Brandon Facyson Should Be Moved From Cornerback to Free Safety

Sep 6, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies cornerback Brandon Facyson (31) against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Virginia Tech defeated Ohio State 35-21. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Brandon Facyson had a very good freshman season but on a lot of plays during his freshman season, he was used in zone coverage instead of man coverage. Entering this season, the duo of Kendall Fuller and Facyson was seen as arguably the best cornerback duo in college football but while Fuller is looking like one of college football’s best cornerbacks, Facyson has struggled.

Bud Foster has used a lot more man coverage so far this season with Kendall Fuller excelling in that scheme. Also, Donovan Riley and Chuck Clark have both played very well in man coverage though they have had their moments.

One player that has had some struggles in man coverage is Brandon Facyson who has not played much in the second half of the last two games. Facyson also had a lot of trouble covering ECU wide receiver Sam Worthy on Saturday and Worthy took advantage of Facyson’s struggles in man coverage with 6 catches for 224 receiving yards.

Facyson has tremendous ball skills and is very good in zone coverage but seems at best average at man coverage. With the skill set that Facyson has, Bud Foster has one option that he should absolutely take advantage of now.

The Hokies should start moving Brandon Facyson from cornerback to free safety so that he can replace Detrick Bonner in 2015.

This might seem like an overreaction to a couple of bad games but the Hokies have two quality man coverage cornerbacks that can replace Facyson. Chuck Clark has proven that he can be a very good cornerback while Donovan Riley is a true cornerback that is underrated.

Most of the top free safeties have great ball skills, and Facyson showed last season and some this season that he has some great ball skills. Facyson is a guy who can make big time plays in the air to get an interception or at least what you want to breakup a pass.

Facyson has great size at 6-2 and has the ability to bulk up some to the size of your normal free safety. Facyson’s size could cause problems with him being able to go up against big receivers and have a view of the ball to make a play. Facyson’s zone coverage skills could also be fully utilized at free safety.

For this season, Facyson could still be used a lot at cornerback but they could slowly transition him in practice to free safety while allowing him to be the third or fourth cornerback for the Hokies on many downs.

Brandon Facyson is an average man coverage cornerback at best and his skill set makes him a much better fit at free safety instead of a cornerback. Facyson can be a great free safety but it is up to Bud Foster and Torrian Gray to recognize that and move him from cornerback to free safety.