Expectations High for Hokies Entering Spring Game

BLACKSBURG, Va. -- Virginia Tech defeated Cincinnati in the Orange Bowl 114 days ago and will play Alabama in one of the most anticipated matchups of the 2009 college football season in 135 days. The two games are bridged by Saturday's annual spring game, the final date of the Hokies' spring practice before the team reconvenes in August.

The Hokies exceeded expectations in 2008 by capturing the ACC championship and earning the program's first major bowl victory since 1995. Virginia Tech enters the 2009 season with 18 returning starters from the Orange Bowl and will likely earn a top 10 preseason ranking. The spring game will be the final chance to answer some of the offseason's most pressing questions before preparations begin for the Crimson Tide.

1) Is Tyrod Taylor ready to take over at quarterback?

Taylor, who will be a junior, was supposed to redshirt the 2008 season, but Coach Frank Beamer lifted the redshirt and played Taylor following a season-opening loss to East Carolina. Taylor started 10 games, finishing with 1,036 passing yards and 738 rushing yards. Although a dynamic playmaker, Taylor's passing was erratic (he had seven interceptions and only two touchdown passes), and the insertion of former starter Sean Glennon was always a possibility during Taylor's first two seasons.

Glennon exhausted his eligibility and Taylor now enters a season with the spotlight entirely on him. The receivers around Taylor have gained experience, and he has the benefit of a veteran offensive line protecting him. Taylor arrived in Blacksburg drawing athletic comparisons to Michael Vick, and he has an opportunity this season to meet those enormous expectations.

In addition to improving his passing and continuing to acclimate himself with the players around him, Taylor has spent the spring establishing himself as the authoritative voice in the offensive huddle.

"I think I've been around the most on the offensive side," Taylor said. "I have to go out there and be more vocal, be more of a leader, show the guys they can follow me."

2) Who will be the backup quarterback?

Taylor has missed games because of injury in both his seasons at Virginia Tech. As a mobile quarterback, he often leaves himself exposed. Taylor said his injuries were more fluke than trend, but Beamer no longer has the luxury of inserting Glennon into the game when Taylor is hobbled. That was why identifying a backup quarterback was among Beamer's top priorities entering spring practice.

On Monday, Beamer declared that redshirt freshman Joseph "Ju-Ju" Clayton would be the No. 2 quarterback. Clayton competed with redshirt freshman Marcus Davis, a quarterback-turned-wide receiver-turned quarterback. Davis has since been moved back to wide receiver.

"We still feel that Marcus has the capabilities to be an excellent quarterback," Beamer said. "At this very moment, we feel that Ju-Ju is ahead of him and we're encouraging Marcus to work hard on his arm strength this summer and continue to throw and we'll see where that goes."

3) Is Ryan Williams as good as advertised?

No player generated more buzz this spring than redshirt freshman running back Ryan Williams, a much-hyped recruit from Stonewall Jackson High who will provide the speed to complement sophomore Darren Evans's power running.

Williams waited his turn in a crowded backfield last season. Running backs coach Billy Hite said Williams could be a star, but needs to learn the other parts of playing running back, such as blocking.

Williams rushed for 122 yards on eight carries in the team's first spring scrimmage, including an 80-yard touchdown run. He said his only adjustment is to the speed of the game, but he basks in the attention that has come his way.

"I'm feeling really comfortable," Williams said. "My thing is, when I get on the field, to be the most dangerous person and make something happen."

4) How will Virginia Tech replace Macho Harris?

The Hokies must replace starters on the defensive line and at linebacker, but no departed player had a bigger effect on games than Harris, a cornerback. Because of his playmaking ability, Harris was able to generate turnovers and create points on defense. The Hokies long been known for their boundary cornerbacks, a spot in defensive coordinator Bud Foster's scheme that requires stout man-to-man coverage.

Virginia Tech will move senior Stephan Virgil from the field cornerback to boundary cornerback, which was the same adjustment Harris made last spring. Virgil tied Harris with a team-high six interceptions last season, but he was not expected to thrive in man-to-man coverage. Because of a class conflict, Virgil was not able to attend Virginia Tech's Wednesday practices during the spring. Saturday's game will be his final opportunity to learn the position before preseason camp.

"We're expecting him to be able to do the same thing [former Virginia Tech cornerback Brandon Flowers] and Macho did," defensive backfield coach Torrian Gray said. "What's happened with him not being able to practice this spring, though, is you get to see a lot more" of the other cornerbacks.

Sophomores Cris Hill and Eddie Whitley received practice reps in Virgil's place, although it will be Virgil's spot once the season begins.

"You have a pretty good idea of what Virgil is going to do," Gray said. "I've seen him play enough man coverage to know he'll hold his own. Now does he play to the level of Brandon and Macho? That's big standards. But I think he'll be able to play well enough to continue to have success with what we want to do defensively."

5) How are the Hokies dealing with expectations?

A common expression heard around Virginia Tech's complex is to "stay in the present," an important reminder when understanding the attention the Hokies will earn entering the season. The team utilized an underdog mentality last season, but that won't be an option in 2009. As much as the coaching staff has needed to teach X's and O's this spring, it also has tried to keep the team from becoming affected by the hype.

"We went from 2 1/2 -point underdogs to Cincinnati to being predicted to as one of the top teams in the country," Beamer said. "You got to keep things relative. We finished the season great. You play your best football in the last two games, that's good. But you start over. I think we'll be better overall, but a lot of other teams in the ACC are going to be better."