Virginia Tech Football: Hokies Who Could Surprise People This Spring

Spring practice begins this week for the Virginia Tech Hokies football team. Head coach Frank Beamer enters his 29th season in charge of his alma mater, as Tech looks to get to the top of the ACC for the first time since 2010.

According to Tech's official depth chart at the conclusion of the 2014 season, the Hokies have eight starters returning on offense, seven on defense (not including Luther Maddy and Brandon Facyson) and both specialists. 

The biggest openings for VT on the offensive side of the ball are on the offensive line. The Hokies must replace three starters from a year ago; that is, if you consider Augie Conte—who started the bowl game at right tackle—as a returning starter.

On defense, longtime coordinator Bud Foster must replace four starters, but no stars. Replacing safeties Kyshoen Jarrett and Detrick Bonner—both three-year starters—is Foster's biggest challenge.

Who could surprise during spring practice? Here is a look at four players who could surprise folks this spring.

Cornerback Greg Stroman

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Sophomore cornerback Greg Stroman

Sophomore cornerback Greg Stroman snuck up on some people in the Military Bowl last December. The true freshman, playing offense for the first time, made a big impression. 

Stroman played some running back and receiver, returned punts and played his customary defensive back role. He excelled in every role.

Now, Stroman looks to move his way up Tech's defensive depth chart. 

Facyson, who received a medical redshirt for last season, will miss spring practice as he recovers from a leg injury. Star corner Kendall Fuller will miss spring practice, too, creating an opportunity for Stroman to show coaches he can start next fall. 

Look for Stroman to be one of the stars of spring practice. 

Offensive Lineman Austin Clark

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Freshman offensive tackle Austin Clark

Tech's offensive line will receive a bit of a makeover in 2015. Three players who started last season are gone, and there weren't too many players from last season's roster ready to step up and make an impact.

Enter true freshman Austin Clark.

The 6'6", 297-pound Clark is a 4-star recruit from nearby Lexington, Virginia. An early enrollee, Clark enters spring practice with an eye on becoming a starting offensive tackle.

Jonathan McLaughlin, last year's starting left tackle, could move back to left tackle, where he started as a freshman. The coaching staff would likely not want Clark protecting the quarterback's blind side as a true freshman in the fall. 

Conte did finish the season as the starter at right tackle. However, he's best suited at guard, and offensive line coach Stacy Searels could find out this spring that his five best offensive linemen will include Clark. 

Defensive Back Adonis Alexander

Adonis Alexander is a 6'3", 192-pound true freshman from Charlotte, North Carolina. Most fans will get Alexander confused with fellow incoming freshman Adonis Williamson or think of Mook Reynolds as the most prominent newcomer in Tech's defensive backfield. 

That's not a problem for Alexander. 

He looks like a future rover for the Hokies, and, coincidentally enough, that position is wide open after Jarrett's graduation.

Can a true freshman earn Foster's confidence quickly enough to start at rover in his first season on campus? Most likely, no, but that doesn't mean Alexander can't use this spring as an opportunity to show coaches he must be on the field this fall. If he can impress coaches—particularly on special teams—it will go a long way in him getting on the field this fall. 

Defensive Tackle Vinny Mihota

Virginia Tech's defensive line was one of the best in school history in 2014. And that was without Maddy for much of the season.

The good news for Tech? Everyone returns.

At defensive tackle, Maddy is back, as is Nigel Williams, Corey Marshall, Woody Baron and Ricky Walker. Marshall, though, could move back back and forth between end and tackle, as he's effective at both positions. 

One player who could quickly move his way up the depth chart is redshirt freshman Vinny Mihota. At 6'5", 264 pounds, Mihota was recruited to VT as a defensive end but moved to defensive tackle last spring. 

Mihota is a big, athletic kid and could be one of the strongest players on the team. Last year's redshirt was beneficial for Mihota, as it allowed him to get accustomed to his new position. 

While much of the talk will be about Maddy, Marshall and incoming freshman Tim Settle—and rightfully so—the name Hokies fans need to know is Vinny Mihota.