Virginia Tech Spring Football 2014: Wyatt Teller and his Transformation
By Tim Thomas
Oct 5, 2013; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Logan Thomas (3) tacked the snap as offensive linesman Caleb Farris (79) and Jonathan McLaughlin (71) block in the second quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Most of the time, a four-star defensive tackle that played in the U.S. Army All-American Game does not end up making a shift from defensive tackle to offensive guard but for one Hokie, that is exactly what he did. Wyatt Teller came in last year as one of the top members of the Class of 2013 for the Hokies as a defensive tackle but ended up making a move across the field to offensive guard and is now on his way to being a starter at left guard as a true freshman.
Of course, Wyatt Teller came in at a defensive tackle but before making a move to the offensive line, Teller made a slight change to the defensive line at defensive end. Teller didn’t stick there too long before he made the move to offensive tackle with all of this still before the 2013 season even started. Teller was destined to get a redshirt for the 2013 season and that was exactly what he got to help him in his transition to being an offensive lineman.
Wyatt Teller continued to push himself in the offseason and his testing results proved that Teller was ready to make a serious charge at starting for the Hokies in the fall on the offensive line. Teller had a max bench of 420 pounds which was the third on the team while he was impressive in the power clean with the best of all Hokies with a lift of 385 pounds. That power clean result just shows the explosiveness that Teller has the potential to bring especially on run blocking where offensive lineman are trying to open gaps and get to the second level. Teller tested out quite well and showed that he had the raw skills to be a very effective offensive lineman.
Not many people probably saw Wyatt Teller as a potential starter on the offensive line but he is currently the starting left guard on the Hokies’ depth chart and that ust shows that Teller has had a strong spring. Teller will have one more chance in the Spring Game to continue to improve his chances of being a starter and it wouldn’t surprise me if Teller wraps up a strong spring with a strong Spring Game.
One reason why Wyatt Teller might not be as safet is how Caleb Farris is currently seen at the starting center but will end up starting at guard once David Wang is healthy enough to take back over as the starting center. Farris’s experience will likely put him at left guard which will leave Teller to battle Augie Conte for the other starting guard job. Of course, Teller seems likely to be the frontrunner of those two since Teller is the current left guard starter. Wyatt Teller has had a wild year but Teller has found a home at Virginia Tech at offensive guard and has shown tons of potential to be a very successful starting guard.
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