Virginia Tech Spring Football: Wade Hansen's Meal Plan, O-Line Notes and Quotes

It turns out that when offensive tackle Wade Hansen isn't just knocking the stuffing out of defenders, he's stuffing his face.

The Virginia Tech football team's fifth-year senior adopted the diet of former Hokies tackle Laurence Gibson and the result of his dining-room labor has been fruitful.

Anchoring the offensive line's right side, Hansen weighs in 20 pounds heavier now than he did in the 2014 season. For the converted defensive lineman, no additional biscuits are needed — he's comfortably situated at his goal weight of 300 pounds, and is prepared to lead a unit that's been stripped to bare bones following the graduation of three starters.

How did he do it? Here's a typical daily meal plan:

Breakfast: seven eggs, two cups of oatmeal. Rye toast with jelly on occasion.
Lunch: Qdoba.
Dinner: Training table.
Late-night: Cook a pizza.
Etcetera: Intermittent feasting from a jar of peanut butter he carries around throughout the day.

Hansen's commitment hasn't gone unnoticed.

Hansen's Leadership

Wade Hansen's football career has taken an interesting path.

A one-time transfer from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, the Troy, New York, native made a notable impact in 2014 when called upon, even if he wasn't quite ready for it.

"It was nerve-racking at first, when I first got thrown in," Hansen said. "It was my dream but it came so quick so it was tough to figure out what to do on the run."

Determined to succeed, Hansen handled his lumps and took the adversity in stride.

"There's nobody in the program that has a better attitude than Wade Hansen," said offensive line coach Stacy Searels. "He's really trying to get better his technique. Gaining the weight really gives him the opportunity to compete like he should. His attitude and work ethic — if a kid's like him he'll end up playing."

Despite the turnover, with his good attitude, Hansen is leading the effort to establish a cohesive unit for 2015.

"We've developed a lot of camaraderie which is important for the offensive line," Hansen said. "We're together all the time. We go to dinner together. We're trying to build a bond that can't be broken. I respect the other four guys and all of our backups.

"Everyone looks to me as a leader already and I'm trying to lead by example and if I have to speak up I will."

Gallo's Progress

One of the biggest mysteries for the offensive line early on was the inexperienced youngster Eric Gallo.

The Hokies' center appeared on just 14 plays last season, but Searels suggests that the sophomore is capable of holding his own, to say the least.

"Eric Gallo is going to be a really good center," he said. "He's a tough kid. He does everything we ask and he really works at it. He'll be ready for this coming season."

Searels was most taken by Gallo's study habits — even if he wasn't quite familiar with his exact method.

"He's got cheat sheets – those cards, uh, the flip cards," Searels said.

Gallo realized what he meant after a confused moment of pondering.

"Oh my flashcards," he said. "Yeah I use them to study as much as I can and look at the playbook. I learn well with flashcards, knowing which plays are which."

Despite the solid start, Gallo still knows he has a long way to go.

"So far it's been good. I've got a lot of things to improve on, though," he said. "I need to keep getting better. Spring's really important for everybody. The offensive line needs to spend some time together and keep getting better."

Gallo's experience last year, he notes, pushed him forward considerably.

"I learned a lot last year," Gallo said. "I came in knowing nothing. I learned a lot working with coach Searels and Dave Lang and Caleb Farris."

Listed at guard, Searels noted that Colt Pettit is also working in at center.

Odds and Ends from Searels

Per Searels, Darius Redman has assimilated well since his switch to tackle from tight end. The offensive line coach noted that while he has good feet and is quick, he still needs to learn what to do.

Searels also made it clear that team need will have to supersede optimal positioning, and that a lot of shuffling along the line may be expected — such was the case last season.

Jonathan McLaughlin, for example, is someone who's playing out of position to a degree. It's not as much of an issue because of his previous experience on the left side, however.

"He's probably better suited at right tackle but we have no depth at left and we needed him for that position," Searels said.

Searels also noted that while he prefers Augie Conte at guard, he would be used at tackle in a pinch.

Alston Smith has been limited in practice due to injury, but figures to be a solid backup, per Searels.

As head coach Frank Beamer noted on the first day of spring practice: this time isn't about choosing starters, it's about establishing depth. Searels shares this sentiment and feels pretty set on the personnel he has now.

"We need more depth," Searels said. "I like the first five we've got but we need to have some guys that can step up and play.

"The question is who the sixth guy will be, or seven or eight."