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Virginia Tech Football: Three 2017 Early Enrollees Find Their Positions

By Mike McDaniel

Sep 3, 2016; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies linebacker Terrell Edmunds (22) celebrates a interception against the Liberty Flames at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies linebacker Terrell Edmunds (22) celebrates a interception against the Liberty Flames at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Hokies begin spring practice on Tuesday night, and three early enrollees who were recruited as athletes have found their positions for the upcoming season

With spring practice kicking off in full force on Tuesday night in Blacksburg, the Virginia Tech coaching staff released their roster for the workouts on Monday afternoon.

There are plenty of new names and faces around the program this spring, and among those are eight early-enrollees from the Class of 2017 that was signed in February. Three of those eight newcomers, Kalil Pimpleton, Terius Wheatley, and Caleb Farley, were listed as athletes during their recruitment but have now found their positions, at least initially, with the Hokies.

Unsurprisingly, Kalil Pimpleton is listed as a wide receiver, and figures to fit in prominently as a slot receiver with his diminutive 5’8″, 153 lbs. frame. Whether or not he ends up in the rotation at the position this fall remains to be seen, but at the very least, Pimpleton will get an extended look in the slot this spring with veteran receiver C.J. Carroll out due to recovery from off-season surgery.

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Terius Wheatley, son of former Michigan legend and NFL running back, Tyrone Wheatley, will start his career at running back for the Hokies, which also does not come as a surprise given his pedigree there and his play at the position throughout high school.

Meanwhile, Caleb Farley, who many projected at the receiver position during his recruitment, is listed as a defensive back on the first roster of his collegiate career. There is more depth at receiver than in the defensive backfield for the Hokies, but since most of the depth is unproven at wide receiver, both Justin Fuente and Brad Cornelson have hinted that Farley could get some looks on offense as well this spring.

The coaches have voiced that they love Farley’s speed and are anxious to see him with the ball in his hands, leading me to believe that his listed position on the roster could be fluid, much like Greg Stroman’s was when he first arrived on campus in 2014.

Stroman, as many remember, played both receiver and defensive back over his first couple of seasons with the Hokies before finally settling into a role at cornerback last fall. His role as a full-time player on the defensive side of the ball last season paid dividends, as he enjoyed his best year on the field since arriving in Blacksburg.

The trial-and-error nature of Stroman’s position on the roster with both the Beamer staff and Fuente staff will be something to keep in mind as Farley gets settled into his role on the team throughout this spring and beyond.

Next: Fighting Gobbler Joins ESPN Blacksburg

Stay with Fighting Gobbler for the latest news out of spring practice as we begin to learn more about the roster development for the Hokies this fall.

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