OFFENSE: Predict End of Week 1 of Fall Camp 2 Deep Roster

We are just days away from the start of fall camp, and several position battles are brewing. Early focus will be on the recovery of key veterans returning from injury (Exum, Coles, Miller, Wang, Fuller), and unsettled battles from the spring. Here is how I think things will shape out. What are your predictions?

Quarterback: Logan Thomas, with Mark Leal as the backup.
Despite handwringing to the contrary, Logan is the guy. If the staff turns to Leal at any point this season, it will be as result of injury.

Tailback: Trey Edmunds, JC Coleman, Tony Gregory- I still think Edmunds is the only returning back who projects to be a 20-25 carry a game workhorse. JC will likely start camp as the number 1, but I think Loeffler will ultimately settle on using him as a change of pace and 3rd down back. We will all be rooting for Tony Gregory, but chronic injury issues limit his ability to be an every down back.

Fullback: This is the most difficult position to predict. Identifying which fullback was which in the spring game was impossible, as most of their numbers didn't even match up to their actual jersey and all struggled. Riley Biero returns from industry, but it is possible that we will see Zach McCray as an Hback more than we see a true fullback this season.

Center: Again, this is a position that is in flux. Caleb Farris got most of the work at center as spring camp wore down while Andrew Miller worked at guard, but Coach Grimes may have been giving Miller work without exposing injury at center (the more difficult position.) Based on the spring game, you have to think Farris is the starter, but based on Grimes comments, you KNOW Miller is starting somewhere, and I think he is a better fit at center versus guard. I think David Wang will also get an opportunity to compete at center.

Left Guard- Mark Shuman rose from the ashes of losing the starting left tackle position to looking very effective at left guard in the spring game. I envision the loser of the battle between Wang and Farris becoming the utility interior lineman and serving as the primary backup, as Matt Arkema did not seem to win over the staff in spring practice.

Right Guard- Andrew Miller got the work in the spring game with the #1 offense at right guard and struggled mightily against the 2nd/3rd team defensive kids. Brent Benedict meanwhile was very effective going against the #1 defense in very limited snaps. My eyes tell me that Benedict gives you the best chance to win, with Miller and Farris battling at center and both capable along with every improving Adam Tarashcke the heir apparent.

Left Tackle- Unless Coach Grimes suprises us all, Jonathan McLaughlin is the starting left tackle for next season. Shuman and Laurence Gibson could both swing out to left tackle if McLaughlin struggles, with more depth being available at their positions.

Right Tackle- Laurence "should have been on the field last year" Gibson takes up the mantle at right tackle. He won the most improved award for the spring, and due to James Gayle lining up over right tackle, drew the most difficult blocking assignment day in and day out. He struggled a bit in the spring, but I expect a terrific season from Gibson. Augie Conte will be the primary backup, but I envision a move inside for Conte down the road.

Tight End- Based on the utilization in the spring, Ryan Malleck will be the every down tight end, and Zach McCray will be the hBack. The Hokies have talented depth five deep at the position, with Duan Perez Means as a smooth pass catcher, Darius Redman as a big man with the speed to get deep, and Dakota Jackson as a bull for blocking.

Split End/Flanker- DJ Coles, if healthy, will take this spot, and move to the backfield. Josh Staford was listed as the #2 as split end, but given how he became Logan's security blanket in spring practice, I would imagine that he will start over Demetri Knowles. The big question mark is Joel Caleb. He has the physical measurables to step in and beat Knowles and Stanford out for the job, but can he get open? If he develops that fluidity and timing through his work with Coach Moorehead, I think he could be one of the suprises of camp.

Yes. I have not had Wyatt Teller moving to tackle. But, if it happens, dominance will happen on the left side.