Justin Cook | The Roanoke Times

Tech's Matt Waldron made field goals of 37 and 35 yards Saturday.

BLACKSBURG -- While job auditions will continue in August preseason drills, Matt Waldron looks like the early front-runner in the race for Virginia Tech's No. 1 place-kicking job this fall.

Waldron, a fifth-year senior, drilled field goals of 37 and 35 yards in the Hokies' second spring scrimmage Saturday and afterwards was the recipient of an early endorsement from the guy who counts -- Tech head coach Frank Beamer.

"We do a kicking contest almost every day and [Waldron] has won most of them," said Beamer, who oversees the kicking operation. "He's been the most consistent all spring."

It was refreshing news for Waldron, who has yet to line up a field-goal attempt at Tech since he transferred from Penn State, where he was a backup who never stepped on the field his freshman season.

"It's good to hear coming from the main guy," said Waldron, who connected from 47 and 35 yards in last Wednesday's mini-scrimmage and hit a 32-yarder in the first full scrimmage on April 10.

"I've missed like one or two during team period in practice. There are a lot of good kickers here, plus we've got a couple more coming in the fall. So there's a lot of time and a lot of kicks left. It's not an easy job to get into. I've got a long ways to go, but I'm very, very happy right now."

Stocking up

Hokies offensive line coach Curt Newsome said he thinks he has eight guys right now who can play effectively this fall. That includes the projected starting five, plus young backups Greg Nosal, Andrew Lanier and Michael Via. Newsome added that redshirt freshman Nick Becton, who is No. 2 behind Ed Wang at left tackle, is "heading that way" and that redshirt sophomore guard Will Alvarez "is coming."

Vinston Painter, a 6-foot-5, 310-pound redshirt freshman guard that offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring said is big enough "to move a house," has found the move from defensive line to the O-line a tad imposing, Newsome said.

"It's going to take a while," Newsome said of Painter. "He's got all the tools. But it's a whole lots of learning! We've got to think about who we're going to hit. They [D-linemen] know ... wrong color! Well, it's just not wrong color for us. And that color moves! I hate when that happens."

Tech tidbits

Wang's coal-black locks now extend 2-3 inches past his shoulders. He hinted that the scissors will find his head soon, though. "It's the longest my hair has ever been," Wang said. "I think I'm going to donate it when I cut it. I haven't decided to whom yet, but it will be for a good cause." ... Think Ryan Williams is ready to ball? The redshirt freshman tailback has averaged 12.8 yards on 12 carries in the Hokies' two full scrimmages. ... The Hokies will conclude spring drills this week with four workouts. The session wraps up with the annual Maroon-White game at 2 p.m. Saturday in Lane Stadium. Gates open at noon and the public will be admitted free of charge.