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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