Mansoor Delane is expected to be a standout for Virginia Tech in 2023. (Ivan Morozov)
Defensive back has often been a major strength for Virginia Tech throughout the years, though injuries and a lack of depth hindered the Hokies there last season. Thanks to quality recruiting, player development and the transfer portal, that doesn’t seem to be as much of an issue as we get closer to the start of the 2023 season.
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I feel a much better year coming on. D is gonna be good and continue to get better. O will be better but I still worry about it. Especially Bowen. If he doesn't prove himself this year then time for a change. I hope and think we can win at least 6 this year.
HokieCrazy1994
So, if we have 4 or 5 freshmen at corner vying for a 4th CB role, wouldn't it make sense to just choose which of the 4 games that each of them dress for as the 4th CB? That way they all retain their redshirt and you get to see which of them performs the best. Am I missing something?
vtgriff09
Or just play the best one weekly. I wouldn't roll out a position with new starters (and the 4th corner plays quite a bit and is essentially a starter in Nickel and Dime packages) every 5th game. Just play the best player and rotate the backup to that.
HokieCrazy1994
But I think the challenge with identifying 1 person to burn a redshirt on is that you don't really want it to be the best player long-term, since you're burning a year as a backup, so you need to identify either the person that is good enough, but maybe doesn't have the highest ceiling, or somebody that is soooo good, that they don't stay all 5 years anyway.
Will Stewart
Not to mention that some guys are "gamers." It's an intriguing thought.
HokieDelNorte
I agree if they are “close” to each other.
pine52x
I assume that only 4 interceptions last year could be due in-part to a poor pass rush. Is that a correct assessment? Which group or position on the defense has the best opportunity to do much better this year and make everyone better, especially at the cornerback and safety positions? Sometimes I think poor play by an individual can be in-part due to poor play by others around that player.
gemrooty
Like they say, “All-star cornerbacks make for all-star pass rushers, and vice versa.”
EDGEMAN
Our DBs also dropped several passes that were very "catchable," especially early in the season.
KerrvilleHokie
I typically have maroon-colored glasses on, but I think our defense is really going to surprise some people this year.
MDHokie79
Biggest question is: will the offense surprise us, in a good way, or will they continue to be "offensive" in what they are able to deliver? We shall see soon enough!
GO HOKIES!
cybburghokie
With the exception of 1999, has the offense ever surprised? I hope Bowen puts together something, but my expectations are more of same struggling offense.
12 Comments