Previous Page  32 / 48 Next Page
Information
Show Menu
Previous Page 32 / 48 Next Page
Page Background

30

Inside Hokie Sports

Defensive coordinator Bud Foster also doubles as the position

coach for the mike linebackers and the backers, and fortunately for

him, his two projected starters at these positions rank among the

finest in the ACC. So he spent his spring giving loads of practice reps

to backups in an effort to build depth.

He did give Andrew Motuapuaka and Tremaine Edmunds enough

work to stay sharp, though. The two of them led the Hokies in tackles

last season, and Foster expects just as much production and even

more leadership from the duo this fall.

“They both had good springs,” Foster said. “I felt they improved

and worked on things that they needed to work on. They’ve been

good leaders for us. I’m expecting them to do big things for us this

year.”

To alleviate depth issues, especially knowing that Sean Huelskamp

would be out for the spring with an injury, Foster made a couple of

moves before spring practice. He shifted versatile Anthony

Shegog from the whip/nickel spot to backer behind

Edmunds and slid Tavante Beckett from backer to mike

linebacker behind Motuapuaka.

Beckett seemed like a natural at the spot this spring. In

Tech’s controlled scrimmages, he made plays all over the

field. He makes the occasional mistake, mostly because he

pursues the ball so fiercely. But Foster likes that he plays

with such a motor, which certainly beats the alternative

from a coaching perspective.

“He’s a really good football player,” Foster said. “He’s

very instinctive. He just has a nose for the football. He’s

very physical, and he plays with a high motor. He’s active.

I’ve been pleased.

“We played him in a new spot. The mike is a little bit

different than the backer spot even though there is some

carryover. There are added responsibilities at mike

compared to the backer spot, particularly from a coverage

standpoint. We need for that guy to take charge. He sets

the tone for the defense. Tavante’s learning, but he loves

football, and he’s worked very hard. I think he’s going to

play a lot of football when it’s all said and done. I like his

future.”

Motuapuaka, Beckett and Huelskamp give Foster a nice

trio at the position. He has a steady, productive veteran in

Motuapuaka, a young playmaker to mold for the future in

Beckett, and a versatile, experienced backup in Huelskamp.

At the other spot, Shegog also adjusted nicely to his

move, as getting closer to the line of scrimmage makes

sense for a player of his ilk. He missed a handful of practices

midway through spring practice because of a minor injury,

but returned for the final couple of weeks.

Foster’s decision to move Shegog came about after

Shegog’s performance in the bowl game against Arkansas.

He easily could have been the MVP after recording six

tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and an interception.

“I think getting Anthony closer to the ball gave us an

opportunity to evaluate and find out if he’d be better a

little closer to the line of scrimmage,” Foster said. “Last

year, he only played primarily in our 30 personnel, special teams

and occasionally when an offense was in a two-back formation. He’s

a good football player, and we thought it would help to develop him

and train him.

“I feel good about where he’s come, and he’ll be able to take this

summer and work at that spot —and do the same this fall. He can

be a valuable guy at several spots. We can play him at that whip

position, or he can give us added depth at that backer spot.”

Foster added that the move allowed the staff to work Deon

Newsome more at the nickel defensive back spot and to get an

evaluation of Newsome, who received the bulk of the reps this spring

because of Mook Reynolds’ injury and Shegog’s move to backer.

Overall, Foster feels confident in his group of linebackers. That

said, he wouldn’t rule out playing any of the incoming freshmen in

whomhe feels confident —Dylan Rivers, Jaylen Griffith, Rico Kearney

Depth

EMERGES

for

Hokies

at both

linebacker

spots

by

Jimmy Robertson