Doom and Gloom Tech fans have had a field day this week. Unless you have been living under a rock, with ear plugs and no contact with the outside world whatsoever, you already know that VT star tailback Darren Evans tore his ACL in practice on Tuesday and is out for the entire 2009 season. Evans was thrust into the spotlight last season when Kenny Lewis Jr. tore his Achilles tendon, and Evans did not disappoint. As the season went on Darren got stronger and stronger as a tailback. I was at Tech last season when we played Maryland and Evans ran for a single game rushing record. It’s been a while since I had seen a VT tailback deliver so much punishment to the defense every time they tried to tackle him. Tech obviously loses a tremendous power tailback whose strength and determination to gain the tough yards up the middle we will not be able to replace. But we also lost a great pass blocking tailback (something Tech coaches hammer home constantly as critical to becoming a successful tailback at VT) and we lose a great leader on the field.
BUTBefore we allow ourselves to throw the season down the tubes and book tickets for the Meineke Car Care Bowl in Charlotte, NC, let’s take a brief look at the horses left in the stable that will step up to replace Evans.
Josh Oglesby (r-So. 5’-11” 210lbs)
Oglesby is currently listed at the #1 tailback spot and knowing Frank Beamer, will most likely stay there for a number of weeks. Oglesby is the only back with actual game experience (excluding Kenny Lewis Jr. who is still recovering from yet another Achilles tendon surgery). Oglesby is not as physically gifted as Ryan Williams or David Wilson (more on them in a second), but he should be the most motivated person on the team right now, just licking his chops to prove to the coaches, his teammates and the fans that he can fill Evans’ shoes and carry the load as the starting tailback come Sept. 5. If Oglesby isn’t foaming at the mouth to get on the field for practice every day, he will quickly get used to the view from the sideline.
Ryan Williams (r-Fr. 5’10” 206lbs.)Ryan Williams is a beast. He’s also a burner. He can flat out run you over or flat out run you. Comparisons have been made to Kevin Jones, and for those of you who were at Tech to see KJ in his prime, you know what kind of athlete Williams must be. Williams had an amazing spring and dominated right out of the gate at the spring game taking his first touch (a middle screen) 56 yards for a touchdown. HOWEVER, Williams reported back to Tech this fall a bit out of shape and has a good amount of work to do to get back to where he was in the spring. The next couple of weeks will be huge for Williams to show himself as dependable and reliable to the coaches and that he can be a blocking back they can count on, which is something he really struggled with in his first season on campus last year.
David Wilson (Fr. 5’10” 200lbs.)Someone tell Ryan not to look over his shoulder now, but he’s got competition, and his name is David Wilson. Speed, agility, quickness, speed, speed and speed. That pretty much sums up David Wilson. Oh, and he’ll lower his shoulder, put a knee in your face and run you over too (Wilson arrived at Tech already squatting over 600lbs!) Fall practice so far has been full of hype about Wilson and you can expect that buzz to quickly develop into a soft roar as Wilson gets more touches. With Evans healthy, Wilson was almost certainly a redshirt for this year. Now with Evans out, Wilson has the chance to compete for some serious playing time. While Frank and Billy Hite love experienced tailbacks, touchdowns matter, and David Wilson with the ball in his hands is a recipe for success.
Zac Evans and Tony GregoryTo be fair, Zac Evans (a walk-on who performed nicely in the Spring Game) and Tony Gregory (tailback turned wide receiver turned tailback) are also on the depth chart. They provide good depth, but won’t be competing for any of the top 3 spots.
So how do I see the running back situation panning out this season? First, I think that Oglesby will step up enough to keep the starting job for the Alabama game. Starting the game against Alabama’s defense with a redshirt freshman or true freshman who has never seen a college snap would probably make Beamer a nervous wreck. I think he likes the idea of starting someone in the season’s first game who has experience.
However, I see both Williams and Wilson getting snaps in that game and I honestly believe that whoever can play the most mistake free football and possibly break a big run, has a strong chance of being the starter the next week against Marshall. As the season progresses don’t be surprised to see the carries increase for Williams and Wilson, and decrease for Oglesby. I almost hope Oglesby proves me wrong though because that means that we are even more talented at the tailback position than I ever imagined. At the same time though, be ready to throw your arms up in the air and your hat on the ground in disgust when both Williams and Wilson make typical freshman mistakes (e.g. missing a block and Tyrod getting sacked or botching a handoff from Tyrod and fumbling).
Let not your hearts be troubled Hokie fans. The tailback stable is stocked with talent, speed and ability. While we will certainly miss Darren Evans and we absolutely wish him a speedy and full recovery, the 2009 season is tantalizingly close and ready or not, Alabama comes knocking September 5th.
Check back tomorrow, I will have some videos of Williams and Wilson running the football to wet your whistle and get you pumped for this season.
