National Signing Day 2011: Virginia Tech's Top 5 Positional Needs

Virginia Tech's 2011 recruiting class is loaded with defensive lineman and defensive backs. 

However, the Hokies don't need any of the guys coming in from this class to contribute on the field because they're very young at these two positions and already have guys ready to go.

In fact, the entire Virginia Tech defense is loaded, especially at linebacker, with underclassmen, and many will be entering their junior seasons in 2011.  This recruiting class will further add to the Hokies depth on defense, but the offensive skill positions have more of a glaring need.

Here's a look at the top five positions the Hokies need to stock up on in 2011, even though they don't necessarily need production from the recruits in the coming season.

Running Back

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 03: Darren Evans #32 of the Virginia Tech Hokies runs the ball against the Stanford Cardinal during the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on January 3, 2011 in Miami, Florida. Stanford won 40-12. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/

The Hokies should be fine at running back in 2011, but they may be hurting once the season is over.  If David Wilson has a great season, there's a chance he could forgo his last year of eligibility.

Behind Wilson, the Hokies have Tony Gregory, who will be a redshirt sophomore.  The coaching staff is high on Gregory, but he is an unproven commodity at this point in his career.

The problem is, the Hokies have only one running back commit in the 2011 class.  Michael Holmes is that guy.  He's out of Harrisonburg, VA, but ESPN only lists Holmes as a 2-star prospect and the 134th running back overall.

The Hokies had tremendous depth at this position, but the future doesn't seem so bright.

Quarterback

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 03: Tyrod Taylor #5 of the Virginia Tech Hokies rolls out of the pocket against the Stanford Cardinal during the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on January 3, 2011 in Miami, Florida. Stanford won 40-12. (Photo by Marc Se

The Hokies are set to unleash redshirt sophomore Logan Thomas in 2011, which is why the Hokies need to find his successor in this class.

They may have that guy in Lafonte Thourogood.  He's listed as the 53rd-best athlete by ESPN, but he's expected to play QB for the Hokies.  He is a raw prospect, and if all goes as planned, Thourogood could become the starter by his redshirt junior season.

This would give him time to learn the offense and grow as a quarterback, and it would give the Hokies some depth at the position behind Thomas.

Wide Receiver

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CHAPEL HILL, NC - NOVEMBER 13: Marcus Davis #7 of the Virginia Tech Hokies celebrates after scoring a touchdown with teammate Jarrett Boykin #81 against the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at Kenan Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Chapel Hill,

The wide receiver position may be the biggest concern of all after the 2011 season concludes. 

The Hokies are very experienced at this position with Danny Coale, Jarrett Boykin and Dyrell Roberts returning, but they're all seniors.

Coaches also have guys like Marcus Davis and Xavier Boyce, who stepped up towards the end of last season, and they're a couple of years younger.

However, the Hokies have only two wide receiver verbal commits for the 2011 class, and ESPN didn't even bother ranking them.  And if you're wondering about last year's class, the Hokies recruited only one wide receiver: 3-star, soon-to-be redshirt freshman E.J. Smiling.

Rover

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 03: Davon Morgan #2 of the Virginai Tech Hokies signals after Virginia Tech recorded a safety in the first quarter against the Stanford Cardinal during the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on January 3, 2011 in Miami, Flo

The Hokies have options at this position, and the graduation of Davon Morgan will land either Antone Exum or Eddie Whitley in the position, likely Exum.

If you're wondering what position the rover is, it's in the defensive backfield and it's another name for strong safety.  Usually, coaches will put a player in this position that they can line up at linebacker or safety.

Michael Cole and Ronny Vandyke, two verbal commits in Virginia Tech's class, fit this description. 

Look for Cole to likely fill it in the future, whereas Vandyke will likely play free safety.

Defensive Tackle

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MIAMI - JANUARY 01: Tony Pike #15 of the Cincinnati Bearcats scambles away from Nekos Brown #47 and John Graves #91 of the Virginia Tech Hokies during the FedEx Orange Bowl at Dolphin Stadium on January 1, 2009 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Doug Benc/Get

The Hokies continue to add depth to their defensive line, and they'll need it. 

John Graves' time in Blacksburg is up, and Kwamaine Battle, who's expected to be a starter in 2011, graduates after the upcoming season.

However, the Hokies have the Hopkins brothers.  Antoine is expected to be the other starter at defensive tackle after starting 12 games in 2010.  One plus is Antoine has two years remaining and his brother, Derrick, has three.

Derrick was one of two true freshman that played in 2010.  Cornerback Kyle Fuller was the other.

The Hokies depth at this position allows for a nice transition for highly touted defensive tackle recruits Corey Marshall and Kris Harley in its 2011 class.