Punter Mitchell Ludwig and defensive tackle Steve Sobczak are among several players who are no longer on Virginia Tech's roster and currently are not with the team.
The players who are no longer listed on the roster include Ludwig, Sobczak, tight end Chris Durkin, defensive lineman Clay Dean and cornerback DuWayne Johnson.
The Roanoke Times' Andy Bitter reported Tuesday evening that Ludwig would graduate after the spring semester and would not return for next season. Bitter also reported that Johnson would finish the spring semester at Virginia Tech but would not play on the team.
A Virginia Tech spokesman said Tuesday evening that Sobczak would not practice in the spring with the team, but that his situation was fluid and that he could return to the team.
Durkin, Dean and Johnson's situations are not surprising. None of the three were able to earn playing time during their careers. Durkin started out at quarterback for Virginia Tech, but switched to tight end in hopes to carve out a role. Dean, a preferred walk-on, was stuck behind a crowded group on the defensive line and Johnson could never break into the Hokies' secondary.
Ludwig started all of last season as Virginia Tech's punter, averaging 38.8 yards per punt. Thirty-one of his 68 punts were downed inside the opposing team's 20-yard-line and Ludwig seemed to improve throughout the year after a rough start. Sobczak was in line for serious playing time at defensive tackle with the losses of Woody Baron and Nigel Williams. Even though Tim Settle and Ricky Walker are the likely starters there, the depth at defensive tackle is now a serious question without Sobczak on the roster.