Collegiate Times

By Alex Koma, sports staff writer

Note: As part of the Collegiate Times’ coverage of Virginia Tech football, we’ll be breaking down the 2012 football roster every weekday until March 28 when the Hokies begin spring pra

Height: 6-foot-1

Weight: 219 pounds

Position: Defensive end

2012 Year: Redshirt junior

High School: Hampton

Wilson is a redshirt junior defensive end that hails from Hampton, Virginia.

Although he has yet to become a household name, Wilson played steadily for the team last year, and he could figure more prominently on this year’s team.

While in high school, Wilson played linebacker for Hampton High, and earned attention early on.

Rivals rated him the number 61 inside linebacker prospect nationally, while he was a first team All-Group AAA selection by the Associated Press.

He signed with the Hokies in 2009, but an injury forced him to redshirt his freshman year. However, he was able to be active in spring practice, where coaches began to use him at defensive end instead of linebacker.

In 2010, Wilson began to see playing time immediately. He played in every game for the Hokies, including starting on the kickoff team.

He got limited work at end during the season, but was mostly consigned to special teams play.

In 2011, Wilson began to make a real impact. He again played in all 14 games for the team, but this year he made two starts on the line as well.

He finished the year with 29 tackles, including three for losses, and 2.5 sacks.

He remained active on special teams, but after James Gayle’s injury in the Miami game, he began to find real time on the field as a lineman.

In the Wake Forest game, he got to make his first career start, and even recorded a sack. He also tallied a start against Georgia Tech, where he had an impressive 1.5 sacks and seven tackles.

Defensive end remains a pretty deep position for the Hokies, so it seems unlikely that Wilson will see much more action this year, but he has proved himself an able replacement and rotation player.

By Alex Koma, sports staff writer

Note: As part of the Collegiate Times’ coverage of Virginia Tech football, we’ll be breaking down the 2012 football roster every weekday until March 28 when the Hokies begin spring pra

Height: 6-foot-5

Weight: 326 pounds

Position: Offensive tackle

2012 Year: Redshirt Sophomore

High School: The Bolles School

Benedict is a redshirt sophomore from Jacksonville, Florida that plays offensive tackle for the Hokies.

He played his high school football at the Bolles School in Jacksonville, and was a highly recruited offensive line prospect there.

He earned a variety of accolades during his time there, including being named to the SuperPrep All-American team, and the All-Dixie team. He was also selected for the Under Armour All-America game, and was a member of the Mobile Press-Register Southeast 120.

Benedict was also highly praised among a variety of recruiting services. He was ranked 19^th in the ESPNU 150, and Rivals rated him as the 79^th best prospect in the country and 12^th best offensive tackle.

He had a productive high school career, but suffered a knee injury at the end of his senior year that hampered his success.

Georgia signed Benedict for his freshman year, but he spent his lone year there redshirting due to his knee problems.

However, Benedict was unsatisfied with the Bulldogs, and transferred to Virginia Tech prior to last season.

Accordingly, he sat out all of last season, as is the rule for transfer students, and is eligible as a redshirt sophomore for this season.

Despite his lack of experience, Benedict could certainly fight for playing time this season. It’s well publicized that the line is losing four starters, including the two starting tackles, so coaches will be looking at players like Benedict.

While others like Nick Acree or Nick Becton may get their chances to prove themselves ahead of him, Benedict’s high pedigree should certainly earn him a chance to prove himself and fight for playing time next season.

By Brooks Tiffany, sports staff writer

Note: As part of the Collegiate Times’ coverage of Virginia Tech football, we’ll be breaking down the 2012 football roster every weekday until March 28 when the Hokies begin spring prac

Height: 5-foot-8

Weight: 179 pounds

Position: Punter

2012 Year: Sophomore

High School: Dematha Catholic High School, Hyattsville, Md.

Michael Branthover is probably one of the few punters in the history of college football to receive a standing ovation after his very first kick. During the 2011 season, after taking over for the struggling Scott Demler, who was booed after a poor performance during the Clemson game, Branthover made the best of his start at Miami, booting a 52-yarder on his first attempt.

Though he managed to pass up Demler, who had originally won the position at the beginning of the year, Branthover would struggle as well, never quite consistent enough to lock down the position. Unfortunately for both punters, Danny Coale would take over as the most trusted punter on the team by the end of the season. However, with Coale gone, the position is up for grabs and will most certainly fall to Branthover or Demler.

Branthover seems to be the likely candidate to take over the starting role at the punter position this season as he has the stronger leg and the quicker kicking-time according to head coach Frank Beamer. Branthover managed to punt for an average of 36.6 yards, knocking four for over 50 yards while recording a long of 75 (tied for second longest in school history) and subsequently overshadowing the stats of Demler, who averaged 33.1 yards a punt with a long of 51 (his only over 50).

Look for Branthover to not only take over the punting duties, but the place-kicker duties as well. In light of Cody Journell’s recent escapades, the position is wide open for the taking, and since Branthover was a standout kicker in high school, he has the experience to land the job. If the punting and kicking game of this season is anything like last year’s, nothing is set in stone, and we are in for an entertaining turn of events at what is normally a humdrum position.

By Brooks Tiffany, sports staff writer

Note: As part of the Collegiate Times’ coverage of Virginia Tech football, we’ll be breaking down the 2012 football roster every weekday until March 28 when the Hokies begin spring pract

Height: 6-foot-1

Weight: 300 pounds

Position: Offensive Guard

2012 Year: R-Junior

High School: Stone Bridge High, Ashburn, Va.

David Wang comes from a strong bloodline. The son of Robert and Nancy Wang, both of whom played for the Chinese Olympic team, this lineman has the genetics to be something special. If Wang’s name rings a bell for you there is good reason, as you may remember his brother, Ed Wang, who worked in the trenches for Tech from 2005 to 2009 and was selected in the 2010 NFL draft by the Buffalo Bills.

If you aren’t convinced of Wang’s prowess based on his family, then what he has done in the weight room and the practice field should leave no room for doubt. This former defensive tackle bench presses 410 pounds and front-squats 440 while posting a 35-inch vertical jump and a 4.29 NFL shuttle: power and agility that is rarely seen together.

Unfortunately, since Wang arrived at Tech in 2009, his opportunity to advance up the ranks and earn more playing time has been hindered by a couple injuries. In 2009, Wang suffered a shoulder injury in practice and had to undergo surgery, forcing him to redshirt and sit out the season. He was able to return in the 2010 season and gain some experience, seeing action in five games, but nothing significant. Most recently in 2011, as Wang was primed to see an increased workload, he broke his foot against East Carolina and was not able to claim any more playing time for the remainder of the season.

This season will hopefully bring good tidings for Wang as he will finally have his time to shine as the starter at left guard. Though, he hasn’t had near as much seasoning as he and the coaches would’ve liked up to this point, much like the rest of the line, all other indicators point to a productive season for Wang. Look for Wang and offensive line to have some initial hiccups at the beginning of the season due to lack of experience but begin to congeal as the season progresses.

By Matt Jones, sports editor

Sept 3: Georgia Tech (Monday), 8 p.m., ESPN

Sept 8: Austin Peay

Sept 15: at Pittsburgh

Sept 22: Bowling Green

Sept 29: vs. Cincinnati (in Washington D.C.)

Oct 6: at North Carolina

Oct 13: Duke

Oct 20: at Clemson

Nov 1: at Miami (Thursday), 8 p.m., ESPN

Nov 8: Florida State (Thursday), 8 p.m., ESPN

Nov 17: at Boston College

Nov 24: Virginia

Dec. 1: ACC Championship game

• The Hokies Labor Day matchup with Georgia Tech is the first time the teams have opened the season against each other since the 2000 “Lightning Game.”

• Seven of Virginia Tech’s 12 opponents played in bowl games in 2011.

• The Hokies get a bye week prior to their back-to-back Thursday night games.

• Tech faces Austin Peay just five days after facing Georgia Tech. The last time the Hokies had a Monday/Saturday turnaround, they lost to both Boise State and James Madison in 2010.

Photo by Mark Umansky, SPPS

By Mike Platania, sports staff writer

Note: As part of the Collegiate Times’ coverage of Virginia Tech football, we’ll be breaking down the 2012 football roster every weekday until March 28 when the Hokies begin spring practi

Height: 6-foot-3

Weight: 208 pounds

Position: Free Safety

2012 Year: R-Freshman

High School: South County

A northern Virginia native, Ronny Vandyke is looking to become a real difference maker for the Hokies next year. After playing whip linebacker in high school, he has great instincts in coverage, but there has been speculation that he may move to play whip linebacker, a position where the Hokies are thin moving forward.

If Vandyke remains a safety, he could be a menacing threat for teams trying to pass over the top of the defense. Not only is he a big hitter, but he also has the legs to keep up with wide receivers.

But if he gains more weight in the offseason and moves to linebacker, he’ll have to learn the position, which may slow his development. If the duty calls, Vandyke may not have much of a choice but to move up and try playing linebacker. He was redshirted last year, so there is still plenty of time for him to develop.

Ronny Vandyke’s role on the team will be very interesting to watch in the offseason. He’s a young, promising player who could quickly become an impact player for the Hokies.

By Mike Platania, sports staff writer

Note: As part of the Collegiate Times’ coverage of Virginia Tech football, we’ll be breaking down the 2012 football roster every weekday until March 28 when the Hokies begin spring practic

Height: 6-foot-6

Weight: 303 pounds

Position: Offensive Tackle

2012 Year: r-Junior

High School: Maury

After being heavily recruited out of high school, Vinston “Fire” Painter has finally earned his shot to emerge as a star offensive tackle for the Hokies.

Since arriving at Virginia Tech in 2008, Painter has essentially rewritten the Hokies’ weightlifting record books. He benches over 465 pounds, has front-squatted nearly 500 pounds, and runs a sub-five second forty yard dash.

This upcoming season will be Painter’s chance to prove he’s more than a gym rat. After three years of shuffling positions from defensive tackle to offensive guard, and now back to offensive tackle, his natural position, Painter has a legitimate shot to be the Hokies’ starting right tackle. In years past he’s sat behind All-ACC star Blake DeChristopher, but with DeChristopher graduating, the stage is set for Painter.

Painter has all the tools to be a great lineman for the Hokies, and now is his chance to show it. Last season he split time on offense and special teams, but expect his time spent on special teams to significantly decrease in 2012. Next season, Painter could be a great veteran presence on what will be an otherwise young offensive line for the Hokies.

By Zack Conway, sports staff writer

Note: As part of the Collegiate Times’ coverage of Virginia Tech football, we’ll be breaking down the 2012 football roster every weekday until March 28 when the Hokies begin spring practice

Height: 6-foot

Weight: 212 pounds

Position: Free Safety

2012 Year: Redshirt-Sophomore

High School: Cox

After finishing his redshirt-freshman year, Derek Dinardo participated in all 14 games. Most of his playing time came on special teams, where he recorded just two total tackles. He made his first collegiate interception in a win over Appalachian State in the first game of the season. Dinardo plays the free safety position, but because of the experience of other players in front of him, he does not see much of the field at that position.

When coming to Tech, Dinardo was recruited as a tight end but was quickly moved to the whip linebacker position because of his strength and size. During off-season workouts, Dinardo was recorded at bench-pressing 330 pounds, the coaches looked at this and knew that he was going to have a place on this team at probably the safety or outside linebacker position. Dinardo ended up playing the free safety position and has been there ever since.

Dinardo will look to continue playing special teams this up coming season, but will be ready in case of any injuries. Antone Exum is the starting free safety currently and has played at a high level since joining the Hokies, so for Dinardo it could be a while until he sees some quality playing time at this position. But watch for Dinardo to continue his hard work ethic into the off-season and then into spring, and in a couple years you could see Derek playing a big role in Bud’s defense.

By Zack Conway, sports staff writer

Note: As part of the Collegiate Times’ coverage of Virginia Tech football, we’ll be breaking down the 2012 football roster every weekday until March 28 when the Hokies begin spring practice

Height: 6-foot-7

Weight: 302 pounds

Position: Offensive tackle

2012 Year: Redshirt-Sophomore

High School: Fork Union

Mark Shuman has just finished his full season as a member of the Virginia Tech football team. He finished his redshirt freshman year playing a total of only 14 offensive snaps. Most of his playing time came against Virginia when he played a total of 11 snaps. Shuman did not see a lot of playing time this year due to the amount of experience in front of him; the Hokies had four seniors staring on the line this year.

Coming to Tech in 2010 Shuman was a highly recruited left tackle, but he knew he had to improve his footwork if he wanted to see the field at all during his time here. Throughout the season, Shuman worked hard and improved his mobility and footwork at the left tackle position. He worked with the scout team throughout the 2010 season, and during this time he was able to refine his skills and feel more comfortable at left tackle.

Spring practice and off-season workouts should just continue to help Shuman get better each and everyday, and hopefully when the season starts he is right where he needs to be. With all the seniors that leaving Tech on the offensive line, there is a good chance we could see Shuman on the field when September rolls around. Shuman has great size and with his improved mobility he could come right in and have an impact on this offensive line.

By Adam Norman, sports staff writer

Note: As part of the Collegiate Times’ coverage of Virginia Tech football, we’ll be breaking down the 2012 football roster every weekday until March 28 when the Hokies begin spring practice

Height: 5-foot-11

Weight: 175 pounds

Position: Wide Receiver

2012 Year: Freshman

High School: Woodrow Wilson

Der’Woun Greene comes from Portsmouth, Virginia where he attended Woodrow Wilson high school. He is listed as the No. 24 safety in the nation, and the No. 13 recruit in the state of Virginia by Rivals.

At Woodrow Wilson, Der’Woun played safety as well as quarterback for his team. He was a two-time All-Eastern District defensive back and was also a member of the PrepStar All-Atlantic Region squad. His senior year Greene tallied up 32 tackles along with four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.

Greene committed to Tech at the end of April 2011. He planned on graduating early and enrolling for this spring semester, but ultimately did not.

What position Greene will play for Virginia Tech is still somewhat up in the air. After visiting in the fall, Greene was told the wide receiver spot is likely, but that the coaches would try him out at different positions on offense and defense.

Green could very well stay at wide-receiver after both Danny Coale and Jarrett Boykin graduate this semester. The Hokies will need more depth at the position, but with other recruits such as Joel Caleb coming in to play wide receiver Green could be moved to defense.

If he moves to the defensive side it is likely he will be put at his natural position of free safety. He is both quick and a good tackler; safety could be the position where he helps the Hokies the most in years to come. If this happens, and he does get moved to safety, he will probably end up redshirting his freshman year.