C.J. Carroll Awaits His Opportunity While the Hokies Continue to Push Tempo Up Front

Tens of thousands of fans are expected to descend to Blacksburg this weekend for the Hokies' annual spring game, many of them understandably anxious to get their first true glimpse of the Justin Fuente era at Virginia Tech.

But while the sea of maroon and orange in Lane Stadium will look familiar this Saturday afternoon, the product on the field will look quite different. Setting aside the new up-tempo offense that Fuente has brought to town, injuries and depth concerns have left the Hokies a little shorthanded headed into the weekend. As such, the game will feature just one offense and one defense in place of the full two-team exhibition seen in previous years.

"We'll do our best to simulate as much as we can gamewise. It won't be a true game," said Fuente. "We're just not to the point right now where we can (play a full game). Both depth-wise and we're just not ready for a full-fledged game. But I think people will enjoy it. We're definitely gonna go out there and get good quality work in."

In addition, the Hokies will be protecting their quarterbacks with gold jerseys on Saturday and have opted to remove much of the punt and kick return aspects of the game. The offense will tally points in the traditional football manner, but the defense will score via forced turnovers, three-and-outs, and stops.

Tyrod Taylor, Kam Chancellor, and Deangelo Hall are all expected to be in town for the day's festivities, and Fuente promised that former Hokies of all stature — NFL star or not — would be welcomed back to town with open arms.

"Obviously we have some links there with coach Foster and coach Wiles who stay in contact with those guys as well...So there's still some familiarity," said Fuente. "My conversations with those guys have been incredibly positive...and it's not just the ones that everybody knows. The guys that aren't the famous names, we want them to know they're welcome as well."

Carroll Seeking a Spot in the Rotation

Standing at just 5'7", redshirt sophomore wideout C.J. Carroll isn't the most physically imposing player on the Hokies' roster. And he knows it.

Less than a minute after taking his place behind the podium, Carroll made it clear that he wasn't above a self-deprecating joke or two.

"I need a stool (to stand on)," laughed Carroll.

But while Carroll might not look like the answer at wide receiver for the Hokies as he ambles across the drillfield, the Maryland native fully expects to make an impact on the field this fall.

"I've been working hard all spring trying to get as many reps as possible," said Carroll. "I see myself definitely contributing to the team. Where that is, either in the slot or on the outside, that's for the coaches to decide. But I definitely see myself contributing this year."

The slot seems like a natural landing place for an undersized but shifty wideout, and Carroll acknowledged that he feels right at home working inside.

"I'm definitely more quick than I am fast," said Carroll. "In the slot, you go up against safeties, linebackers, people who don't move as well as the corners. You definitely have a lot more room to operate."

With Isaiah Ford and Cam Phillips eating up nearly all of the playing time at receiver for the Hokies over the last two years, Carroll's been largely relegated to the sidelines. But he hasn't been alone.

Since the arrival of Ford and Phillips, the Hokies have somehow managed to play just two primary receivers along with the occasional sight of tight end Bucky Hodges split outside. But with the arrival of Fuente comes an up-tempo offense, one that promises to demand more than a mere two contributors at wideout throughout the 2016 season.

"Honestly, we're gonna need everybody to play," said Carroll. "That's just how this offense is. I'm sure if he (Fuente) could play 8 receivers, he'd play 8 receivers."

Much like several of Fuente's receivers at Memphis, Carroll took an unconventional road to college football. Unrecruited by every major school, Carroll relied on former high school teammate Kendall Fuller to put in a good word for him with the Hokies' coaching staff.

"He kind of put in the good word for me with coach Moorehead, and coach Moorehead gave me the opportunity," said Carroll. "Now I'm here just trying to make the most of it."

Given his size, Carroll knows it won't be easy. He understands that. In fact, he embraces it.

"It's definitely a challenge, but I've been dealing with it my whole life," said Carroll. "It's something that I'm used to. Blocking is probably the hardest thing, blocking a 250 pound linebacker, but that just comes with heart."

Vice Hard at Work Up Front

For Hokies' seniors Jonathan McLaughlin and Augie Conte, Vance Vice represents yet another offensive line coach in their careers in Blacksburg. Few would fault them for growing weary of the process, tired of constant change in offensive line schemes and teaching methods.

But thankfully for Vice, that hasn't been the case.

"Those guys have bought in. They didn't test the water. They did a cannon-ball right off into what we're doing," said Vice. "Those guys have been able to play multiple positions for me right now. They have a great understanding so far. We're not gonna be as good as we'll be in our first game, but we're gonna get there. And with their leadership, we should get there rather quickly."

And Conte and McLaughlin haven't been the only linemen switching positions throughout spring practice. At one point last week, Vice moved every offensive linemen one position to the right in practice, a test of sorts to see how well each player understood the entirety of the new scheme.

"When we teach the scheme, we teach an understanding of it so we can move around. That will help create some depth for us," said Vice. "The more a guy knows, the more places he can play...Just in case, you get in a game, and somebody goes down, his backup's not always the best option all the time. Maybe it's the guy next to him, it's his backup."

And while Vice was blessed with four returning starters up front, the former Memphis assistant has also been encouraged by the play of some of the younger Hokies.

"Some of the guys that had redshirted, early on, D'Andre Plantin, Nijman, I know he played a little bit last year, but he's very promising," said Vice when asked for early standouts. "They've been set back a little bit with injuries right now. We've got quite a few on the banged up list, but they should all be back this summer. There's nothing major in there."

With tempo clearly at a premium this spring, one of Vice's main responsibilities has been instilling a mindset of moving quickly up front. But despite the large majority of Hokies being accustomed to a much slower pace, Vice continues to see progress from his unit.

"We want to put the ball in play before the other team's ready. Nothing's better than that defensive line looking at their sideline for a call and we snap the ball," said Vice. "It's a little bit easier to block them when they're looking the other way. We always look for that advantage. These guys have bought in. It's not normal for 300 pounders to want to hurry everywhere. That's why we preach it every day. That's how we lift in the weight room. That's how we practice. It's gotta become a habit."

And while some of those 300 pounders may think they're fully prepared for the season from a conditioning standpoint, Vice promises otherwise.

"They think they have, (but) they're nowhere close," said Vice. "That's what this summer will be for. It's pivotal we make another step forward, or two steps forward this summer."