Danville (George Washington) running back David Wilson and Lynchburg (Brookville) tight end/quarterback/wide receiver Logan Thomas headlined an impressive 2009 recruiting class for the Hokies.
Wilson is the No. 4 rated RB in the country according to Rivals and rushed for 2,291 yards and 35 touchdowns – both school records – in his senior year. I talked to some veteran sports journalists who covered Wilson and they all say that he is the best high school RB they’ve ever seen come out of the state and that he could easily start for the Hokies next season.
That would be quite an accomplishment given the crowded stable of backs the Hokies will have in 2009. For starters, there is rising sophomore Darren Evans who rushed for a Tech freshman record 1,265 yards and 11 TDs last season. Also returning will be Josh Oglesby and Kenny Lewis Jr. Oglesby, who took over as the No. 2 back after Lewis suffered a torn Achilles. Then there is Ryan Williams who redshirted last season. Now you add Wilson and Pulaski’s Nubian Peak to the mix.
How the backfield situation will play out is anybody’s guess, but using a little common sense, you would have Evans at No. 1 and then let Oglesby, Lewis, Williams and Wilson compete for the No. 2 spot. Now, considering Lewis will likely still be rehabbing his Achilles in the spring (not sure of his timetable at this point), Oglesby and Williams will get quite a few snaps giving them an edge over Lewis and Wilson heading into the fall practice schedule. I’m guessing here, but I’d say Evans No. 1, Williams No. 2 and Oglesby No. 3. I’m not discounting Lewis, but an Achilles is a tough injury from which to come back, so until we see what he can do, I’ll put him at No. 4, but he’s a leader and a dedicated player, so I fully expect him to work his way back up the depth chart. As for Wilson, I think he may have the natural ability to play right away, but the question is, can he pick up the blocking schemes? That’s what plagued Oglesby and Williams this past season. Peak will likely move to defense.
As for the wide receivers, again, the Hokies will be loaded at this position. In addition to the fab four freshmen from last year – Danny Coale (freshman record for receptions), Jarrett Boykin, Xavier Boyce and Dyrell Roberts, the Hokies will get back Brandon Dillard who missed last season with a torn Achilles. And of course, don’t forget D.J. Coles who played at Fork Union last season.
We’ll examine more positions, both offense and defense throughout the off-season, but for a more detailed look at the 2009 recruiting class and to hear coach Beamer talk about them, click here.
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