Ike Whitaker arrived at Virginia Tech in the summer of 2005 with loads of potential. Most recruiting services, for what it’s worth, considered him to be one of the nation’s top 20 quarterback recruits. Since then, Whitaker’s potential has gone mostly unrealized, mainly because of his own mistakes. It’s unfortunate, because I’ve found Whitaker to be one of the more engaging players on the team, almost always friendly and smiling, at least in the few interactions I’ve had with him.

Whitaker’s career took another disappointing turn today, when Tech head coach Frank Beamer announced in a press release that he was suspending Whitaker, a fourth-year junior, for unspecified violations of team rules. Before I get into how this will affect the Hokies, let’s examine the balance, to this point, of Whitaker’s career ...

On the field, he has completed 10 of 16 passes for 119 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. He moved to wide receiver before last season. Playing behind four seniors, he had just three catches for 17 yards. But with this season came an opportunity for more playing time, especially when junior Brandon Dillard suffered a season-ending Achilles injury during the summer and when sophomore Zach Luckett was indefinitely suspended in August after being arrested for driving under the influence (Luckett got five days in jail for that and remains indefinitely suspended from the team).

Whitaker has failed to take advantage of this season’s opportunities. He had three catches for 14 yards in the season opener against East Carolina, but hasn’t caught a pass in four games since. He didn’t even play in two of those games, Georgia Tech and North Carolina, in part because he didn’t meet his responsibilities for meetings and study hall, Beamer said. Also, the improved play of true freshman Jarrett Boykin contributed to keeping Whitaker on the sideline.

Off the field, Whitaker was suspended for half of spring practice in 2006 after being arrested for underage possession of alcohol and destruction of property. In December of that year, he missed Tech’s bowl game and entered an in-patient alcohol rehab facility. He emerged from that ordeal intent on starting fresh (and in fairness to Whitaker, there is no reason to believe, at least based on today’s release, that alcohol contributed to his latest suspension). Whitaker did miss last season’s game at Clemson while dealing with a personal issue (unrelated to alcohol, he said, while declining to elaborate). He returned the next week.

Now, you have to wonder when—if at all—we will see him in a Tech uniform again.

***

OK, looking forward, the unexpected absence of three upperclass receivers—Dillard, Luckett and Whitaker—now leaves the Hokies with a stunning amount of youth at the position, though it’s not like Whitaker was a starter putting up huge numbers. Tech’s only scholarship receiver who isn’t a redshirt or true freshman is fifth-year senior Cory Holt, who recently moved from quarterback to receiver, where he previously dabbled. But he has not factored in at receiver this season.

Will Whitaker’s suspension mean more snaps on offense for cornerback Victor “Macho” Harris, the pride of Highland Springs High? Harris’ presence there has been limited this season (two catches, 8 yards), and he played no offense Saturday at Nebraska. This week’s game against Western Kentucky should provide more opportunities to experiment with Harris and other backup receivers. Remember, Tech has just one touchdown pass in five games this season, and tailback Kenny Lewis Jr. caught it.

Not counting Harris, the Hokies are down to three healthy receivers who have contributed this season (true freshman Xavier Boyce still is listed as the backup flanker, despite being sidelined with a left-knee injury that will require surgery and likely result in Boyce redshirting). Let’s take a look at the three receivers left standing ...

Danny Coale, redshirt freshman, split end—10 catches for 98 yards (most catches on team) ...
East Carolina: 2-15
Furman:—
Georgia Tech: 2-15
North Carolina: 4-54
Nebraska: 2-14

Jarrett Boykin, true freshman, split end—five catches for 94 yards ...
East Carolina:—
Furman: 1-3
Georgia Tech:—
North Carolina: 2-33
Nebraska: 2-58

Dyrell Roberts, true freshman, flanker—seven catches for 131 yards (most receiving yards on team) ...
East Carolina: 1-62
Furman: 2-24
Georgia Tech: 2-18
North Carolina: 1-15
Nebraska: 1-12

Posted by Darryl Slater in • College Sports • Virginia Tech
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