For the second year in a row, there is a lot of player turnover at the inside
linebacker position. Xavier Adibi and Vince Hall departed following the 2007
season, while Purnell Sturdivant and Brett Warren were seniors in 2008. The whip
linebacker spot is in capable hands, but the inside spots will fall to a couple
of inexperienced sophomores who are backed up by players with even less
experience.

Last year the Hokies had two seniors in Sturdivant and Warren, who had been
in the system and didn’t require much adjustment period as new starters. Things
will be different this year, with Barquell Rivers and Jake Johnson combining for
one career start and 11 tackles.

There is a lot of youth at the inside linebacker positions, though there is
talent there. The whip position features two very good co-starters in Cam Martin
and Cody Grimm, as well as young talent behind them providing depth.

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