Virginia Tech Hokies 2018 Football Preview
Opening Statement: There has been a lot going on this off-season in Blacksburg in terms of off field developments, with players leaving, being kicked off the team, or having academic issues, such as Josh Jackson. His situation with academics looks to have worked itself out, for now, but there has been a ton of attrition across the board, especially defensively. That said, Justin Fuente has done a terrific job recruiting, and the Hokies still look strong in ACC play. Whether or not they will be strong enough to push Clemson or Miami may be a different story.
Breakdown Offense: Jackson was questionable throughout the late spring and early summer as to whether or not he would be academically eligible for the 2018 season. That seems to have been put to bed, which is great news, because if he is not available at QB, the season may just fall off the rails without him. He passed for 2991 yards and 20 TDs, and tossed 9 INTs, while completing 59.1% of his passes. He has work to do yet, and we should see some improvement on the field as a sophomore, but only if his line does a better job of protecting him. He added 6 rushing TDs as well, but if he has time to throw, he is much more dangerous. RS freshman Hendon Hooker appears to be the next option, while true freshman Quincy Patterson may be the 3rd QB, if he doesn't redshirt.
Travon McCmillan is gone at RB, and it looks as if Jalen Holston, a sophomore, is the replacement, for now. Holston carried the ball 70 times as a freshman, but averaged just 3.23 yards per carry. Deshawn McClease was injured a good part of last season, and may get a look as well. McClease actually led the team with just 530 yards rushing last fall, and the Hokies need someone to stand up and break out this fall if they want to stay in the ACC race.
Sean Savoy and Eric Kumah both return at WR, but Cam Phillips has moved on. Savoy posted a line of 39-454-4 and averaged 11.64 yards per catch. Kumah posted 28-324-2, and averaged 11.57 yards per catch. Damon Hazelton, a Ball State transfer, may be a strong key with this unit, but was injured and missed spring football. He caught 51 passes for Ball State in 2016, but did not stretch the field at all, as he averaged under 10 yards per catch. Hezekiah Grimsley and CJ Carroll will try to add some depth, but overall, this group is underwhelming.
Dalton Keene returns to start at TE this fall, and caught 10 passes as a freshman last fall, but he may be a better field stretch receiver than any of the actual wideouts. Chris Cunningham backs him up, and averaged over 19 yards per catch on 9 receptions last fall.
The line is a work in progress, as it was hardly stable last fall. The unit returns 3 starters in Yosuah Nijman (LT), Kyle Chung (C), and Braxton Pfaff (RG). D'Andre Plantin is penciled in at LG, while Tyrell Smith is penciled in at RT.
Breakdown Defense: The Hokies defense is basically in a rebuild mode now. They lost 6 players to the NFL this spring, and then Adonis Alexander, and expected starter at CB, was declared academically ineligible, and put himself in for the NFL supplemental draft. Jeremy Webb, who was expected to compete for playing time was injured and lost for the season, and then expected starter at NB, Mook Reynolds, was recently dismissed from the team.
The line may be the best and deepest unit on the defensive side, as 3 starters return in DT Vinny Mihota, DT Ricky Walker, and DE Trevon Hill. Walker was the most acitve of the group last fall with 12.5 TFLs and 4.5 sacks. Hill was solid as well, as he added 12.5 TFLs, and 5.5 sacks. Mihota added 3.5 TFLs up the middle. Houshun Gaines is expected to step into the open DE spot in camp. He totaled 7 TFLs of his own last fall, and is a solid option.
The LB unit is a project right now, and could be the weak link. Rayshard Ashby and Dylan Rivers are both sophomores, and combined for 3 tackles last fall, yet are slated as starters.
The secondary, as we dsicussed earlier, took a few severe hits. With Alexander gone at CB, that leaves that job wide open heading into camp. Jovonn Quillen is the only sure bet at CB now, and he finished with just one PBU in 11 games played last fall. With Reynolds gone at NB, again, that leaves that position in a tempest. Reggie Floyd is a lock to start at S, but the FS spot could be a camp battle, with Divine Deablo leading for that opening. Jeremy Webb, a JC transfer, was expected to fill an open CB spot, but he is lost for the season to injury.
Breakdown Special Teams: Brian Johnson hit 3/4 FG attempts last fall, and now has the job full time at PK.
Oscar Bradburn is the returning Punter, and averaged 42.39 yards per punt last fall.
The KR and PR jobs are another area where there is talent, but no names attached to a particular role just yet.
Final Analysis: Fuente has recruited well, and that will have to show this fall, as the Hokies could turn very young in certain areas on both sides of the football. If Jackson cannot play QB this fall because of academics, one of 2 freshmen play there as well. The Hokies have talent, but they don't have a ton of experience, and if that young talent does not gel quickly, this season could quickly begin to take a slide. The good news? The schedule is completely manageable, and that could help in a big way.
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