2017 Spring Practice Number 4 Snapchat Review

Pads are on and the Hokies are back on the practice field. Here are the Snapchat observations of this closed practice.

Full pads are on, so we were privy to some tackling work and live contact.

The first offensive line group remains the same. Both Josh Jackson and AJ Bush were getting work with the top group.

The pass blocking drill made a return to the snap chat. The first rep was Kyle Chung (playing left guard) against Jarrod Hewitt. Hewitt got underneath Chung's pads with his first step and got extension. But he was slow to transition to a rip move across Chung's body. The effect would have been a quarterback pressure because he had Chung on roller skates. But, a quicker transition would have produced a much quicker pressure.

The second round was Thomas Hopple (playing right tackle) against new defensive end Xavier Burke. There was no finesse here. Burke had a terrific first step, placed his helmet under Hopple's chin. He then crossed through Hopple's inside shoulder for a clean win. This was a dominating repetition for Burke.

The third round went to the offensive line, as Silas Dznasi stymied new defensive end Emmanuel Belmar. Belmar tried a speed swim outside. Silas did a terrific job of attacking Belmar. He delivered his hands under Belmar's pads and brought his feet to gather back underneath his reach. Silas then turned Belmar up the field. At that point, he went for an aggressive second punch to Belmar. Belmar gave ground and let Dznasi get overextended, then he spun inside and wiped away Silas hands to get back to the quarterback. Silas needs to keep his technique and not get over aggressive. Belmar got back into the play and you have to appreciate the high effort despite getting stoned early in the rep. Big Silas still gets the win.

The fourth rep featured established left tackle starter Yosh Nijman versus former star recruit/current walk on Ray Minor. Nijman was very passive in his approach and gave Minor time and space to attempt multiple leverage moves. Minor looked quick and explosive. Nijman kept himself between Minor and the quarterback, but he gave so much ground that it would likely force a hurried pass. This is a draw.

The final rep featured Tim Settle versus first team right guard Braxton Pfaff. Settle got a strong first step and got Pfaff to turn his pads a little more perpendicular to the line of scrimmage than I'd prefer from a guard. Settle then transitioned to power through Pfaff's inside shoulder. Pfaff did an excellent job of gathering his feet and settling back under Big Tim's pad level. This allowed him to neutralize Settle's reach advantage and force a draw. That is a solid rep from Pfaff, and you'd like to see a more dynamic transition through the inside shoulder from Tim there. He got halfway through the move in great shape and couldn't finish it off.

On the first clip showing team work, we had Josh Jackson quarterbacking and Steven Peoples at tailback with the first offensive line group against the top defensive front (I can't see the defensive backs, but Edmunds, Motuapuaka, and Settle are out there. The offense fakes an inside zone and runs a quick slant off play action. The slot receiver (I can't see the number) beats the man coverage cleanly for a touchdown.

The second and third reps feature AJ Bush. It wasn't his best moment. On the first throw he appears to underthrow a deep ball with the corner turning and running on the fade route. The receiver slows down and doesn't seem to be able to make a play on the ball. On the next snap, Ricky Walker splits Wyatt Teller and Eric Gallo with a nasty swim move (it looks like Teller got beat on the slide protection unless Gallo messed up the protection call.) Walker is in Bush's face before he can even set.

The fourth repetition featured Josh Jackson in a drop back passing situation. Jackson got great protection. He scans the right side, comes back to his secondary read on the left side, and then escapes for a scramble up the middle. After watched Jerod Evans look at the rush when he had time in the pocket, it is encouraging to see Jackson making it to his secondary reads. Jackson's escape didn't quite remind of of Evan's strength- his ability to gain good yardage once he has broken past the initial rush. It is worth noting that the defense brought a backer blitz off of the right side. Tyrell Smith does a terrific job of handing the defensive end off off Pfaff and then squaring up to Edmunds blitzing on the edge.

The fifth repetition features Hendon Hooker working with D'Andre Plantin at right tackle, Austin Cannon at right guard and Zachariah Hoyt at center. They do a solid job. Some pressure comes off the left side and Hooker throws an awkward low throw on a crossing route that looks like it didn't quite make it to the receiver.

As I note every year, it is impossible to read too much into these clips. But, for the purpose of discussion, here are some possible insights. First, it appears that Jackson and Bush are ahead of Hooker at this point. Last year, we saw Fuente work the guys who were in serious competition for the one spot with the ones. I have not seen Hooker get a repetition with the one's yet.

Second, it appears that the first offensive line group is pretty settled. I have not seen any reason to think that, barring a player making some serious noise beneath them (or any injuries) that the top OL group for the spring game won't be Nijman-Teller-Gallo-Pfaff-Smith. Osterloh will work to challenge at right guard or right tackle if he can get healthy. Right now, Austin Cannon getting a look at right guard ahead of more experienced players is interesting. I'd love to hear what the #2 offensive line group is. Depth at left guard and left tackle are concerns until I see some action featuring Jackson and/or Moore playing well.

This footage has given very little indication of how the young defensive backs and/or wide receivers are doing. I'd like to know who was the match up on the touchdown throw.

The football snapchat will probably be up until the morning. Check it out and share your thoughts! HokiesFB on Snapchat.