Spring football is only two days away for Virginia Tech. Coach Frank Beamer spoke to the media Monday via teleconference and offered up some interesting storylines that I’ll be following throughout the spring.

POSITION CHANGES
Josh Oglesby, who didn’t see much playing time as a tailback behind the likes of Ryan Williams and Darren Evans the last two seasons, will open this spring practice at fullback. The junior was a highly sought after recruit, so he’ll bring a skill set to that position that the Hokies probably haven’t seen for a while. Tech typically doesn’t recruit fullbacks. That position is usually reserved for hard-working walk-ons who earned their keep with precise blocking.

Oglesby’s a hard-working guy, and he’s waited his turn to get a starting spot. He could add new wrinkle to Tech’s offense if he earns the No. 1 fullback job.

Other position changes to look for this spring – Jake Johnson will move to defensive end. He’ll begin practice as the backup at one of the two end spots. Bruce Taylor will move to the mike backer spot.

COMPETITION FOR BACKUP QB JOB
Beamer said Brookville grad Logan Thomas, a redshirt freshman, and sophomore Ju-Ju Clayton will split second-team reps at the start of spring. The two battled neck in neck last fall for the backup job, which Clayton won. Thomas spent much of last season watching starter Tyrod Taylor and Clayton take reps in practice. But he knows the playbook, and he’s a quick study, so he will push Clayton for that No. 2 job.

BOTH KICKING JOBS OPEN
Tech must find a new placekicker – this is the fourth straight year the Hokies need a new kicker, though their success in finding capable replacements has been remarkable. The leading candidates to replace Matt Waldron appear to be Justin Myer, Tech’s kickoff specialist last season, Cody Journell and Chris Hazley.

At punter, Nelson County native Brian Saunders has waited his turn for four years. This is the walk-on’s chance to finally nail down the starting job. He was behind one of the best in the ACC in Brent Bowden. Bowden was as consistent as they come. Beamer has told me on many occasions that he thinks Saunders has a big-time leg. He needs to prove he has the consistency to be a major college punter, though.

POSITION BATTLES
On offense, the Hokies must replace a left tackle (Ed Wang), a left guard (Sergio Render), a fullback (Kenny Jefferson) and tight end (Greg Boone). Boone was also the team’s Wild Turkey quarterback, so there’s a chance for a guy like Logan Thomas to get reps there.

On defense, Tech has openings at both defensive end spots (Jason Worilds, Nekos Brown), one tackle spot (Cordarrow Thompson), whip linebacker (Cody Grimm), cornerback (Stephan Virgil) and free safety (Kam Chancellor).

ODDS AND ENDS
—Beamer said sophomore-to-be David Wilson has broached the idea of possibly redshirting this season. He saw mostly mop-up duty as a reserve tailback behind Ryan Williams last season. The coaches aren’t ready to make a decision on what to do with Wilson. Because things can change in a heartbeat—remember Darren Evans’ devastating knee injury last fall?—they need all their running backs working to earn a starting job. That means Williams, Wilson and Evans will all be very much in the mix this spring. Beamer said Evans is 100 percent healthy and ready to challenge for his old starting job.

—Barquell Rivers is expected to be back for fall practice. He tore his left quadriceps while lifting weights last month.

It’ll be a busy spring for the Hokies coaches and players as they practice up to the April 24 spring game at Lane Stadium.

Check back here as I go more in depth on these storylines and more. And check out my Twitter page at @nathanwarters.