2011 Virginia Tech Spring Football: Who Were the MVPs on Offense, Defense and Special Teams?
Virginia Tech wrapped up spring drills Saturday and the spring game saw two guys continue to come up big who had been performing well throughout the spring. Meanwhile on special teams, the Hokies finally have a kicker who might be able to start next season as well.
Offensive MVP: WR Marcus Davis
It would be easy to go with the quarterback here, but to me Davis had the best spring of anyone on offense.
Marcus Davis played well enough during spring practice to be named the co-No. 1 flanker along with Danny Coale. After a two touchdown performance in the spring game, he may have the starting job all to himself. In Tech's six spring scrimmages, Davis had 23 catches for 297 yards and four touchdowns.
That's not putting down what Coale brings to the team. He's been clutch, he's made big catches over the middle and he's probably the most sure-handed receiver the Hokies have. He'll still get plenty of playing time this year. But in his third full year as a receiver, Davis has put on an impressive display and brings height and athleticism the Hokies can't afford to keep off the field.
Plus, if Coale winds up winning the punting job, we may not want him on the field as much. If he gets injured suddenly we down a starting punter and have to go to one of two full-time punters who some how managed to lose out on the job to a receiver. Not a situation I want to see.
Defensive MVP: DE J.R. Collins
Collins got some looks at defensive tackle and despite being undersized, was able to use his quickness to cause problems for Tech's interior linemen. On the edge, he was a disruptor and had two sacks in the spring game.
It was important for the Hokies to find defensive ends who could put pressure on the quarterback and that's what they did this spring. In addition to Collins, who had two sacks and four tackles for loss in Tech's second full scrimmage, James Gayle also emerged as a playmaker on defense and had a pair of sacks in the last two full scrimmages.
While those two could wind up being a very formidable defensive duo for the Hokies, Collins was the more consistent of the two.
Special Teams MVP: K Cody Journell
The Hokies finally have a kicker who isn't a fifth year senior as Journell, who's already on scholarship, won the job prior to the spring game. He's the first sophomore to be given the Hokies' kicking duties since Brandon Pace in 2004.
Journell made a 26-yard field goal in the spring game and had made three more during the second full scrimmage. With kickoff specialist Justin Myer unable to combine his booming leg with accuracy and consistency, the job is Journell's. We'll see if he can uphold the tradition of reliable field goal kicking the Hokies have had in recent years.
Ive had my say. Your turn in the comments.
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Been high on Marcus Davis
for some time. Good to hear that he’s living up to expectations so far.
Air Hokies!!!
If the thunder don't get ya then the lightning will!!
Robert Hunter
that pic is just awesome
We have some beasts at WR.
3 Receiver Sets
Anyone at the scrimmage see how often VT offense went 3 wide? I hope it becomes pretty regular in the upcoming season. It would be nice to keep Davis, Coale and Boykin on the field as often as possible.
by Chazz Micheal Michealzz on Apr 26, 2011 11:45 PM EDT reply actions
Couldn't agree more
WR is definitely our deepest and most skilled position – we must take advantage of that. Also, spreading out the defense will allow DW more room to operate in the center of the field.
Dyrell Roberts
Anyone know anything about his status?
Defensive MVP
I like what J.R. Collins did this spring, but I would give it to “Skip” Hopkins. DT was a huge concern going into spring, and he really stepped up and proved that we will have a legitimate playmaker in the middle this year.
Three for the Show
Also, watching Ty tonight was awesome! He got so much more airtime than the first episode! The producers are really displaying him in a positive way, as opposed to Cam, who they are constantly showing being an arrogant prick…I love it!
I don't think...
it’s so much the producers showing that Cam Newton is an arrogant prick, as Cam just pulling that off nicely on his own.
by Leonard Thompson on Apr 27, 2011 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions
If you gave me a choice between 1 year of Cam Newton last year (including the NC) and 4 years of TT, I think I would choose TT every time. You can see TT will work his ass off to prove he’s a worthy NFL QB, while Cam Cam will slack off like JaMarcus Russell and be out of the league in a few years.
"When I put on my uniform, I feel I am the proudest man on earth."
-Roberto
by blackjackfishtaco on Apr 28, 2011 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions
3 for the show
Agreed. It’s hard to watch that show and not root for TT to succeed…. and, the show makes it tough to not root against Cam Newton. Cam just looks worse and worse the longer you watch.
The show last night I think helped Michael Vick’s image a little (to me at least). He seemed genuinely interested and involved with helping TT.

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