Virginia Tech Football: Report Card Grades for Every New Starter
In last week's season-opening win over William & Mary, several Virginia Tech Hokies made their college debuts. Freshmen accounted for three of Virginia Tech's four touchdowns, while another freshman handled all of the kicking duties.
In addition to the freshman class, Tech debuted a new quarterback, too. Michael Brewer, a transfer from Texas Tech, made his first start for the Hokies.
How'd they do?
Here are grades for all of VT's new starters from Week 1.
Quarterback Michael Brewer
1 of 10
Brewer was efficient, completing just under 77 percent of his passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns. Brewer made only one mistake, an interception that was a result of a tipped pass.
Offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler's offense will feature plenty of high-percentage passes as long as the running game is clicking. It was on Saturday, and that allowed Brewer to find several open receivers.
If he plays at that level on a weekly basis, Virginia Tech has a chance to be very good.
Count head coach Frank Beamer among those impressed, per Will Grooms of the Collegiate Times: “I was impressed with Michael Brewer. I thought he was very much in control. He never panicked and he handled himself (very well).”
Grade: A
Wide Receiver Isaiah Ford
2 of 10
Arguably, no player had a better August than the true freshman receiver from Jacksonville, Florida. Ford caught four balls for 43 yards and a touchdown in his first career game. He ran good routes and gave Tech fans a glimpse of what kind of player he can be in the future.
On several routes, Ford was actually Brewer's first read. A pretty impressive feat for a first-year freshman in his debut.
Expect to see plenty of Ford this weekend at Ohio State.
Grade: A
Right Guard Augie Conte
3 of 10
Tech's offensive line has been a major weakness for a few years now. The group has struggled to run-block, and the entire offense has struggled as a result.
Augie Conte, a redshirt sophomore who had an outstanding fall camp, is the unit's lone new starter at right guard. The Hokies ran for 222 yards and averaged over five yards per carry in Conte's first start—and he was a big reason for that.
On several occasions, Conte reached the second level and the Hokies were successful running to his side. Conte and his fellow linemen will have a much bigger test this weekend against the Buckeyes, who have, arguably, the nation's best defensive line.
Grade: A-
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Defensive End Dadi Nicolas
4 of 10
Junior defensive end Dadi Nicolas, perhaps the best athlete on the team, has started one game before. However, last week's season opener was Nicolas' first game as a full-time starter, and he did not disappoint.
At 6'4", 231 pounds, Nicolas is built like a tight end and runs like a defensive back. He's a relentless pass-rusher and surprisingly active defending the run, too. He finished last week's game with four tackles and one sack.
Don't be surprised if Nicolas is an All-ACC performer at defensive end in 2014.
Grade: A
Defensive End Ken Ekanem
5 of 10
After waiting patiently for two years behind James Gayle and J.R. Collins, sophomore defensive end Ken Ekanem made his first career start. A former 4-star recruit, per 247Sports, Ekanem fits the profile of a prototypical Virginia Tech defensive end. He's tall, lean and can run.
In his first career start, Ekanem had three tackles, including a tackle for loss. At times, he didn't play with good leverage, and that hurt him against the run. Overall, though, it was an impressive start for Ekanem.
Grade: B
Defensive Tackle Corey Marshall
6 of 10
Corey Marshall has started at Virginia Tech before. In fact, Marshall started games at both defensive end and defensive tackle before missing 2013 due to personal reasons.
Marshall is back and atop the depth chart opposite of Luther Maddy at defensive tackle. At 6'2", 262 pounds, Marshall isn't the ideal size for a defensive tackle. However, his versatility and athleticism make him a difficult matchup for opposing interior offensive linemen.
Virginia Tech's defense, always strong versus the run, allowed just 76 yards on the ground last week. Forty of those yards came on one play. Marshall's play was a big reason for that. Ohio State's bigger linemen will provide a much stiffer test for Marshall.
Grade: A
Linebacker Chase Williams
7 of 10
Chase Williams waited four years to start for the Hokies at inside linebacker. He was slated to play as a true freshman back in 2010, but a hamstring injury in fall camp led to a redshirt year. It's been an uphill battle the last three seasons to get on the field playing behind All-ACC linebacker Jack Tyler.
Tyler is gone, and Williams is now the man in the middle.
Against William & Mary, Williams made just three tackles; however, he had two sacks, two tackles for loss and forced a fumble that led to a Hokies touchdown.
Williams will only get better each week, and his understanding of the game will help several new starters adjust and make Virginia Tech a top-10 defense yet again.
Grade: A+
Linebacker Derek DiNardo
8 of 10
Injuries have been the story of Ronny Vandyke's college career. Last season, Vandyke was slated to start at whip linebacker, but a shoulder injury in fall camp forced him to miss the season. Then, this summer, Vandyke was slowed by a groin injury.
Those injuries opened the door for senior Derek DiNardo to make his first career start last week. DiNardo led the team with five tackles, one tackle for loss and a fumble recovery. DiNardo was so impressive that the new depth chart lists him as the co-starter with Vandyke.
If Vandyke is healthy, he will likely play more, as his combination of size and athleticism could take this defense to another level. However, DiNardo showed everyone he is no slouch and likely reminded some Hokie fans of Cody Grimm.
Grade: A
Linebacker Deon Clarke
9 of 10
Deon Clarke came to Blacksburg with high expectations. However, injuries and a suspension in 2013 led to questions about Clarke's future at Virginia Tech being in limbo.
After a strong spring and impressive showing in fall camp, Clarke appears ready to finally fulfill those expectations. Replacing three-year starter Tariq Edwards at outside linebacker won't be easy, but Clarke is an impressive athlete with excellent instincts.
In his first career start, Clarke had three tackles, including one for loss. His athleticism will be needed this weekend against Ohio State.
Grade: B
Kicker Joey Slye
10 of 10
Have the Hokies finally found their kicker?
True freshman Joey Slye won a three-way battle to be the team's place-kicker this August, and in his first career game, he didn't disappoint.
Slye made all four point-after attempts and connected on both field goals. Sure, his longest was just from 27 yards out, but Slye didn't appear to be bothered by nerves as some young kickers are.
Coaches will likely monitor the kicking battle each week, but for now, Slye is the man.
Grade: A-
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