Virginia Tech Football: 5 Players Sure to Surprise at Fall Camp

Fall camp is almost here for the Virginia Tech Hokies. In fact, it begins in just over two weeks. For college football fans, it is the best time of the year.

Virginia Tech fans hope the 2015 season is much different than the past three years. Tech's fanbase is used to the Hokies competing for the ACC title on an annual basis, and that just hasn't happened recently.

But that could change in 2015.

The Hokies return the majority of their starters on both sides of the ball, and several talented newcomers are now in the program. Which newcomer—or young player—will impress coaches this fall?

Here's a look at five players who are sure to surprise during fall camp.

Greg Stroman, Cornerback

Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports

Stroman

Cornerback Greg Stroman is not going to sneak up on anyone in 2015. The talented sophomore showed everyone what he was capable of in Tech's Military Bowl triumph over Cincinnati. Stroman played offense, defense and special teams with great success.

Brandon Facyson should be back in the mix at starting cornerback this fall. However, if Facyson doesn't appear completely healthy, Stroman could find himself in the starting lineup opposite Kendall Fuller.

Stroman will continue to return punts for the Hokies this fall. He was terrific in that area in 2014. He can also line up in Tech's backfield or in the slot on offense. Despite all of his many talents, Stroman is a cornerback and could be VT's No. 3 corner even if Facyson is back.

Stroman's growth in the defensive backfield will be something to watch when fall camp opens in two weeks. Expect to hear a lot from him in August and beyond.

Adonis Alexander, Rover

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Adonis Alexander

Adonis Alexander is a true freshman, and first-year players don't always have a prominent role in Bud Foster's defense. Fuller and Facyson were the exceptions two years ago.

The Hokies have two such players who could make noise this year: cornerback Mook Reynolds and rover/safety Adonis Alexander.

Reynolds is behind some accomplished veterans at corner. Alexander, however, plays at a position where Tech does not have a set starter. C.J. Reavis was expected to start at rover this fall, but it was recently revealed that he is no longer enrolled in school.

Alexander is an interesting prospect. At 6'3", 193 pounds, he has a lanky frame and should add several more pounds of muscle now that he's in Virginia Tech's strength program.

He was a standout safety in high school, and if he can show coaches he has the physicality to play rover and has a strong grasp of Foster's defense, he could surprise some folks and get some time on defense this fall.

He'll need to have a strong fall camp in order to show coaches he belongs on the two-deep roster. Enrolling early gave him a head start in reaching that goal.

Holland Fisher, Linebacker

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Holland Fisher

Is now the time for Holland Fisher to finally make an impact for the Virginia Tech Hokies? Fisher originally committed to Tech back in February 2012. He had to spend one year at postgraduate Fork Union before redshirting last season as a freshman.

Coaches moved the former safety to the "whip" linebacker position in the spring to take advantage of his coverage skills and physical style of play.

The starter at whip, Ronny Vandyke, is annually one of the more talented players on the team. However, he can never stay healthy. That could open the door for Fisher.

Fisher's biggest challenge next month will be showing coaches the game has slowed down for him. To play whip linebacker, he needs to play smart football. It isn't all about being the fastest or strongest player on the field. If he shows a strong knowledge of the defense, he will make an impact this fall.

Austin Clark, Offensive Tackle

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Austin Clark

VT's starting offensive line appears set at the moment. Jonathan McLaughlin and Wade Hansen appear to have left and right tackle, respectively, locked down. But beyond those two, the Hokies have no experienced depth at offensive tackle.

That's where true freshman Austin Clark comes into play.

Clark was an early enrollee who figured to compete for a starting position this fall. Hansen showed so much improvement in the spring, though, leaving Clark fighting for a backup role in 2015.

Parker Osterloh, a 6'8", 343-pound sophomore and converted tight end, and Darius Redman are Clark's primary competition to back up both tackle spots.

It's not beyond the realm of possibility that Clark sees the field this fall. He struggled with speed-rushers in the spring. That is expected, though. He was facing college athletes for the first time. He's big (6'6", 300 lbs) and surprisingly athletic.

Dadi Nicolas and Ken Ekanem will be ready for fall camp. They are arguably one of the best pairs of defensive ends in the country and should give Clark plenty of trouble, in turn making him a better player and readying him for when his college career begins.

Clark is a player fans should keep an eye on because big things are expected from him, and sooner rather than later.

Travon McMillian, Running Back

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Travon McMillian

Over the past 20 years, Virginia Tech has become something of a running back factory. Some of the names are impressive. Kevin Jones, Lee Suggs, Shyrone Stith, Ryan Williams and David Wilson are just some of the talented former Hokies who went on to the NFL.

In recent years, though, the Hokies have struggled to run the ball.

Not having a top-flight back did hurt, but blocking was an even bigger issue for Tech. Now that the Hokies have settled on a starting offensive line, that should be less of an issue this fall.

J.C. Coleman, Trey Edmunds and possibly both Marshawn Williams and Shai McKenzie will also be back in the fold in the backfield this fall.

But one name to keep an eye on is redshirt freshman Travon McMillian. A former high school quarterback, McMillian switched to running back last season in his redshirt year. He is a fantastic athlete and gives the Hokies a different gear from their running backs.

Coleman is Tech's other only home run threat, and he hasn't been taking the ball to the house too often in recent years.

Williams is trying to come back from a torn ACL, and his status won't be known until early September at the latest. McKenzie, also recovering from a torn ACL, is currently suspended from school due to a legal issue. Both players' statuses aren't currently known, opening up a prime opportunity for the speedy McMillian.

If he can show some versatility out of the backfield as a receiver, that would go a long way in determining where he fits in VT's backfield rotation.