Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer’s Hokies are the preseason favorites in the Coastal Division, but for Virginia Tech to return to the ACC championship game, Beamer will need to fill holes on both sides of the ball. Here are three position battles to watch:
- Tailback: The task of replacing NFL first-round draft pick David Wilson might fall to a freshman. Michael Holmes, who redshirted last year, had an outstanding spring and should get the bulk of the carries. Senior Martin Scales is listed behind Holmes on the depth chart. Scales has spent most of his career on special teams, and he’ll battle freshman J.C. Coleman for the backup job. “We’ve got some really talented kids at tailback,” Beamer told the Daily Press as practice opened. "I think we’re trying to figure out who we’re going to work with.”
- Tight end: Seniors Eric Martin and Randall Dunn are battling for the starting job, but sophomore Ryan Malleck might end up beating both of them. Malleck is considered the future at the position. But will he have to wait another year behind the upperclassmen before taking over?
- Wide receiver: Senior D.J. Coles had 480 yards and three touchdowns last season, but he missed spring practice after January knee surgery and still wasn’t 100 percent when camp opened. It opens an opportunity for fifth-year senior Dyrell Roberts, who is coming off a medical hardship after breaking his arm early last season.
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from ACC bloggers Shawn Krest and Sean Bielawski, follow @CBSSportsACC.
