Virginia Tech Spring Football: Notes and Quotes from the Hokies' Second Spring Practice

It turns out that talented high school players aren't always college studs on day two of spring practice. Whether it's Fork Union product defensive end Yosuah Nijman, early enrollee linebacker Carson Lydon or redshirt freshman wide receiver Jaylen Bradshaw, they're raw, but with ability, although it's too early to tell how much they'll contribute after two padless practices.

That's how their respective coordinators would describe their high-ceiling youngsters, who squeezed their second practice out on the small sliver of grass that remains between Lane Stadium, Merryman Athletic Center and the Virginia Tech football team's new massive, albeit incomplete, indoor practice facility.

"We need that thing built," beamed offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler.

Secondary shuffle

The Hokies are currently without 2014's opening-day starting cornerbacks Kendall Fuller (wrist) and Brandon Facyson (leg). At the moment, the depth chart lists Greg Stroman and Chuck Clark as Tech's No. 1 corners, with Donovan Riley at rover and C.J. Reavis and Desmond Frye sharing the top spot at free safety.

It's a fluid arrangement. Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster highlighted the need for speed at free.

"We were looking at Reavis and Frye a little bit for our free but we need a guy that can run and run vertically so that needs to be more of a corner type. I was concerned about Desmond and Reavis' long speed," Foster said. "My biggest concern is free. I think (Chuck Clark) would be a good free. (Secondary coach Torrian Gray) thinks we need him working at corner right now.

"We're also looking at Riley a little bit at our free. We're toying around with it."

So, potentially the scenarios implied were:

• Riley switches to free. Reavis and Frye switch to rover. Clark stays at corner.
• Clark moves to free. Riley, Reavis and Frye stay put.
• Clark moves to free. Riley moves to corner. Reavis and Frye move to corner.
• Fuller and Facyson return healthy and there are more pieces to the puzzle.

To make matters more cumbersome, Greg Stroman went down with a hamstring injury.

Whatever happens, it doesn't sound like Reavis and Frye are in the plans at free safety. Foster seemed pretty certain that they didn't have the speed to match up with slot receivers.

McMillian Impresses

Redshirt freshman Travon McMillian's size and speed combination got head coach Frank Beamer excited during Tuesday's press conference.

After coming in as a quarterback and taking a redshirt year, the Woodbridge, Virginia, native is getting his first chance at running back this spring.

Unlike questions about other notable newcomers that elicited "yeah, well" responses, Loeffler was relatively emphatic about McMillian.

"It gives us a whole different element to our offense having that kind of speed," Loeffler said. "He's got natural vision for a guy that hasn't played the position."

McMillian's confident at his new post and isn't fazed by contending with the top-dog veterans.

"The adjustment period went well," he said. "Technique-wise I'm getting better at blocking and running comes pretty naturally.

"I don't worry about the depth chart. I just try to go out there and work as hard as I can and show the coaches what I can do."

Defensive Line Depth

Missing three of their premier defensive linemen (DE Ken Ekanem, DT Luther Maddy, DT Corey Marshall) has opened the door up for the Hokies to evaluate a slew of backups.

The initial take on Yosuah Nijman is that he's a massive athlete with a lot of potential that needs to learn the ropes.

"He's a very raw guy. He has a lot of ability but is still a long way away, as expected," Foster said. "He's getting used to the new terminology and scheme. His mind's tying up his feet a little bit right now. There's a process."

Tech's returning stud end is continuing where he left off from his nine-sack campaign in 2014.

"Dadi Nicolas is playing really well," Foster said. "The guy that's, so far during the first couple days, playing much faster and with a lot more confidence is Seth Dooley. Melvin Keihn gives us something with his speed."

Ricky Walker has high expectations. The Hampton, Virginia, native, who made a significant impact in his true freshman campaign, is listed as the second tackle behind Nigel Williams.

"I'm expecting big things from Ricky," Foster said. "He's going to get a lot of work in there. Ricky did some really good things last year but he also did some freshman things so we're hoping he'll take that next step."