Virginia Tech’s deepest and most talented group of players is their outstanding corps of wide receivers. In fact, this is the only position on offense that doesn’t have question marks surrounding it. The Hokies bring back all of their contributors at wideout. Whoever wins the starting quarterback job is going to have some playmakers to get the ball to. At tight end, the story is just the opposite, with a group of inexperienced players vying for playing time.

The Hokies have never had a more talented or deeper group of wide receivers than they will have in 2006. How well this group will be utilized remains to be seen. Tech will be breaking in a new quarterback and offensive line, and this could disrupt the timing in the passing game. At tight end, John Kinzer has some experience, but Ed Wang and Sam Wheeler have never played a down of college football.

Almost all of Tech’s wideouts can play either split end or flanker, and some have played both positions during their careers. But for this preview, we’ll stick with where they were listed in the last BeamerBall.com depth chart update (1/16/06). Wide receiver is the most difficult position to predict, because all five scholarship players are capable of starting. Who starts this season could depend on the opponent, matchups, or other week-to-week factors.

David Clowney is the oldest and most experienced of all the Tech receivers. He has 59 career receptions, including a team-high 34 last season. Clowney has excellent speed and acceleration and is probably Virginia Tech’s best deep threat. He does a good job of getting separation from cornerbacks. He is a bit on the light side, but he will be one of Tech’s top targets yet again in 2006.

Morgan is arguably Virginia Tech’s most talented receiver. He has good size and very good speed. He has excellent body control and good hands. He can beat a defensive back deep, and he also has the ability to catch the short pass and turn it into a big play. In short, he is Tech’s most versatile receiver. Morgan caught 28 passes last season, which was second on the team, despite the fact that he started just one game. He will push for a starting role this season.

Dillard, a walk-on, won’t likely see much playing time this year, but he is worth mentioning because he is a player with potential. He has excellent speed and spent the winter competing with Tech’s track team. He should get some reps this spring, giving him a valuable learning experience for the future.

As expected, Royal has developed into a very good receiver through his first two years at Tech, catching a total of 55 passes. He has great speed, and if recent testing numbers are correct, he is the fastest player on Tech’s team. If Sean Glennon wins the starting job, Eddie Royal could quickly develop into his favorite target. The two players were part of the same high school team.

Hyman’s performance dropped from his freshman season to his sophomore season (27 catches in 2004, just 13 in 2005), so he should be fired up and determined to have a good spring. He is a talented receiver who runs very good routes and has good body control. Hyman has the ability to work his way back into the starting lineup in 2006, but whether he starts or plays in a backup role, he will be a valuable member of the receiving corps.

Justin Harper is an extremely talented receiver whose best football days are ahead of him. In hindsight, he probably should have been redshirted in 2004, when he caught just five passes for 84 yards as a true freshman. He has very good speed and acceleration. He is also the biggest target at wide receiver. This could be the year that Harper puts it all together on the field and plays to his potential. The spring is big for him.

It will be very difficult for the Hokies to replace Jeff King this year. King was very good in the passing game and the running game. Only one returning tight end has game experience, so it could be a long year at this position. Their performance in the spring could determine whether Tech will stick with a two tight end formation, or go back to their traditional one tight end, I-formation offense.

Kinzer saw a lot of playing time behind Jeff King in 2005. He had nine receptions for 103 yards. Kinzer is a solid player, but not flashy, with the one exception of his leap over the Boston College defensive back last season. He lacks the ideal height of a tight end, and he needs to use the spring to work on his hands.

Wang is a well-regarded tight end who will be counted on to provide valuable depth this year for the Hokies. He still needs to add speed and strength, and he must use this spring to continue to learn the position. It is possible that Wang could push John Kinzer for the starting job. Wang could play offensive tackle down the line, but for right now he will stay at tight end.

Sam Wheeler is a local product from Blacksburg High School. He has better speed than Wang, and is viewed as more of an H-back type player, while Wang is a traditional tight end. Wheeler will have a great chance to see the field this year. Like Wang, he needs to learn the position this spring.