Virginia Tech Football: 5 Spring Battles to Watch

When spring practice opened for Virginia Tech, coach Frank Beamer made it clear there would be an open competition at several positions.

The Hokies lost eight starters on offense from 2011 but return quarterback Logan Thomas. Thomas has the makings of a future star, but he will have to do it behind four new starters on the offensive line.

The Hokies will also have to replace ACC Player of the Year David Wilson. Fortunately for the Hokies, running back appears to be deep, thanks to an infusion of young talent.

Defensively, the Hokies should be stellar. It has been years since coordinator Bud Foster has returned so many starters. If injured defensive tackle Antoine Hopkins returns healthy, Foster will have nine returning starters.

However, two of the starters he must replace were in the secondary.

So, here are the five most crucial battles in spring practice for Virginia Tech:

Kicker

Everyone knows the premium Beamer places on special teams. In particular, the kicking game.

Things changed in December when sophomore Cody Journell was suspended indefinitely after being arrested. Journell, a talented recruit, was beginning to hit his stride as the Hokies' kicker.

As of now, Journell's status with Beamer and the football program remains a mystery. So, the Hokies have to move forward as if Journell will not be back.

Just over a week, Beamer held a 10-person audition for the kicking job. Currently, sophomore Conor Goulding is first on the depth chart, but that could change any day. 

Fellow sophomore Michael Branthover, who split punting duties in 2011, is Goulding's primary competition. The Hokies would like to see Branthover focus solely on punting as they feel he has potential to be a good punter. 

Branthover struggled in 2011 at punter but had some good moments. Goulding winning the kicking competition would be better as it wouldn't force Branthover to pull double-duty. 

Regardless, Beamer will pick the best player and who he feels most comfortable with. This could go deep into summer, and don't be surprised if a walk-on emerges as a serious challenger. It has happened many times in recent years and with great success.

Right Tackle

The Hokies lost their best offensive lineman in right tackle Blake DeChristopher. DeChristopher was a two-time first-team All-ACC selection. He was a strong run blocker and started 51 out of a possible 52 games in four years as a Hokie. He will not be easily replaced. 

Vinston Painter, a fifth-year senior, entered spring practice as the starter. As a former blue-chip recruit, he was expected to have been a major contributor by now. 

Painter possesses outstanding size (6'6" 304 lbs) and recently ran the 40 in just under 4.8 seconds.

So, can Painter finally put it all together on the field?

This will be his best chance to leave a lasting impression in Blacksburg. Naturally, there are many who don't believe in Painter, but he has impressed in the spring thus far.

Sophomore Mark Shuman is a former high school All-American. Projected as a future left tackle, Shuman has been impressive in the spring. He is an outstanding run blocker and could replace DeChristopher in that department. 

Nick Acree, a former defensive tackle, is another talented sophomore. Acree, now in his second season as an offensive lineman, appears to be taking to his new position quite well. He gained 20 pounds in the offseason without sacrificing any of his outstanding athletic ability. 

Acree is the best athlete among Tech's offensive line. But, is he ready to produce on the field if need be?

Look for Painter to start 2012 as the starter, but his leash may be short with so many talented players waiting in the wings. 

Rover

When junior Antone Exum was surprisingly moved to boundary corner before spring practice, the rover position became open. Exum, who spent time at both safety positions in 2011, appears up to the challenge of playing cornerback. But, who will replace him?

Anyone who follows Virginia Tech football knows how important the rover position is. Moving Exum is a clear indication that Foster and secondary coach Torrian Gray have confidence in sophomore Detrick Bonner.

Bonner, who played often as a cornerback in 2011, has good ball skills and is solid in coverage. He even received snaps at the whip linebacker position, a good indication of his tackling ability.

Bonner's primary competition is fellow sophomore Adeboye Aromire. Aromire, another former cornerback, could be the ideal rover. He is faster, stronger and overall more athletic than Bonner. He isn't as fundamentally sound as Bonner, however.

If Aromire is named starter, it could be good for the entire defense, freeing up Bonner to help at rover and the cornerback position. 

Free Safety

Kyshoen Jarrett, another former cornerback, is slated to be the starter at free safety. A high school All-American from Pennsylvania, Jarrett saw action in all 14 games as a freshman. 

Jarrett is seen by coaches as possessing a high football IQ. The free safety position is often the quarterback of Virginia Tech's defense. 

Jarrett is very good in coverage, and that is likely the reason he is now the free safety. When Exum was at free safety, he often struggled with the defensive calls. Coaches fully believe Jarrett will be comfortable in that role. 

Redshirt freshman Michael Cole, is behind Jarrett in the early stages of spring practice. Cole possesses good size and athletic ability. In practice he has shown a knack for being around the ball and was a candidate to play as a true freshman in 2011. 

If Cole emerges as a starter, Jarrett could slide over to cornerback and the Hokies wouldn't miss a beat.

Although rover and free safety are question marks now, the Hokies feel good about the amount of young talent they have at both positions. 

Running Back

In the last two years, the Hokies have lost Darren Evans, Ryan Williams and David Wilson to the NFL. Williams was a second-round draft choice, and Wilson figures to go around the same time later this month.

So, how could a team lose three record-breaking running backs in two years and still be confident in the position?

Outstanding freshman running backs have been added in the last two years which leave the Hokies feeling good about their offensive backfield.

Redshirt freshman Michael Holmes appears to be in line to get the most carries at tailback. Holmes used his redshirt season as a way to get stronger and learn from Wilson.

He is a strong runner with solid speed. He is not the game-breaker Wilson was but appears to run a lot like Evans. 

True freshman J.C. Coleman enrolled in January and will play as a true freshman. Coleman may be small in stature, but he is extremely fast and well-built. Stronger than he looks, Coleman will be looked upon to replace Wilson as the Hokies' game-breaker.

Another true freshman, Drew Harris, may redshirt this season. Harris, highly recruited out of the Philadelphia area, is a bruiser. If he doesn't redshirt, he would be a nice complement to Holmes and Coleman.