Collegiate Times

Running back Ryan Williams races past defensive end Steven Friday during practice on Saturday afternoon. Williams, who redshirted last season, is likely to see his share of playing time in a backup role to Darren Evans.

"Williams has the shake and bake and has good moves, but he also has very good power," Hite said. "Evans breaks tackles, and he's a load when he's running downhill. They might make a tackle two or three times on Darren, but once you get later on in that game, people don't want to tackle him."

The Hokies will look to create havoc for opponent defensive coordinators by devising offensive sets that will allow Evans and Williams to be on the field together along with mercurial junior quarterback Tyrod Taylor.

"I've been trying to put a word in to (wide receivers coach Kevin Sherman), because I can play receiver, too," Williams said. "If we can have all of the weapons on the field at the same time, however we can do it, if it can be done, let's do it. ... If we go split-gun, pro-back, with all of us on the field on the same time, I feel like that will be something a lot of defenses won't want to mess with."

The coaching staff seems to oblige.

"We have a pony package, so you could see both of them on the field at the same time," Hite said. "It really is (a nightmare) for opposing defenses. You will see some of that. We've talked a bunch about that."

Arguably the most important intangible about the new Tech tandem is selflessness. Each runner knows that the other will be an integral part of what figures to be a successful season.

"The best thing about Evans is his durability," Williams said. "You could give him the ball 20 or 30 times, and he'll run it like it was his first carry. That's the best thing about him. He's like a working horse. He doesn't stop. ... It seems like he doesn't get tired throughout the game. This is probably the first time I've been on a team where I probably won't be the only person getting keyed on. We have a group of guys that are very talented."

Evans knows that Williams provides a special asset to an already stacked backfield that includes well-renowned 2009 recruit David Wilson, freshman Zac Evans, along with Lewis and redshirt sophomore Josh Oglesby - who received significant playing time in 2008.

"Williams is probably faster than me," Evans said. "I don't know about him and Tyrod, though. Talent will take you a long way, and Williams has it."

Although Williams is inexperienced and Evans only has one full season under his belt, they both possess the maturity and poise to take their game to the next level. Evans averaged 4.4 yards per carry last season, but the Hokies will have even higher expectations for their 2009 season.

"I feel like I really didn't get the whole experience of walking down that tunnel, because every time I walked down that tunnel I knew I wasn't going to play," Williams said. "I don't really know what it's like to get amped and go in there and play. I get so emotional when it comes to football. I don't know what type of emotion is going to come, but I know that once I step out on that field, it's going to be a good game."

Hite knows that while Williams is getting accustomed to the basics of Division I football, Evans will be there for assistance.

"Darren will help him," Hite said. "I guarantee it. Kenny Lewis has been the leader with doing that with all of our young players. Even though Kenny and Darren were competing for the same position last year, Kenny was like having another coach out there...

"I know that Darren will carry on and do the same thing with Ryan. He'll take him under his wing and help him out. It's amazing how when one of the tailbacks is in the ball game, the other tailbacks are their biggest cheerleaders."

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