Virginia Tech Football: After Losing 8 Offensive Starters, Improvement Possible

Any time your offense loses eight starters, generally panic would set in.

But, for the Virginia Tech Hokies, the most important returnee is junior quarterback Logan Thomas.

The much-maligned offensive line lost four starters, returning junior center Andrew Miller. Tackle Blake DeChristopher and guard Jaymes Brooks—both All-ACC performers—will need to be replaced.

Senior Nick Becton, who many felt was better than the player he replaced (Andrew Lanier), will play left tackle. David Wang returns from injury to play left guard. With Miller at center, Becton and Wang should fortify the left side of the offensive line.

Who will fill out the right side of the offensive line?

Senior Vinson Painter, who, at one time, was one of the top recruits in the nation, will be first in line to play right tackle.

Painter’s athleticism is top-notch, but can he replace DeChristopher as a run-blocker?

Brooks was an underrated performer in his time as a Hokie. A bit on the smaller side, Brooks excelled with zone blocking, although he would get overpowered at times.

Sophomore Brent Benedict, a transfer from Georgia, gets the first opportunity at right guard. Standing 6’5” and weighing 325 pounds, Benedict looks the part. Spring practice will be a big test for Benedict.

Compounding the Hokies’ concerns along the offensive line is who will replace All-ACC running back David Wilson. Wilson, who broke the single-season record for rushing yards, declared early for this April's NFL Draft.

During his three years in Blacksburg, Wilson improved steadily each season and he was a threat to score every time he touched the ball.

Wilson will be hard to replace.

Expecting Wilson’s departure, the Hokies loaded up at running back this offseason. True freshmen JC Coleman and Drew Harris, both four-star prospects at running back, figure to be in the mix. The diminutive Coleman could replace Wilson’s big-play ability.

Redshirt freshman Michael Holmes, who the team considered playing last year, will probably be the primary runner. Look for Holmes, Coleman, Harris and a host of others to be in line for carries.

The Hokies graduated perhaps the two best wide receivers in school history—Jarrett Boykin and Danny Coale. Boykin and Coale leave Blacksburg ranked first and second in just about every major receiving category.

Despite losing such valuable players, the Hokies are in good shape. Seniors Marcus Davis and D.J. Coles return. Both saw plenty of playing time in 2011 and developed a nice rapport with Thomas.

There may not be a player in the history of Virginia Tech football with the physical ability of Davis.

At 6’4” and 228 pounds, Davis possesses a 43” vertical leap and has been timed at 4.4 or less in the 40-yard dash. Davis caught 30 passes for five touchdowns in 2011 and showed an ability to get deep. However, Davis is raw as he is still getting accustomed to playing the position. He had an issue with drops last season.

Coles doesn’t possess the speed of Davis, but he has excellent size (6’3”, 225 pounds). Coles has good hands and looks to be an able replacement for Boykin as a possession receiver.

Fellow senior Dyrell Roberts also returns after two injury-plagued seasons. In years past, Roberts was a tremendous deep threat and a dangerous return man.

The Hokies finished a modest 35^th in the country in total offense in 2011. They were 28^th in rushing offense and 66^th overall in passing. The Hokies have always primarily been a run-first team and with a first-year starter at quarterback, they leaned heavily on Wilson.

Look for Thomas, who got better and better as the season wore on, to throw the ball downfield more in 2012. With an inexperienced backfield and a new offensive line, Thomas should rely heavily on his three senior wide receivers.

If Thomas shows the kind of progression he did in 2011, this may be his last season in Blacksburg. Thomas (6’6”, 255 pounds) has outstanding size and arm strength, and he led the team with 11 rushing touchdowns in 2011.

Despite losing eight starters, and some of them very good players, the Hokies should be fine.

If Thomas stays healthy, the offense will be OK. The retooled offensive line should actually be improved as a whole compared to last season.

While the Hokies did lose eight offensive starters, it is worth noting Bud Foster’s usually stingy defense returns virtually intact.

It would be foolish for the rest of the ACC to think the Hokies are going to roll over.

In fact, expect to see the Hokies contending for yet another ACC title in 2012.