Trey Edmunds Will Regain a Starting Spot in 2014

Nov 30, 2013; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies running back Trey Edmunds (14) scores a touchdown against the Virginia Cavaliers in the second quarter at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The running back position has been in flux for the last few seasons ever since the departure of David Wilson to the NFL. Last season, Trey Edmunds seemed to show that he had the talent to bring some stability and big time talent to a position that has had some issues over the past few seasons.

Then, Trey Edmunds broke his left tibia against Virginia and missed all of spring.

During fall practice, Edmunds has still been recovering from the injury and getting his legs back under him. Many expected that Edmunds would be just about at full strength by this point in the season and it seemed like he was. However, Edmunds has still looked like a guy this is recovering from a broken left tibia and it has cost him for now.

J.C. Coleman seems set to be the starting running back as the Hokies’ depth chart now suggests that Trey Edmunds is with Shai McKenzie and Marshawn Williams on the second team. This is a big surprise after the type of season that Edmunds had last season. Edmunds might not be at the level he needs to be at to start but eventually, Edmunds will take back the starting job.

Edmunds is the type of running back that can handle 20 to 30 carries per game on a regular basis while J.C. Coleman is more of a speed back that gained some strength this spring but still is not a load-carrying running back. Edmunds had a great start and finish to the season and should be ready to have a huge sophomore season.

Edmunds is a power runner that is tough and willing to pound the ball between the tackles or take it outside and find a big play either way. Edmunds has very good strength, good speed, and the vision to find the holes that he needs to get to turn what can be a small gain into a big play and a first down. Edmunds’s strength allows himt to turn some carries from 2 or 3 yard plays to 4 to 6 yard plays which can make a big difference over the course of a game in terms of getting first downs.

Trey Edmunds also has the ability to make plays out of the backfield in the passing game and can be utilized on screens to get some space. On top of that, Edmunds can be used by Michael Brewer on checkdowns against opposing secondaries that are playing really good coverage with a pass rush that has broken down the pocket.

Trey Edmunds is too talented of a player to stay out of the starting lineup for long and it wouldn’t surprise me if that change happened as soon as week 2.