Ike Moves Over, Tyrod Moves Up

With less than two weeks until the start of the season, Hokie football coach Frank Beamer announced a significant shake-up to his team’s depth chart. Beamer deemed highly touted freshman Tyrod Taylor the team’s primary backup to starting quarterback Sean Glennon while converting redshirt sophomore Ike Whitaker to a full-time wide receiver.

“We think Ike can help this football team as a wide receiver and then will determine if he’ll go back to quarterback after this season,” said Beamer. The announcement came Tuesday during Beamer’s daily staff meeting.

In five games of mostly mop-up time last season, Whitaker went 10 of 16 passing for 119 yards and a touchdown. He left the team prior to the Hokies’ bowl appearance to deal with an alcohol problem. After completing his rehab program he returned to the team.

Whitaker added 25 pounds to his frame in the offseason and at 6’4“ might find ways to contribute immediately as a split out in Tech’s already deep wide receiver corps. He worked as a part-time receiver in preseason and caught two passes for nine yards in the recent scrimmages.

Rivals.com rated Taylor the top dual-threat high school quarterback in the country last year and his play in the Hokies’ scrimmages raised more than a few eyebrows. Tech fans went wild during the first scrimmage when Taylor showed off his athleticism during a scramble by avoiding the rush and a couple of defenders en route to a 15-yard gain. He also went six of ten passing for 30 yards with one interception.

“We’ve been impressed with Tyrod,” said Beamer. “We want to get him the second-team work in practice and make a decision later on whether to redshirt him or try to play him.”

Reassigning quarterbacks to new positions is not a new phenomenon at Virginia Tech. Tight end Greg Boone and rover Kam Chancellor both played quarterback in high school and worked at the position for a short time at Tech before switching to their current roles. Redshirt junior Cory Holt, who will remain the no. 3 quarterback, also worked some wide receiver in practice last year.

Other News:
- The Hokies’ final scrimmage on Friday, Aug. 24 will now be an open exhibition. Fans may enter Lane Stadium at gates 4 and 5. No cameras or video equipment will be permitted.

-Monday kicked off the first broadcast of the season for the Advance Auto Parts Hokie Hotline. The radio show, hosted by the voice of the Hokies, Bill Roth, has a new home and will now operate out of Awful Arthur’s restaurant in downtown Blacksburg from 7p.m to 9p.m. on Monday evenings. The Hotline features live Q&A with Tech’s coaches and athletics personnel and can be heard on the Virginia Tech ISP Sports Network.