Virginia Tech Football: Why Loss of Offensive Playmakers Could Cripple Hokies

The Virginia Tech Hokies enter the 2012 season with eight new starters on offense.

Just based on sheer volume alone, replacing eight starters is a daunting task.

However, the Hokies have the pieces in place—particularly at wide receiver—to offset the losses of playmakers such as running back David Wilson, and receivers Jarrett Boykin and Danny Coale.

It wouldn't be a surprise to see the Hokies struggle on offense, especially early in the season. Regardless of how much talent one team has, football is the ultimate team sport. Becoming a precise and feared offense takes cohesion.

Nonetheless, losing multiple players to the NFL will set back the offense. Here are four reasons why the Hokies offense will struggle to replace their departed starters in 2012.  

Inexperience Along the Offensive Line

Four of Virginia Tech's eight new starters reside along the offensive line.

While this group has a chance to be special, there are many questions. 

Junior center Andrew Miller is an All-ACC-caliber player. 

The starting tackles, Vinston Painter and Nick Becton, are seniors. Both have experience, but Painter hasn't been a starter. In spring practice he looked dominant, but can he carry it into the season?

Replacing so many starters on one unit creates less margin for error. Will this group progress fast enough to protect Logan Thomas and open up holes for a pair of freshmen running backs? 

David Wilson Cannot Be Replaced

Michael Holmes, a redshirt freshman, and J.C. Coleman, a true freshman, have big shoes to fill.

Wilson broke several school records at running back, including passing Ryan Williams to be the school's all-time, single-season rushing leader.

Wilson made many mistakes as a freshman for the Hokies. He didn't quite know how to use his blazing speed to his advantage and would often miss the open hole. However, he progressively got better in the following two seasons.

Holmes and Coleman will have their struggles early, too. They will be good running backs for the Hokies, just don't expect them to make anyone forget about Wilson in 2012.

Replacing Coale and Boykin Will Be Difficult

Jarrett Boykin and Danny Coale were/are statistically the top two wide receivers in school history, combining for 349 catches, 5,542 yards and 26 touchdowns. 

Fortunately for the Hokies, they return three seniors who have plenty of experience. Marcus Davis has the size and athletic ability to be the best wide receiver in school history. He possesses the type of ability that makes NFL scouts drool. 

D.J. Coles is a steady possession receiver who finished with 36 receptions in 2011. Davis had 30 receptions and tied for the team lead with five touchdowns.

Boykin and Coale will be tough to replace because of the rapport they formed with Thomas. Thomas, a first-year starter in 2011, relied heavily on Boykin and Coale because he could count on them to be where they were supposed to be.

Sure, on paper, the Hokies seem formidable at receiver, but can Davis, Coles and/or Dyrell Roberts be counted on like their predecessors? 

Thomas' Lack of Experience at Quarterback

Sure, Logan Thomas can make any throw on the field. He has running back skills and the demeanor of an NFL veteran.

But what Thomas does lack is experience.

He started all 14 games for the Hokies in 2011 and had a terrific season. Having players like Wilson, Coale and Boykin around him helped Thomas survive many of the growing pains of a first-year starting quarterback.

Remember, Thomas came to Virginia Tech as a wide receiver/tight end and had to be convinced that quarterback was his best position. (He did play quarterback in his final two seasons of high school.)

With so much talent around him now gone, Thomas will be expected to carry the offense at times. No doubt Thomas will be up to the challenge, but will his teammates?