EARLY BIRD 2009 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
RELEASED DECEMBER 2008
VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES
OFFENSE - 9
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 7
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Sean Glennon-QB, Devin Perez-FB, Nick Marshman-OG, Ryan Shuman-C, Dustin Keys-K
DEFENSE: Orion Martin-DE, Brett Warren-ILB, Purnell Sturdivant-ILB, Victor Harris-CB
Quarterback / Lunch Box Defense

The passing numbers weren’t very impressive in 2008 due to a youth movement at receiver, but elusive QB Tyrod Taylor could wind up being one of the best dual-threats of ‘09. This defense carries the infamous VT Lunch Pail, excelling at stopping both the run and pass.

Linebacker / Special Teams

Linebackers have been steady over the years for the Hokies, but real-game experience is extremely short on the inside. Outside of finding a new kicker, Beamer's special teams have their work cut out after uncharacteristically failing to score six points last fall (also lack a dangerous return man).

QB Tyrod Taylor
 
DE Jason Worilds
 
* DEPTH CHARTS were only designed as a simplistic gauge for listing players that departed and players that received the most playing experience (consistent starters). NationalChamps.net recognizes the importance of missing personnel data not listed such as redshirts, transfers, injuries, incoming recruits, back ups and alternates. Their coverage will begin with our full 2009 Preseason Preview due out this coming spring.
 
VIRGINIA TECH 2009 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Tyrod Taylor-Jr ..
FB Kenny Jefferson-Sr ..
TB Darren Evans-So Kenny Lewis-Sr
WR Danny Coale-So Dyrell Roberts-So
WR Jarrett Boykin-So ..
TE Greg Boone-Sr Andre Smith-Jr / Chris Drager-So
OT Ed Wang-Sr ..
OG .. ..
C .. ..
OG Sergio Render-Sr ..
OT Blake DeChristopher-So Richard Graham-Sr
K .. ..
 
VIRGINIA TECH 2009 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
DEFENSE
DE Nekos Brown-Sr ..
DT John Graves-Jr Demetrius Taylor-Sr
DT Cordarrow Thompson-Sr ..
DE Jason Worilds-Jr ..
ILB .. ..
ILB .. ..
WHIP Cam Martin-Sr Cody Grimm-Sr
CB Stephan Virgil-Sr Cris Hill-So
CB Rashad Carmichael-Jr ..
ROV Dorian Porch-Sr Davon Morgan-Jr
FS Kam Chancellor-Sr ..
P Brent Bowden-Sr ..
QUICK ANALYSIS

12/9/08
Head coach Frank Beamer, by his own accord, may have pulled out the greatest coaching job of his Blacksburg career by getting his Hokies into another BCS bowl (ACC Champions). This team lost the jest of their starters/stars from 2007 and still managed to squeak out a conference title. This time around, the holes and question marks won't be quite as glaring. The receivers are now an important year older after having been fed to the lions to start their Blacksburg careers. The sophomore trio can now give the offensive coaching staff some breathing room. Darren Evans has emerged in the backfield as yet another first-year contributor. The redshirt frosh earned All-Conference status and fits well into the Beamer Ball scheme of good defense, special teams and running well. The single greatest threat is at QB, where speedy Tyrod Taylor enters his third year of starting duties, though, he won't have to look over his shoulder anymore. Taylor has the potential to be one of the best running/throwing QBs of 2009. Sure, the team’s passing numbers were a paltry 111th nationally, but the completely new set of receivers did not aid this cause, so don't be surprised if Taylor makes his way into Heisman conversations by mid-season. Big 280-pound TE Greg Boone is a fan favorite. He can even line up at QB and has an amazing burst of quickness to go with his size. This gives the Hokies yet another offensive weapon/dimension. Defensively, Beamer Ball (and famed coordinator Bud Foster) is just as ready as ever for any new challenges. The D features standout DE Jason Worilds, a fearsome harasser of QBs. Both the run and pass defenses are proven and solid. Two glaring holes exist – one at LB and the other in losing CB Victor "Macho" Harris to the NFL. Harris’s exit will hurt the overall athletic skills of the secondary. But the rest of the defensive backfield is an all-senior lineup. The players remaining are just as good as any Virginia Tech has fielded from the “Lunch Pail” aspect of higher expectations and extra effort. The Hokies have survived the 2008 reloading span and are better for it heading into 2009. VT can now focus on getting back to (and staying in) a place they are accustomed to being...in the top 15, and they’ll do it while still setting the bar for a struggling league.

 

VIRGINIA TECH
2009 SCHEDULE

Sep. 5 vs. Alabama @Atlanta, GA
Sep. 12 Marshall
Sep. 19 Nebraska
Sep. 26 at East Carolina
TBA North Carolina State
TBA Boston College
TBA North Carolina
TBA Miami FL
TBA at Maryland
TBA at Georgia Tech
TBA at Duke
TBA at Virginia