Virginia Tech lost three defensive tackles at the end of the 2007 season yet in 2008, they still managed to churn out one of the best rushing defenses in all of college football.
Tech returns everybody from a season ago, which means, not only will the Hokies be better then they were last season, they’ll also be a little bit deeper as well.
Defensive line coach Charley Wiles will have some tough decisions to make this spring since he could have as many as eight players worthy of seeing the field this fall.
First String
The starting duo shouldn’t change this year as both John Graves and Cordarrow Thompson return in 2009.
Graves had a good sophomore campaign although he failed to engage in sacking the quarterback. John finished the year with four tackles for loss but never once got to the quarterback in 14 games.
Senior Cordarrow Thompson will be the starter opposite of Graves this fall. Thompson did fair better then his counterpart as he finished the 2008 season with three sacks and six tackles for loss.
Both of these guys have the ability to be future NFL players but they will definitely need to improve their pass rushing from last season since they both had a hard time getting into the backfield.
Second String
Senior Demetrius Taylor has finally found a role on this Virginia Tech team after spending his first three years on campus bouncing around from position to position.
Taylor played in all 14 games last season at defensive tackle and while he was only in on six tackles the entire year, he still managed to find his way to the quarterback a couple of times and was key in helping shut down Georgia Tech’s option attack.
Alongside Taylor on the second string defensive line will be redshirt sophomore Kwamaine Battle.
After undergoing two shoulder surgeries in his redshirt year, Kwamaine should be back to full strength this spring and ready to contribute this fall.
Battle almost cracked the two deep back in 2007 but his shoulder problems caused him to redshirt and ultimately has set him back a year in his development. This spring will definitely be a big one for Kwamaine especially if he wants a crack at a starting job in 2010.
Third String
The 5th and 6th tackle positions will be a battle between four players this spring.
Redshirt sophomore Justin Young probably has the edge heading into spring practice just from being around the program the longest of this group.
Young started out at defensive end but after bulking up to around 275 pounds last year, he made the move inside to defensive tackle.
Antone Hopkins really impressed Coach Wiles last season and almost earned himself a spot in the two-deep but after hitting that “freshman wall” Wiles decided to redshirt him. Hopkins is a strong player that will eventually be a starter here at Virginia Tech.
Courtney Prince was a bit of a “project” that the Hokies took a chance on. Prince really needs to have a good spring or he may fall even further on the depth chart next year since David Wang and DeAntre Rhodes are going to enroll this fall.
Dwight Tucker is an intriguing player that’s in the same boat as Courtney Prince.
Tucker redshirted last season and has progressed well in the weight room as he posted some good numbers for a redshirt freshman. However, the competition is going to be tough at defensive tackle this year and if you don't do your best everyday, you could easily get passed over.
Summary
The Hokies are going to be well off at defensive tackle this year but Coach Wiles really needs to concentrate on developing some of the younger players this spring.
With Thompson and Taylor graduation after this season, the Hokies will have two big holes to fill heading into 2010.
Tech is also bringing in two highly recruited defensive tackles this fall so the defensive tackle battles this spring could be pretty fiery since Tech could have as many as six guys that could start in 2010.
Lost From 2008
None
Enrolling in the fall
David Wang
DeAntre Rhodes
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