Backfield in Traction: 2 More Hokies Hurting After Scrimmage

Virginia Tech running backs Josh Oglesby and David Wilson are banged up after the team's first scrimmage of preseason practice. Oglesby saw limited action in the 78-play scrimmage after tweaking his hamstring Tuesday. Wilson suffered a sprained shoulder on his first carry Saturday.

Oglesby, Wilson and Ryan Williams are competing for carries after Darren Evans tore his ACL Monday. Williams had six carries for 27 yards and also had an 82-yard punt return touchdown during the scrimmage.

Williams had the second most carries among the running backs Saturday. Tony Gregory led the group with 11 carries, which he turned into 53 yards. Oglesby and Wilson each had two carries. To me, the number of carries is a lot more important than yards gained in scrimmages like this. It gives you an idea of who the coaching staff trusts more or who they want to get a better look at.

Gregory likely got more carries because he's the new blood in the backfield and Oglesby and Wilson were both injured. It doesn't mean he's going to get touches once the season starts unless he out-plays the other three in practice and scrimmages.

Gregory and Williams averaged  4.7 yards per carry, giving the advantage to the offensive line in today's scrimmage. Last year, the Hokies averaged 3.6 ypc against ACC opponents and the defense gave up an average of 3.2 ypc in league play.

We'll keep an eye on the injuries to Oglesby and Wilson. Both of their injuries (hammy and shoulder) are ones that can turn into lingering ones if they're forced into contract drills too early. In the meantime, Williams has a golden opportunity to earn the No. 1 RB spot.

In the No. 2 QB race, Ju-Ju Clayton and Logan Thomas got about the same number of passing attempts. Clayton connected on 11 of 17 passes for 84 yards. Thomas completed 6 of 14 for 128 yards, a touchdown and a pick. Those numbers pretty much tell you which kid has been in the system a year and which one hasn't. It looks like Clayton took what the defense gave him and was efficient. Thomas was able to connect on longer passes had attempts that were high risk/high reward.

Kicker Matt Waldron made all four field goal attempts today, including two from over 40 yards. It appears he's distanced himself from Justin Myer and Cody Journell for the starting job. Beamer said after the scrimmage Waldron is the most consistent kicker the Hokies have.