
The stable of young wide receivers will be jockeying for position throughout the season, and it’s anyone’s guess as to who will end the year as Taylor’s favorite target. Sophomores Jarrett Boykin, a big, strong receiver, and Danny Coale, who may have the best hands on the team, are the favorites, but fellow sophomores Xavier Boyce and Dyrell Roberts (among others) will be in the mix as well.
But this young Hokies team is not without its flaws. There is a troubling lack of depth at defensive line and quarterback, and the offensive line, led by veterans Ed Wang and Sergio Render, will have to continue to improve in order to protect Taylor and bolster what should be a strong running game.
And if Tech hopes to survive one of the toughest nonconference schedules in the country and a quickly improving ACC, the offensive line will need to play up to their ability. The special teams will also need to come through, as they will often be the X-factor in what should be some tight, defensive battles this season.
If the Hokies are able to play well under pressure and squeak out some close victories this year, they have a good chance to win 10-12 games and be at the top of the ACC and a part of the national title picture. However, the tough schedule and defensive nature of many of their opponents means that it would not be unrealistic to see Tech ending up 8-4. The Hokies are well positioned to win the ACC and if expectations are met, they should have a very successful season.
Finally, to update Phil Steele’s College Football Preview Magazine, both William Alvarez and Khalil Latif have left the program. In addition, former wide receiver Zach Luckett will join the team as a walk-on whip linebacker. Also, redshirt sophomore Chris Drager is switching from tight end to defensive end to help provide some much-needed depth.
So while there has been no shortage of intrigue this offseason, for Hokies fans, the date with Alabama on September 5th can’t come soon enough.
Joseph E. Accordino is a Creator and Executive Producer of the College Emmy-winning One on One Sports. You can visit the temporary website at http://org.elon.edu/estv/oneononesports.html.