VMI's new kicker likely an upgrade

LEXINGTON — It was easy to spot freshman kicker Dillon Christopher at VMI Football Media Day on Friday at Foster Stadium.

He was the guy rocking the neon green shoes.

The big-legged Christopher, who booted a VHSL-record 60-yard field goal in 2011 for Menchville High School, figures to be the one lock member of this year’s recruiting class with a job all his own when the Keydets open the season Aug. 31 at Richmond.

Sixth-year VMI coach Sparky Woods hopes the 6-foot-2, 175-pound Newport News native will be an instant cure for a kicking game that has too often victimized the Keydets the past four years.

Christopher has been getting his kicks this week in the team’s first four fall workouts. From all accounts, he has been impressive.

“This young kicker is looking good,” senior quarterback Eric Kordenbrock said. “I’m excited to be able to get inside the red zone and know we’re going to walk away with three points.”

Talk about a serious upgrade. Graduated Jeff Sexton handled nearly all the placement and kickoff chores the past four years, hitting a pedestrianlike 18-for-35 on field goals and had only one touchback on 42 kickoffs. Moreover, Sexton booted six kickoffs out of bounds last season, leading to instant prime field position for the opposition.

“As big as anything, it’s field position off kickoffs,” Woods said. “Lord, if they’re starting up there about the 50-yard line all the time. ... He’s got a strong leg, he’s a good kicker, I believe.”

Woods’ biggest worry now is how Christopher will handle the rigors of the school’s notorious incoming freshman Rat Line, which begins Tuesday.

“I remember our first year here we had a little, ol’ kicker who was pretty good and he was getting the ball down there at the start to about the 5 [yard line], then about October it was about the 10, and in November it was about the 15,” Woods said.

“You could tell he had lost a lot. So we’re really talking about how to train [Christopher] to where we don’t over kick him because he will wear out because the Rat Line is taxing on him. We hope he doesn’t let the Rat Line be too big of an effect on him.

“You never can anticipate. Some kids move through the Rat Line just fine and there’s no effect. For some it really has a wearing effect. I worry a little bit about a kicker because a lot of time you lose weight and you’re tired. That’s why I think we need to be smart how we train him. We actually need to train him less than you normally would because we need some gas in the tank when we get down to the end of the season.”

Meanwhile, the other top name among VMI’s freshman crop, quarterback Al Cobb of Pulaski, Tenn., figures to redshirt this season behind four-year starter Kordenbrock and senior backup A.J. Augustine.

“I don’t plan to redshirt him, but it probably will happen,” Woods said of Cobb, who accounted for 55 touchdowns last fall in high school. “What [Cobb] has comprehended has been impressive to me.”

Ziglar turning heads

Derrick Ziglar, a redshirt sophomore tailback from Martinsville, is currently listed as the No. 1 tailback on the depth chart ahead of last year’s leading rusher, junior Jabari Turner.

“I think right now if we started today he would be our starting tailback,” said Woods, noting that Turner is nursing a slight shoulder injury.

Ziglar, a bruising 5-foot-9, 230-pounder, carried 68 times for 239 yards and caught 18 passes for 116 yards last season.

“Derrick Ziglar wasn’t here all summer but he came back looking better than I’ve ever seen him run,” Kordenbrock said. “He’s a big guy who can move, he can block, he can do everything you need. Meanwhile, Jabari was down here all summer and he’s running faster, catching balls better. I like the combination of those two.”

Blindside-blocker issue

Emanuel Cooper, who is slated to be the starting left offensive tackle, was wearing a boot Friday. The 6-5, 293-pound Cooper has been slowed by lower-leg pain.

“He still wants to play, but he just wants it to stop hurting some,” Woods said. “I would think he would play on it if it’s not too sore. It’s an important position.”

Iyan Roseborough, a 6-3, 325-pound redshirt freshman, is taking first-team reps in Cooper’s absence. “I think [Roseborough] could be a decent player there,” Woods said. “I wish we had both of them. Maybe. We’ll see.”

Secondary motion

Senior cornerback Mike Smith was wearing a black rubber bracelet Friday inscribed with the words “VMI No Fly Zone.”

“We’ve got a good secondary group coming in, we’re real strong,” Smith said. “We’re ready. We’re not letting any passes land back there. So No Fly Zone, that’s our motto this year and we’re just living by that.”

Bridge off squad

Woods said that wide receiver Dexter Bridge is no longer in the program. Bridge, who caught 35 passes for 389 yards and four touchdowns the past two years, was suspended last spring “for demerits.”

Bridge, who would have been a junior this season, could return, Woods said. “It would be like a redshirt year for him if he does.”

Weather Journal

1 hour ago

1. 'Best defense in nation,' Tech player says about victory over ECU 

2. One person injured in Friday night shooting in Roanoke

3. Lowe's tapes may hold clues to Roanoke woman's death

4. Britney Spears spotted at Lynchburg restaurant

5. William Byrd stuns Salem in football win

6. East Carolina poses new challenge for Virginia Tech football 

7. Concert review: Timeless Willie Nelson plays to appreciative crowd

8. Blacksburg lawyer Painter’s bond revoked

9. History says this one will matter for Virginia Tech

10. Roanoke County electrical short quiets 5 Wheeler radio stations