Its last time out, Virginia Tech’s defense was dominant. That got lost in the result, a 23-20 heartbreaking overtime loss to Michigan in the Sugar Bowl, but the Hokies shut down Heisman hopeful Denard Robinson and his Wolverine offense.
Michigan averaged 404.7 yards per game of total offense last year but managed a season-low 184 yards down in New Orleans. Robinson ran for just 13 yards on 13 carries. The scary part for the rest of the ACC is that Virginia Tech returns nine starters from a defense that ranked No. 10 nationally in total defense in 2011. This could end up being one of Bud Foster’s finest defenses since 1995, when he was promoted to defensive coordinator in Blacksburg.
It all starts up front for the Hokies, where they return the entire two-deep from a year ago. Defensive ends James Gayle and J.R. Collins combined for 13 sacks. Gayle, a Second Team All-ACC selection, is an unbelievable athlete. At 6-feet-4, 260 pounds, Gayle was clocked at 4.44 in the 40-yard-dash with a 39.5-inch vertical in spring testing. On the other side, Collins was an Honorable Mention All-ACC selection in 2011.
The interior of the defensive line should boast more depth than a year ago. Defensive tackle Antoine Hopkins returns after missing the final nine games of 2011 with a torn right ACL. His brother Derrick had to shoulder a lot of the load last year, playing over 760 snaps on defense and often playing beside a true freshman. Luther Maddy, one of those freshmen, could make a big impact in his second year after being named the most valuable defensive player of spring practice.
Both starting inside linebackers missed spring practice while recovering from injuries. Middle linebacker Bruce Taylor suffered a Lisfranc sprain in his right foot and missed the team’s final six games. Taylor has great size (6-feet-2, 253 pounds) and athleticism. If he returns to his pre-injury form, he will be one of the best linebackers in the country. Tariq Edwards is still recovering from offseason surgery that repaired a stress fracture in his left shin. Edwards could be limited in preseason practice.
Cornerback Kyle Fuller will anchor a secondary that underwent numerous changes in the offseason. Fuller had 14.5 tackles-for-loss last year, tops among returning players in the ACC. He did everything for the Hokies from playing cornerback to nickel back to outside linebacker. Fuller was Virginia Tech’s best defensive player.
“I like where we are heading into the season,” Fuller said. “I know I’ll be playing a lot more corner. I’ll be moving around but not as much.”
The rest of the secondary will be the unit’s biggest question mark. Defensive backs coach Torrian Gray moved rising junior Antone Exum from safety to boundary cornerback in the spring. At 6-feet, 219 pounds, Exum is certainly physical. The question will be how he holds up in pass coverage at his new position. Rising sophomores Detrick Bonner and Kyshoen Jarrett made the move from cornerback to safety. Bonner was named the defense’s most improved player of the spring and showed he is physical enough to play the position. Virginia Tech will have to develop quality depth in the preseason, especially at cornerback.
“We’re going to have some back-up secondary guys that are freshmen,” coach Frank Beamer said. “So, we’ve got to stay healthy back there.”
The other question mark comes at the whip linebacker position, which is a hybrid of a linebacker and safety in Foster’s scheme. The whip linebacker is expected rush the passer, provide run support, and cover in space. The Hokies have not gotten consistent play from the whip spot since Cody Grimm used up his eligibility in 2009. Seniors Jeron Gouveia-Winslow and Alonzo Tweedy will battle for the starting job in preseason camp, but redshirt freshman Ronny Vandyke really impressed coaches in spring practice.
Virginia Tech has a lot on the line early in the season, hosting Georgia Tech on Labor Day. The winner of that game has gone on to win the Coastal Division every year since the ACC expanded. The Hokies have to replace four starting offensive linemen and will feature running backs with little-to-no college experience. Luckily for them, the defense should be ready to shoulder the load right out of the gate.
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