Evans’ replacement remains unsettled at Tech

BLACKSBURG -- Virginia Tech running back Darren Evans sat on Lane Stadium's sideline during yesterday's first preseason scrimmage, holding crutches as a heavy brace supported his left knee.

A day after undergoing season-ending surgery to repair his anterior cruciate ligament, Evans, a sophomore, said he still was in disbelief about his injury but wanted to show his fellow tailbacks that "they're here for me and I'm here for them," he said.

From the moment Evans tore his ACL during Tuesday's practice, the Hokies have begun the process of trying to replace his 287 carries and 1,265 yards from last season. The scrimmage gave Tech's coaches and the fans who attended just a glimpse of the three candidates for Evans' old job.

Sophomore Josh Oglesby, currently No. 1 on the depth chart, ran twice for 8 yards, but he was slowed because he pulled his right hamstring Tuesday. Running backs coach Billy Hite planned to limit his action.

Redshirt freshman Ryan Williams, second behind Oglesby, was the most impressive tailback, carrying six times for 27 yards, including a 19-yard gain. Williams also returned a punt 82 yards for a touchdown.

True freshman David Wilson, a promising prospect who is third on the depth chart, carried twice for minus-1 yard. He sprained his left shoulder after colliding with whip linebacker Cody Grimm on his first carry, but the sprain is minor and Wilson should be fine, said trainer Mike Goforth. Hite has told Wilson he will play this season.

The upshot: Tech still is searching for Evans' replacement.

Despite Williams' performance, Hite said it's too early to name him a co-No. 1 with Oglesby. "He's special when the lights go on," Hite said of Williams. "I thought he took a step forward today."

Williams beamed afterward as he talked about his touchdown and how much he enjoys returning punts. "That's like a big playground," he said, adding that return situations suit his style as a shifty back.

"I'm really not a disciplined running back," Williams said. "I run my way. I've had coaches who have tried to teach me how to do this, do that. And I just can't do it. At first, it didn't sit well with Coach Hite at all. He's constantly [saying], 'Hammer the hole, hammer the hole. Hammer, hammer, hammer.' He wants to see contact non-stop. I didn't listen to him that much. I try not to make the contact. I try to make the people miss.

"I think after a while, after he saw me making plays and seeing that I'm pretty good at what I do, he kind of left me alone. . . . It's not like I can't run between the tackles or anything. I just choose not to."

One surprising result of Oglesby and Wilson's injuries: True freshman Tony Gregory carried 11 times for 53 yards. He played running back in high school and switched to wide receiver when he enrolled at Tech in January. He dabbled at tailback during spring practices but was a receiver this preseason until Evans got hurt.