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Hokies Football: Virginia Tech Makes the Right Move Putting Vincent Mihota at Defensive End

The 2015 ACC Kickoff has come and gone this year, but plenty of interesting tidbits were dropped over the three days. The biggest headlines came on Tuesday when the media's ACC predictions for the ACC standings, and their picks for ACC Player of the Year were revealed. Each ACC team also releases a media guide, which usually includes each program's latest depth chart ahead of their fall practices. The Hokies' media guide included their first depth chart since before Spring Practice, albeit this depth chart was dated June 1st. https://twitter.com/thekeyplay/status/623144391415308288 Most of the changes are with the backups though at some point, a healthy Brandon Facyson will take a starting cornerback spot, and Chuck Clark will most likely slide over to free safety with a small chance of that position change being to rover instead. However, one very notable thing is the fact that Vincent Mihota has made the switch back to defensive end from defensive tackle. Bud Foster and Charley Wiles have both hinted that a permanent switch for Mihota to defensive end could happen after he had a solid spring at the spot along with the impressive depth the Hokies have at defensive tackle. After Mihota's solid spring, a move to defensive end seemed to make the most sense with the Hokies needing another backup defensive end to go with Seth Dooley. Melvin Keihn seemed like the candidate early in the spring, but a move to whip linebacker makes most sense as he doesn't have the size for the position. Freshman Trevon Hill seemed to be a candidate to earn a backup defensive end spot, but a torn ACL has him headed for a redshirt year in 2015. Mihota has great size for the position at 6'5'' and 270 pounds with much of that weight being positive muscle instead of just bulk and fat. Mihota's speed should improve while his time working at defensive tackle should help with his power moves that could be valuable on run defense. Mihota's versatility could also be valuable in the future if the Hokies decide to move him back inside depending on future roster shakeups. Vincent Mihota came out of high school as a four-star defensive end, and the Hokies have made the right move to put Mihota at defensive end full-time, especially with his experience at the position and the Hokies' depth at defensive tackle. However, Mihota is still likely to face some challenges for backup defensive end spot from Melvin Keihn and healthy freshman Darius Fullwood, but he should be able to keep the backup defensive end job for 2015.
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