Virginia Tech Spring Football: Notes and Quotes from the First Day of Spring Practice

The following are the biggest headlines from the Hokies' first day of spring ball. This is a simple export of my notes to share the most information with you as possible. Please let me know if you have any questions or feedback.

Injuries Abound

Some of the notable scratches for the start of spring include:

(RB) Marshawn Williams – Knee
(FB) Sam Rogers – Elbow
(P) A.J. Hughes – Back
(C) Kyle Chung – Shoulder
(DT) Luther Maddy – Knee
(DE) Ken Ekanem – Shoulder
(DT) Corey Marshall – Ankle
(CB) Brandon Facyson – Leg
(CB) Kendall Fuller – Wrist

The only surprise on the list is Marshall.

The second-team All-ACC coaches selection was a nine-game starter last season, a year removed from a redshirt season prompted by a leave of absence for personal reasons. Marshall, who was given the George Preas Award as the most valuable defensive performer of spring practice in 2014, will miss spring 2015 and undergo ankle surgery.

"(Marshall) battled that ankle all last year," said associate athletics director for sports medicine Mike Goforth."He will have surgery this week and miss spring ball but will be full for fall."

Goforth referenced the push/pull philosophy for athletes recovering injury. Players that are on the fence, but close, need to be pushed. Such is not the case for players eager to return that aren't quite there and need to be pulled back — particularly Sam Rogers.

"(Rogers) is an animal. We have to run him out of the training room, turn the lights off and kick him out," Goforth said. "We'll have to keep him out of spring drills because he'll go to the point where he might reinjure himself. He might be able to do individual drills (down the road) but you all can shoot me if I let him go full before the end of spring."

Weight Updates at Defensive End

Many Tech fans are wringing their hands at the possibility of defensive end Melvin Keihn seeing serious snaps this fall. Listed at six-foot-one and 209 pounds last season, some of the Lane Stadium faithful would rather see the undersized sophomore play a position more traditionally suited for his build—like backer.

"He weighs about the same. He weighs 211 pounds with very little fat," said the associate athletics director for athletic performance Mike Gentry. "(Keihn) is a great worker. He got stronger but he didn't get much bigger."

Keihn's athleticism drew a lofty comparison to a former great.

"He plays bigger than that," Hokies head coach Frank Beamer said. "With his speed and how he is coming off of that edge, Corey Moore comes to mind. He's fast and it can be hard for tackles to get off the ball to block him."

Dadi Nicolas, listed ahead of Keihn at stud end, has put on some weight. The redshirt senior weighed in at 236 pounds after weighing 225 pounds last year. He originally came in at 210.

Is there a Quarterback controversy?

Before we address everyone's favorite topic, a few things need to be made clear. There's no reason to believe Michael Brewer has lost any ground after starting every game in 2014. It's important to note, however, that on the Hokies' new depth chart, Brewer and redshirt junior Brenden Motley are both listed with the first team. Scot Loeffler plans to split the lion's share of spring reps between the veterans.

"It's an open competition," said the third-year offensive coordinator. "The flame is going to be hot with Brewer and Motley... They're going to step up and start playing better."

Beamer seemed optimistic about Brewer's second season and downplayed criticism the Texas Tech transfer received in 2014 from throwing a division-high 15 interceptions, citing lack of exposure to defenses that resembled what he saw in games.

"He needs to make the correct read," Beamer said. "Our defense is different from most defenses you play against. A lot of the interceptions he threw last season were defenses he hadn't seen and worked against. He's a heady guy and throws the ball to the right places.

"Watching Motley continue to develop will be interesting too."

Opportunity for Young Running Backs

Without two of the Hokies' three leading rushers in 2014 absent from spring practice (Juice Williams and Shai McKenzie), the door is open for Travon McMillian.

The redshirt freshman is listed on the second team with Joel Caleb, behind Co-No. 1 veterans J.C. Coleman and Trey Edmunds.

The Woodbridge, Virginia, native, along with fellow redshirt freshman D.J. Reid, are two players that figure to fit the bill in the Hokies' backfield.

"We've got some experienced guys coming back," Beamer said. "Trey Edmunds and J.C. (Coleman) of course. But I'm interested in seeing Mcmillan and Reid. They've got the speed with good size. It'll be a good competition."

Frank Beamer appears to be in reasonable health

Throat surgery is no walk in the park. The December operation that precluded Frank Beamer from being on the sideline for the 2014 Military Bowl whetted the skeptics' conversation. At 68 years old and entering year 29 with the team, Beamer confidently silenced that conversation.

"My throat's doing great and I'm ready to roll," Beamer said. "Getting back out there today is something I've been looking forward to."

Voice hoarse and appearance thinner, the four-time ACC champion smiled and let out his biggest laugh of the day as he finished his address to the media.

"I couldn't wait to see you guys, and I can't wait to get out!"

Highlights Courtesy of HokieSports.com