Hokies Secondary, Linebackers Look to Establish Depth Behind a Solid Front Line

The Virginia Tech football team's defensive secondary has labored to find replacements for departed safeties Kyshoen Jarrett and Detrick Bonner.

As is the case with the linebacking corps, the issue isn't so much consolidating a solid first unit — though the secondary is still shifting pieces around — it's establishing depth.

"We have a lot of young guys playing," said defensive coordinator Bud Foster. "The second defense allowed a lot of big plays. Hopefully they'll see themselves and correct it to take that next step. That second group is a long way away right now, particularly on the perimeter."

Secondary

Though scrimmage stats shouldn't necessarily be taken at face value, the offense accrued 566 total yards throughout the day — a far cry from the Hokies' first scrimmage in which the defense dominated.

"We had more big plays against us today than I've seen in a long time," Foster said. "Part of it goes back to a young secondary. They have to protect their leverages. It comes down to technique and fundamentals. I was talking to (defensive backs coach Torrian Gray) and he was saying 'maybe they'll listen now.'"

One player who's still trying to figure things out is Adonis Alexander.

The three-star early enrollee got his first scrimmage action at cornerback today after his second position switch following reps at rover and free safety.

"We've moved him around," Foster said. "We really like his potential. He has a lot of ability."

Alexander's youth was put on full display when he was beaten deep by a streaking Cam Phillips for a 50-yard touchdown reception.

Foster insists, however, that he'll find a place for Alexander, one of his youngsters whose potential is downright frightening.

"It's scary thinking about how good he could be," Foster said. "It goes back to fundamentals; I'm sure he was looking in the backfield at some points.

"It was his first scrimmage at corner and that's what he has to learn. It's important to him. The kid has so much potential."

Linebackers

One of the pass defense's most positive plays of the scrimmage didn't come from the secondary. It was an interception by Deon Clarke on an overthrown swing pass in the flat from Andrew Ford.

With the departure of Chase Williams, it's becoming clear that Deon Clarke is the leader of the linebacking group.

Like other emerging players on the Hokies' defense, the senior's greatest guide is experience.

"It's definitely a little easier, especially after watching Tariq (Edwards) and all the other great linebackers here," Clarke said. "It's definitely easier because I did it already. The plays just aren't tying up my feet as much, it's going out there and doing the offense instead of just doing the defense — reading their keys and knowing what they're going to do and stuff like that."

Clarke suggests that any defensive inefficiency will improve with time.

"It's the second scrimmage of the year," he said. "We're all just trying to find our ways. Even though I played last year, Coach Foster still wants me to do different things. He's changing plays up from last year, so it's just being technique-sound and just having fun with the friends out there no matter what."

Foster didn't take objectionable plays quite as well.

"(Foster) is talking when he's out of breath, but when he catches his breath he's back to the yelling," Clarke said. "He's just a hard-nosed dude and he wants everything to be perfect. He's always telling us 'you don't want to be average, you want to be great, so go out there and have fun, but you have to go out there do your job' and if you don't, you see what happens."

The defensive coordinator has high expectations for his senior.

"The biggest thing for him is being consistent," Foster said. "He's really done that this spring and I've been pleased."

Earlier in the week Foster referenced the onus for leadership would fall on his new middle linebacker.

Andrew Motuapuaka has answered the call, and has established a close rapport with the team's most tenured linebacker.

"(Andrew and I) were always tight when he first came in," Clarke said. "It's not going to be like Chase, who knew the stuff like the back of his hand, but Andrew, he's definitely getting as quick as Chase was. We have a tight bond, no matter what, we just talk."

Foster is pleased with the early contributions of his starting linebackers.

"I like where Deon and Andrew are," Foster said. "There's a big drop off after that."

Foster noted that Motuapuaka's understudy, early enrollee Carson Lydon, was very average in the scrimmage. He likes what he's seen, however, from redshirt sophomore Jamieon Moss.

"It's not a surprise but it's about the time for him," Foster said of Moss. "It'll be his third year as a redshirt sophomore and the linebackers, one of those positions, you have to know all the front because of gaps, and you have to know all the coverages and the blitz packages. That's one of the toughest positions to learn. I like how far he's come."