BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech football enters the 2023 season with a newly transformed wide receiver room. With new additions courtesy of the transfer portal and returning players, receivers coach Fontel Mines will have plenty of talent to utilize.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
The Hokies bolstered the wide receiver position more than any other this offseason, bringing in three highly touted transfers, Ali Jennings, Jaylin Lane and Da'Quan Felton. The trio will join Da'wain Lofton, Stephen Gosnell, Tucker Holloway and a host of talented youngsters.
Jennings spent the last two seasons at Old Dominion after starting his career at West Virginia. The Richmond native was an honorable mention Phil Steele All-American selection last season, recording 54 receptions for 959 yards and nine touchdowns.
Lane arrives in Blacksburg from Middle Tennessee State where he tallied 69 catches for 940 yards and five touchdowns in 2022. Felton is a Portsmouth, Virginia product who began his career at Norfolk State. He registered 39 catches for 573 yards and seven scores in 2022.Gallery: (8-16-2023) FB: Wide Receivers (fall camp) Lofton was Tech's third-leading receiver last season with 22 receptions for 254 yards and two touchdowns while Gosnell shined in spring workouts after playing in nine games during the 2022 season.
OTHERS IN THE MIX
Several talented freshmen could figure into Tyler Bowen's offense, including Marcell Baylor from nearby Radford High School and Ayden Greene, who turned some heads during spring practice. Xayvion Turner-Bradshaw could also be poised to make an impact after redshirting as a freshman.
WR NOTES
- Tech threw for 2,236 yards in 2022
- Jennings, Lane and Felton combined for 162 catches last season
- Lofton's two touchdown receptions last season were of the big-play variety, covering 43 yards vs. Pittsburgh and 53 yards vs. Duke
POSITION OUTLOOK
The wide receiver group should easily be the deepest position on the team. Mines will have numerous options to find production while allowing the younger players an opportunity to develop.