Virginia Tech Hokies Team Preview 2009

July 13th, 2009 by Jeremy Shory

Virginia Tech Hokies

2008 overall record: 10-4

2008 conference record: 5-3

Returning starters: Offense: 8, Defense: 7, Punter/Kicker: 1

Top returns: QB Tyrod Taylor, TB Darren Evans, TE Greg Boone, OG Sergio Render, OT Ed Wang, WR Danny Coale, WR Jarrett Boykin, P Brent Bowden, FS Kam Chancellor, OLB Cam Martin, DE Jason Worilds

Key losses: DE Orion Martin, ILB Brett Warren, ILB Purnell Sturdivant, CB Victor Harris, PK Dustin Keys, C Ryan Shuman, OG Nick Marshman

Fall Fantasy Question

Defensive Ends. There just aren’t a lot of guys to choose from which was proven by the fact the staff moved tight end Chris Drager there to help the depth. Jason Worilds, who missed the spring after shoulder surgery, and Nekos Brown are the only two natural ends. John Graves was moved to tackle to help while Worilds was out.

Team Breakdown

Quarterback – Tyrod Taylor is one of the better dual-threat quarterbacks in the ACC. He threw for over 1,000 yards and ran for over 700. Over the last couple of years, Taylor split time with Sean Glennon at quarterback, but now he’s the full-time starter and I expect him to take some giant strides this season- if he can stay healthy. There is not a lot of experience behind Taylor. Joseph “Ju Ju” Clayton is the most likely second stringer. Clayton had over 2,100 yards passing and 22 touchdowns his senior year in high school. 2008 Stats: Taylor – 99 for 173, 1,036 yards, 2 TDs, 7 INT, 147 rushes for 738 yards, 7 TDs.

ACC Rank – 6

Running Back – The Hokies have Darren Evans back. He rushed for over 1,200 yards last year. Evans should be even better in his junior year. He finished the year as the MVP of the Orange Bowl, running for 153 yards in the game. The Hokies have their own talented recruit who looks ready to contribute in 2009; Ryan Williams. The four-star High School All-American from 2008 had 86-yards running in a spring game to go along with 66-yards receiving. Former starter Kenny Lewis Jr., who ruptured his achilles tendon last season, won’t unseat Evans and likely will not play ahead of Williams. However, he should still have a major impact for the Hokies. 2008 Stats: Evans – 287 rushes for 1,265 yards, 11 TDs, 17 receptions for 117 yards. Lewis Jr. – 64 rushes for 237 yards, 3 TD.

ACC Rank – 2

Wide Receiver Jarrett Boykin for VT (thanks, ISM.com)

Wide Receiver –

Wide Receiver is going to be a tricky group for Virginia Tech. Most of the receiving group last year was inexperienced freshman. The problem with the group was not the talent. Instead, it seemed that no one could get on the same page with their quarterback. The numbers don’t show it, but this team had a severe case of the dropsies and would hardly fight for the ball when the defender was willing to take it from them. Jarrett Boykin is the leading returner which should really help this group out. Also keep an eye on Danny Coale and Dyrell Roberts as both have potential to rack up some yards this year. I have mediocre expectations for this group in 2009, but come next year, watch out! 2008 Stats: Boykin – 30 for 441 yards, 2 TDs. Coale – 36 for 408 yards. Roberts – 17 for 227 yards.

ACC Rank – 5

Tight End – At tight end, senior Greg Boone, who was third on the team with 278 yards, is back. They are a physical bunch, and they give the Hokies nice balance to a solid running game. 2008 Stats: Boone – 22 for 278 yards, 2 TDs.

ACC Rank – 2

Defense – The Hokies were the seventh overall rated defense last year, but they lost star cornerback Victor “Macho” Harris and two starting linebackers in Brett Warren and Purnell Sturdivant. Don’t underestimate the impact that the loss of defensive end Orion Martin is going to have as well. These losses will be tough to overcome, but Bud Foster is one of the best defensive coordinators in the country. I have no doubt that the Hokies D will remain stingy as they have pro-talent returning in defensive end Jason Worilds, safety Kam Chancellor, and linebacker Cam Martin.

ACC Rank – 4

Kicker/Special Teams – Does anyone else hate the term “Beamer Ball” as much as I do? The only problem is it’s still alive and kicking in Blacksburg, Virginia. The Hokies have to replace a star kicker, Dustin Keyes, since his graduation. Look for senior Matt Waldron to have the upper hand, but be pushed by sophomores Justin Meyer and Tim Pisano. If there is one thing I know about the Hokies special teams, it’s that they will have the chance to score and score often, evidenced by the 29 field goal attempts and 34 extra points last year. The meat of Beamer Ball is the returners, however. Watch for any of the young receivers or even Ryan Williams to take a couple back to the house. 2008 Stats: None for any player.

ACC Rank – 4

2009 Schedule

Sept. 5 Alabama (Georgia Dome, Atlanta)
Sept. 12 Marshall
Sept. 19 Nebraska
Sept. 26 Miami
Oct. 3 at Duke
Oct. 10 Boston College
Oct. 17 at Georgia Tech
Oct. 29 North Carolina
Nov. 5 at East Carolina
Nov. 14 at Maryland
Nov. 21 NC State
Nov. 28 at Virginia

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