Danville native David Wilson's time is now at Tech

BLACKSBURG — Some football players are just too good to keep off the field. Virginia Tech learned that lesson a decade ago when quarterback Michael Vick left school early after three years.

The Hokies didn’t want to make the same mistake with sophomore tailback David Wilson, so they scratched any idea of redshirting the potential playmaker.

Vick, who passed up his final two years of eligibility to jump to the NFL, spent one of his years in Blacksburg as the scout team quarterback. He traveled with the team, but all he did during his redshirt season was signal in plays from the sideline. Looking back, the Hokies regret not playing him that first year.

Vick’s story played out in Bryan Stinespring’s head as he and Tech’s coaching staff mulled over the options of Wilson, a shifty and lightning quick runner.

The 5-foot-10, 195-pound Wilson could have redshirted this year, which would allow him three more years of eligibility starting in 2011, but who’s to say he’s not talented enough to jump to the NFL early like Vick did?

That was one of the thoughts running through the Hokies coaches’ heads last week while they were mulling their decision. The prevailing thought, however, was Wilson’s potential as an impact player this year, a year in which No. 10 Tech has very lofty expectations.

“I kind of figured, the way he was playing throughout the scrimmages, that he was going to play,” Tech quarterback Tyrod Taylor said. “We could use a back like that on the field. Why not use him in a season where we can really do something with our team?”

Wilson, a Danville native who starred at George Washington High, had an impressive preseason camp, leaving the Hokies, who open their season Monday night against No. 3 Boise State in Landover, Md., with no other option than to play him. That’s even with two potential NFL tailbacks ahead of him on the depth chart in sophomore Ryan Williams and Darren Evans.

Tech running backs coach Billy Hite called Wilson in his office Sunday to discuss the player’s options.

“He said, ‘How do you feel about the season?,’ Wilson said. “I said, ‘I feel like it’s going to be exciting for the team.’ He said, ‘How do you feel about your part?’ I said, ‘What do you mean?’ He was like, ‘Well, do you want to redshirt or not?’

“Then I said, ‘It depends on what y’all have in store for me. If y’all are going to play me and I won’t just have four carries a game, and y’all want me definitely in the mix, then I want to play. If I’m just going to be a closing guy, I’d rather save my redshirt year.’

“He was like, ‘Nah, you …’ I can’t say the exact words he said, but he said, ‘You did a good job out there.’ He was like, ‘You ran your tail off, and I definitely want to see you out there on the field.’”

A crowded backfield is something the Hokies can deal with if it means they’ll win more football games.

“The mindset is David Wilson can help us be successful and help us win ballgames,” Stinespring said. “I remember standing on the sideline and redshirting Michael Vick, and we were having a hard time completing the hitch route.

“He was the guy signaling in plays, and two years later he was gone anyway, so I think you get your best players on the field if you feel they can help you win ballgames and go from there, don’t look back.”

It’s safe to say Wilson is OK with his decision to play. He grinned from ear to ear when he spoke to reporters Thursday about the recent turn of events.

Wilson, who rushed for 334 yards and four touchdowns in a limited role last year, spoke earlier this preseason about his desire to sit out this season if his playing time was going to be limited.

He won’t be a feature back in the Hokies’ offense, but he could certainly play a significant role in a lot of different areas.

One of his biggest impacts will be on special teams. He is listed as a co-starter with Dyrell Roberts at kick returner. Roberts was a dangerous returner last season, which prompted teams to kick away from him as the season wore on. With Roberts and Wilson both back to field kicks this season, Wilson figures to get a lot of opportunities to break some big returns.

He had two 40-plus yard kickoff returns in scrimmages this preseason. With his speed and moves, Wilson is a threat to run one back for a touchdown every time.

As far as his role in the offense, Wilson said he’d be happy with 10 carries a game. That’s certainly possible if Wilson runs the way he did in preseason practice. In terms of production, he was the best of Tech’s three backs.

In the Hokies’ three major scrimmages at Lane Stadium, Wilson rushed for 132 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries.

Wilson could be a valuable contributor in the passing game as well. He and Williams are the top options catching passes out of the backfield, and Wilson also lined up some at wide receiver this preseason.

“Out there I’m more of a threat because I’m in open space already,” Wilson said. “The defense has got to use their energy to get out there. Then when they get out there, they’ve got to stop me. I like that.”

When he was playing for GW, Wilson started making goal sheets before his seasons to give him something to strive for.

He made a goal sheet for this season. He wants to score seven touchdowns, average 6.7 yards per carry, run a kickoff back for a touchdown and not fumble the ball once.

Wilson was asked Thursday why he decided on such a specific yards per carry average for his goal sheet.

“Last year my average was 5.7, so I want to go up,” Wilson said. “Each year, my goals are going to get more terrific.”