Hokies Traveling Squad, Depth Chart Set for ECU

Game week is finally here. Following the final scrimmage on Friday, the
Virginia Tech coaching staff evaluated their players, set a new depth chart, and
decided which of the true freshmen will dress out for the ECU game. There’s also
the question of who will start at quarterback, and how playing time at that
position will be handled.

Traveling True Freshmen

The Hokies will take 10 true freshmen to Charlotte. Not all of them are
guaranteed to play. Here is a list of first year players who will be making the
trip.

The coaching staff really wants to redshirt Eddie Whitley, but his play in
all of the scrimmages make him look like the third best cornerback on the team,
though he’s still technically #3 at field corner behind Stephan Virgil and Cris
Hill. It looks like he’ll be tough to keep off the field this year. Bruce Taylor
has been moved to defensive end. He should see action as the #5 defensive end,
as well as special teams.

At this point, we are 100% certain that all three wide receivers will play.
Dyrell Roberts, Xavier Boyce and Jarrett Boykin will all receive heavy playing
time this season. Tailback Ryan Williams will play as well, though he will
probably be very limited on Saturday. Expect to see his playing time increase as
the season moves forward and he grows more comfortable in the offense.

It appears that Jake Johnson and Quillie Odom will play. Odom is a very
talented player, and he must get some game experience this year, because he’ll
probably be called upon to start at backer next season. Johnson could also
battle for the starting mike spot next year, so it’s important to get him some
game action as well.

Lorenzo Williams is a physical specimen at free safety. Although he’d
probably give way to Dorian Porch or Davon Morgan if Kam Chancellor went down
with an injury, he can contribute a lot on special teams this year. If
Chancellor leaves early for the NFL, Williams might find himself starting next
year. Like Jake Johnson and Quillie Odom, it’s important to get him reps.

Also, if Eddie Whitley continues his progression, he could find himself vying
for a starting role next year as well. It’s important to get these guys some
playing time this season.

Justin Myer is a walk-on kicker who will be handling the kickoff duties.

For a time, Tech thought Antoine Hopkins would be the #4 defensive tackle, but
it appears he’ll redshirt now. Great things are expected of Hopkins, but he is
overweight at 305 and need time to adjust to the college game. Highly-touted
recruit Vinston Painter will redshirt as well.

Jeron Goeveia-Winslow played very well at rover in August, but the Hokies
have so much depth at that position that he isn’t needed. Alonzo Tweedy has been
mentioned as a possibility for special teams play, but he is not included on the
dress list for the ECU game.

The Quarterbacks

As of this writing, Virginia Tech has not announced a starting quarterback,
and don’t expect Frank Beamer to do so at all this week. The Hokies will want
East Carolina to have to prepare for both Sean Glennon and Tyrod Taylor this
week. The Pirates won’t be able to spend all their time preparing for a pocket
quarterback, nor will they be able to dedicate themselves to stopping the
dynamic Tyrod Taylor. They’ll go into Saturday’s game expecting to face both
players.

Glennon and Taylor battled equally throughout the month of August. Taylor
probably had the edge in scrimmage #2, while Glennon was better in scrimmage #3.
In the end, they both finished exactly where we expected them to, tied atop the
depth chart.

According to quarterbacks coach Mike O’Cain, all options are still on the
table. That includes redshirting Taylor. We’ll have to wait until Saturday to
find out exactly what will happen. It doesn’t seem likely that Frank Beamer will
release any more info this week.

The Running Backs

There were some significant changes at tailback on the depth chart following
Friday’s scrimmage. Kenny Lewis remains the starter, but r-freshmen Darren Evans
and Josh Oglesby have been elevated to co-number two. Oglesby has been very good
since the start of practice, and Evans has looked like the best back on the team
over the past week.

Jahre Cheeseman, who it appears still isn’t 100% after breaking his leg in
the spring, is #4 on the depth chart. True freshman Ryan Williams is #5.

It will be interesting to see who gets the majority of reps at tailback
against ECU. A possibility is the top three backs all getting carries, with
Darren Evans getting the most touches. At this point, Evans and Oglesby look the
most dangerous with the ball in their hands, and their pass blocking has been
good.

The Fourth Defensive Tackle

Charley Wiles tried to give true freshman Antoine Hopkins a chance to win
this spot, but in the end, Hopkins is a year away from being ready. Instead,
r-freshman Justin Young has won the position. He and Demetrius Taylor will
backup starters John Graves and Cordarrow Thompson on Saturday.

Another r-freshman, Kwaimaine Battle, will serve as the #5 defensive tackle.
Obviously neither Young nor Battle has seen action in a college game. Taylor has
never seen action in a game as a defensive tackle. Tech is very young at this
position.