Virginia Tech Hokies Season Preview

Heading into the fall, prime projects include rebuilding the off ensive line around T Jonathan McLaughlin and G Wyatt Teller, improving the consistency of QB Michael Brewer, replacing both safety positions and developing overall depth on defense...Th e Hokies made progress in all areas in the spring...G Augie Conte, T Wade Hansen and C Eric Gallo emerged as the leaders to fi ll the other positions on the line... With a year of being in the system, Brewer, who completed 59% of his passes for 2,692 yards and 18 TDs, should be improved ...He will have several weapons at his disposal...One of the reasons for Tech’s late-season surge was the play of its fourth-string TB in J.C. Coleman, who ran for 468 yards and a 5.8 average in the fi nal four games of the year...Coleman will be joined by TBs Marshawn Williams (471 yds), Shai McKenzie and Trey Edmunds aft er their rehab from their 2014 injuries...WRs Isaiah Ford (56 catches) and Cam Phillips (40 catches) and TE Bucky Hodges (45 catches, 7 TDs) were revelations as freshmen...Th ey will be joined by TEs Ryan Malleck and Kalvin Cline and WRs Kevin Asante and Demetri Knowles to form a deep corps of receivers...Defensively, Tech should have as good a line as anyone in the ACC with DEs Nicolas and Ekanem, who combined for 18.5 sacks, joined by DTs Maddy, Marshall, Williams and Woody Baron...LBs Deon Clarke and Andrew Motuapuaka ended 2014 as an athletic, productive pair and will be joined by Ronny Vandyke at OLB...Fuller and Chuck Clark enter fall as the starters at CB with former starter Brandon Facyson and Greg Stroman also in the mix...Junior Desmond Fyre ended spring ahead of Donovan Riley at FS while soph C.J. Reavis heads into the fall just ahead of Terrell Edmunds at rover.