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Augie Conte is Set to Start at Right Tackle for the Military Bowl

By Tim Thomas

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Oct 16, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies offensive lineman Augie Conte (72) blocks at the line of scrimmage against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh won 21-16. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

For most of the season, Jonathan McLaughlin was the starting right tackle though it was quite clear that some sort of injury was slowing him down which caused him to struggle. When the Hokies decided to shut him down for the season, Virginia Tech made Wade Hansen the starting right tackle and he had some limited success.

Now, the Hokies seem set to start someone else over Hansen at right tackle in the Military Bowl.

Redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Augie Conte is listed as the number 1 right tackle and seems set to be the starter at right tackle. There have been one or two times this season where the depth chart and the actual starting lineup did not match up, but this seems very unlikely in this case given the fact that the Hokies haven’t had a game for almost a month.

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Conte was the starting right guard for much of the season before Caleb Farris replaced him a little after the midway point in the season. However, Farris and Conte continued a very back and forth battle for playing but both will now be playing next to each other in this game with Farris at right guard and Conte at right tackle.

Conte was not great at guard, but getting the chance to start at right tackle in this bowl will be his chance to prove that he should be a starter somewhere on the offensive line next season. The only certain offensive line starter for next season is Wyatt Teller who has done a great job on giving J.C. Coleman holes and Michael Brewer time at left guard so there are plenty of spots open.

Augie Conte has the versatility to end up at tackle or guard though right guard seems like his most likely landing spot next season. This game is definitely a good chance for Conte to finish off his season well with what will be a Spring Practice full of offensive line battles.

This is Conte’s last chance this season to prove he should be a starter in the future, and we’ll see how well he does against the Cincinnati Bearcats.

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