BLACKSBURG – Four Virginia Tech football student-athletes were selected to the All-Freshman Team of the Year by PFF College. The group was headlined by WR Tayvion Robinson who was tabbed as a first-team selection as a punt retuner. C Bryan Hudson and DT Norell Pollard earned second-team accolades, while G Doug Nester was an hononorable mention pick.
Utilizing play-by-play grades of every player on every play of every game, the PFF All-Freshman Team takes into account every player's actions on the field on Saturdays while also utilizing a wealth of signature statistics to determine the list.
PR Tayvion Robinson
A former high school quarterback at Cox High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Robinson emerged as an explosive threat as return man, receiver and rusher for the Hokies in 2019. Robinson was rated by PFF College as the highest-graded true freshman punt returner (83.0) in the nation and the eighth-highest overall among players with at least 10 punt returns. Robinson ran back 12 punts for 174 yards, good for an average of 14.5 yards per return, the nation's 10th-best mark using the above threshold. In addition to his punt return numbers, the speedy 757 native ranks third on Tech with 29 catches for 386 yards with one TD. He's also rushed the ball 10 times for 127 yards.
C Bryan Hudson
A true freshman for the Hokies, Hudson has started the past 10 games at center for Tech despite never having played that position prior to this season. With injuries and other factors impacting Vance Vice's offensive line in fall camp, Hudson began working at the position. The Georgetown, Kentucky native made his first start at center vs. Furman (9/14) and hasn't looked back despite working with three different starting quarterbacks. In addition to his skills on the football field, Hudson is also an accomplished shot put and discus competitor.
DT Norell Pollard
One of the biggest question marks for Tech heading into the season was whether interior defensive linemen new to the Lunch Pail Defense could immediately make an impact. The Apopka, Florida native quickly answered that question for Charley Wiles and has been an integral part of Tech's rotation on the defensive front, playing in all 12 games with two starts. On the season he's racked up 22 tackles (10 solo) with 4.0 TFL, 3.5 sacks, three QB hurries and a forced fumble.
G Doug Nester
Another component of a Hokies' offensive front heavily comprised of underclassmen, Nester has started 10 games at right guard for Tech in 2019. The Huntington, West Virginia native made his initial start for the Hokies in Week 2 vs. Old Dominion (9/7). Nester has served as an integral part of Vance Vice's blocking unit that has helped the Hokies average 184.4 rushing ypg & score 17 rushing TDs over that the past eight games.