Virginia Tech Football: Nothing Can Happen to These 5 Players in 2012

There is a certain amount of turnover every season for a college football team.

Virginia Tech is in an unusual spot of having to replace eight starters on offense, and four of those starters were on the offensive line. The Hokies also graduated the top two wide receivers in school history in Jarrett Boykin and Danny Coale. 

However, there is good news, as the Hokies could return up to nine starters on defense. The defensive line in particular has defensive coordinator Bud Foster excited. 

Thanks to quarterback Logan Thomas, the Hokies are excited about 2012. But what happens if a major injury strikes the team?

Here is a look at the five most indispensable players for Virginia Tech in 2012.

5. James Gayle, Defensive End

Gayle, a junior, burst on the scene last year, finishing with a team-high seven sacks. He also finished second on the team with 12.5 tackles for loss. 

Everyone who played significant minutes along the defensive line will return in 2012, but Gayle is the unit's most impressive performer.

Gayle is unlike many past Virginia Tech defensive ends who were a little on the lighter side. At 6'4" and 260 pounds, Gayle boasts enormous size and strength, yet he still runs like a safety.

If Gayle were to miss any time, the Hokies would have a hard time replacing him. Sure, they are deep on the defensive line, but Gayle is an immense talent. 

Gayle is the type of player the opposition will be forced to scheme around. His presence frees up others, such as fellow junior J.R. Collins, to get after the quarterback.

4. Marcus Davis, Wide Receiver

Davis, a senior, is an imposing physical presence and the Hokies' leading receiver returning to Blacksburg.

Davis' importance is tied to the team losing Boykin and Coale, the top two receivers in school history. D.J. Coles and Dyrell Roberts, also seniors, return in 2012 as well.

However, Davis has the potential to be a game-changing receiver who can dictate coverage. As good as Boykin and Coale were, they didn't scare teams the way Davis can.

Davis had issues with drops in 2011, so if he can get past that, the sky is the limit. For a team that may struggle to score points early in the season, Davis' production is crucial. 

3. Andrew Miller, Center

Miller is the lone returning starter for the Hokies on the offensive line.

Miller, a junior, started every game at center in 2011. Although Blake DeChristopher and Jaymes Brooks were voted All-ACC, it could be debated that Miller was the team's best lineman in 2011, as he was solid in both pass and run-blocking.

While being a standout football player in high school, Miller also won two state championships as a wrestler, and he has also spent time on the Hokies wrestling team. For an offensive line that is breaking in four new starters, Virginia Tech needs Miller and his toughness.

If Miller were to go down, it could change the entire face of the Hokies offensive line. Other players would have to switch positions, and Logan Thomas would lose the person who makes all of the line calls and protections. 

2. Kyle Fuller, Cornerback

Kyle Fuller started every game in 2011, and the unique part of his 2011 season was that, due to injuries at the whip linebacker position, Fuller started several games there.

Keep in mind Fuller only weighs around 180 pounds, and he excelled at this position.

Foster often said Fuller was the best tackler on the team. Oh, and he can cover too. Despite playing all over the field, Fuller was still second-team All-ACC at cornerback. Imagine if he had played all 14 games there!

The only knock on Fuller, at this point, is he needs to add a little bit of weight. That will come.

If Fuller gets injured, it could devastate the Virginia Tech defense. The Hokies moved Antone Exum from safety to cornerback, and to fill both the free safety and rover spots, the team moved sophomores Detrick Bonner and Kyshoen Jarrett from cornerback. Therefore, there is little depth behind them in terms of experience.  

If needed, Fuller could fill in at either the rover or free safety positions. 

1. Logan Thomas, Quarterback

As if there were any doubt.

Ask any Virginia Tech fan about the Hokies in 2012, and the conversation will quickly turn to Thomas.

One reason the team isn't panicking about replacing virtually everyone on offense is because of Thomas. His growth in 2011 was amazing. He looked shaky at times early in the season, but as the year progressed, the team relied on Thomas to throw the ball more, and he impressed.

Thomas' turnovers decreased the more he played, and he embraced the quarterback position. Although he came to Virginia Tech as a highly recruited tight end, Thomas did play quarterback in high school. (There was even some resistance on his part to make the move back to quarterback at first).

Behind Thomas is Mark Leal. While a solid prospect in his own right, Leal is not capable of the things Thomas is. If Thomas were to go down at any point, the Hokies' chances of a major bowl would all but disappear.

With so many new starters on offense, Virginia Tech may struggle to score points early in the season. Thomas' ability as a runner may be the team's best chance of scoring. 

If he stays healthy, there is little doubt he will improve upon his impressive 2011. If that holds true, Thomas could be the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft.