Depth at tight end and fullback will decide what formations the Virginia Tech offense can use effectively during the 2012 season.  Through the years, we’ve seen Tech’s depth and talent at fullback drop off, and as a result the Hokies employed more Ace (two tight end) formations.  For the last few years, they’ve done something that we never would have imagined 10-15 years ago…used a lot of spread formations to make up for a lack of depth at fullback and tight end.

The advent of zone blocking has rendered the traditional fullback irrelevant in many ways.  These days, an H-back is more useful because he is capable of lining up at fullback, H-back or even an in-line tight end.  He’s a more versatile player, and he can be used in a variety of formations.

Out of 995 offensive plays this past year, Tech fullbacks didn’t get a lot of time.  Joey Phillips got 173 snaps, Martin Scales had 35 and Riley Beiro added five.  Gone of the days of traditional I-formation ISO plays with the fullback leading up the middle.  These days, a fullback’s top role is arguably blocking the backside defensive end on an inside zone, or leading the way on a handful outside zone plays.

Meanwhile, Tech has used more tight ends recently, and though Chris Drager is gone, I would expect that trend to continue in 2012.

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