Injury Leaves Hokies’ Tailback Spot Vacant
BallparkBob is live in Blacksburg, Virginia scouting the Virginia Tech Hokies this week.
Blacksburg, Virginia — Virginia Tech tailback Darren Evans will not be on the field this season for the
Ryan Williams may emerge as the starting tailback for the # 7 ranked Hokies.
Hokies. Evans suffered an ACL tear in his left knee. This means that quarterback Tyrod Taylor will be handing the ball off to a different running back this season.
Evans entered the 2009 campaign as the projected starter at tailback for the # 7 ranked Gobblers. His loss means that one of three younger running backs will have to step up. Redshirt sophomore Josh Oglesby, freshman David Wilson, and redshirt freshman Ryan Williams are the most likely candidates.
Williams appears to be the eventual winner of the tailback and he clearly has the most upside. He drove his stock up with a 10 carry, 85 yard effort in the Maroon-White game this spring. He also caught 2 balls for 66 yards.
But, Williams is still in the doghouse for not reporting to summer camp in shape. “I came back a little out of shape. I didn’t pass the 110 test,” said Williams.
The 110 test is a conditioning test for tailbacks. Tailbacks must run 110 yards 16 times with a 45-second rest in between each one. To pass, the tailbacks must run 15 of the 16 in 15 seconds or less. Williams was only successful in 13 so he needed to appear for extra conditioning practice.
In Virginia Tech’s scrimmage on Saturday, Williams had 6 carries for 27 yards and running backs coach Billy Hite said his running was “undisciplined.” Not uncommon for a freshman. But, Williams also showed the upside by returning a punt 82 yards for a touchdown.
“I’m really not a disciplined running back,” said Williams. “I run my way. I just run the way I run. I’ve had coaches that try to teach me how to do this or do that, and I just can’t do it.”
Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer also was impressed with what he saw Saturday from Williams. Beamer
doesn’t seem to mind Williams’ unique running style, either.
“He’s a hard guy to bring down,” Beamer said. “He’s got a quick step to him … when it counts, he shows something. That’s a good sign.”
“He’s special when the lights go on, I’m telling you, he really is,” Hite said. “He had a great scrimmage. He broke a lot of tackles. He ran the ball just like I like to see people run it. I’m very pleased. He’s gotten himself into better shape … I thought he took a step forward.”
Still, Ogelsby, the backup last year after Kenny Lewis Jr. was injured, is listed as the Hokies’ # 1 tailback. You’d have to think, however, that Williams will be the one that ends up making the Virginia Tech cheerleaders smile.
