Matt Welsh has played in only three games at Tech

BLACKSBURG -- It was January 2003 when the PrepStar All-American lineman showed up at Virginia Tech to launch what most figured would be a stellar career.

Matt Welsh's recruiting resume was stacked. The No. 10 player in the state, according to The Roanoke Times. The No. 17 offensive guard in the nation, said Rivals.com.

The big kid out of Centreville High in Clifton, Va.? Oh, he's one of those "can't miss" guys, right?

Wrong. It's now 43 months later, and Welsh's career so far has basically been nothing but a big whiff.

"It hasn't gone exactly how I had it planned," Welsh said. "I've had a good amount of setbacks."

No kidding. Check out these career stats: Three games played, two right knee surgeries.

"I'm on a long program," a grinning Welsh noted. "I'll be here like six years before I get done."

The key thing is he's not done yet. And at last, the likable 6-foot-4, 295-pound redshirt junior has a shot to do what he expected a couple years ago. Since Nick Marshman moved to right tackle to replace injured starter Ed Wang and sophomore left guard Richard Graham injured his hamstring, Welsh has been running in the No. 1 left guard spot in the Hokies' ever-changing line dance.

"I'm definitely excited," Welsh said. "I'm in the No. 1 spot right and that's the closest I'ever been, so I can taste it. You want to have that opportunity; that's what you come play football for. To get out here and hear your name called in the starting roster, to get out here and play a game and prove to everybody what you can -- that's what it's all about."

Offensive line coach Curt Newsome said Welsh deserved a good look.

"We needed Matt to play a little bit faster and we needed him to play a little more physical. And so far, he's responded to it," Newsome said.

Sounds good to Welsh.

"My parents have always told me ... you never give up, you keep going and eventually something happens, something opens up," Welsh said. "So you just keep plugging away and you work hard so when you get your chance you've got what it takes. I feel good about it. I know I can do this."

Pounding heads

Tuesday's second day of work in full pads produced some vicious head-knocking. The 350-pound Marshman and lumber-laying defensive end Chris Ellis banged helmets and locked up in a two-man tango in which both players were swapping some body punches after they took each to the ground.

The freshmen and underclassmen looking to be noticed then engaged in a brief 20-play scrimmage. Freshman quarterback Tyrod Taylor ran the offense and turned a lot of heads with his elusiveness in the backfield. In an experimental move, backup QB Ike Whitaker ran receiver routes.

Injury report

Wideout Eddie Royal, cornerback Macho Harris and safety Mario Edwards also missed Tuesday's workout with hamstring strains. Corner Brandon Flowers continues to battle the slow-healing ankle injury he suffered in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. Defensive tackle Barry Booker (sprained left big toe) and linebacker Corey Gordon, both projected starters, are expected to at least miss a few more days.