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2009 Recruiting Class Set to Make an Impact by Chris Coleman, TechSideline.com, TSLMail #480, April 15, 2011 Virginia Tech's 2009 recruiting class has turned out to be a good one so far, and it appears to have the potential to be one of Tech's best ever. Only three players from the 2009 class are not currently on the team. Nine players are current starters, while five others are in the two-deep and contending for serious playing time.
David Wilson was Tech's best running back towards the end of last season, and he has the ability to have a huge junior season. Logan Thomas is now the starting quarterback, and he is impressing the coaching staff with his poise, size and talent level. Andrew Miller is off to a strong start as Tech's new starting center, and though David Wang will likely be a utility backup this season, for now he is the #1 left guard and he's doing a good job. At the least, he'll see playing time as a backup this season. The young talent on defense is also impressive. Starting defensive ends J.R. Collins and James Gayle have contributed since last season, while Duan Perez-Means and Tyrel Wilson are currently in the two deep. 2009 was a very strong season for the Hokies at defensive end. Two other players from the 2009 class are currently starting on defense. Tariq Edwards is the #1 at backer right now, and Bud Foster is very pleased with the progress he has made this spring. Antone Exum saw a lot of playing time last season as Tech's nickel back, and this year he is taking over as the starting rover. That's a lot of young talent, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Some of these players will be household names by the end of the 2011 season. Virginia Tech's 2009
recruiting class was ranked #23 in the nation by Rivals.com, which is perhaps
slightly above average for the Hokies, but nothing unusual. Tech appears to have
a very high hit rate with that class, beyond what #23 in the country would
suggest. Join Us at the 2011 TSL Spring Game Tailgate When: Saturday, April 23, 2011 Time: 10am Where: The back row of the lower section of Lot 5 (Chicken Hill) We will be doing pork again, and buns, utensils, plates, napkins, cups and ice will be provided. A grill will be available for those who wish to cook their own hamburgers, hotdogs, etc. Bring your own beverages, and everyone is encouraged to contribute a side dish, dessert, veggie tray, etc. As usual, to help defray costs, there will be a donation jar at the tailgate. Please chip in and help us pay our expenses!
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Virginia Tech Football 2011 Season Schedule Tee: $18.99 It's never too early to get pumped for Hokie football! Virginia Tech Hokies 2011 football schedule t-shirt with printed ticket design. 90/10 cotton/poly blend. Available in Dark Ash Gray.
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Potential
breakout players are a topic in today's Friday Q&A, as well as
new coaches at Maryland and Miami. Also, will Tech's offensive line
live up to the spring hype this season?
Dan
River (Ringgold, VA) standout Trey Edmunds was one of the
most productive two-way players in the state this past season,
totaling 124 tackles with 8.5 sacks at linebacker and rushing for
1,324 yards (7.8 YPC) and 13 scores at running back. Maryland, where
his father, Ferrell, played collegiately before moving on to a
successful NFL career, North Carolina, Virginia and Virginia Tech
have offered the 6-2, 200-pound prospect, who could be a force on
either side of the ball on the next level.
Eight
of Virginia Tech's 15 spring practices have been completed. The
Hokies have gone through one mini-scrimmage and one full scrimmage,
and the depth chart picture is beginning to clear up at a number of
positions.
TSL
Subscriber GMSAHokie attended Saturday's scrimmage in Lane Stadium,
and he was kind enough to watch all of the whip linebackers in
action. This is his report on the two players competing for the
starting job, as well as their two r-freshman backups.
Going
into the scrimmage, I wanted to see Logan Thomas and see how he's
performing. He looked great. He showed poised, and he seems to have
a good understanding of the offense. He certainly has the physical
skills. I think that was extremely positive coming out of the
scrimmage.
Saturday's
scrimmage gave us our first in-person look at the football team in a
spring that so far has been very limited in coverage opportunities.
Our coverage of the scrimmage continues today with some comments on
David Wilson, Logan Thomas, Vinston Painter, James Gayle, and the
new dynamics on the reconfigured coaching staff.
The
Hokies held their first full scrimmage of the Spring on a cool,
foggy day in Lane Stadium on Saturday. It was a critical scrimmage
for some of Tech's younger players, as the coaching staff is looking
to set the two-deep and get those players more work for the
remainder of the Spring. Saturday also gave us our first look at the
2011 defense, which it appears that Bud Foster has tweaked a bit.