Teaser- First thoughts watching the VT Spring Game

1) Caleb Farley, with 3 practices, was still getting more separation than any other receiver. Keep in mind, Farley started the game over Phil Patterson, who replaced Cam Phillips after one series.

Dalton Keene worked with the 2 group almost exclusively, but he is a very mobile strong blocker who is a bit tentative, which isn't shocking given his experience level. He looks like a better hand catcher than I expected. Route running is a work in progress.

2) Hooker looked terrific against back up corners, Ladler, and walk on's at free safety and whip. I thought his ability to climb the pocket against a rush was surprisingly good for a young player. He also looked right and froze the free safety, allowing Keene to slip behind him for a touchdown. Jackson and Bush didn't get many opportunities to challenge VT's veteran corners, although Jackson was throwing the ball when Farley drew a couple of PIs. I really think the competition will come down to consistency and who fits the surrounding talent the best.

3) The right side of the offensive line looked serviceable. They weren't knocking guys around in the run game, but outside of one play where Tim Settle came through looking unblocked, they did the job. Pfaff and Smith did a good job of picking up stunts. Teller and Nijman were very solid from eyes view.

4) Emanuel Belmar and Dee Fullwood had some moments on the second defensive line group, but for the most part depth up front is a concern. Burke, Minor, Belmar, and Taylor are all fighting to be the 3rd (if Gaines doesn't return) or 4th DE. Xavier Burke looks like a guy who can come in and steal some reps without being a liability at the point of attack, but from eyes view, I expect Zion Debose to be in the DE rotation. I will talk more about that via film review in the coming weeks.

5)Depth is less of a concern at linebacker, where Tavante Beckett and Anthony Shegog looked like they were in the right place and put guys on the ground. Shegog is an interesting case. He is a senior and is a tweener- he moves to the spot great but gets eaten up by blockers when they can get a body on him. He is also behind Tremaine Edmunds. Listening to Bud Foster on the radio after the scrimmage ended, it sounds like Deon Newsome will be competing with Mook Reynolds at whip, and Bud talked openly about Shegog being a bandit linebacker, but Newsome being a guy he trusts more in man coverage at that bandit spot. I focused very little on Newsome today, so I don't have a feel for that battle.

There was a bust in coverage on a McMillian catch, where both the corner (Alexander) and the rover (Floyd) bit on the slant route from the X. McMillian slipped out from the slot and was wide open in the flat. That was the one moment where I imagine Bud Foster blew his stack. Either his veteran corner or his communicator on that side at rover blew an assignment.

Again, those are some random thoughts. I have some more detailed notes, and will put those together with whatever film we can piece together for a more detailed review. Be sure to tune in, and if you haven't joined The Key Players Club, please do as we will be having TKPC content looking at scheme, position battles, and West Virginia through the summer months.