BLACKSBURG – With the season almost here for Virginia Tech football, let's take a look at the specialists under the direction of special teams coordinator Stu Holt.
Gallery: (8-25-2022) FB: Specialists (fall camp)
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Special teams excellence has been a longstanding tradition for Virginia Tech football. Holt will be tasked with returning those units to their former glory. One area he will not be too concerned about is the punter position, where All-ACC talent Peter Moore will work. The Davidsonville, Maryland native punted 65 times for 2,892 yards, a 44.5-yard punt average, and a long of 68 yards last season. Moore also finished first in the ACC with 24 punts booted 50 yards or more, good enough to earn him a spot on the All-ACC third team.
OTHERS IN THE MIX
The kicking competition will be ongoing throughout fall camp. With the departure of NFL signee John Parker Romo (New Orleans Saints), the Hokies find themselves in search of the next consistent placekicker. Will Ross (Coastal Carolina transfer), Kyle Lowe and John Love all find themselves in the mix. Although none of those three have kicked in a collegiate game before, both Lowe and Love were five-star kicking prospects out of high school, according to Kohl's Kicking.
As far as long snappers go, Virginia transfer Enzo Anthony, Justin Pollock and freshman Christian Epling are all vying for the opportunity to contribute on special teams.
RELATED LINKS
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NOTES
- Keshawn King had a total of 13 kickoff returns for 322 yards to lead the team.
- King, Chance Black and Malachi Thomas all handled kick returns during the 2021 season.
- No active member on the Hokies roster fielded punt returns from a season ago, though William Kakavitsas received one back in 2020.
POSITION OUTLOOK
There will be some new faces associated with Virginia Tech's special teams unit in 2022, though Peter Moore should provide some continuity. The roster does not lack for explosive athletes who could flip the field for Tech this season when given the opportunity to field punts.