With fall practice beginning one week from today, here’s a look at 5 positions to watch.
1. Quarterback
Stephon Masha was named the starting quarterback at the end of the spring, but that was before Buckshot Calvert arrived on the scene. While Stephon is still likely to be the starter in Blacksburg, Calvert will push him. There’s also the question of who will be the backup, and if it’s worth burning Calvert and/or Yearick’s redshirt to be 2nd string.
2. Running back
We know Todd Macon will be the starter and will have plenty of reps, but who will be his backup? Gill has always liked having at least two backs ready to go at all times. To say the depth behind Macon is inexperienced is the understatement of the year.
3. Center
Will the redshirt-freshman Dontae Duff prove his worth as starter? Or will Lucas Holder get the nod at center? If Duff is able to claim the nod at center, it will allow Holder to move to right guard and provide the Flames with an additional body in the lineman rotation.
4. Cornerback
Liberty has a solid 3-man group of corners in Jeremy Peters, Chris Turner, and Tyrin Holloway. After Wesley Scott was lost to injury for the year, someone else will need to step up to provide depth at the position.
5. Kicker
We know Alex Probert will be the Flames’ kicker as he was named starter before he even arrived on campus, but how will he adapt to the college game? It’s a big difference in playing in front of 70,000 fans at Virginia Tech than playing high school football in Minnesota.
