Ask A Blogger Series: VTechFanBlog Talks Virginia Tech Spring Football

It’s time to check in on the Virginia Tech Hokies. Let’s get right into @HokieGuru’s piece.

Past Ask A Blogger – ACC Spring Football Reports

 North Carolina | Duke | Miami | Maryland | Virginia | Georgia Tech

Good evening from @HokieGuru.  I’m here today to discuss the ACC spring football practice with each bloggers from each of the 12 Atlantic Coast Conference teams.  What follows is our interview with @VTechFanBlog.   Justin Clark is a Radford University student studying Advertising and Media Studies.  He is an avid Hokie fan and blogger that has been writing for Virginia Tech Fan since December of 2009.  He is here to discuss Virginia Tech football.  Our interview is below:

@HokieGuru:  Now, we know the Virginia Tech spring football game was cancelled, but that didn’t stop how well the team was received – tell us about some of the experiences of Hokies’ football spring game weekend.

@VTechFanBlog:  Well, the game obviously didn’t turn out as planned but it was a very successful week on the recruiting trail.  The Tech coaching staff grabbed seven commitments that day and wrapped up their quarterback recruiting for the year with commitments from 4 star Bucky Hodges and 3 star Carlis Parker.  Overall, it was a successful weekend even though there was no actual spring game.  

@HokieGuru: What are some of the major strengths coming out of spring practice?

 @VTechFanBlog: I think you would have to look at the defensive line first.  I mean, we subbed in our 2nd string and ran them against our first string offensive line and there was little to no dropoff.  When you look back to the great defenses under Bud Foster since 1999, they’ve all been deep on the defensive line.  In 2005, we had nine guys who we could sub in-and-out.  In 2007, we had Chris Ellis starting with a guy named Jason Worilds backing him up.  When we can rotate guys in-and-out and keep our starters fresh for the 4th quarter, it normally spells doom for the other team.  I think we’ll have that capability this fall.

@HokieGuru: What are some of the major weaknesses coming out of spring practice?  In other words, what do you think Virginia Tech will be working on in August before the first game?  What are the questions that you think have to be resolved?

@VTechFanBlog: I think there’s quite a few that need resolving but some of that stems from us not having a final spring game to assess where everybody was at.  I think the biggest concern is the offensive line.  However, we do have two seniors, two juniors, and a very talented sophomore starting this year.  It’s not the most experienced group but it’s one of the more talented groups that we’ve had over the past ten years.  But, my biggest concern there is quality depth.  I’ll discuss that in more detail in a bit.  

Another concern for me is the wide receivers.  Losing Jarrett Boykin and Danny Coale will hurt through the first four games until Logan Thomas can develop a report with Marcus Davis, DJ Coles, and Dyrell Roberts.  Also, we’re still searching for a fourth wide receiver behind those guys.  Both Corey Fuller and Demetri Knowles were too inconsistent this spring to have sole possession of that spot heading into the summer.  

Also, I think we need to iron out our special teams.  Conor Goulding went 3-3 during the final scrimmage but I still don’t have a lot of faith in him if he needs to hit a 45 yarder in the final seconds against Georgia Tech.  I like Michael Branthover at punter but he just needs to improve his consistency.  He has a big leg but he still hits a few too many 30 yard flubs.  

@HokieGuru: Fall will be here before we know it – what position concerns you the most?

@VTechFanBlog:  I think you have to go with the offensive line just because we don’t have a lot of valuable depth there.  I do like our starting five but after that we would almost just have to start plugging leaks.  Michael Via should return this summer from offseason surgery and his versatility will be helpful now that he won’t be required to start.  But, outside of him, you can make a case that we don’t have a true backup at tackle right now.  Mark Shuman is still a year away and I think Jake Goins would make a better guard at this point.  That could be a major concern heading into 2013 as well.  

@HokieGuru: Who are the new recruits that you are impressed with the most?  Are there any that you think will get some major playing time right away?

@VTechFanBlog: Well, 4 star running back JC Coleman and 4 star CB Donaldven Manning (pronounced like “Donovan”) are the two obvious ones.  They both enrolled in January and went through the spring practice sessions.  Coleman will be one of our backups at running back more than likely and Manning will be our primary backup at cornerback.  

Outside of those two, I think Joel Caleb at wide receiver will get a long look this fall.  We still don’t have a 4th receiver as I eluded too earlier so he’ll have a shot.  Also, I think a recruit like Trey Edmunds will be thrown into the mix at running back as well.  He’s a big body guy who could switch over to linebacker if he can’t pass JC Coleman on the depth chart.  Lastly, I wouldn’t be shocked if Davion Tookes spurned a redshirt year and played.  At this point, we only have three scholarship cornerbacks on roster.  I would think if he shows some ability, he would at least travel with the team.  

@HokieGuru: Based on what you saw/read from spring practice, do you think Virginia Tech will be better than last year?  Why or why not?

@VTechFanBlog: I think we’ll be a more complete team then we were last season.  I think we have a budding superstar in Logan Thomas at quarterback, I think we have a few NFL draft picks on the offensive line, and I think our defense will keep us in every game this fall.  But, like every other year it will come down to a couple games on our schedule.  If we catch some lucky breaks (and God knows we’re due for a few) I think this could be a special year.  But, record wise I think 10-2 is probably a safe bet right now.  Our schedule is fairly brutal when you break it down.  

@HokieGuru: Give us the pulse of the Virginia Tech football program – what are the Hokies bloggers/fans thinking right now on the status of the program?

@VTechFanBlog: I think the morale is fairly high, especially now that we’re beginning to recruit like we should be able to.  Shane Beamer has definitely won the hearts of the fans so far and I think the added wrinkles this spring to our offense as well as the resurgence from our defense has Tech fans thinking about another January bowl trip.  

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