After Trey Edmund's injury, one of the big question marks heading into the Sun Bowl is the running back rotation. Not only was there concerns about the lack of a "power back", but I am sure Scot Loeffler and Shane Beamer had major concerns about playing a 3-4 front with big outside linebackers rushing off the edge and blocking them with J.C. Coleman and Chris Mangus (see Coleman's attempted block on Eli Harold in the Commonwealth Cup.) Once bowl practice started, the buzz name seemed to be Jerome Wright.
OC Scot Loeffler said #Hokies will probably rely on J.C. Coleman most at RB. Also mentioned Jerome Wright. Said Joel Caleb is healthy.— Andy Bitter (@AndyBitterVT) December 29, 2013
Wright spent most of the season as Sam Rogers' backup at fullback. He had some impact in the passing game, but struggled as a lead blocker. He does have a big frame that could give the Hokies some bang inside on short yardage (which suggests that Logan Thomas doesn't factor as much into the running game plan as he did early in the season.) As a bigger body, he matches up better physically against the athletic, 240 pound linebackers that bookend the UCLA defense.
At the same time, it certainly is possible that the Hokie staff again is executing a campaign of misinformation. Perhaps they will use an alignment early in the game where Wright is positioned as a blocker, but slips behind Barr or Jack on a clear out pass. Perhaps the Hokies want to imply that they plan to use more power running sets, and instead will feature the jet sweeps with scat backs Coleman and Mangus. As you will recall from my film review of the UCLA defensive front, Arizona State torched the Bruins on several jet sweeps where the quick scat back got the edge without even blocking Barr. Mangus is still listed as the No. 2 tailback on today's Hokie depth chart: http://www.hokiesports.com/football/depth/.
And, this is a fight for a job next season. Virginia Tech has commitments from two powerful tailbacks in Marshawn Williams and Shai McKenzie. Both are enrolling early and Williams will be able to compete for carries in spring practice. If you add Taylor to the mix, the Hokies will have seven scholarship players at the tailback position. That isn't tenable. Whoever gets carries tomorrow will speak volumes about the potential running back competition before the Ohio State game.
What will you be looking for tomorrow?
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