Virginia Tech Football: 5 Hokies Who Could Surprise People This Spring

The Virginia Tech Hokies will open spring practice in just a few short weeks. While the regular season doesn't kick off until about six months from now, the opening of spring practice is viewed by some as the unofficial beginning of the new football season. 

While many Hokies fans were disappointed at last season's 7-6 campaign, it's important to note that Virginia Tech did defeat eventual national champion Ohio State in Columbus. Also, the Hokies won their final two games of the season and ended the 2014 season on a strong note.

The best news for Tech fans: Most of last season's team will return along with an influx of talented freshmen. 

Virginia Tech only needs to replace seven starters combined on both sides of the ball. Three of those starters are along the offensive line, while both safeties on defense will be new. 

Here are five players who could surprise people this spring and be in line for starting gigs in 2015, or make significant moves up the depth chart. 

Quarterback Brenden Motley

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Motley

Michael Brewer returns as the starting quarterback in 2015. However, his hold on the starting job isn't as strong as most returning starters around the country.

While much of the talk centers around incoming freshman Dwayne Lawson and a pair of redshirt freshmen, Andrew Ford and Chris Durkin, rising junior Brenden Motley is a name to keep an eye on.

Motley, the only quarterback on the roster outside of Brewer with game experience, appeared in four games last season. He attempted just three passes, but he showed the ability to move Tech's offense in the Wildcat formation. 

At 6'4", 214 pounds, Motley has good size, a strong arm and is a terrific athlete. If he can show coaches he's more comfortable in the passing game, he stands a chance at taking some snaps from Brewer in 2015. 

Wide Receiver Jaylen Bradshaw

Credit: 247Sports

Jaylen Bradshaw

Isaiah Ford and Cam Phillips return at wide receiver for Virginia Tech. Ryan Malleck and Bucky Hodges also return at tight end. But the Hokies still have a big opening at wide receiver.

Willie Byrn, second on the team in receptions last season, is gone. Byrn, a 5'11" slot receiver, was one of the more reliable targets for Brewer last season and Logan Thomas the season before. 

Now, 6'0", 174-pound redshirt freshman Jaylen Bradshaw looks for his opportunity to impress coaches.

According to Evan Watkins of 247Sports, Bradshaw impressed coaches last season with his work on the scout team. Bradshaw is an ideal fit for slot receiver and is a faster version of Byrn.

If Bradshaw shows coaches he can run strong, precise routes, he will be in the mix next season. He brings supreme athleticism to an offense full of exciting, young playmakers. 

Offensive Lineman Augie Conte

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Virginia Tech offensive lineman Augie Conte embracing Shane Beamer after Tech's Military Bowl win over Cincinnati

Jonathan McLaughlin is a two-year starter at offensive tackle for Virginia Tech. As a freshman, McLaughlin started on the left side and—for the most part—did a good job. New offensive line coach Stacy Searels moved McLaughlin to the right side in 2014 and shifted Laurence Gibson to the left side.

Gibson is gone and McLaughlin, seemingly, will shift back to the left side. True freshman Austin Clark is generating quite a bit of buzz as someone who could start at one of the tackle positions next fall. But a player to keep an eye on is junior Augie Conte.

Conte played in all 13 games last season, starting 10. However, nine of those starts came at guard. In the Military Bowl win over Cincinnati, Conte started at right tackle and handled himself well.

This spring gives Conte a chance to show coaches he belongs at right tackle in 2015. Conte played well at guard early last season but struggled in run protection as the season wore on. At right tackle, Conte looked like a natural. He can win the job with a strong spring. 

Mook Reynolds

Mook Reynolds, a 6'0" cornerback from Greensboro, North Carolina, is another early enrollee that could make a big impact this spring. 

Defensive coordinator Bud Foster has high hopes for Reynolds as soon as this season, per Andy Bitter of the Roanoke Times:

"

We actually kind of pushed Mook like we did a guy like Kendall [Fuller], as far as a guy who can come in and be an immediate impact guy, could potentially be a nickel guy or a dime guy as we did against Cincinnati in the bowl game. I think that’s where we kind of project Mook being is that boundary corner that can not only cover but also be an outstanding tackler and can be involved in the run game as well.

"

Some good news for Reynolds: Brandon Facyson will miss spring practice. It will give Reynolds a chance to line up with the first-team defense and show Foster and defensive backs coach Torrian Gray he belongs. Even if Reynolds can't beat out Chuck Clark or Donovan Riley, he can show coaches he belongs on the field in 2015. 

Safety Holland Fisher

Credit: 247Sports

Holland Fisher

Kyshoen Jarrett and Detrick Bonner departed Virginia Tech with a combined 79 starts. That's a lot of experience the Hokies are losing in the secondary.

Fortunately for Tech, Kendall Fuller returns at cornerback.

But who is going to replace Bonner and Jarrett? Sophomore C.J. Reavis has the upper hand to replace Bonner at free safety. At rover, redshirt freshman Holland Fisher will compete with junior Der'Woun Greene.

Fisher is one of the more talented players on Tech's entire roster. However, playing such an important role for Foster's defense requires more than just talent. Fisher will need to master the mental nuances of Tech's aggressive defense or he will be beaten out by the less-talented Greene.

All eyes will be on Fisher this spring. He must prove to coaches he's ready for an expanded role in 2015.