Dadi Nicolas and Corey Marshall are on the Coaches’ All-ACC Second Team
By Tim Thomas
Nov 28, 2014; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Cavaliers quarterback Greyson Lambert (11) looks to pass as Virginia Tech Hokies defensive end Dadi Nicolas (90) and linebacker Deon Clarke (40) defend in the first quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
The Virginia Tech Hokies only had only Kendall Fuller on the ACC media’s All-ACC First Team and only Dadi Nicolas on the All-ACC Second Team. There was hope that the Hokies would get what they deserved and have more players on higher teams with hopefully more than two on the top two teams.
The ACC head coaches released their All-ACC teams and the Hokies had two on the All-ACC Second Team.
Dadi Nicolas and Corey Marshall were both named to the Coaches’ All-ACC Second Team which was a well-deserved honor for Marshall. Meanwhile, Nicolas was once again snubbed from the All-ACC First Team though Ken Ekanem not even being an honorable mention just shows that the coaches seem to lack respect for how good Virginia Tech’s defensive line is.
Florida State’s Mario Edwards Jr. was once again the guy that beat out Nicolas in what was a disappointing choice by the coaches. Edwards is a very good player but Nicolas was one of the ACC’s two best defensive ends this past season.
More from Virginia Tech Football
- Virginia Tech Football: Predicting how the Hokies will finish 2023
- Virginia Tech Football: Mixed results on injury news for Hokies defense
- How to Win $350 in DraftKings Bonuses Betting on College Football Week 4
- Former Virginia Tech lineman had hilarious moment Monday night
- Virginia Tech Football: Brent Pry gives some positive injury updates
In this past season, Nicolas received the most attention of any of the Hokies’ talented defensive linemen and still was very productive throughout the season. Nicolas had 63 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 9 sacks, and 15 QB hurries which are very impressive numbers. Nicolas has been great whether you watch the tape or look at the stats and is clearly one of the ACC’s top two defensive ends.
Meanwhile, Corey Marshall absolutely deserves to be on the Coaches’ All-ACC Second Team after having a great season for the Hokies. Marshall was a quality pass rusher and great run defender that also did a great job of creating space for blitzing linebackers to get in the backfield to shut down a run or sack a quarterback.
Statistically speaking, Marshall’s numbers are very good for a defensive tackle with 39 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 10 QB hurries, and 1 interception. These are some very strong numbers but Marshall had a big impact that went beyond the numbers this past season, and it’s clear that Marshall has a bright future.
Congrats to Dadi Nicolas and Corey Marshall on being on the Coaches’ All-ACC Second Team but Nicolas should be on the First Team.