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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