Tech Transcripts: Things Get Real as the Pads Come On

As a former collegiate offensive lineman, I sometimes found the first few days of practice during spring or fall camp a little boring. That’s because, due to safety regulations, you cannot go full pads or full contact until after a certain number of practices. Playing a position whose whole job is predicated on being able to hit people makes lighter contact days feel a little pointless at times, but then when the pads come on, it’s time to shine. Anyone can look good when nobody can touch them, but you don’t truly learn about a player until they get hit. James Franklin echoed that statement, saying that now more than ever, toughness wins football games. 

So, with spring ball now officially in full swing with the pads once again popping, let’s break down the top takeaways from an eventful morning in Blacksburg.

Position Switches Have Begun

In the Spring, players moving and trying out different positions is as routine as the practices themselves, especially when you have a new coaching staff. On Tuesday, we got our first official switch since practice began, with potentially former quarterback AJ Brand lining up with the receivers for several drills. Brand is listed at 6-1, 210 pounds, giving him a good pass-catching frame. His athleticism has long had him pegged as a player who could play multiple positions. Several schools recruited him as a safety, and 247's scouting report saw WR and returner potential in his game. While position switches are by no means permanent at this stage of camp, Brand certainly seems like the kind of special athlete this staff wants to try and get on the field somehow by playing him outside rather than in the backfield. 

Brand's position switch does present a “kills two birds with one stone” situation, with just four quarterbacks now taking reps: Ethan Grunkemeyer, Bryce Baker, Troy Huhn, and Kelden Ryan. When I spoke to quarterbacks coach Danny O’Brien before spring ball began, he noted the difficulty of evaluating five guys and getting them all significant reps. Brand’s move is just as much about clearing the logjam at the quarterback position as it is giving Brand a chance to show what he can do as a receiver. James Franklin confirmed this to us after practice.

While Brand’s position change seems to be fairly permanent, one that is less set in stone is OL Johnny Garrett, who was taking reps at guard last week after playing his entire career at tackle. When asked, Franklin said the shuffling of the offensive line is an effort to put the best five guys out on the field. To do that, players need to be flexible and able to play multiple spots. My guess is this is not the last time this spring we will see a lineman in an “unusual” spot as Franklin and OL coach Matt Moore figure out their best unit to roll into the fall with. 

QB Competition Rolls On

Outside of the news of AJ Brand news, much remains unchanged in the Hokies’ battle for QB1. During the limited parts of practice we saw, Ethan Grunkemeyer and Bryce Baker continued to lead drills, with Ryan and Huhn following them. Again, who leads off drills is never a surefire indicator of any standing during the spring, but it's all we have right now. 

After practice, Offensive Coordinator Ty Howle said the sample size for all four players is still too small and that they will learn a lot after the Hokies' first scrimmage later in camp. Howle praised the leadership of the group and their ability to communicate with the rest of the offense.

Stiff Competition at Wide Receiver

No matter who wins the quarterback job, they’ll need some people to throw to. One of the primary weapons of this VT offense is expected to be WR Ayden Greene, who returns to Virginia Tech as the now elder-statesman of the Hokies' receiving corps. Greene certainly could have taken his talents elsewhere this offseason, but after Franklin retained receiver coaches Fontel Mines and Cam Phillips, Greene decided to stay and become the increasingly rare 4-year player at one school, something that has been praised by Franklin this offseason. Greene says he’s enjoyed getting to know the quarterbacks as people and as players as they try to get on the same page.

After Greene, the wide receiver room is full of talented but unproven pieces. Several transfers, freshmen, and players without many game reps will now be asked to step up and make plays for Howle’s offense. I asked Howle after practice what he’s looking for as guys try to separate from the pack. One of those receivers is Duke transfer Que’Sean Brown. Brown hauled in 64 catches for nearly 850 yards and 5 scores for the Blue Devils last season, while also bringing experience returning kicks, which I saw him doing last week at practice. After that practice, I named Brown one of my standout players to watch thanks to some impressive 1-on-1 reps and a long TD catch from Bryce Baker during team periods. Brown is quickly catching the attention of the coaching staff, but James Franklin still needs to see more from him.

Now that the pads are on and we are almost a third of the way through spring practices, we should start to learn more soon about how this roster is shaking out and who is beginning to rise to the top of the depth chart. In the meantime, get ready to pack Lane Stadium on April 18th for the Spring game because, as the Hokies continue to try and build Championship Habits.