It's not surprising to see Justin Fuente describe Divine Deablo's defensive role as "unknown" currently. Deablo will definitely be a backup with Terrell Edmunds being one of the ACC's best safeties and a playmaker who Deablo can learn a lot from watching him in practice and live this season. However, Deablo is clearly continuing to make a strong impression on the coaching staff with Fuente saying that he has a "bright future" and that he has "made large strides over there." Deablo can also be expected to be the backup free safety in the two-deep when it's released tomorrow and though Devon Hunter still appears to be the free safety of the future, Deablo is gaining some valuable practice reps there that could make that a little more complicated. In the short-term, Deablo could gain some reps when Terrell Edmunds needs a break while Deablo will also likely play a lot in garbage time scenarios to get him some experience. On top of that, Deablo can be expected to have a large role on special teams where he was quite successful last season. Deablo's emergence also gives Bud Foster someone who he can be comfortable with at free safety in case of injury especially with both Reggie Floyd and Devon Hunter working at primarily at rover and taking few, if any, reps at free safety. The presence of Devon Hunter does make it more difficult to see Divine Deablo being a starter in the next couple years especially with Deablo just making this position change this spring along with Hunter being an elite talent. However, you could see VT look in the future at trying to use Deablo, Hunter, and Reggie Floyd all at once especially after Mook Reynolds graduates and his nickelback/whip linebacker spot opens up. This could happen sooner if depth becomes a bigger concern at cornerback, and Bud Foster decides to move Reynolds back outside; a scenario that is unlikely but can't be ruled out. Though the odds may be against Deablo earning a starting job, the one factor that can't be doubted with him is his work ethic. This work ethic has shown time and time again from earning himself a role on special teams as a true freshman to giving the Hokies someone they can be confident in as a backup safety less than a year after he made the position change from wide receiver. Divine Deablo may not have a big role beyond special teams this fall, but he has a bright future, and is ready to fight guys like Reggie Floyd and Devon Hunter for playing time and a starting job. [amazon_link asins='B0711CK77H,B06XGM6VDH,B06XKC9VMK,B008C2PV3E,B00D2MLGVA' template='ProductCarousel' store='techlunchpail-20' marketplace='US' link_id='026d5796-8b64-11e7-997d-4b3513fd681f']“Ultimately I don’t know how much he’ll play defensively. I think he’s made large strides over there, and has a very bright future on the defensive side of the ball. He’s going to be a good player for us in the back end. He was a very productive player for us on special teams last year. I anticipate that he’ll continue to do that.
"He gives us some comfort that we have a quality back up in the back end. I know that talking to coach (Galen) Scott and coach Foster, continuing to feel better about his development, and how he’s coming. He had a big tackle down near the goal line in our last scrimmage, he’s shown up. To what extent this year I don’t know, it depends on a lot of things out of my control. I do believe he has a bright future.” - Fuente on Divine Deablo (August 25th)
Divine Deablo Has A "Bright Future" in Blacksburg as a Defensive Back
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