Virginia Tech 8/18 Offensive Media Session: Notes, Quotes and Observations

Once again, practice was restricted to the media and we weren't too happy about it. With the team working inside the Beamer Barn, us media guys weren't even able to cheat and sneak a peak of any of the live action.

Practice concluded around 5:45 p.m. and as the players were walking out of the indoor practice facility, I saw the following players in blue jerseys: RT Wade Hansen, RB Deshawn McClease, DE Dadi Nicolas, DE Seth Dooley and DT Corey Marshall.

Frank Beamer spoke with the media for a few moments. A few points he made that stood out:

• He's impressed with the kicking game and likes what he's seen from punter Mitchell Ludwig
• He's not concerned about Nicolas' hand injury or Hansen's foot injury
• Players he pointed out as solid punt returners: Greg Stroman, C.J. Carroll and Kendall Fuller
• Kickoff returners? Beamer mentioned Travon McMillian, J.C. Coleman and Trey Edmunds

I noticed offensive line coach Stacy Searels was having what appeared to be an in-depth, one-on-one discussion with backup LT Yoshua Nijman.

When I asked Searels about how the starting offensive line is shaping up, he had this to say:

"When we figure out who the number ones are, I think they're doing outstanding. We have yet to figure out who the number ones are, so it's a work in progress."

Searels was quick to praise Nijman and fellow lineman Parker Osterloh (who has been seen getting some first-team reps.)

"Osterloh and Nijman are doing a terrific job. One hasn't played offensive line and the other hasn't played significant snaps. Both of them are working really hard. They never say a word, just go out and do their jobs."

Stacy Searels said Parker Osterloh, Yosuah Nijman have been solid this camp. Both will definitely play this year. #Hokies— Andy Bitter (@AndyBitterVT) August 18, 2015

There's been some discussion about LG Wyatt Teller working with the second-team O-line. When pressed, Searels had this to say about the matter:

"Wyatt's a very talented young man. Doing fine. He's worked with the ones most of camp."

The media also visited with WRs coach Zohn Burden. Similar to coach Searels, he was also pretty tight-lipped and had no interest in revealing who he believes will emerge as the third, fourth and fifth wide receivers.

"It's still an everyday process for us to see who's executing at the highest level and who's competing at the highest level and we'll determine it from there."

Despite that, coach Burden did do us the favor of discussing several wide receivers at length, including Demitri Knowles, Kevin Asante, Jaylen Bradshaw and Deon Newsome:

ON KNOWLES: "This is the most physical I've seen him since he's gotten here. He's not just running the deep balls, he's catching the intermediate passes and running those routes, so he's coming along, he's developing. I like where he is right now."

ON ASANTE: "He's played obviously in the past year, so he has game experience. But he's a physical player. He brings certain things to the table as far as a physical presence that we need in the run game and he does some things in the pass game as well. He'll definitely be a guy you'll see out there.

ON BRADSHAW: "Jaylen Bradshaw is developing. He worked hard over the summer. He's just got to get out there and get some more experience and play faster, so we put him in a lot of situations where he has to make decisions and option routes and things of that nature. We're just trying to put him in more challenging situations to see if he can handle it and he's doing a good job right now."

ON NEWSOME: "He's developing; trying to become a complete wide receiver, not just a jet sweep threat. His knowledge of the game has picked up from the summertime to now. He's developing as well."

Player Quotes

WR Deon Newsome

ON HOW THE OFFENSE IS SHAPING UP:

"I think it's coming together very well. We're making a lot more steps, as far as a receiving corps anyway. We're trying to become better, where people, like, notice us more and we make plays all the time. Really, we're focused on blocking and just becoming better overall as far as receivers and a better offense."

ON WHAT HE THINKS ABOUT COACH BURDEN:

"I like him a lot. He taught me a lot, man. He taught me a lot of things. I'm working on using everything he teaches me. Pretty much, he's transforming me into an actual receiver.

ON THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE WIDE RECEIVERS OVERALL:

"I've seen an improvement in everybody, actually. I think we can all make steps to become better, but as far as progressing, I think we're doing pretty good."

RB Marshawn Williams

ON HIS WEIGHT:

"I've gained a few, but it's nothing too crazy. It's nothing that I can't just work off real quick. I'm in the process of doing it now."

ON WHAT HE CAN DO NOW COMPARED TO A MONTH AGO:

"I would say I'm a little better at cutting now than I was then and my leg strength is way better now than it was a month ago. That's really the biggest difference."

ON WHAT HIS LIMITATIONS ARE RIGHT NOW:

"It's just mostly gaining my confidence in everything, really. Just building confidence to try to get back out there and doing everything I was doing before I got hurt."

ON POSSIBLY GETTING REDSHIRTED BY THE COACHING STAFF:

"I never go against my coaches. I'd easily, as soon as they say it, I'm going to be down with it, no worries after that. But, it would hurt. I'll say that much. You know, I just want to play. So, either way though, it doesn't matter."

OL Parker Osterloh

ON WHERE HE'S WORKED THE MOST ON THE O-LINE:

"Well this week, I've worked at left guard most. And then last week, I was working at left tackle when Wade (Hansen) was resting up. But, I've really, everyday, played two positions. It's sort of challenging, but just being able to flip sides and flip the plays in your head. But I pride myself on being able to do the best that I can wherever coach needs me."

ON THE COMPETITION FOR THE STARTING O-LINE:

"I definitely think it's a competition. I've been working hard every day trying to at least earn playing time, if not start and try to contribute to the team as much as possible. But, you know, just being able to flip around I think and play multiple positions is helping me get more playing time."

ON BEING ABLE TO PLAY ANY OFFENSIVE LINE POSITION BESIDES CENTER:

"In high school, I played both tackles. I switched sides every play. And I actually did play center in high school, too. But I don't know if I want to tell coach (Searels) that [laughs]. I've gotten a lot more comfortable playing both the guard positions, so I think if I needed to, I can play wherever I need to."

OL Yoshua Nijman

ON HIS INITIAL REACTION OF MOVING TO THE OFFENSIVE LINE:

"Well, I just went with it. I was like, 'you know what, whatever's best for the team I'm just going to do that.'"

ON IF THE MOVE IS PAYING OFF:

"Yeah, I guess. I guess it's paying off now. I mean, even if I would play defense or offense, I would still give like maximum effort."

ON HOW MUCH WEIGHT HE'S ADDED IN THE OFFSEASON:

"Probably, like 10 or 15 pounds. I'm around 280, 280ish."