August Camp: Initial Depth Chart Released

HokieSports.com released the first depth chart of the summer and there are a few surprises.

Both Kendall Fuller and Ronny Vandyke are listed as first team outside linebacker (Whip). It was almost universally thought that Kendall would factor into the battle at corner, especially with Antone Exum's knee injury. Perhaps Kendall is this year's nickel? Either way, Foster and Gray must feel good about the depth at corner. Kyle Fuller will resume his starting duties at the boundary, while Brandon Facyson and Donaldven Manning battle it out to replace Exum (for the time being) at field corner. Facyson had a breakout spring, his first in Blacksburg, while Manning played more consistent. Manning's also gotten bigger, last year he was listed at 5-9, 155, today HokieSports.com has him at 5-10, 181.

Speaking of size, D.J. Coles is 6-4, 234 pounds, but is the starter at split end. Guess which one is D.J.

Enjoyed having the guys over tonight. One of the last nights of the summer! #camptime #hokies pic.twitter.com/U1mMvKfwDI— Aaron Moorehead (@Amo8685) August 2, 2013

In July, Coles mentioned he wanted to weigh 230 by camp. The extra mass will serve an already aggressive player well at H-Back, where he saw time during spring, but my guess is he'll try weight <=230 by the start of the season. Coles was listed at 6-3, 225 in the 2011 media guide.

Charley Meyer is the backup at flanker. That shouldn't come as a shock considering how much Logan talked up the redshirt freshman at ACC Kickoff.

It's seems like Joel Caleb, the player Meyer jumped on the depth chart, might be in line for a position change.

A couple of depth chart adjustments following this AM staff mtg. Caleb will get reps at TB and Motuapuaka will not be cleared until tomorrow— Beamer Ball (@Beamer_Ball) August 5, 2013

Would this move be due to the lack of depth at tailback, or the staff believing Caleb's transition to wide receiver might not be worthwhile? Perhaps it's a combination of both.

Edmunds (6-1, 216), and J.C. Coleman (5-7, 191) are both listed as first team tailback. Will either one be able to separate himself from the other, or is a one-two punch imminent?

True freshman Jonathan McLaughlin (6-5, 313) remains the starter at left tackle, while Brent Benedict (6-5, 292) opens camp ahead of Mark Shuman at left guard. As LT3 noted at ACC Kickoff, Andrew Miller (6-4, 296) slides over to right guard. Caleb Farris (6-3, 308) and Laurence Gibson (6-6, 290) are where you'd expect them to be, center and right tackle respectively. The average weight of the starting five: 299.8 pounds.

Because of all the talent along the defensive line, the depth chart remains cramped. The Million Dollar Man Corey Marshall is listed as a backup at both tackle and end. J.R. Collins and Dadi Nicolas are listed on the top line together opposite of James Gayle. Kris Harley, who made some highlight worthy plays in the backfield in spring, but had his consistency of being an every down practicer and player questioned by Charley Wiles, is 4th string defensive tackle.

Football things are happening!