Most of the starting jobs on coordinator Bud Foster’s defense are locked up.  Eight starters return from the nation’s top-ranked defense.  But Foster has three openings: one at end, one at whip linebacker and the other at rover.

Candidates to take Noland Burchette’s spot on the line include Orion Martin, Jason Adjepong, Nekos Brown, Demetrius Taylor and John Graves.  Martin will be a junior this season, Brown and Taylor sophomores, Adjepong and Graves redshirt freshmen.

Spring practice begins Wednesday for the Hokies, who went 10-3 last season.

Burchette, a Highland Springs High product, started for two-plus seasons at defensive end.  Martin is probably the favorite to replace Burchette in the starting lineup, but don’t count out Adjepong.  Brown, a true freshman in 2006, began last season at linebacker but moved to end in early September.  Taylor has been moved from linebacker to end.

Graves, a former Meadowbrook High star, is expected to work primarily at defensive tackle, but he’s versatile enough to play some end, too.

Chris Ellis, a rising senior, returns at the other end.  Ellis, however, is recovering from shoulder surgery and will miss spring practice.

“We’re a little short in numbers [at defensive end this spring],” Tech coach Frank Beamer said Monday, “but Chris Ellis should be back in the fall, and that’ll give these young guys a chance to work in the spring.”

Another young Hokie who could play defensive end is redshirt freshman Andre Smith, Beamer said. For now, though, Smith will continue to work at tight end.

-- Jeff White