Collegiate Times

Defensive coordinator Bud Foster looks on during defensive drills last Saturday.

MADDY, MARSHALL ANCHOR INTERIOR LINE

What has for years been a relatively thin position on the Hokies defense, defensive tackle has been a position of strength so far this spring.

With returning starters Derrick Hopkins and Luther Maddy along with key backups Antoine Hopkins and Corey Marshall, Charley Wiles has possibly the deepest group of tackles in his tenure in Blacksburg.

“We created depth through the injuries last year,” Wiles said. 

“Luther’s a better player than he was last year, Corey’s better. You know how thin you can get and quickly, so it’s exciting to have good competition so you have to go out there and really get ready.”

Maddy, a sophomore from Delray, Fla., started seven games last season as a true freshman. 

He said the defensive line’s depth is a huge plus.

“It’s great knowing you’ve got guys behind you and that you can take a breather and go your
hardest the first two plays,” Maddy said. “Then somebody behind you does the same thing.”

Marshall, another key player on the line, thinks the defensive line could be a lot like the most recent Super Bowl champion.

“The New York Giants kind of have that look where they employ those guys,” Marshall said. 

“Bud Foster is trying to get that dynamic in our football team, that we can be that dynamic, that violent inside and not have to have a 300-pound guy inside every time. I think that’s going to pay off big down the road.”

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A version of this article appeared in the Apr 13 issue of the Collegiate Times.