Virginia Tech has had the luxury of working with a fairly stable group of returnees each spring in recent years, but not so much this time.
Especially on defense, the Hokies have some key holes to fill, and they also have a big question on offense after the abrupt departure of running back Branden Ore.
They also may have an issue at quarterback, where the incumbent starter, Sean Glennon, raised some doubts about his playmaking ability in big games by throwing two interceptions in the Orange Bowl loss to Kansas.
Glennon and Tyrod Taylor, a true freshman, shared the job in 2007, but Taylor could be ready to assume a bigger role in 2008.
As many as five candidates look to compete for the tailback job, headed by junior Kenny Lewis. He ran for 205 yards and scored four touchdowns last fall. Another junior, Jahre Cheeseman, redshirt freshmen Josh Oglesby and Darren Evans, and true freshman Ryan Williams also are in the picture.
But the big rebuilding job for the Hokies is on defense. Gone are starters like defensive end Chris Ellis, tackles Carlton Powell and Barry Booker, linebackers Vince Hall and Xavier Adibi, and cornerback Brandon Flowers.
In their place?
Only a couple of strong candidates appear at this point.
Rashard Carmichael, Stephen Virgil and Chris Hill are possibilities in the secondary to line up with returning starters Macho Harris and Kam Chancellor.
Seniors Brett Warren and Purnell Sturdivant backed up Hall and Adibi, but the competition there and up front is virtually wide open.
The spring game will be April 19.
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ACC Championships for the softball team. They are headed to Knoxville to play Louisville first game. Good luck to them. This could be a chance for VT to get a National Championship with Angela Tincher pitching. Good luck Hokies!
I want to know what you guys think. I know athletically he is.. last year he only had a few blown assignments... another year under his belt will correct those mistakes. Part of the reason he gambled so much is cause they hardly ever threw at him... trust me there was a reason B. Flowers had that many pass break ups. With his return skillz i think Macho is the most exciting player in the Nation th
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Encouraging news from spring game. Walk-on Brandon Dillard looks good. Lots of speed. Macho said blaa-ziin speed. Rushed for 46 yards, caught a TD, and did kick off returns. Good new for filling in one of those WR spots. Another example, we can retool not rebuild. We'll be in the hunt for the ACC championship again!
ncaa rules don't allow him to transfer to a d-1 or 1-aa school so it looks like he will be joining his cousin, who is an all-american cornerback, at west liberty state
scouts believe he is still a top 150 pick in the 09 draft so i think he still has his chance if he keeps level headed
The Women's outdoor track and field won another ACC Championship for VT. I think the school already has more than UVa does in just 4 years in the ACC in all sports. Congratulations Hokies!
LETS GO HOKIES!
tyrod taylor has a sprained foot and is listed as doubtful for the spring game
kenny lewis has a torn labrum in his shoulder and is out 4-6 months, was going to be our starter/#2 (depending on Williams) but now he will not be back until mid august or halfway through the season
This season looks like a winner, I cant wait to get back Lane Stadium with the crushing tackles and sick interceptions.
I just wish we had the arch rival WVpUke to play, I love how much smack talk there was and the games had so much passion in them. Not much rivalry this year accept the newest which I will call "The Battle For the Potomac UMD vs. VT". And of course UVA a
Yeah, there are a bunch of hillbillies talking trash on the WV football message board about VT, UMD, and LSU. Join us to battle back vs WV. The message board is called, "HAHAHA West Virginia read this bamaz." It goes a little bit like that. They called VT fans white trash. They called MD fans a bunch of crap. Let's go!!!!
