Virginia Tech Football Roster Notes

As Virginia Tech finishes their preparations for Austin Peay, we will take a quick look at some of the roster notes that have transpired since this week.

• Boye Aromire leaves Virginia Tech’s program.  Aromire was a sophomore free safety at Virginia Tech, but has decided to leave the program.  Aromire cited “personal reasons” as his reasoning for departing from the Hokies.  Aromire spent most of last season playing on special teams for the Hokies, but wasn’t necessarily in position to see the field on defense this year once again.  However, if Virginia Tech gets saddled with injuries in their secondary, Aromire could have potentially seen the field.  His departure certainly increases the depth woes of the secondary, that much is for sure.  I think playing time certainly played into this decision.  Virginia Tech has a lot of younger defensive backs in the program right now, with some high-caliber kids coming in with the 2013 recruiting class.  It would make sense for Boye to leave now, though waiting after one game was a strange decision.  Either way, we wish Aromire nothing but the best in whatever he chooses to do from here on out.
• D.J. Coles will redshirt this season due to medical hardship.  The senior wide receiver will undergo an MRI on his knee, which was hurt once again during the Georgia Tech opener.  Coles was coming off off-season PCL surgery on that same knee, and because of the new injury will try and obtain a redshirt for this season, allowing him another season of eligibility.  A lot of people are upset with this news, but I feel like it’s the best thing for both Coles and Virginia Tech football.  Coles has aspiration and potential to play in the NFL and if he’s hobbled this season he can’t make much of an impression on scouts.  He also risks causing serious damage to that knee.  This also gives Virginia Tech an experienced wide receiver for next year to accompany and lead a young group of receivers.  Some of those younger receivers, such as Demitri Knowles, will get to see playing time this year as a result of Coles’ redshirting.  We certainly wish Coles a speedy recover.
• Bruce Taylor will not start against Austin Peay due to a sprained ankle, and in his place will start Chase Williams at Backer.  Bruce Taylor just can’t seem to stay healthy this year.  Against Georgia Tech, the linebacker sustained a sprained ankle, prompting defensive coordinator Bud Foster to state that playing with Bruce out there against the Yellow Jackets was “like playing 10 on 11.”  Because of this, sophomore linebacker Chase Williams will start in his place.  Williams, who looked good in the spring and the summer, should be alright in Taylor’s place.  This is especially true against Austin Peay.  Getting younger players experience can never hurt against a team like Austin Peay, so I like this move by the coaching staff.