BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech's offensive line has been a source of consternation for Hokie Nation over the years, but this season figures to be a much different story.
Actually, this year's line could be similar to last year's stout line – a bunch of big, rugged, tough players with the ability to pave the way for an offense. And probably more importantly, this 2018 unit features some depth.
Tech enters this 2018 season with an offensive line that may be the strongest part of the squad. The Hokies return three starters, all seniors, and the backups possess the potential to play with little in the way of drop-off.
But the key to a stronger unit, according to line coach Vance Vice, has been the moving players around to different positions on the line throughout various practices. By doing this, he gains some versatility, insuring that the top players are always on the field in the event of injuries.
AROUND THE MIC 🎙️
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"I try not to stereotype a guy and say, 'He's got to play this,' or pigeon hole a guy," Vice said at a news conference held Thursday at Cassell Coliseum. "Ultimately, I want to get the best five guys out there and then some guys that are capable. Kyle Chung can play five positions right now. That's value to me. That adds depth. Yosh [Nijman] moving to right tackle has helped me bring some guys along on the other side. Just still trying to develop those guys and find the chemistry and find the right five guys right now."
Vice took this approach when he first arrived in Blacksburg, even with his best players. Nijman, who started 22 consecutive games at left tackle before an injury ended his season last fall, found himself on the move this spring when Vice moved him to right tackle.
Vice also moved Chung from right tackle to center – arguably the most important position on the line. The center often plays the leadership role because he makes the calls that, in turn, make sure that the linemen block the right people. Entering his sixth year, Chung provides the most experience on the team.
"He's done an unbelievable job," Vice said of Chung. "He led this group this summer with their player practices and stuff. He's the one that ran it. It is a different relationship with him because I trust him. I'm trying to trust all off them, but he's the one that will hold the others' feet to the fire a little bit."
Vice also moved D'Andre Plantin to left guard in the spring. Plantin played a lot at left tackle last season when Nijman was hurt.
In return, the Plantin move allowed Vice to get a good evaluation on current first-team left tackle Silas Dzansi, a redshirt freshman who played well in the spring.
"He's way, way ahead of where we left off [from the spring]," Vice said. "I think he's had a tremendous summer. I think, just with the maturity and understanding of what we're doing, I think he's got a much better feel for it. Obviously, he has the confidence. He had a great spring and that developed a lot of confidence in him, and I'm excited to see him further develop.
"Now, he should be the first to tell you that there are people behind him and beside him, too, that he's got to fight off. That's where we are. I feel great about this group. There is steady competition, and I'd like for guys to settle in, but if they're having a bad day, we'll play musical chairs in a heartbeat."
Tech's offensive linemen know this. More importantly, they buy into it.
"Any time there is a good offensive line, everyone knows what each other is doing and what each other is thinking," left guard Braxton Pfaff said. "That's a huge benefit for us."
Both Vice and Pfaff also expressed excitement over Tech's array of good, young offensive linemen. In addition to Dzansi, Lecitus Smith and Christian Darrisaw, two freshmen, are on the second-team line, and the Hokies brought in four promising prospects as part of this year's recruiting class.
"I'm super, super excited about those guys," Vice said of his young linemen. "There are definitely opportunities for those guys right now, but they've got to keep getting better every day. They're pushing some people right now. Those guys in front of them are well aware of who they are. I know that. They've got everything it takes to be successful at Virginia Tech. I'm as excited as I can be. The only thing they lack is experience."
Here are some other tidbits from Thursday's news conference:
• Vinny Mihota endured a delicate balancing act over the offseason, as he rehabbed from a torn ACL suffered at the end of last season. The staff moved him to defensive tackle, which required him to bulk up over the spring and summer, but also forced him to be careful. He didn't want the added weight to create pressure on his ACL and thus hinder his rehab process.
"It was definitely different," Mihota said. "It was a slow process. I tried to eat really clean and put on good weight and not necessarily just throw a bunch of weight on. Every week, I'd gain a pound or two here and there, and it just adds up. I went in the 'Bod Pod' [which measures body fat] the other day, and I'm just as lean as I was at defensive end. I've put on 40 pounds of good, lean muscle."
Mihota went from 260 to 297 pounds and feels great.
• Speaking of torn ACLs, Caleb Farley is all the way back from a torn ACL that he suffered almost a year ago to the day. Farley missed contact work in scrimmages during spring practices, but was able to do drill work, and he feels great. Tech's staff moved him back to corner after he played receiver in the spring game in 2017. Playing receiver gave him some insight on how to play defensive back.
"It definitely helped me out, just leaning how the receiver is trying to attack you in certain areas and aspects of the game," Farley said. "It definitely helped when I transferred over to corner. I'm glad I got to play a little receiver."
• Farley has been getting work as both a punt returner and kick returner, as the Hokies search for replacements at those two spots. Others working in those areas include Terius Wheatley and freshman Cole Beck.
• There have been several number changes since the start of fall practices. Here is a list of those changes:
Quincy Patterson – now No. 4
Cole Beck – now No. 43
Kaleb Smith – now No. 80
Tyree Rodgers – now No. 18
Armani Chatman – now No. 27