Collegiate Times

The chessboard that is Frank Beamer?s spring depth chart has a few key squares that several pieces are fighting to call their own.

Starting today, the Virginia Tech football team will take the field four times a week, working towards the goal of solidifying personnel when the 2006 season rolls around.

Most obvious of the position battles is at quarterback. With Marcus Vick by the wayside, Sean Glennon, Cory Holt and Greg Boone will all start practice with the goal of being the starting signal caller for the Hokies.

?We?re listing it as Sean one, Cory two, Greg Boone three and then (Grant) Throckmorton is four right now,? Beamer said. ?It?s an open thing, I think Glennon does have a little bit of an edge ? We want to see some good competition.?

Freshman Ike Whitaker was another name supposed to be in the mix for the quarterback job, but his suspension on March 2 has him currently out of the picture. Beamer said it is not out of the question for Whitaker to participate this spring if he accomplishes tasks the team has set for him.

At running back, the coaching staff will begin spring experimenting with high school All- American Macho Harris carrying the ball. Harris spent his freshman year working at cornerback and with special teams. Harris is no stranger to having the ball in his hands ? his senior year of high school he rushed for 2,346 yards and 27 touchdowns, averaging 10.4 yards per carry.

The decision to move Harris to the other side of the ball was talked about during his recruiting process. Beamer noted that his current personnel ? while talented ? could use some depth.

?Bell, he?s showing better than ever that he?s over his knee injury. Elan (Lewis) is a little bit heavy but is a guy we think a lot of and Kenny?s (Lewis Jr.) been away (from football) for a couple of years,? Beamer said. ?There?s a little bit going on with all of them. I remember Macho at Highland Springs and I thought he was a pretty good tailback.?

At offensive line, the Hokies will be looking to fill the voids left by seniors Jimmy Martin, Will Montgomery and Jason Murphy ? all three All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors last season.

Expect to hear the names Nick Marshman, Sergio Render, Ryan Shuman and Aaron Brown as key contributors on the line this spring.

?Sergio Render is a guy we think a lot of, he?s a freshman. Aaron Brown is a guy who just came in, but boy he looks the parts. He?s a little ways away strength-wise, but we think he?s gonna be very good,? Beamer said. ?This is a key spring practice for Ryan Shuman, we?d like to see him step in there and help us some at center. Probably the key to us right now is Nick Marshman. He?s an athletic guy that has had experience. He?s big, he should understand it. It?s his time and we?re hoping he?ll do kind of like Brandon Frye did in the bowl game ? when it?s your time, step in there and play pretty well.?

Beamer also said it is time for guys like freshmen Eric Davis and Robert Norris as well as junior Matt Welsh to step up in the spring.

With no wide receivers lost to graduation, the only other position on offense of concern for the coaching staff is tight end. With Jeff King out of the picture due to graduation, Duane Brown now at offensive tackle, and the future of John Kinzer in question due to repeated injuries to his neck, the Hokies are relying on a pair of freshman to step in and man a position that has been a stronghold for Tech in past seasons. Both Ed Wang and Sam Wheeler spent the 2005-2006 season redshirting, but will get to display their abilities starting today.

?Kinzer is going to take the spring off, he?s been having those stingers in his neck. We?re doing some more tests. Whether he?ll play next fall or not is up in the air. That?s gotta be something he and his family decide. I think we need to get all the information in and see how he feels after spring practice,? Beamer said. ?Wheeler and Wang redshirted ? they?ve both got athletic ability, I think they?ve both got toughness. They just don?t have experience and that?s what we?re gonna get them this spring and see where it is.?

On the defensive side of the ball, Tech has the task of replacing starters Jimmy Williams at cornerback, Justin Hamilton at safety, Darryl Tapp at defensive end, James Anderson at linebacker and Jonathan Lewis at defensive tackle.

While the list is long and loaded with impact players, the probable replacements all bring experience to the table. The only freshmen currently in the mix for playing time at said positions are Cam Martin and Jahre Cheeseman in the secondary and Cordarrow Thompson and William Wall along the line.

The annual Maroon-White spring game is set for April 15 at 2 p.m. in Lane Stadium. The Collegiate Times will have updates and features and spring practices progress.