BLACKSBURG -- If Virginia Tech played a football game today, much-heralded freshman Tyrod Taylor would be one snap away from being the Hokies' quarterback.

In a depth-chart move precipitated by backup QB Ike Whitaker agreeing Tuesday to switch full time to wide receiver, Taylor has been elevated to the No. 2 spot behind fourth-year junior Sean Glennon.

Tech coach Frank Beamer said Whitaker can help the team this fall at split end and on special teams. In regard to Taylor, Beamer said he's liked much of what he's seen from the freshman in August practices and scrimmages, and wants to see more.

"We'll evaluate this thing in a week or two weeks," said Beamer, whose club's season opener against East Carolina in Lane Stadium is only 10 days away. "Let's just say at some further time we're going to evaluate whether Tyrod should be redshirted or whether Tyrod should play [this year]."

The 6-foot-1, 206-pound Taylor has impressed Tech coaches since the Aug. 2 start of workouts. Rated the No. 1 dual-threat quarterback in the country by rivals.com last year as a senior at Hampton High School, he has exhibited a strong, accurate throwing arm and has made a couple of dazzling, highlight-film runs in the team's two scrimmages.

"Tyrod has been impressive. ... He's done some things," Beamer said. "He's thrown the ball very accurately for the most part, out here [in practices] and in scrimmages. And then he's made some plays with his feet, and he's shown good poise, so I think there are three things right there that definitely get your attention.

"So I think the only way to get a good evaluation of him is to get him in there and get him some reps with the second group where things are happening a little faster."

Beamer noted that most of Taylor's work has come with the third-team offense against the third-team defense.

"Yeah, but when the guy throws the ball accurately -- he throws it, it's on the mark. The guy can make a guy miss, he can make a guy miss," Beamer said.

"I think where the real change for him right now is instead of getting a couple reps in a team period, he's going to get six, seven, eight reps in a team period."

Beamer told Taylor in a morning meeting.

"Yes, I was surprised," the freshman said. "But it was the coaches' decision and I'm going to go with it."

When asked if he's ready to play college football at the highest level, Taylor grinned and responded humbly.

"That's what I'm working on every day," he said. "I think I've improved a lot on my game. My goal was to come in here and try to learn everything they were throwing at me. I wanted to leave this camp knowing everything that we needed to do on the offensive side of the ball. I still have work to do, but I believe that comes with reps, and I'm getting more reps now."

Beamer said the 6-3 Whitaker was having a hard time trying to play both quarterback and receiver in practice.

"I think he needed to put his full strength and attention to one," Beamer said. "I think he can help this team. I want him on the field and he wants on the field."

"I think [the coaches] were looking out for me, honestly," Whitaker said. "I think it's best for me to play wide receiver right now knowing Sean is going to be here for the next two years. I definitely don't want to be calling signals for the next two years, so if I can get on the field right now, why not?"