Freshman Quarterback Shines in Scrimmage

BLACKSBURG, Va., Aug. 11 -- Tyrod Taylor rolled to his left, scanned the field and found nothing. So he dashed ahead, only to be stymied by the sideline and a gaggle of defenders. He was stuck, particularly for a freshman quarterback.

But Taylor is not a typical freshman quarterback, and he used the moment to make a striking first impression in Virginia Tech's first intrasquad scrimmage of the preseason. He juked around one defender, then another. He cut back right, weaving around tacklers, the crowd's roar growing after each jitterbug cut. He barreled all the way to the other sideline, where he was pushed out of bounds inside the 5-yard line.

The crowd erupted.

"They like this boy," wide receiver Eddie Royal said to a few teammates.

The team and the fans already have embraced Taylor, a recruit rated as the best dual-threat quarterback in the country. He already is noticed around downtown Blacksburg.

"It was surprising the first time, but I've gotten used to it," Taylor said.

Most fans tell him they want to see him play immediately, which likely won't happen. The Hokies have three quarterbacks listed above him, and Coach Frank Beamer insisted yesterday that Ike Whitaker is a solid No. 2 behind Sean Glennon, Whitaker's forays into wide receiver notwithstanding, Virginia Tech likely will redshirt Taylor this season.

Taylor's breathtaking scramble came against the third string, but he still showed flashes reminiscent of two other Virginia Tech quarterbacks from Hampton Roads.

"He looked like the old 5," running back Branden Ore said, referring to the number Marcus Vick wore as a Hokie. "He gave me flashbacks the way he cut across the field."

A reporter asked Beamer if Taylor reminded him of anybody.

"He remind you of anybody?" Beamer responded with a chuckle, the implication clear.

"He's awesome," Whitaker said. "That's my word to explain him. He's awesome. I learn stuff from Tyrod even though he just came in. He's going to be great here, and I just can't wait to see him play."

Ore Accepts His Demotion

Ore, the second-leading rusher in the ACC last year, was demoted to third string because he failed a conditioning test when he arrived after spending the summer at home in Chesapeake, Va.

"I'm not paying attention to that," Ore said. "I'm just coming out, practicing hard and letting that situation take care of itself. I don't even look at the depth chart."

Changed Name, Solid Game

Defensive end Jason Worilds -- who changed his surname from Adjepong to honor his mother, he said -- broke out Saturday. He blocked a punt, but his best play came on defense. He wheeled around Duane Brown, the Hokies' best lineman, stripped the quarterback of the ball, then scooped it up and ran for a touchdown. . . . Cornerback Roland Minor, who has not practiced because of academic troubles, will join the team Tuesday, he said. Defensive tackle Barry Booker (injured toe) will return Monday, he said.