But when it all boils down look at former Tech linebacker Cody Grimm who's five-foot-eleven and pounds. It's all about the size of the player's heart and the effort he's willing to give on the field. Editor's Note: Grimm also had to deal with uber-skinny Steven Friday inexplicably playing the boundary end in front of him on run plays.
It seems like injuries have set back the development of a majority of young Tech players as of late, and the same goes for linebacker Ronny Vandyke. A lot of buzz surrounded Vandyke last season with praise from the coaching staff until he was sidelined after undergoing season-ending surgery.
But Vandyke is back and still impressing Bud Foster and the coaching staff. What impresses me most about this team is the amount of setbacks players undergo, and the willingness to fight back and not give up. If both defensive end Ken Ekanem and Vandyke have breakout seasons then what a success story it will be.
Both players have been great this spring in scrimmages and practice, but only time will tell if they can remain healthy as the regular season approaches.
Now for what everyone wants to hear: details from the third scrimmage of the spring. The Hokies took the field this past Saturday as the quarterbacks went live for the first time, and didn't wear the usual yellow jerseys.
But Tech's offense wasn't able to keep pace with the Lunch Pail Defense. On 96 plays, the offense was only able to amass yards. That's 1. Both quarterbacks Mark Leal and Brenden Motley saw time with the first team this scrimmage. Leal threw for 50 yards on passing, while Motley went for 46 yards. Each of them threw a short touchdown pass near the goal line.
Nothing at all impressive this go-round. Joshua Stanford led the receivers with four catches and 40 yards, and Carlis Parker caught four balls for 24 yards. I believe this really puts the quarterback race in perspective. It's obvious that this won't be settled until fall, as has been repeated over and over again.
Fans just have to wait. Meanwhile, on the ground the Predator couldn't find his prey this Saturday. Marshawn Williams saw the most carries with nine touches but only saw one yard on the day. The longest run 15 yards came courtesy of Brenden Motley and the second longest 13 yards was on a reverse by wide receiver Deon Newsome.
I was hoping for another standout performance from Williams, but the defense had his number. Let's hope he has a crazy Spring Game and impresses once again. Now for the star of the show: Bud Foster's Lunch Pail Defense, which recorded six sacks and 17 tackles for loss on the day. Defensive end Dadi Nicolas and defensive tackle Luther Maddy were virtually unstoppable. And finding a replacement for the turnover-prone and oft-embattled yet record-setting quarterback Logan Thomas will be his first order of business this spring.
Is Mark Leal the answer? Leal, a rising redshirt senior, is the most experienced quarterback on the roster and he threw just four passes during the regular season a year ago.
He completed of passes for yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions. This means that rising junior Brenden Motley and sophomore-to-be Andrew Ford should get plenty of chances this spring to prove themselves. All three need to make waves this spring before talented Texas Tech transfer Michael Brewer arrives this summer. Leal is the frontrunner but will have to play very well to hold off the more pro-style Brewer once fall camp opens.
A great spring for Leal would go a long way to settling the QB debate in Blacksburg. Collins are all gone from the rotation. This proves the the running back spot will be one for great depth this season.
The Hokies will have a lot of options, but must decide how each back will be used. Now on to the big question: the quarterbacks. Brenden Motley went for 72 yards with one interception. But overall, Motley showed good zip on the ball and the ability to escape the pocket under pressure and scramble to pick up yards.
Mark Leal went for 90 yards and one interception. I honestly saw no separation passing wise between the two, but I thought Motley showed more pep in his step and seemed more confident in his place on this team. Finally, freshman Andrew Ford threw an incomplete pass on his lone attempt on the day. The quarterback job won't be won until Texas Tech transfer Michael Brewer arrives and I believe will ultimately win beat out both Motley and Leal and emerge as a leader on offense.
The position that seems very solid for me is wide receiver and tight end. Byrn who led both teams with two catches for 41 yards, had an awesome one handed catch down the sideline from Leal that wowed the crowd and was the highlight of the day for me.
Bucky Hodges impressed at tight end with three catches for 24 yards, leading the White team in receiving. He showcased his ability to pick up yards after the catch with his agility and power. I think Hodges makes this team better at a skill position rather than at quarterback. As far as the defense goes, Bud and his boys seem to have things figured out.
Defensive end Dadi Nicolas recorded two tackles and one sack, while Donovan Riley who has impressed all spring, had one of the two interceptions on the day. Meanwhile for the Maroon team, sophomore linebacker Sean Huelskamp recorded nine tackles 2. As a whole the Maroon team finished with nine tackles for loss for 46 yards.
Needless to say the defense seems to be settled in along the defensive line and linebackers.
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