Some Analysis on Desmond Frye Being Out for the Rest of the Season
By Tim Thomas
Aug 31, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Christion Jones (22) catches a 38yard touchdown pass past Virginia Tech Hokies safety Desmond Frye (26) in the third quarter of the 2013 Chick-fil-a Kickoff game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
The Virginia Tech Hokies suffered a disappointing loss this past weekend at home against the East Carolina Pirates but the Hokies’ focus now is on the ACC opener on Saturday against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. The Hokies still have a shot at making the playoff while still being one of the favorites to win the ACC Coastal along with Duke.
Today, the Hokies got some bad news about one player who may not have been a starter but was probably the best player the Hokies had on the depth chart at safety that wasn’t Kyshoen Jarrett or Detrick Bonner.
Tech DB Desmond Frye will have season-ending surgery on his shoulder Tues. He will apply for a medical hardship since he has not taken a RS.
— Virginia Tech Football (@HokiesFB) September 15, 2014
Desmond Frye was definitely the Hokies’ best backup safety since Chuck Clark has moved to cornerback and the Hokies now have less experience and depth at the safety position. The fact that Frye will likely get to redshirt could actually be a benefit for the junior safety as Frye could get the chance to start for two years instead of just one.
Anthony Shegog is now listed behind Detrick Bonner at free safety on the depth chart with C.J. Reavis ready to battle Shegog for the backup free safety job. However, Reavis could be headed for a redshirt while the Hokies could go with Chuck Clark at free safety before Shegog or Reavis with Clark having a lot more experience than the other two combined.
The Hokies could also look at starting to transition Brandon Facyson from cornerback to free safety as his skill set seems to be a better fit at free safety. On top of that, Chuck Clark and Donovan Riley have proven to be good cornerbacks that could be quality starters across from Kendall Fuller.
If Facyson does make a move to free safety, Desmond Frye would have to move to rover to get playing time with Facyson having the skills to be a really good free safety.
Frye is a disappointing loss for the Hokies’ depth but it should give a couple players the chance for a little more playing time in practice while also opening up the door to consider transitioning Facyson from cornerback to free safety.