Virginia Tech has played nine true freshmen this season, but surprisingly, running back Ryan Williams has not been one of them.
Williams was the top-rated recruit in February's signing class, a consensus top-five tailback prospect nationally. He committed to the Hokies largely, he said, because they promised him a chance to play right away.
But after two games, Williams has yet to take a snap. Running backs coach Billy Hite said this week that if Williams remains idle through next weekend's North Carolina game, he will redshirt.
Williams struggled at the beginning of camp with blocking assignments and Tech's playbook. While Hite said the youngster has greatly improved in those areas, Williams now finds himself stuck behind productive tailbacks Kenny Lewis Jr. and Darren Evans. Each averages at least 4.3 yards a carry, and they've combined for 217 yards and four touchdowns.
"They're a great 1-2 punch,"
Williams said. "So right now, I feel about 85-90 percent sure I'm going to redshirt. I can't say I'm disappointed. It wasn't part of my game plan. But disappointed? I love being out here.... I love the school, the atmosphere, the coaches, the team."
Williams said he'd prefer not to redshirt, even if that means he's limited to a handful of carries each game.
"I feel like if I were to get three, four, five carries a game, I would do something with that... and I'd end up getting six, seven, eight, nine, 10, 11,"
Williams said. "People see me as a playmaker, and I take great pride in that title. But if the redshirt calls, I'll put the shirt on. And take it off next year."
Some top prospects will be wooed this weekend
Saturday will be a big recruiting day for Tech. Along with several players already committed to the Hokies, the team will host a trio of highly regarded uncommitted prospects: tight end Logan Thomas, quarterback Kevin Newsome and defensive back Antone Exum - all rated among the top 15 recruits in Virginia by Rivals.com.
Thomas (6-foot-6, 235 pounds) is a five-star recruit, rated the country's No. 1 tight end, No. 1 "jumbo athlete"
and No. 24 overall prospect.
Newsome (6-3, 220) is a four-star prospect, rated the No. 4 dual-threat quarterback in the country. The former Western Branch High star, playing his senior season at Hargrave Military Academy, originally committed to Michigan but has re-opened his recruitment.
Exum (6-0, 200) is the No. 14 prospect in the state and No. 33 "athlete"
in the country, with offers from Penn State, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia, among others.
Lake Taylor grad is off to a good start
Purnell Sturdivant said this summer he was going to try to cram an entire college career into a single season. So far so good for the Tech senior.
Sturdivant, a Lake Taylor High graduate, is the Hokies' No. 2 tackler with 13 stops. But he's quick to point out that the coaches' review of the game tapes show him with 20 tackles.
"I'm the first-leading tackler,"
he said, grinning. "But I'm not too worried about stats. Just coming out here playing my position, being disciplined in my coverages and trying to get a victory every week."
Sturdivant said he has earned praise from the coaching staff in his post-game grades. He had just one mental error in the opener, none last week. He had two hustle plays in the first game, four in the second.
Injury update
Defensive end Jason Worilds (shoulder) and linebacker Cam Martin (groin), both starters, appear healthy enough to play this weekend. Both were out of their blue, non-contact jerseys for Wednesday's practice and were fully participating. Offensive tackle Blake DeChristopher (bruised kidney) is likely to sit out again Saturday, but he went through light drills Wednesday.
Beamer mum on QBs
Coach Frank Beamer isn't saying who his starter at quarterback will be against Georgia Tech or if both Sean Glennon and Tyrod Taylor will play again.
"While we're figuring out this quarterback situation, I'm not going to talk about it anymore,"
Beamer said. "I've asked them not to do interviews this week. I don't think we need to be talking. "
While Glennon's role was diminished last week against Furman, he's had plenty of success against the Yellow Jackets. Glennon is 49 of 86 (57 percent) for 635 yards and four TDs against Georgia Tech the past two seasons.
