The Virginia Tech defensive line was a major strength for the Hokies in 2005, but heading into spring football 2006, it is a major question mark. There is talent up front for the Hokies, but there is also some inexperience and depth problems. If Tech can field another good line this fall, their defense can be one of the best in the nation yet again. But if certain players don’t pan out, the front four could be at its weakest point in the last several years.

Tech will enter 2006 with just one senior along the defensive line. Defensive line coach Charley Wiles will be searching for depth at defensive end and defensive tackle. Here is how we project the depth chart to look heading into the spring.

It looks like Virginia Tech will have a solid group of starters in 2006. However the Hokies are very unproven when you reach the two-deep and beyond.

The Hokies lost All-American defensive end Darryl Tapp to the NFL, but they will have two very experienced starters in Chris Ellis and Noland Burchette. They will also bring in one of the most talented defensive end classes in the nation this fall, but they won’t have as much to work with this spring.

It is important that starters Chris Ellis and Noland Burchette stay healthy for the entire season. If they go down with an injury, things could get ugly.

Ellis is Tech’s most talented defensive end. He has good size and long arms, which make it difficult for offensive tackles to get their hands into his body. Ellis has good strength and good speed coming off the edge, and he should be ready for a breakout year in 2006. He had 10.5 TFLs and six sacks in 2005, and those numbers should rise this fall. Ellis is one of the ACC’s most under-valued defensive ends, but he will start to turn some heads during his junior season.

Noland Burchette isn’t flashy and doesn’t make a lot of plays, but he is a very solid player. He had four TFLs and three sacks in 2005. He doesn’t get a lot of penetration, but he does an excellent job of playing his gap responsibilities. Burchette likely will not be a star defensive end for the Hokies during his senior season, but he will have a very good year.

William Wall didn’t practice with the team for much of the fall semester because of academic issues, but he is expected to compete for a lot of playing time this spring. He reported to camp last August as perhaps the most physically imposing true freshman defensive end the Hokies have ever recruited. He must use the spring to refine his technique and get used to the college game. With experience this spring and this fall, Wall could become a force on the defensive line in the future.

Martin is a former walk-on who earned a scholarship and saw playing time as part of the two-deep in 2005. He is an extremely athletic player. Martin possesses the most speed of any Tech defensive end, and although he must improve at the point of attack, he is one of the strongest defensive ends in the weight room. With a good spring practice, he will see his playing time increase this fall.

The Hokies lost Jonathan Lewis to the NFL, as well as Tim Sandidge, who enjoyed a great senior season. Carlton Powell is a proven player, but the other defensive tackles are inexperienced. Not only does Tech need to find another starter this spring, but they also need to begin the process of developing depth.

Powell is Virginia Tech’s best defensive tackle. He played very well as a freshman in 2004, and although an injury limited him for most of 2005, he was back to normal by the end of the year. With a good spring in 2006, he will be ready to have a breakout year this fall. Powell is an athletic player and possesses good strength, but the thing that separates him from other players is his work ethic. It’s tough to find a player who works harder than Powell, and that should show on the field this year.

Barry Booker is the frontrunner to start at the other defensive tackle spot in 2006. He showed flashes as a backup in 2005, playing in 12 games, making two TFLs and recording four quarterback hurries. Booker is an extremely athletic defensive tackle and can run sideline to sideline with just about any interior lineman in the nation. His drawback is his strength. He will get pushed around by stronger linemen. When spring practice is over, he must use the summer to improve his strength.

The Hokies need players to step up at defensive tackle, and they would benefit the most if Robertson is one of those players. He possesses the most natural athletic ability of any defensive tackle on the team. He has very good strength, and has very good speed for player his size. Robertson has struggled with his intensity and concentration in the past, and he also has trouble staying low once the ball is snapped. If he has a good spring, he could easily end up starting this fall.

Green settled in at defensive tackle this past August and took a redshirt year to sculpt his body and get stronger. He needs to step up this year, or the Hokies could be forced to limit themselves to a three-man rotation at defensive tackle. Green is an athletic player, but he still has a ways to go with strength. Still, his performance on the scout team this past fall has coaches excited about his potential.

Thompson arrived in Blacksburg in August extremely overweight. For much of August camp, he spent his time jogging around the practice field rather than actually practicing with the team. If he reports to spring practice in good shape, he has a chance to get into the lineup and develop into a good player. If he does not, then Hivera Green will distance himself from Thompson in the battle for the fourth defensive tackle spot.