This spring will be very important for Bud Foster and his inside linebackers, as well as Jim Cavanaugh and the whip linebackers. There is talent at each position, but depth is a problem on the inside, while experience is the question mark on the outside. But if this unit can stay healthy, they can be a major strength for the Virginia Tech defense in 2006.

Tech lost James Anderson at whip, as well as reserve backer Blake Warren, but the rest of the unit remains intact. Here is a look at TSL’s projected spring depth chart for the linebackers.

At linebacker, the Hokies have several goals during spring practice. Number one, they must find a starting whip linebacker. Developing a backup at this position would be nice as well, but if they struggle to find a starter, they will have depth issues as well. Bud Foster must also decide who will back up Vince Hall at mike. Brett Warren is the experienced favorite, but Demetrius Taylor has a lot of potential and could be a future star. Purnell Sturdivant needs to develop into a solid backup at the backer position during the spring as well.

As you can see from the depth chart above, the Hokies have a lot of options at mike linebacker. If Vince Hall were to go down with an injury, Bud Foster could replace him with a capable player. Tech actually has the perfect depth chart at mike. They have a talented, experienced veteran as a starter (Hall), a backup with potential and a lot of special teams experience (Warren), and a young backup who has star potential (Taylor).

Vince Hall lead the team with 112 tackles in 2005; James Anderson was a distant second with 82. Hall has proven himself to be one of the best mike linebackers to ever play at Tech, and he still has two seasons of eligibility left. He isn’t the best athlete in the world, but he is very instinctive and extremely strong. He reads plays well, and he has also developed into a capable pass defender. Hall is one of the top linebackers in the ACC, and the scary part is that he can still get better.

Warren has the potential to be a good linebacker at Virginia Tech, and has already shown flashes of being excellent against the run. He pass defense needs to improve this spring. He will be in a battle with Demetrius Taylor for the backup job at mike this spring.

Taylor arrived in Blacksburg last August as the most physically imposing freshman linebacker the Hokies had recruited in quite some time. He is by far the most athletic of the mike linebackers and had the most impressive testing numbers of any linebacker over the winter. Taylor was physically ready to play this past season, and he must use this spring to learn the game mentally, which is all that is holding him back from being a contributor on defense.

Bowman still has a chance, but he must have a big spring. He desperately needed to improve his speed and lateral movement in the offseason, and his strength and conditioning numbers have improved. He needs to put it together on the field, beginning this spring.

The Hokies have not recruited well at this position recently. Purnell Sturdivant was recruited as a whip or rover, but has been plugged in at backer simply because there is no one else behind Xavier Adibi. If Adibi goes down, it is unknown how Sturdivant would perform. If Adibi and Sturdivant both got hurt, Tech would be in a lot of trouble.

Xavier Adibi (69 tackles in 2005, fourth on the team) is the most athletic backer to ever play for the Hokies. He can get sideline to sideline unlike any other linebacker Tech has had. He is very reliable in pass defense as well. Adibi needs to become stronger at the point of attack and become more instinctive in run support. If he can accomplish that in the remainder of the offseason, he will become a complete linebacker.

Purnell Sturdivant is a tweener who possesses good athleticism. He played very well for the Hokies on special teams in 2005. However his height is a major concern at backer, and his pass defense could be a liability. He is Xavier Adibi’s backup by default, and needs to use the spring to improve his overall game. If Bud Foster gains confidence in Sturdivant, he could develop into the next star at backer after Adibi departs.

Since the whip was turned into more of a traditional outside linebacker rather than another defensive back, Tech has recruited poorly at the position. Corey Gordon is a converted safety, while Brenden Hill has played wide receiver, safety and rover. If things get dicey, the Hokies could move Aaron Rouse back to whip, where he started his career.

Corey Gordon is a fine athlete and a big time hitter who has yet to pick up the game from a mental standpoint. He made great progress last spring, but seemed to level off this past fall. Unless Aaron Rouse is moved from rover, Gordon is the frontrunner to start at whip this fall. If his mind catches up to his athletic ability, he will develop into an outstanding whip linebacker.

Brenden Hill is a career backup who isn’t likely to push for the starting position. He could provide depth at whip, rover or free safety on the defense, and is expected to be a major contributor on special teams. If Gordon is injured, expect Aaron Rouse to slide to whip.