Photo courtesy of Dave Knachel

Virginia Tech Chris Drager caught a game-high four passes in the spring game at tight end, but has been moved to defensive end.

BLACKSBURG -- Coming out of spring practice, Chris Drager had every reason to believe he could a major player in Virginia Tech's crowded tight end rotation this fall.

The guy had just completed an auspicious April audition, being named the camp's most outstanding offensive performer and catching a game-high four passes in the spring game at Lane Stadium

"No question, Chris had hit another gear," Hokies offensive coordinator coach Bryan Stinespring recalled Monday. "He came out in the spring with a mission and he accomplished that mission. We really felt he was an additional starting tight end."

Well, for a little while, anyway. Responding to a text message from Stinespring a few days later to report to his office, Drager was informed the coaching staff wanted him to move to defensive end this fall. He was a tad shocked. "It's something we had discussed in the past," Drager said. "But, yeah, it kind of surprised me. Usually, if they're thinking about switching you, they do it before spring so you get some experience. I mean I didn't think so, but I guess they believe I can play defensive end."

With the Hokies running short on numbers at defensive end, the coaching staff felt Drager had the body and potential to supply a depth answer.

"Chris asked what he should do and, I said, 'it was good for the team,' " Stinespring said. "I told him we needed to fill a void. The fact he decided to do it says more about what's important to him, and the team was important to him."

The 6-foot-3, 249-pound Drager has come out of the box quickly at his new on-field address. While senior Nekos Brown figures to get the starting nod opposite All-ACC performer Jason Worilds, Drager has wasted little time proving he can play meaningful snaps for Bud Foster's defense.

"It's coming. I'm not so shocked anymore. I mean it's taking some getting used to because I don't know any of the plays; I'm just starting to learn them," said Drager, who played defensive end and tight end in at Thomas Jefferson High in Jefferson Hills, Pa.

"I kind of feel like a freshman, to be honest. I just don't have as much experience [as] the others, but it's coming fast and, hopefully, I will get used to it."

Well, if there's anybody who's a quick learner on the roster, it's this guy. Drager posted the only 4.0 grade-point average on the team in last year's winter semester, Stinespring noted.

"We called Chris in one day and we were messing with him in the office because he had gotten a B-plus in a class," Stinespring recalled. "We told him he was slipping a little bit and we wanted to get him straightened out."

Sounds more now like Drager is making sure the Hokies will be straight this fall.

Tech tidbits

ESPN announced Monday that its "College GameDay" crew will be on hand for the Chick-fil-A Kickoff, pitting Tech against Alabama in the Sept. 5 season opener at the Georgia Dome. The show will originate from Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Park at 10 a.m. on game day. ... After working out in shorts, helmets and shell pads in the first four practices, the Hokies donned full gear Monday. Tailback Darren Evans (sprained knee) and left guard Sergio Render (lower back pain) sat out drills. ... Wideout Zach Luckett, who was suspended from the program last season for off-the-field woes, is back on the squad as a walk-on and opened drills as the club's No. 5 whip linebacker.

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