Kendall Fuller Could Be Used as a Linebacker Some Against Boston College

Oct 16, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Chad Voytik (16) rushes the ball against Virginia Tech Hokies cornerback Kendall Fuller (11) during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh won 21-16. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Virginia Tech Hokies are looking to get their season turned around this Saturday against the Boston College at Lane Stadium on a very cold, wet day in Blacksburg. This is a big game for the Hokies as a loss in this game puts their bowl streak in even more jeopardy but a win would put the Hokies in very good shape to continue their bowl streak.

The Boston College Eagles have a passing game that is almost nonexistent and ranks 123rd in FBS in total passing yards per game. Meanwhile, the Eagles’ rushing attack has been a lot more potent as they rank 11th in rushing yards per game in FBS averaging 277 yards per game on the ground.

The Hokies’ defense struggled last week against Duke Johnson and the Miami rushing attack and while Bud Foster’s defense should bounce back this week, Foster might get a little creative with his game plan especially with Kendall Fuller who might play a lot at the whip linebacker spot.

That’s the spot where Derek Di Nardo has been listed as a starter but Fuller is a tremendous playmaker and against a team that lacks a passing game, the Hokies can afford to use Fuller on rush defense and have Chuck Clark and Donovan Riley as the two cornerbacks on first downs and short yardage situations.

Fuller has 31 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks on the season which just shows that Fuller is a guy who can do damage in the backfield on blitzes. Boston College has a very speedy quarterback in Tyler Murphy and with Chase Williams likely out for this game, having a guy like Fuller to help contain Murphy should be a big boost.

Kendall Fuller is a defensive playmaker that likely will get moved around some against Boston College to make sure that is taken advatange of, especially against a run-centered Boston College offense. Bud Foster knows what he’s doing and using Fuller a lot at linebacker or in a rover-like role is something I expect him to do.