The Virginia Tech offensive line will be without its 2008 leader as it marches into the upcoming season.
Center Ryan Shuman, an Iron Hokie in the weight room and Tech's three-year starter at center, will certainly be missed by the players who battled in the trenches alongside him over the past few years.
But that's not to say the Hokies have any worries about the condition of the offensive line for this season. On a team that will see most of its starters on offense returning, the line has no doubt it will be able to open up some gaping holes to better aid Tech's potent running game.
As for the graduated Shuman's replacement, it appears as if Beau Warren will be the man snapping Tyrod Taylor the ball come fall. The redshirt sophomore has impressed both coaches and his fellow linemen with his workouts in the spring.
"Beau's really stepped in," said left tackle Ed Wang. "He's started a couple games last year, and we have all the confidence in the world in him. He's the type of player we feel can fit in really well."
He'll have to. The Hokies have a strong backfield with the likes of record-setting freshman Darren Evans, redshirt freshman Ryan Williams, Josh Oglesby and newcomer David Wilson lining up behind the dual-threat quarterback of Taylor.
"The offensive line just goes out there and does their job," said right tackle Blake DeChristopher. "We'll need these young guys to step up and learn the plays so we can keep pushing and get better. So far they're doing it."
They are young, but game tested. The offensive front has six underclassmen competing for a starting job during the regular season, but almost every one of them has seen playing time at Tech.
"We're young, but at the same time we're not; they've all been out there. Everybody's played, so we do have some experience in there," said offensive line coach Curt Newsome.
Injury struck projected starting right guard Jaymes Brooks during Saturday's scrimmage, as he went down with a left ankle sprain and is expected to miss the rest of spring practice.
Newsome assured that, while a high ankle sprain can take a while to heal, there will be no long-term effect for Brooks, and he will still be able to do upper-body workouts.
Another question mark lingering is the status of Sergio Render, a vital member of the Hokies' line since 2006. Tech's starting left guard underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery over the off-season, but the players and coaches feel as though he'll be ready to go when the year kicks off.
"He's coming along well, and he'll have both summer sessions to get back in shape," Newsome said. "It's different because he's a little bit older, but we feel he'll be ready."
Even if Render isn't ready, the Hokies feel as though they have a viable replacement with Greg Nosal in the waiting. The redshirt freshman made the switch from left tackle to guard to compete for a starting spot, and he's shown progress at all the spring practices.
"His work ethic has really transferred over from the weight room to the field. He's been pretty consistent and has been a really pleasant surprise this spring," Newsome said.
With a tough schedule ahead of them, Newsome and his group are stressing a strong start to the 2009 season, which opens in Atlanta on Sept. 5 against Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide - a team that was second in the nation in rushing defense last year.
"Getting off to a strong start is huge," Wang said. "We have to get as much of a confidence boost as we can. The better we do at the beginning of the year, the better we'll feel."