Hokies Anxious, Excited For Spring Football Full of Questions

Between assembling a coaching staff and putting the finishing touches on his first recruiting class, Justin Fuente's been a busy man since arriving in Blacksburg last November. But after an offseason full of change, Fuente's pretty darn excited to get back to what he does best — coaching football.

"We've done a lot of things here in the last several months, and none of it is coach football," laughed Fuente. "The chance to finally hang a whistle around your neck and get out there...I've said many times, this is the best time of year to be a football coach."

Practice number one of 15 will commence tomorrow evening, the first in a series of Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday workouts leading up to the annual Spring Game on April 23. And with the departure of senior quarterback Michael Brewer, there's no shortage of questions surrounding the Hokies, perhaps none more discussed than the five-way quarterback competition being hosted by new offensive coordinator Brad Cornelsen.

Incoming junior college transfer Jerod Evans may be the odds-on favorite to win the job, but Brenden Motley, Dwayne Lawson, Josh Jackson and Jack Click all promise to remain heavily involved in the quarterback picture throughout the spring and summer. It'll be a day-by-day process, Cornelsen says, a continuous evaluation of all five signal-callers as the Hokies progress through the spring.

"It'll be something we evaluate day-to-day," said Cornelsen. "Those guys know and have known they're being evaluated all offseason. All those guys will gets reps to start out with and as guys deserve more or deserve less, we'll adjust accordingly."

One name notably left out of the discussion is Chris Durkin, the Hokies' latest quarterback-turned-tight-end who Cornelsen seemed high on Monday.

"Durkin's done a nice job jumping into the tight end spot," said Cornelsen. "He's learning a new position and that's a position that involves a lot. Those guys gotta be pretty smart, gotta be pretty versatile. We're excited about him. He's really gone to work. He's excited, I think embraced the move."

Shuffling in the Secondary

Torrian Gray might be long gone, but the former Dean of DBU's beloved spring secondary shuffle doesn't seem to be going anywhere. This year's mix-up, highlighted by the shift of Adonis Alexander to corner and Mook Reynolds to safety, promises to provide plenty of intrigue throughout the spring.

"Chuck Clark will start at safety. Backing him up will be Mook Reynolds, but Mook will also be working at nickel," said defensive coordinator Bud Foster. "We've moved Terrell Edmunds to rover. He could play corner as well, but he's gonna play safety...Right now, our field corner is gonna be Greg Stroman...And then Adonis Alexander will be at our boundary corner...We're a little thin on the back end there particularly at corner, but that's OK. I think Greg and Adonis need as much work as they can get. Guys are extremely talented but really haven't played a lot of corner. It's gonna be a big spring for those guys."

Foster has split up the coaching responsibilities in the secondary — Brian Mitchell will handle the corners, Galen Scott the safeties. Each brings experience as a Division 1 defensive coordinator to the table, something Foster believes should bode well for the Hokies down the road.

"I want those guys to think as coordinators," said Foster. "(Memphis) ran a similar defense as ours but also adjusted to an odd front a little bit. That's gonna be some good input when it's all said and done. Not that we're gonna change, but we're always looking to tweak things and do things a little bit differently or better and improve."

Cornelsen on Offensive Personnel

Wide receiver depth has been a highly-discussed topic in Blacksburg since the arrival of Fuente and his prolific up-tempo offense. Returning starters Isaiah Ford and Cam Phillips will no doubt be dangerous weapons in Cornelsen's arsenal, but identifying depth is high on the to-do list for the Hokies' new offensive coaching staff.

"They probably have the least experience out of any of the groups," said Cornelsen of the receivers. "We've got young guys, guys that haven't played much. All those guys, it's new to all of them. It's a balance between getting our system installed and trying to give those guys a chance to show us what they can do."

At running back, the Hokies return Travon McMillian and Sam Rogers but are without the services of the departed Trey Edmunds. Shai McKenzie and Marshawn Williams also remain intriguing prospects, but a flurry of knee injuries have tempered expectations for each back over the past 12 months. McKenzie has been a full participant in the Hokies' spring workouts, a positive sign for the former four-star recruit that showed limitless potential early in his freshman campaign.

"We're anxious to get him out there and let him go compete with those other backs and see where he's at," said Fuente of McKenzie. "He's been fine in terms of health out there running around. He's been a part of everything we've done this offseason and I think anxious to practice."

The prognosis on Williams is far less reassuring.

"I don't know that we're gonna get much out of him (in the spring). He's still got a ways to go," said Cornelsen.

Foster and Wiles Searching for Depth at Defensive End

The Hokies will be without Corey Marshall, Dadi Nicolas and Luther Maddy up-front this spring, leaving just Ken Ekanem as the defensive line's lone returning starter. Plenty of talent remains — Vinny Mihota, Woody Baron, and Nigel Williams all contributed a season ago — but the Hokies' second group at defensive end is youthful and unproven.

"We're as green as green can be at our end spot," joked Foster.

There's no lack of young prospects, though, perhaps none more intriguing to the Hokies' longtime defensive coordinator than redshirt freshman Trevon Hill.

"I've noticed some things with (Trevon) with his explosiveness and quickness and get-off that excites me," said Foster. "The same things with (Houshun) Gaines. Those two kids, they give me, without any pads on right now...you see some get-off or some quickness and twitch which that position needs."

It's a vastly different story on the interior where the Hokies have a wealth of riches at defensive tackle. Woody Baron and Nigel Williams are the seasoned veterans, but they'll be challenged throughout the spring by Ricky Walker and Steve Sobczak. The elephant in the room, of course, is redshirt freshman Tim Settle, a former five-star recruit who failed to crack the two-deep a year ago but promises to be a player to watch this spring.

"Tim's a big body just in general. I mean he's got big joints, big knees, big elbows," said Foster. "I don't think he's gonna be a guy that's gonna be a 310 pounder, but he has worked to drop his weight. I think he can still drop a little bit more and he's working with our dietician and with the strength coach. We'd like him to drop. It's not gonna happen overnight. He's gotta be disciplined and do some things. But he's working at that, which I'm really proud of him for...He's a guy that we're counting on. He's gonna get a lot of work this spring."

Additional Quotes

Justin Fuente

ON WHAT HE WANTS TO ACCOMPLISH DURING SPRING PRACTICE:

"Obviously there's base installation in all three phases of the game...Player identification and roles. One of our goals for for our kids for them to identify themselves. They're auditioning for roles, whether it be on special teams or the starting middle linebacker or starting quarterback or backup...For our kids to identify themselves, for us to do a great job of evaluating those things. I think as a team, we've gotta learn how to practice and how we're going to practice. That's no small feat. I would imagine for the past several years, they've had very crisp, clean, good practices. I just wanna make sure that we're on the same page with what tempo we're operating at. That's a major part of us. Continuing to instill our foundation and mindset and how we want the program to go forward big-picture wise. And also to facilitate leadership and develop young players. Kind of a wide-ranging set of parameters there, but we've got a lot to do."

ON IF THE 5:30 AM WORKOUTS WERE A SUCCESS:

"It'll be interesting to hear what the kids would say. I thought the kids attacked them pretty well, did a good job...I like the way the kids went about their business, the way they worked. I'm cautiously optimistic that they understood the tempo and the level of toughness we're gonna need to live up to the standards that have been set here before us."

ON THE QB COMPETITION:

"Those guys will earn the reps. It'll be pretty easy to taper them to the guys that perform the best and have the best knowledge base. We've done it like that before. I think they all deserve an opportunity. That being said, guys will earn more reps starting from the first day. As those guys display knowledge base and an ability to execute the average play on a consistent basis, those reps will increase for them and decrease for others."

ON LACK OF DEPTH AT WR:

"We'll have to adjust things to what we have. That's what coaching is. Does us no good to try to force square pegs in round holes. We're gonna have three true freshman wide receivers out there competing. Not just the system is new, but college football is new to those guys. Their development will be key along with the development of the other older guys. Not particularly deep there, so we'll have to as we go through it determine which guys are ready to go now and what they can do and also compare that against the other skill groups. Maybe it's not 3 wide receivers, maybe it's two running backs or two tight ends. Whatever road we may go down based on our evaluation. That's why we're so anxious to get on the field. It's one thing to run around out here in shorts at 5:30 in the morning trying to figure out who's a really good football player. It's another thing to go play the game and then try to figure it out from there. I think that's part of the reason we're so anxious to get out there."

ON TALKING TO BUCKY ABOUT STAYING AND HODGES' ROLE THIS YEAR:

"I didn't do much to dovetail off of there. I didn't feel like that was my role. I did inform him of what it would be like if he came back. To Bucky's credit, he went off and went home over break and I think met with the people that he knew were close to him and made the decision to return. But I think he'll have a big spring. He's had a great offseason so far. Been really, really working hard out there. Been really impressed with his work ethic thus far. But, yeah, we'll have to figure out what he can do, what he can't do, what we can improve as we move along in terms of whether he's playing on the line of scrimmage or split out...And also not overloading. I think you can paralyze players if you ask too much of them too early. Trying to find that correct balance in his development I think will be important."

ON HIS STAFF'S CHEMISTRY:

"Just from what I've taken from them, seeing them interact in the office and socially, I think it's a bunch of like-minded individuals. I feel like I have a decent feel for people and I think I have a pretty good feel for our staff right now. It's pretty positive. I'm sure there's no subject for actually being in the line of fire, and games and going through preparations and going through the ups and downs of a season...there's no simulation for that. But I don't have any doubt that these guys have gelled together...Of all my concerns, that's the least one on my mind right now."

Bud Foster

ON ADDITIONS TO HIS STAFF:

"Number one, I'm really excited about our staff, particularly in the secondary. We've got new guys there. We have split the secondary up. Galen Scott will work with our safeties as well as our whip and nickel. Cody Grimm will be working that as well...The one thing I like about Galen is he's a guy that comes with a lot of knowledge. He's been a coordinator. I like that. A guy that's worn my shoes, so to speak...I want those guys to think as coordinators and they've ran a similar defense as ours but also adjusted to an odd front a little bit. That's gonna be some good input when it's all said and done. Not that we're gonna change, but we're always looking to tweak things and do things a little bit differently or better and improve. Coach Mitchell will coach our corners which I really felt like that that's a position where we need to improve. I think our corner play being consistently good, we've got some young guys. And then our defensive end play. Having a guy with the experience that Coach Mitchell brings...again, he's a guy that was a coordinator which I really like again. That mindset. He's been a corners guy the majority of his time. I think you'll see some different techniques and more techniques and different man things. You can only play man, there's only one, inside (or) outside leverage. But there's different techniques to play. That's something you'll see us do a little bit more of. He brings his expertise on that part of it. That's how we'll split that up."

ON THE WHIP POSITION:

"We've moved Anthony Shegog to our whip linebacker spot. Mook Reynolds is working at our nickel spot. I'm not for sure Anthony can't do both. We're gonna give him that look."

ON VINNY MIHOTA PLAYING DEFENSIVE END OR DEFENSIVE TACKLE:

"He probably would be more suited to play defensive tackle, but at the same time, he plays so hard. He's a smart kid. You want him on the field at some spot. Right now, putting our top four out there, he's probably one of those top four right now. He did a nice job last fall and is only gonna continue to get better. For all those guys that played last year for whatever reason, whether it was injury purposes or whatnot, experience is the best teacher...You see a little bit more self-confidence.

ON THE DEFENSIVE END POSITION:

"Our end position with the way offenses are with the spread offense and running the quarterback...that position's a little bit different than it used to be...These offenses are designed to try to slow your ends down. We're always trying to find ways to get them to play faster. With that being said, the techniques and things haven't changed, but how you read things and what you're anticipating and playing certain plays, we'd like to get them to play a little faster. With that being said, with young players, we need to grow up in a hurry. We need to have a great 15 days, and then I'd like to start back over again probably right after that."

ON BACKUP BACKER JAMIEON MOSS:

"Jamieon really excelled for us on special teams last year. He's a junior that's a guy that I feel like is ready to take that next step. Just some things that we've done with the early installation and early morning workouts, we've done a couple little football things, but more from a mental standpoint, I like where he is right now. He should be ready to challenge."

ON HIS EXPECTATIONS HEADING INTO THIS YEAR:

"I'll say this: our expectations are not gonna change. We expect to be the best. That's not gonna happen every year, but if we don't set high goals and demand high standards, you won't ever get to that point. I think with the potential that we have here offensively whether it's next year or down the road, if we can continue to play the type of defense that we've played consistently over the years, I like the potential of this football program...But with that said, we've got a lot of work to do."

ON HAVING CODY GRIMM AS A GRADUATE ASSISTANT:

"They understand the expectations. They understand the culture...They know our work ethic. It's good to have a guy that's also played in the league...He's had success because he's had to earn it. That's what this program's been all about. He was a walk-on kid that earned a scholarship that ended up being captain of the football team and playing in the NFL."

Brad Cornelsen

ON ROLE OF BUCKY HODGES:

"Bucky gives you some depth. Obviously he's a guy that you've gotta use out there. He gives you some depth at tight end and receiver because you can move him around. He's such a talented kid. He's big and can run. Has some receiver instincts, some receiver skills for being a big guy that's played tight end. We'll definitely use him a lot of different ways."

ON MENTALITY HEADING INTO SPRING PRACTICE:

"We're gonna move slow this spring. It's one thing if you just got a certain position group that's learning and that's got new guys. For us, it's everybody. We're gonna start pretty slow and move as we feel like we're ready to move."

ON DEPTH AT RUNNING BACK::

"Travon and Sam, those are really the only two guys back that have played much, certainly last season. It's gonna be a big spring for the rest of those guys trying to figure out what we have. I think there's some talent there behind those two guys that we've gotta get something out of those guys and develop...It's a little bit of an unknown."

ON HAVING 4 STARTERS BACK ON THE OFFENSIVE LINE:

"I think it's the same for all the positions. You certainly value the experience that those guys have gotten up to this point and it'll help, but regardless of whether it's a new staff or not, you get to spring ball and it's new competition. It's new competition every day, every week, off-season, in-season. It's competitive every day that they show up here. It's a good group. I think there's some depth there. Be excited to do what they can do this spring."

ON SHUFFLING THE STARTING OL:

"We've been mixing those guys through for good reason. Keep those guys on the edge of your seat. Get young guys reps. You want them thinking they could be in there with the first team. I think it helps those guys everyday in practice, it adds a little something to them too."

ON JEROD EVANS AND THE BENEFITS OF HIM ENROLLING EARLY:

"It's been good. It was big for him to get here early. He's certainly been hungry and has put a lot of extra time digging into the playbook, making sure he knows what to do. Been pleased with all those quarterbacks and the amount of time they've put in. We're restricted obviously in the offseason with how much we can demand of them, but they're all excited. They're all looking forward to competing for that job."