Virginia Tech Football: Week 2 Spring Practice Stock Report

The second week of spring practice is in the books for the Virginia Tech Hokies and the intensity picked up with the first live scrimmage on Saturday. It wasn't pretty, as the offense struggled. 

Pre-snap penalties were the theme of the day, and that didn't sit well with head coach Frank Beamer, per Andy Bitter of the Roanoke Times:

"Too many," said Beamer. "And every one of them you go right back and look at the situation you put them in wasn't very good. So that's something we'll talk about."

In addition to the penalties, the Hokies were 0-of-8 on third-down conversions. It's important to note that last year's starting quarterback, Michael Brewer, did not participate in the scrimmage. Junior Brenden Motley received his chance to impress coaches. 

Motley completed three of his four attempts for 56 yards on what was a windy day in Blacksburg. Brewer and Motley are still listed as co-No. 1 on the depth chart. With a solid performance in the opening scrimmage, Motley could make things interesting in the quarterback competition with another strong showing this Saturday in Tech's next scrimmage.

Travon McMillian Making a Name For Himself

Redshirt freshman running back Travon McMillian came to Tech as a quarterback one year ago. However, it didn't take him long to realize his quickest impact could be made at running back and switched positions not long after he stepped on campus. 

With presumed starters J.C. Coleman and Trey Edmunds not competing in the scrimmage, McMillian took advantage of his opportunity.

Early in the scrimmage, McMillian found the edge and raced to a 52-yard score. The play showed not only his speed, but also his vision—a pretty impressive trait for someone who just moved to the position less than a year ago.

Beamer was impressed, too.

"I'm telling you, I think the guy has got a nice run style about him. He's big. He's got some size, but he's really got speed. I've been really impressed with him. I think he is going to keep going."

It's never a bad thing to be singled out in a positive manner by the head coach after a strong showing in practice. McMillian has a good chance to make an impact in the backfield this fall. Coleman, a senior, has struggled to remain consistent in his first three years. He did finish strong last year, though.

Edmunds has a lot of talent. He just can't stay healthy. Each of his last two seasons have been cut short by injury.

While Coleman possesses speed, Edmunds possesses size. McMillian gives Tech a little bit of both.

McMillian won't be VT's starter at running back in September, but if he continues making plays this spring, he will be in the mix.

Battle at Safety

Tech, of course, lost both starters at safety from a year ago. Kyshoen Jarrett and Detrick Bonner were each three-year starters. Defensive coordinator Bud Foster knew replacing both of them would be tough, but finding good defensive backs is never a problem for the Hokies.

So this spring, Foster and defensive backs coach Torrian Gray have moved several guys around trying to find the right combination to fill each spot.

At "Rover," junior Desmond Frye is competing with sophomore C.J. Reavis. Both players came to Tech as a free safety and were, coincidentally enough, high school teammates.

Foster and Gray decided to let Reavis and Frye battle it out at "Rover" because both are more physical players.

Of course, it's possible Frye and Reavis both find a starting gig this fall. In an ideal world, Reavis would love to see that, according to Mike Barber of the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

"That’d be fun. That’d be really fun,” Reavis said. “But I’m here to play. If I have to beat him out for it, than that’s what I have to do.”

At free safety, coaches moved Chuck Clark and Donovan Riley—both cornerbacks last year—to the position some this spring in an effort to find the best option. Both players are good in coverage, yet physical, too.

With cornerbacks Kendall Fuller and Brandon Facyson sidelined, Clark has still had to play some corner this spring. But that could change this fall, according to Gray.

"

You never know how an injury is going to go or if you’re going to get Brandon back, so I’m just trying to have some flexibility and do some things with some guys this spring. Chuck could be free safety come fall, he could be corner come fall, depending on who’s hurt, who comes back.

"

Gray is confident in Clark's versatility and his ability to play free safety in the fall, even if he doesn't get a lot of work at the position this spring. Gray's biggest question concerning Riley is his ability to communicate—a must for the free safety position at Virginia Tech.

"He’s great at the point of attack," Gray said. "He can tackle. So it may be a strength for him. It’s just now finding out, can he communicate? Can he make the calls? Can he play doing those other things? That’s something we want to look at this spring with him.”

Don't expect either of these positions to be finalized until later this summer.

Others Odds and Ends

• Before spring practice, Foster was eager to share his excitement regarding freshman defensive lineman Yosuah Nijman. Now, according to Beamer's official website, Nijman has moved to offensive tackle. Whether it's offensive line or defensive line, Nijman has the athletic ability to be a special player. 
• Joel Caleb has moved back to wide receiver. After beginning his career at wide receiver, Caleb moved to running back due to a lack of depth at that position. He struggled at wide receiver, so it remains to be seen if he fares better this time around.
• Freshman Mook Reynolds is quietly showing everyone he will be ready to play serious minutes this fall. Reynolds was terrific in last week's scrimmage. The Hokies have several young corners and thus far, he is staking his claim to start opposite of Fuller in September. 
• The only injuries of note in the spring game were freshman defensive tackle Steve Sobczak, who rolled his ankle, and walk-on center Andrew Williams, who also suffered an ankle injury. Sobczak should be OK, but Williams' appears to be more serious, according to Tech trainer Mike Goforth, per Barber.
• The Hokies take the field again this Saturday for their second spring scrimmage. The practice portion begins at 10:45 a.m., with the scrimmage set to begin approximately 30 minutes later, per Tech's official website.