Collegiate Times

When star running back Darren Evans tore his anterior cruciate ligament Aug. 11, the Hokie Nation mourned his loss, but then quickly looked at the roster for his replacement.

What they saw on the surface was not encouraging considering Evans amassed 1,310 yards and 11 touchdowns last season.

Redshirt sophomore Josh Oglesby now leads all able-bodied Virginia Tech running backs with 38 carries and 96 yards, and redshirt freshman Ryan Williams and true freshman David Wilson have yet to take a college snap.

However, in his 32nd year at Tech, more consecutive years at one school than any assistant in the country, associate head coach and running backs coach Billy Hite sees vast potential in the young group.

“Well, from top to bottom, it’s probably the best group I’ve ever had here,” Hite said. “I’m really excited about all of them. The big thing is we have to stay healthy. Obviously, losing Darren was devastating to our football team, but these guys got to kick it up a notch.”

Unfortunately for Hite’s impressive stable, staying healthy has proven to be a struggle.

Each of the top four running backs, including Evans, sustained an injury in preseason camp.

Oglesby pulled his hamstring and suffered from a methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus infection in his heel that held him out of practice for approximately two weeks.

“I didn’t know what was going on, I felt like someone put a hex on me or something, karma or something, I don’t know what I did bad to somebody,” Oglesby said. “It’s frustrating, it sucks sitting out, especially while we’re getting ready for this season, how bad I wanted to play and be prepared. I felt like I had a little setback, but I got my body good time to rest, so I actually feel good, I feel fresh.

Wilson sustained a level one acromio-clavicular sprain to his shoulder during a scrimmage Aug. 15 and could not take a blow again until the final scrimmage on Aug. 26.

“I have to get used to it, and hopefully I’ll be safe through Alabama and all the way through the season,” Wilson said. “I can’t throw the ball. It’s still sore if I block and stuff like that. Like I said, I got to get used to it and go through. I’d say I’m about 95 percent.”

Only Williams maintained his health throughout practices, though he did suffer a sprained left ankle during the Aug. 22 scrimmage that he played through.

“Coach Hite said you can’t have enough of those guys,” head coach Frank Beamer said. “He’s a wise old man.”

Even with all the injuries and missed practice time, Hite remains so impressed with Williams and Wilson that he puts them a step ahead of former freshman phenomenon Kevin Jones in their progression as players.

“Yes, (Wilson) is, and I’d say right now, he’s probably ahead of Kevin Jones in understanding what we’re doing,” Hite said. “Kevin was another one that struggled early with the passing game. Kevin became a good blocker, but I can tell you right now — Ryan, in all our pass protection drills, he’s been very impressive, and I’d say he’s ahead of Kevin Jones from that standpoint, the way he can pass-block.”

The older Oglesby, currently tied at No. 1 on the depth chart with Williams, is no slouch either.

“Obviously, Josh Oglesby is a powerful runner, he had a great summer preparation,” Hite said. “He made the super iron Hokie in coach Gentry’s strength and conditioning program, and if you’re in that group, you’re elite, you really are.”

The backs themselves certainly do not lack confidence and are not nervous about facing a tough Alabama defense for the season opener.

“Maybe when I walk out on the field for the first play I might be a little nervous ... but I’m usually playing against a great defense every day in practice. Jason Worilds, John Graves, linebacking corps, we got great guys ourselves, so, pretty sure their defense isn’t as good as ours,” Oglesby said.

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