After several years of veteran play, the Tech linebacker corps must undergo a bit of a youth movement for the upcoming season.
Redshirt seniors-to-be Cody Grimm and Cam Martin return for the 2009 campaign to man the whip linebacker position, but less experienced individuals will be tasked with filling the void left in the middle by graduating seniors Brett Warren and Purnell Sturdivant.
Redshirt sophomore Barquell Rivers possesses the inside track for the mike linebacker position vacated by Warren.
Rivers started for the Hokies in the Orange Bowl victory after Warren tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee. The Wadesboro, N.C., native came up big with a key goal line stop in the fourth quarter against Cincinnati.
Despite the start and his current status as the starting mike linebacker on the spring practice roster, Rivers realizes he needs to work hard or he may lose his spot to backup and redshirt freshman Bruce Taylor.
"I still have to prove myself a lot because one start (in the Orange Bowl) doesn't mean anything," Rivers said. "I have to go out and study more film, come out and work hard at practice in the spring and summer. (I need to) do the extra things that will help me get better."
Defensive coordinator Bud Foster understands that Rivers is taking over for a guy that recorded 71 tackles, 14 tackles-for-loss and 7.5 sacks.
"He played well in the Orange Bowl, but he's got to replace a pretty good football player," Foster said. "We went back and did all of our self-scouting and looked at ourselves and saw that Brett Warren was a tackling machine. We didn't do him justice. The guy was all over the place...
"But Barquell is a good football player. I'd like to see him do things a little bit faster, but that just comes with more reps."
Alongside Rivers, a fierce competition for the starting backer position will continue through the spring.
Future sophomores Jake Johnson and Quillie Odom are battling for that starting spot, but Johnson currently sits atop the depth chart.
"Spring practice is intense. They just kind of threw us out there in the fire, so we've got to do everything," Odom said. "We've got to take a lot in at one time. It's intense and that's how it's going to be during the game, so I'm ready for it."
Hailing from Manassas, Va., Odom saw limited action in his initial season as a Hokie, participating in seven games.
"I've been just trying to get into the film room as much as possible. That's the key - to watch film, get in there and get all the plays down because coverage is a big thing in this defense," Odom said.
With all of the youth set to play at linebacker in the fall, the potential starters have taken the time to learn from recent Hokie greats.
"We've watched some of the old practices from last season (and) Xavier Adibi, Vince Hall. We've watched some of those guys and their technique, and it helps us with our technique," Odom said.
Since the linebacker position has produced so much talent in recent years, Foster believes the new players have plenty to live up to.
"We have a certain level of expectation," he said. "We've developed a tradition of linebackersb and I expect them to play that way. They have to uphold that deal, and I think they want to. You can tell by their attitude and their attention in meetings and their work ethic on the field."
The new players certainly realize this recent tradition. That, along with the many returning starters, means the pressure will be on the likes of Odom, Rivers and Johnson to play their position well and help maintain Tech's status as one of the nation's top defenses.
"There's obviously pressure, just a little bit," Odom said. "As far as living up to them, I just want to be able to get in there and do my part for the team. That's most important - just be able to do my part to not let the team down. So, I'm trying to learn my part and learn everything I can in the film room."
Foster said that the inside linebacker situation won't be fully settled once spring practice concludes. However, he is happy with progress being made by his potential starters.
"It's a good start for us," Foster said. "I'm pleased so far. Is it where we want to be? No. But I like their work ethic and attitude."