Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 19, 1994 TAG: 9403190062
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By SCOTT BLANCHARD STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
In 1993, the five interior linemen and tight end John Burke started 71 of a possible 72 games and boasted All-America center Jim Pyne. But Pyne, tackle Chris Barry and Burke have used up their eligibility, so the front wall of Tech's offense will be a spring curiosity.
The Hokies, coming off a 9-3 season and a Poulan/Weed Eater Independence Bowl victory over Indiana, begin spring drills today. Tech concludes workouts with its spring game 7 p.m. April 16 at Salem Stadium.
Here's a Hokies spring primer on some of the key positions:
\ OFFENSIVE LINE - Billy Conaty, who started at tackle as a redshirt freshman last season, moves to center, and '93 backups Mike Bianchin (one start) and Jay Hagood begin spring as first-teamers. Milford (Conn.) Academy alumni Gennaro DiNapoli and Anthony Kapp are enrolled at Tech and will practice this spring.
Tech coach Frank Beamer said T.J. Washington, a 300-pounder who was not on the two-deep roster last year, may be a factor. Kapp, Beamer said, has lost about 30 pounds to get down to 300.
"That says something about his attitude and intentions," Beamer said. "He's really helped himself already."
\ TIGHT END - Tech will miss Burke's blocking. His logical replacement is sophomore Bryan Jennings, a Parade All-American from Jefferson Forest High School. A dark horse: Rhasheyd Williams, a rising junior who entered Tech's program as a quarterback. "Talent-wise, he's got what you need," Beamer said.
\ CORNERBACK - Gone are senior Scott Jones, who had his best season in 1993, and NFL-bound Tyronne Drakeford. William Yarborough, a rising junior, should play extensively. Several players will battle for the other position, including Danny Dunbar and converted tailbacks Baron Spinner (Jefferson Forest) and Aaron Layne.
Beamer said Korey Irby, a highly recruited back from DeMatha High School who was redshirted last year, has been moved to "whip" linebacker, which lost seniors DeWayne Knight and Marcus McClung. "We think he's going to be perfect there," Beamer said, mentioning that Irby recently was timed in 4.3 seconds for the 40-yard dash.
\ LINEBACKER - Beamer wants some depth behind returning starters George DelRicco, who won't participate in spring drills because of wrist surgery in the off-season, and Ken Brown. Whether or not someone emerges in spring drills, Beamer said, "a freshman could very well enter into that situation."
\ INCOMING - Jim Baron, a 1993 recruit from Triton (Ill.) Junior College who was not admitted to Tech last year, has enrolled and will practice. Brad Baylor, a '93 recruit who injured a shoulder and sat out the season, also has returned. Beamer said both could play at defensive tackle, where three of the top four players from 1993 return.
Beamer said DelRicco is the only player expected to miss spring drills because of injury.
by CNB