Previewing Virginia Tech's spring football practices, which begin Wednesday, March 30. Previously: 5 Position Battles to Watch.
The Hokies are one of three ACC teams (Georgia Tech and Maryland) who haven't started spring practice yet. In fact, Duke will its spring game this Saturday. Great timing guys, just in time for the basketball team's Elite Eight game. So, with most of the league already in the middle of spring ball, I figured it was about time to see what they're all up to.
But first, some more info on Tech's coaching changes:
Virginia Tech made a $396,000 investment in recruiting (Darryl Slater)
Darryl Slater of the Richmond Times-Dispatch breaks down the salaries of the Virginia Tech coaching staff. Shane Beamer got a $875 raise to move to Blacksburg to coach with his dad. One thing that surprises me is Torrian Gray's salary. He's one of the last guys on the staff I would want to see leave and yet he's the lowest-paid coach on staff. UPDATE: According to VT, Gray's raise in 2011 will be more than what was previously reported.
Cutcliffe Pleased With Running Backs (Duke Sports Information)
The Blue Devils are serious about establishing the run in 2011. They certainly have the running back stable to do it. They just need to get better on the offensive line and get more consistency out of Desmond Scott, a running back I really like and would like to see have a break-out year (and fumble five times against us).
Report: Six Hurricanes Suspended For 2011 Opener (SB Nation)
DA U IS BACK PART I: Miami could be without the services of starting lineman Seantrel Henderson and five back-ups, including running back Storm Johnson, for its opener against Maryland. No one with the program will comment, but supposedly the punishment is for violating team rules.
Miami Linebacker Charged With Felony (SBNation.com)
DA U IS BACK PART II: This time in the form of linebacker Ramon Buchanan, who allegedly just don't give a f***. He's charged with resisting a police officer with violence as well as three other misdemeanors.
UNC Opens Spring Football Practice (Tar Heel Fan)
The Heels have started spring ball, but no one told their fans who are busy with some frivolous thing known as "bas-ket-ball" or some nonsense. One fan who did notice was Doc from THF who runs down some news and notes from the first day of practice. Bryn Renner is listed as the Heels' starting QB.
What U.Va. will need to address (Norm Wood)
You may know Norm Wood as the Hokies' beat writer for the Newport News Daily Press. Well, unfortunately for Norm he also has to cover the Hoos, who are looking for a QB and are breaking in their #NEWHOOS.
Skylar Jones to transfer from Wake Forest (Blogger So Dear)
Jones was a part of Wake's revolving door at QB last year and even took some snaps against Tech. However, he was asked to move to receive by Jim Grobe and has balked at the idea. He's a senior who has already used his redshirt year, which means he's coming to an FCS program near you!
Moving through Spring Practice... (Shakin The Southland)
Clemson has a new offensive coordinator in Chad Morris and he wants to speed things way up when the Tigers have the ball. STS wonders if he's try to fit square pegs into round holes and how Clemson will fare in short yardage situations.
Spring in step of Rogers, BC football (Boston Herald)
The start of BC's spring drills means Kevin Rogers is back in the ACC. Unlike Morris, it looks like Rogers is going to ease his players into the system he implements. The Eagles have a young QB, so it can be taken two ways. Either he's too young to be learning another system this week or he isn't as set in the ways of the old system because of his youth.
McNeill begins second act (Daily Reflector)
A leaner, meaner Ruffin McNeill will be patrolling ECU's sidelines this year. McNeill had weight-loss surgery and is due for a new hip after spring drills. You can already see a visible difference in the photos that accompany this story.