After conducting their first tailgating party of the college football season, Virginia Tech fans can figure on being treated with a six-pack of some new brew Saturday afternoon in Lane Stadium.

Hokies coach Frank Beamer said Monday that he expects six freshmen to play in Tech's season opener against I-AA Northeastern. The group includes starting right guard Sergio Render, cornerback Kam Chancellor, linebacker Nekos Brown, defensive end Jason Adjepong, cornerback Stephan Virgil, and wide receiver Zach Luckett.

Lack of depth at some positions and the overall talent of the 2006 recruiting class are the main factors in the Hokies playing more freshmen than they have in recent years.

Last season, for instance, only one true freshman -- cornerback Victor "Macho" Harris -- saw action for Tech.

"And we had some tough decisions on some other kids," Beamer noted. "I'd say overall it's a very good freshman class. There's quite a few of them who I think will be OK."

Defensive lineman John Graves and tight end Andre Smith, both of whom turned heads in preseason drills, were the other two freshmen strongly considered for playing time this season.

"I really think [Graves] is going to be a terrific player," said Beamer, "but the backups we've got at that position, and being able to get him enough reps and how many special teams he could figure on ... I just think it's in his best interests right now to redshirt.

"With Andre, it was more from a learning standpoint. I think physically he could do it, but we just do a lot of stuff with our tight ends."

Tackle Aaron Brown, a highly rated recruit whom many expected to land a spot in depth-shy offensive line, needs another year to get stronger, Beamer said.

"He's got some good talent, but he gets beat up every once in a while," said Beamer of the 6-foot-6, 300-pound Brown. "He just needs to get close to [strength and conditioning] Coach [Mike] Gentry here for about a year."

Tight with Boone

Four months after being the odd man out in Tech's quarterbacks scramble, Greg Boone will be the Hokies' starting tight end Saturday. The 6-foot-3, 270-pound Boone beat out Blacksburg's Sam Wheeler and Ed Wang for the starting spot.

"I think Boone has a chance to be excellent," Beamer said. "He's got good feet, he can bend his body, he's tough, and he's a good runner after he catches the ball. It's just a matter of him playing the position and getting experience.

"Wang, I think, is a big body in there and he knows what's going on. And Wheeler, he's having to come back from [a sprained right big toe], but he's an athletic guy. As soon as we can get him completely well, I would hope he would be someone to deal with.

"All of them are young, all of them are new, but you've got to get started somewhere."

Tech tidbits

Beamer said redshirt freshman Ike Whitaker will get second-team reps this week in practice and will back up starter Sean Glennon at quarterback Saturday. Sophomore Cory Holt, who was competing with Whitaker for the No. 2 job, bruised his throwing hand in last Saturday's final preseason scrimmage. Holt "could grip a ball this morning, but I'm not sure he could throw a football," Beamer said. ... Sophomore walk-on Dustin Pickle of Salem will realize his life-long dream of "running down the field in Lane Stadium" Saturday. "He's got a quickness to him, and a toughness and a smartness," Beamer said of Pickle, who also is the fourth-team tailback. ... Tech is scheduled to play 15 redshirt freshmen this season.