Frank Beamer Clarifies the Running Back Rotation

During Monday afternoon's press conference, Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer discussed what the Hokies' running back rotation will look like against North Carolina. With former Co-No. 1 tailback Shai McKenzie out for the season with a torn ACL, Tech will take advantage of its running back depth to get touches along with Juice Williams.

"No, I think Trey will get in there and get more carries. You know, J.C., Joel Caleb did a nice job when he got in there the other day, we'll see where that practice goes. I think Sam Rogers is a guy that, he does everything. You know, he's got one of the best set of hands on the team, he blocks for those tailbacks, he ran one time the other day for about six yards, I think it was. And he's just a football player, he's just all football player. So I think we'll see him in the mix some too."

Indeed, Rogers did have a six-yard gain against Western Michigan last Saturday.

Rogers is more often targeted as a receiver out the backfield (8 catches for 56 yards in 2014), than he's called upon to pound the rock (2 rushes, 23 yards).

Tech's latest depth chart, released today, lists Marshawn Williams as the starting tailback, Trey Edmunds as the backup and J.C. Coleman or Joel Caleb as the third man up. Fan favorite, and savage blocker, Sam Rogers is the still listed as the No. 1 fullback.

Against the Broncos, Marshawn Williams rushed for 119 yards on 14 carries (8.5 ypc). Joel Caleb got the final four carries on Tech's last drive of the game. His 45 yards and first down ran out the clock for the Hokies. Trey Edmunds added 22 yards on 3 touches and J.C. Coleman chipped in a yard on his only touch.

Beamer added Edmunds looked like the "old guy", or the one that rushed 41 times for 228 yards and 5 scores in Tech's final three games of the 2013 regular season before he broke his left tibia during the Virginia game.