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First, I just filed this for tomorrow’s paper ...

Virginia Tech senior cornerback Victor “Macho” Harris is listed as doubtful for tomorrow’s season opener against East Carolina at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.

Harris, a Highland Springs High graduate, sprained his left foot in Friday’s scrimmage. He missed the first three days of practice this week while wearing a protective boot. Yesterday’s practice was not open to the media. Tech released Harris’ status yesterday as part of its new weekly injury report.

Harris was scheduled to start at the boundary corner position and return kickoffs and punts. Tech’s coaches have said they plan to also play him at wide receiver, the Hokies’ most uncertain position.

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Now on to some other items.

I’ll have a story coming in tomorrow’s fish wrap on some of the 10 true freshmen who will dress for Saturday’s season opener against East Carolina in Charlotte.

(Side note: If you’re thinking about heading out downtown Friday or Saturday night for a drink or two, know that the bars figure to be absolutely packed. East Carolina students are notoriously legendary partiers. I know that’s a stereotype and all, but it certainly holds true for the few I’ve hung out with. Fun folks, but heavy partiers. I’d be willing to bet they’ll be at their absolute best this weekend—or worst, depending on your perspective and tolerance for general tomfoolery. So be prepared to stand shoulder-to-shoulder, make some new friends and wait a few minutes for your cocktail. Me? I don’t mind crowds, so I’m looking forward to the festive atmosphere.)

OK, back to the present. One of the guys I spoke with for the story that runs tomorrow was cornerback Eddie Whitley, who grew up about 10 miles outside of Charlotte. He’ll probably play only on special teams—kickoff coverage and punt return. He’s an engaging kid who has developed a reputation so far this preseason for being a hard hitter. Here’s what he had to say about that ...

“In high school, I was never a hitter. I never really hit hard. I was probably like the prime-time guy, always get the interceptions. Since I got out here, coach [Torrian] Gray has pressed every button to make me come out there with a dog instinct, with an animal instinct and just want to attack and attack. For me to be on the field, he said he’s going to need to see me with that animal instinct, so I just came out here with the mindset of whoever has the ball is gonna feel a lick, because I’m gonna come.“

Definitely not shy. And obviously a solid interview, too.

All the rest of the pertinent information on the freshmen will be in the story tomorrow, so no need to get repetitive here. Of the 10 true freshmen, the main guys to watch are tailback Ryan Williams, kickoff specialist Justin Myer and receivers Dyrell Roberts, Xavier Boyce and Jarrett Boykin.

I don’t want to make too much of a fuss about the true freshmen, because most of them probably will play only on special teams (and there’s no telling how many carries Williams actually will get—or how many balls Sean Glennon will throw to Boyce or Boykin, who are back-ups). The bigger issue is the lack of proven depth at positions that need it, or might need it.

Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster likes to rotate his defensive tackles. But his backups there are two redshirt freshmen (Kwamaine Battle and Justin Young) and a junior, Demetrius Taylor, who has barely played. He moved from end in the spring. Foster said earlier this week that he is concerned about this spot, so keep an eye on the backup d-tackles on Saturday.

The backup offensive line also has been spotty during the preseason, and while second-stringers are as crucial there as they are at defensive tackle, o-line coach Curt Newsome has to be crossing his fingers that none of his guys go down on Saturday.

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I’ve spent the better part of the past two days in court, covering the trial of one of the men accused of shooting in Harris’ occupied apartment last November. Harris was inside at the time along with linebacker Xavier Adibi and wide receiver Justin Harper. Anyway, I’ll spare you all the gritty details of the trial and get to the main news: The man on trial this week, Anthony Jobair Lucas, was found not guilty. Another man, Augustus Pajibo Peal, faces the same charge as Lucas—discharging a firearm within or at an occupied dwelling—and is next scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 29.

Though I wouldn’t trade jobs with a court reporter unless you paid me both of our salaries combined, the experience was pretty neat—boring at points, but dramatic at others. I had never covered a trial before, so that was a nice departure from the daily grind of sportswriting.

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Tech is going to wear all-white uniforms for the Sept. 6 home opener against Furman, and you can put in a bid for the special helmets the Hokies will be wearing. Excuse the cynicism here, but this strikes me as a straight-up money grab (note at the bottom of the release that all proceeds will benefit the Tech football program).

I’m not going to pretend to know the inner financial workings of the program, but I imagine it has plenty of money—what with all the athletic department’s revenue streams (boosters, ticket sales, television deals, merchandise). Why not donate the money from the helmet auction to an organization like Herma’s Readers? As you might recall, Tech’s “White Out” for the Furman game is trying to drum up support for this organization, which promotes the power of reading. It was named after head coach Frank Beamer’s late mother.

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OK, soap-box session over.

We’ll close with a quick prediction for the season opener (as always, not meant for gambling use, unless you are really intent on handing your kid’s college fund to a bookie): Tech 17, East Carolina 10.

Later for now.

Posted by Darryl Slater in • College Sports • Virginia Tech
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