Donovan Riley Will Get the Job Done as a Starting Cornerback

Aug 30, 2014; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies cornerback Donovan Riley (2) dives on a loose ball on a punt during the third quarter against the William & Mary Tribe at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

Entering the season, the Hokies had Kendall Fuller and Brandon Facyson as the starting cornerbacks. There was tons of excitement about how this duo could be the best starting cornerback duo ever for the Hokies. Fuller is looking like he might just be the best cornerback in college football and is clearly looking like he can be an All-American this season.

Meanwhile, Brandon Facyson is struggling some as he still gets back in the rhythm due to injuries that he has suffered. Facyson started the first three games of the season but he has played less in the second half of games for the last two weeks due to in-game struggles.

Facyson will definitely get the chance to earn the starting cornerback job back once he gets back to at least the level he was previously at but the Hokies have made the right decision to change the starting cornerback opposite Fuller.

Donovan Riley has played well so far this year with his signature moment being his interception against Ohio State that he returned for a touchdown. Riley did not have a great game against East Carolina but he was not too bad either and is definitely ready to be a starting cornerback across from Kendall Fuller.

Riley is not as good of a run defender as Kendall Fuller but he can definitely be very effective on rush defense. Riley also is more of a physical, man-to-man cornerback that can get the job done against many wide receivers. Riley will probably be one of the better number two cornerbacks in a major conference right now.

A healthy Brandon Facyson is probably a better cornerback than Donovan Riley overall but right now, Riley is the better cornerback and will get the job done as a starter.