Hokie Football Outlook, Part VI

Defensive SecondaryReturners

Newcomers

Headlines

• Key losses: Cornerback Brandon Flowers and free safety D.J. Parker
• Key returnees: Starters Victor "Macho" Harris and Kam Chancellor are both back, but have different jobs. Both players will be expected to provide leadership in the secondary following Flowers' departure and continue to make game-changing plays during the course of the season.
• Battle to watch: When Kam Chancellor moved from rover to free safety in the spring, Dorian Porch and Davon Morgan began a healthy competition for the vacated rover job. Porch finished the spring with the edge, but the starting duties may not be secure until preseason workouts end.
• Spring standout: Cornerback Stephan Virgil missed some weekday practices in the spring due to classwork, but he made the most of the time he did spend on the field. Virgil showed an increased knowledge of the game that allowed him to play fast and smooth. The extra work earned him top billing at the field cornerback position.

Players
Boundary Corner
VICTOR "MACHO" HARRIS (Sr.) - Will be replacing All-American Brandon Flowers at the boundary corner position after playing the last three years at field corner ... Tied Flowers for the team lead in interceptions last season with five ... Is excited about the challenge of being in more man-to-man coverage ... A solid tackler with great playmaking abilities ... Spent the first six spring practices working at wide receiver.

RASHAD CARMICHAEL (r-So.) - Heads into the fall as the team's third cornerback ... Can play on the boundary or field side ... A quick athlete, he has impressed the staff with his work ethic ... Has a chance to play a key role this fall.

“I'd hoped to be a little bit further along with our younger players, but I think we have four guys at corner heading into the fall who are going to make it a good group overall. I like what we have in Macho (Harris), and I thought Stephan Virgil really stepped up, but there is still work to be done in order to strengthen the positions. As for the free safety position, I feel great about Kam Chancellor. He made a seamless transition from rover to free safety. Right now, my main concern about that position is finding a backup guy.”

- Coach Torian Gray on the Corners & Free Safeties

“(Dorian) Porch would start and Davon (Morgan) would play ... that's the way I see it right now, following spring practice. Porch had a very good spring, especially the second half. Morgan got better as practice went along. The more he plays, the better he gets. This will probably go neck-and-neck through preseason practice, and then we will see where they are. Right now, they're pretty close.”

- Coach Cavanaugh on the Rovers

Field Corner
STEPHAN VIRGIL (Jr.) - Stepped up big in the spring and moved to the top of the depth chart ... Performed well last season as the No. 2 boundary corner behind Flowers ... Has developed a good feel for the game ... Plays faster than his 40 time ... Has the tools and work ethic to get the job done.

CRIS HILL (r-Fr.) - A young player with a tremendous upside ... Coaches are hoping additional reps and exposure to the system will help him unleash that potential ... Has a chance to earn early playing time with a good summer preparation and continued progress in August.

Free Safety
KAM CHANCELLOR (Jr.) - Started every game at rover last season ... Was moved to free safety for spring practice and made a smooth transition ... Provides a bigger, stronger and faster body at the position ... Possesses a good awareness of the game ... Will be a key figure in the Tech defense.

ALONZO TWEEDY (Fr.) - Has taken a crash course in the Tech system since enrolling in January ... Struggled to keep up, but showed he can run and he can hit ... Shouldn't be counted out when it comes to playing time in the fall.

Rover
DORIAN PORCH (r-Jr.) - Possesses the physical skills needed for the position, including speed, strength and athleticism ... Had a strong winter workout, producing the best vertical jump on the team for the third-straight year with a leap of 41 inches ... Is the leading candidate for the starting job thanks to a strong spring showing.

DAVON MORGAN (So.) - Is a close second in the battle for the rover spot ... A big hitter who has strong ball skills and a great feel for the game ... Gets better every time he takes the field ... Played as the No. 2 free safety last season and is likely to see some action there as well.

Taken from the Virginia Tech 2008 Football Media Guide which went to print in mid-June