What Should the Hokies do with Logan Thomas?
The Virginia Tech true freshmen most Hokie fans are looking forward to seeing the most is also the one that gives coaches the most options. Logan Thomas from Brookville High School in Lynchburg, Va., was one of the most highly touted prospects in Tech's 2009 recruiting class. His arrival on campus has been anticipated since he committed to the Hokies last season.
But what position will Thomas play for the Hokies?
He was signed as an athlete, listed as a tight end by recruiting services and played quarterback for Brookville, leading it to the state championship game in 2008. What position he and the coaches decide on will decide what impact he will have on the team and how quickly he sees the playing field.
Thomas looked like a man among boys playing for Brookville in a smaller division. But you can't deny his athleticism even though he was able to run around and through his competition. He's fast for being 6-6, 230, and is strong in his upper body. Even though he was thought to be a tight end by the likes of Rivals and Scout, his size would make him a tough match up as a wide receiver.
But Thomas also throws a decent deep ball and put up big stats playing quarterback against his competition. He threw for 1,535 yards and 20 touchdowns and ran for 842 yards and 11 touchdowns last year. Tech's coaches have mentioned just about every position possible for Thomas this upcoming season, including an H-back, hybrid type player like Percy Harvin or lining up behind center in the Wild Turkey formation.
I think the Hokies should play Thomas at wide receiver this year. He can get on the field quickest and make the biggest impact there in 2009.
Even though the Hokies return all but three catches and 14 yards at wide receiver from 2008, none of those players have shown consistency or the ability to be a deep threat like I think Thomas can be. Jarrett Boykin is the closest thing to a deep threat Tech has but he's very young just like every other wide receiver on Tech's roster. Only 52 percent of the Hokies' catches and 61 percent of their receiving yards came from receivers in 2008.
Plus, Thomas' height and size make him a match up nightmare for opposing defensive backs, especially in the red zone. When the Hokies get close to the goal line, they should just throw a jump ball to Thomas and let him out-jump everyone in the end zone. His presence will him improve Tech's abysmal red zone stats if he's used correctly.
With Tyrod Taylor's leadership ability at quarterback and the depth Tech has at tight end, Thomas should play wide receiver for the Hokies in 2009. At receiver, he could have a huge impact for the Hokies by the middle of the season. It doesn't mean they shouldn't use him in a variety of roles, including H-back, in 2008 and his career. But his potential for 2009 is highest at receiver.
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Comments
I voted to redshirt him, simply because Greg Boone is good at TE (Along with Wheeler and Smith) and as a wrench to throw at the defense from the QB position, plus I do think we’ll see much better production from Coale, Boykin and Roberts.
Might as well dress him, though, he would be our only receiver that is comparable to Julio Jones. The question is can Stiney use him to the fullest extent?
by VT89 on Jul 23, 2009 1:55 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I Agree
I would dress him and have him travel with the team and only play him if absolutely necessary.
Alcohol is my anti-drug. CollegeGameBalls.com
by collegegameballs on Jul 23, 2009 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
+1
get him ready to be an hback/te/wr combo after a yr.
a yr at wr or te is a waste, in my opinion.
by BeerControl on Jul 23, 2009 10:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
everything ive heard from people around the team is hes an athletic freak and we cant afford to not play him. like ryan williams, it will come down to blocking ability. one thing our young receivers did really, really well last year was run block. if thomas can do it, and hes big enough that he should be pretty good at it, he should see the field as soon as possible.
A bullhorn, a bottle of whiskey and a dream. GobblerCountry.com
by furrer4heisman on Jul 23, 2009 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
if ..
he only plays 20 snaps a game with 3-4 passed to him, is it worth it?
ida know. his final position is tight end, everyone knows that. i say get him working on that now.
by BeerControl on Jul 23, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Logan Thomas
I have thought about this a great deal (when Thomas signed in February and more recently thanks to your post) and I still can’t decide what the right move is here. With an innovative offensive coordinator who can use the kid situationally to great effect (i.e. red zone for fade routes or decoying a safety since you can’t leave him in single coverage in the slot) I would say you put a player of Logan’s caliber on the field because he’s a matchup nightmare for a defensive coordinator.
But I also envision him as an unstoppable threat taking 8-10 snaps a game out of the Wild Turkey starting in 2010 and that combined with the fact that we do NOT have a good offensive coordinator, means it might be worth it to lock him in a room with Mike O’Cain and only let him come out to practice with the scout team and hit on freshman girls until he can run the Wild Turkey formation in his sleep and then let him play as a redshirt freshman next season, feeling comfortable in that role.
This is a really tough call and I don’t envy Coach Beamer on making it.
by MadJay on Jul 24, 2009 12:30 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

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