Hokies’ backfield goes green

By Nathan Warters

Published: April 13, 2008

Ready or not, redshirt freshmen Darren Evans and Josh Oglesby just became Virginia Tech’s top two tailbacks.
The Hokies, who are looking to replace departed starting running back Branden Ore, lost their most experienced runners, Kenny Lewis Jr. and Jahre Cheeseman, to injuries last week, increasing the workload this spring practice for both Evans and Oglesby, neither of whom have played a college snap.
Cheeseman suffered a broken left fibula during Tech’s mini-scrimmage Saturday afternoon. The 5-foot-10, 204-pound junior from Voorhees, N.J., was making a play for the starting tailback spot before suffering the setback.
The Hokies expedited Cheeseman’s recovery process, performing surgery on the leg Saturday night. Team spokesman Bryan Johnston said Cheeseman is expected to be out six to eight weeks, which would put him back on the field in time for fall practice.
That might be out of the question for Lewis, who tore the labrum in his left shoulder and is expected to be out four to six months. The 5-foot-9, 199-pound Lewis, is scheduled for surgery on Tuesday.
The Hokies now turn to Evans (6-foot, 215) and Oglesby (5-11, 211), a couple of highly touted runners out of high school, and senior Dustin Pickle, who rushed for 47 yards on 11 carries last season.
“This will give those two freshmen kids a chance,” Tech coach Frank Beamer said in a press release. “We know what Pickle can do, and we know he’s a tough guy. But it’ll give those two young guys a chance to run the football. They’ve done well and they’ve done better in the last week. They show a lot of promise.”
If either Lewis or Cheeseman are unable to return in time for fall practice, it could open the door for prep phenom Ryan Williams, the No. 3 running back recruit in 2007 according to Rivals.com, to see some playing time.
The 5-10, 193-pound Williams rushed for more than 1,500 yards and scored 21 touchdowns his junior season at Stonewall Jackson High School in Manassas. He was limited by injuries his senior season.