Getting these guys back is/would be....

Dec 7, 2016, 5:25 PM

a huge boost to our team for the playoff. Who are they?

1) Scott Pagano - As good as Big Dex and Watkins are, you can see a dropoff when Huggins comes in the game to spell them. The only times Evans (or any team or player) had success running up the middle on our defense this season is when Pagano was not on the field and a tired Watkins/Big Dex on the field. We don't have a better DT in goal line situations with our backs against the wall either. His strength and power take over. Example, the Boston College game. On 2 consecutive plays at our goal line (3rd and 4th and goals), He blew up the offensive linemen in front of him of and nailed the bail carrier before he got to the end zone. Getting him back for the playoff is going to be huge. Why? Barrett aint going to be able to run up the middle, not even with the rotation of D-linemen. Pagano is a huge part of that, but doesn't get the recognition because of how good Big Dex is as a freshman (I love me some Big Dex, kid a straight beast, but we can't forget the impact Pagano has too).

2) Adrian Baker - I hope the 4 weeks between the ACC title game and the Fiesta Bowl (and the practices involved) are enough to finally get him over the hump. Why? We have missed him in the rotation at times, because we all know some of the crucial plays he made last year (pick against FSU and SC). Outside of Tank, he has the most experience of our DBs. I don't think it's likely we see him again this season, but would love to see him get out there and add depth, because the kid is a baller.

3) Dorian O'Daniel - Coming back after that targeting call in the ACC title game (yea, I hated to see it but it was a good call). Jalen Williams having to take up more of the slack with him out changed the game because it was obvious O'Daniel was a key to stopping VT's offense with his athleticism and ability to cover in space against VT's 3rd/4th receiving options.