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Del Olaleye: This week in college football

Del Olaleye: This week in college football
Ed Oliver is 80-1 to win the Heisman. Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images

A look at some of the happenings this week in college football:

The Status of Virginia Tech starting QB Josh Jackson

This has not been a good offseason for the Hokies. Justin Fuente’s squad lost three underclassmen to the NFL Draft including Terrell and Tremaine Edmunds. The brother combo are the first ever to be drafted in the first round in the same draft. Tim Settle, the third of the underclassmen to leave early was drafted in the fifth round by the Washington Redskins. That is a lot of talent that could have been part of a stingy Hokies defense in 2018. The attrition didn’t end there. Two cornerbacks who were expected to be on the roster will not be part of the Hokies program as well. That is five contributors off the depth chart from one side of the ball.

The latest news concerns the status of Hokies QB Josh Jackson. A report suggested that he would be suspended indefinitely. That report was disputed by Jackson’s father along with multiple outlets. The redshirt sophomore to be is coming off a season where he started all 13 games and the Hokies finished 9-4. A season opening game against Florida State exacerbates the situation. The Hokies depth chart behind Jackson is light on experience and facing a energized Seminoles roster led by new coach Willie Taggart isn’t the best way to be baptized into major college football for one of Jackson’s understudies.

Bronco Mendenhall will say what he wants

The University of Virginia head coach said something damning of this team this week. He told the Daily Progress,  “I believe we have 27 ACC-caliber football players on our roster today.” Twenty seven players capable of playing in your conference would be outstanding for the baseball team. It is atrocious for your football team. Mendenhall is entering his third year at Virginia after a successful 11-year run at BYU.  A bowl appearance in 2017 followed a two-win 2016 in Charlottesville. Mendenhall appears to have UVA going in the direction. Through recruiting and development he expects to have 85 ACC-caliber players by 2020. Shoutout to the two-thirds of the current Cavaliers roster that isn’t fit enough to play in the ACC. I see Bronco working. How do you sell recruits there is playing time available? Tell them that over 50 guys taking up spots don’t belong on the roster.

The Heisman is just a quarterback and running back Award

New odds are out for the Heisman from the Westgate Sportsbook and only quarterbacks and running backs are listed as having realistic shots. The last non-RB or QB to win the Heisman was the great Charles Woodson twenty-one years ago. He had to do it all to win the award. Play cornerback, wide receiver and return kicks to hold off Peyton Manning. The last offensive player to win the award that didn’t play quarterback or running back was Michigan's wide receiver Desmond Howard in 1991. The Wolverine wide receiver returned kicks just like Woodson did. Running backs head the list this year. Stanford’s Bryce Love is 5 to 1 win the the award and Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor is next in line at 7 to 1. Houston’s star defensive tackle Ed Oliver is the first player who doesn’t play running back or quarterback to be listed. His odds are 80 to 1. You can make a lot of money if you’re an elite corner or defensive tackle. They are premiums positions in the NFL. You just can’t win the Heisman.







 

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Expect big things from the Texans this season. Composite Getty Image.

With the NFL Draft right around the corner, Texans GM Nick Caserio met with the media to discuss the team's approach this year since they no longer have a first round pick. He also answered questions about the acquisition of Stefon Diggs, and addressed any concerns the team has about their new receiver having the reputation as a “diva.”

In the video above, Rich Eisen reacts to Caserio's presser and projects how the season will play out for the Texans with Diggs added to the team. Let's just say he's bullish on the Texans.

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