For the first time in a week, Virginia Tech had its full complement of running backs at Tuesday’s practice. That doesn’t mean everything is perfect in the backfield.

Sophomore Josh Oglesby and true freshman David Wilson both returned after being sidelined or limited by injuries. Since next week is game week for the Sept. 5 season opener against Alabama, they need to maximize their opportunities as they contend with redshirt freshman Ryan Williams to become the replacement for sophomore Darren Evans, who is out for the season with a knee injury.

In the days leading up to Tech’s first preseason scrimmage, Aug. 15, Oglesby was limited in practice because he pulled his right hamstring the Tuesday before the scrimmage. The day after the scrimmage, a blister on Oglesby’s left heel became infected. So he did not practice at all last week, instead staying at home and resting his foot. Nor did he participate in Saturday’s scrimmage. Wilson sprained his left shoulder Aug. 15 and wore a blue (no contact) jersey all of last week. He also sat out Saturday’s scrimmage.

Tech was off Sunday, and coach Frank Beamer cancelled practice Monday, the first day of classes, so his players could get their academics in order. When the Hokies reconvened Tuesday, all of the tailbacks were fully cleared to participate. But the time away didn’t serve them well.

“That was part of the problem, the mental mistakes they were making,” said running backs coach Billy Hite. “We were rusty.”

With a long lay-off like the one Oglesby and Wilson had, Hite said, “You can’t be sharp. I don’t care who you are. You won’t be that sharp. The ones that scrimmaged Saturday – and we gave them off Sunday and Monday – they weren’t sharp today mentally. You can’t give a kid two days off. ... I’m sure the first time they even thought about practice [on Tuesday] was when they came over here and put their football uniforms on. They didn’t think about football for the last couple days because of having time off.”

Hite liked the way Wilson looked physically and could tell his legs were rested. Oglesby ran well at the beginning of practice, Hite said, “Then toward the end of practice, I’m sure he started feeling his ankle a little bit. Running sprints [at the very end of practice], he didn’t look very good. I know [with] conditioning, you take a few days off from that, you’re gonna lose that, too.”

Oglesby excelled in Tech’s offseason strength and conditioning program, but remember that Tuesday was his first full practice in two weeks. In that time, even the guys in optimum shape tend to lose a bit of their fitness. And Hite said as much when talking about Oglesby’s time away from practice. “It’s hurt his conditioning,” Hite said.

Hite also mentioned that he noticed Oglesby favoring his left foot in Tuesday’s practice, which is only natural when you return from an injury. “I think once that foot starts hurting a little bit, I think he’s gonna protect it,” Hite said. “But when it comes to playing Alabama, he can’t be protecting that foot against them now. I can tell you, he better be going full speed.”

Still, Hite maintained his overall optimism about his position, which is loaded with talent and potential, but remains unproven. “We’re gonna be fine,” he said.

Wednesday’s third and final preseason scrimmage could go a long way in determining what Hite’s backfield looks like. “It’s very important,” Hite said. “I think Josh needs to have a good day, which I’m expecting him to. And I think David needs to have a good day. Ryan has played in the scrimmages. He’s been very impressive so far.”

Now that Tech’s coaches have seemingly settled the backup quarterback situation by saying true freshman Logan Thomas will redshirt unless absolutely needed, the biggest uncertainty about this team—at least in terms of who is going to play, and how much—is the tailback spot. So at what point does Hite want to pick his final pecking order for the Alabama game?

“I don’t have a point,” he said. “I’m gonna wait and see what happens. It might be the day of the game. We’ll just have to wait and see. I want to see how well these guys respond getting into game week and see what happens.”

But their position coach, Billy Hite, says they looked rusty.