Grant Wells being named Virginia Tech's starting quarterback wasn't the only news out of Blacksburg yesterday as Brent Pry also revealed that Bob Schick had won the starting right guard job. Schick had been competing primarily with Gardner-Webb transfer Clayton Frady initially with redshirt freshman Brody Meadows appearing to make a push as fall camp progressed.
However, the longtime swing offensive lineman Schick now gets his starting chance at right guard. It's been his hard work and continued growth along with his smarts that helped him win the job from Brent Pry's perspective.
"I tell you he's much improved. I think he's still got work to do, but he's certainly improved from last fall. He improved through the spring and he improved through this camp. He's big and strong enough, just got to keep getting better. He's smart, too," Pry said.
Schick has put in plenty of work since his arrival from Snow College in Utah at the JUCO level where he was a standout offensive tackle. After barely playing in 2021, Schick emerged as Tech's sixth offensive lineman season providing some decent snaps for the Hokies.
However, Schick had been bouncing around between guard and tackle during his first two seasons at Virginia Tech largely due to the role that he held. This offseason, Schick got the chance to focus on right guard which offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen credits a lot for his growth.
"But Bob (Schick), this is thing I think people don’t realize with Bob is since he’s been here, he’s kind of been a swing guy. So we’ve played him at right tackle, we played him at left tackle, he’s been left guard, he’s been right guard. So seeing him go through a camp, and really get immersed at right guard, I think his consistency just showed through. You watched him get better a little bit everyday. He’s very cohesive with that group, gels very well, and that ultimately is what won out the job," Bowen said.
Schick will get his first career start in just over a week against Old Dominion, but this doesn't seem like a job that he has locked down for the whole season with a pair of guys being clear candidates to push him.
Clayton Frady felt like the favorite coming into fall camp, yet the Gardner-Webb transfer didn't arrival till pretty close to fall camp due to a summer internship. That put him behind an eight ball that proved to be a gap too big for the start of the season, but could change as the season progresses.
"He’s starting to show some consistency in the front. He’s a guy that can play multiple positions so we’re excited about what he can bring to the offense," Bowen said.
Frady may be bound for a role similar to what Schick held previously as the swing offensive lineman given the experience he brings to the table at tackle and guard.
Meanwhile, the guy who may be pushing Frady the most is Brody Meadows who shifted to right guard about midway through fall camp and has been rumored to be a guy on the rise for the Hokies. Tyler Bowen also agreed with the assessment that Meadows is one continuing to push Schick for that right guard job.
"I think guys are always pushing and I think you mentioned a good one in Brody (Meadows)," Bowen said.
Bob Schick will get his chance as the starting right guard, but Brody Meadows and Clayton Frady will definitely keep pushing Schick for that starting job throughout the season.
