Virginia Tech Football: 4 Breakout Players for 2012

With big-name players like David Wilson, Jayron Hosley, Danny Coale and Jarrett Boykin all departing for the NFL, the Virginia Tech Hokies will need some guys to step up in 2012.

There are a number of players primed to fill in these spots and have excellent seasons. Some, like Marcus Davis, have been on the field for a number of years and will be asked to increase their roles. Others, like the recently signed J.C. Coleman, are new to the program.

Here are the four players that will break onto the scene for Virginia Tech next fall.

Marcus Davis, Wide Receiver

Marcus Davis has had flashes of brilliance in his career with the Virginia Tech Hokies. This season he had a 119 receiving yards and a touchdown against the rival Virginia Cavaliers and two touchdowns in the opener against Appalachian State. And in 2010, he had two touchdowns against the North Carolina Tar Heels.

But overall, his career has been disappointing despite ample talent and potential. He's only accrued 874 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in his three seasons in Blacksburg. This may have been partly due to the fact that he was playing behind the most prolific wide receiver duo in Virginia Tech history, Danny Coale and Jarrett Boykin.

With those two out of the way next season the opportunity is there for Davis. From what the coaches say, he has matured over the last year, and subsequently is primed for an excellent senior season, especially with a more experienced Logan Thomas behind center.

Jack Tyler, Linebacker

Jack Tyler was a pleasant surprise for the Virginia Tech Hokies last season as he played very well in relief of the injured Barquell Rivers and Jeron Gouveia-Winslow. Despite only starting four games, Tyler had 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and 42 tackles on the season.

Tyler is undersized at 5'11'' and 220 pounds, but he plays with a lot of heart and has a knack for finding the ball and making solid tackles. He is reminiscent of now-Tampa Bay Buccaneer Cody Grimm.

J.C. Coleman, Running Back

With David Wilson leaving for the NFL and Josh Oglesby unfortunately graduating just when he had begun to play excellent football, the Virginia Tech Hokies should have quite the competition for the starting tailback spot.

Though Michael Holmes will be a top candidate and Tony Gregory is the most experienced returner (if he can recover from his knee surgery), the guy I'm looking out for is true freshman J.C. Coleman.

Coleman has enrolled early and thus has the advantage over his fellow freshmen. Coleman is undersized at 5'7'', but he has true 4.4 speed. He was the 101st ranked recruit in the country, according to Rivals. If he can learn the offense and get comfortable, the starting running back spot is his for the taking.

Detrick Bonner, Safety

Detrick Bonner had a tough freshman season with the Virginia Tech Hokies. He was thrust onto the field in difficult situations when Jayron Hosley was forced out of games, and he subsequently struggled at times.

But despite the fact that it may be hard for some fans to forget his mistakes in the 2011 ACC Championship Game, they will forgive Bonner after he has a solid 2012 season.

Not only will he be more experienced and mature, he will also be at a position he is more comfortable with (safety). After playing well for the most part in 2011, as he collected 27 tackles and an interception, Bonner is poised for success in 2012.