Camp Opens: March 28
Spring Game: April 21
At this point, just about the only thing to expect from the Virginia Tech Hokies football program is, well, the expected. It doesn’t matter who they’ve lost on offense or defense, what the schedule looks like, or what other programs are rising or falling in the ACC, the Hokies are going to figure out a way to get at least 10 wins and play in a BCS bowl.
But for all the past success, there are real questions entering spring ball as to whether Frank Beamer and Co. keep it going into 2012. The short answer is yes, if only because it’s Frank Beamer, and it’s Virginia Tech. At the time, questions remain on offense, where essentially everyone must be replaced except for quarterback Logan Thomas, and the defensive secondary is patchwork at best right now too.
Add in Clemson and Florida State hitting their strides in the Atlantic Division, and one has to wonder: Is this finally the year Virginia Tech takes a step back?
Stability Factor (1 = chaos; 5 = rock solid): 5.0
Simply put, I just don’t know how a program could get any more stable than the Virginia Tech Hokies are right now. The system is in place, the coaching staff stays intact year-after-year, and you’re more likely to see Urban Meyer and Lane Kiffin on a tandem bicycle than you are to see NCAA investigators checking into the Virginia Tech program.
Then there’s Beamer, who might be the most stabilizing force in all of college football. To his credit, he’s quite possibly the only coach in college football who not only wins big, but also seems to have little interest in ever leaving where he’s at. There is no angling for a “better” job, or a shot at the NFL, Beamer will be coaching at Virginia Tech until the day he decides he doesn’t want to coach football anymore.
Simply put, this program is everything college football is supposed to be about.
Under The Microscope: The Secondary
On an otherwise stout defense, just about the only place where there is uncertainty entering the spring is the secondary. Jayron Hosley is gone to cash NFL paychecks, and safety Eddie Whitley is on his way out too, leaving two huge voids in a pass defense which gave up only 200 yards a game last year. The expectation is that sophomores Detrick Bonner and Kyshoen Jarrett will step in and fill holes on the unit.
For a defense that returns virtually intact in the front seven, getting quality play in the back four will be key.
Locked and Loaded: Quarterback Logan Thomas
It doesn’t get much more locked and loaded than it does at quarterback, where junior Logan Thomas returns under center. Few had higher expectations entering last fall than the 6’6, 250 lbs. Thomas, and few delivered quite like he did, finishing with 19 passing touchdowns and 11 more on the ground.
Now the question becomes what will Thomas do for an encore, with such little else returning around him. Both of his top wide receivers (Jarrett Boykin and Danny Coale) are gone to the pros, along with 1,700 yard rusher David Wilson.
Then there’s the offensive line, and… Well actually, let’s talk about them for a second…
Jockeying For Position: The Offensive Line
Simply put, anyone who says that they have a strong grasp for what’s going on with Virginia Tech’s offensive line is either a liar, or is Frank Beamer himself. There’s no other way to explain it.
That’s because after being the epitome of stable the last few years, this unit must now replace four seniors starters off the 2011 club. Only center Andrew Miller returns, with a handful of players each jockeying for the starting guard and tackle positions.
Of every unit on the roster, this is the one that has the most questions entering the spring.
Name To Know: Michael Holmes
In the long line of great Tech running backs, Holmes seems to be the next one in line.
Because he was redshirted last year, not a ton is known about Holmes, other than that he was an absolute terror as a scout team back last season. Defensive coordinator Bud Foster even told the Washington Post earlier this week that Holmes had “a chance to be special.”
Along with Holmes, look for J.C. Coleman to compete for reps with the first team as well.
Spring Will Be A Success If… The Hokies Are Able To Answer The Unanswered Questions On Offense
At this point it really does just seem counterproductive to doubt the Virginia Tech football program; every spring they have questions to answer, and every fall ends with 10 or more wins and a trip to a BCS bowl game. Again, at this point it’s simply become par for the course.
Still, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that it’s been a long time since Virginia Tech had this much to answer on the offensive side of the ball. More than ever, spring practice won’t be needed just to get guys reps, but actually figure out where the puzzle pieces actually fit.
There’s no doubt Virginia Tech is capable of continuing their unprecedented level of success. Whether they’re able to or not is an entirely different story.
We’ll start to get answers this spring.
For all his insight, opinions and articles on sports, be sure to follow Aaron Torres on Twitter @Aaron_Torres.
