BLACKSBURG – Fall camp is progressing quickly as Virginia Tech football prepares for the 2023 season. Continuing our position preview, we will look at the defensive line coached by J.C. Price.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Gone is defensive end TyJuan Garbutt who led the Hokies with 6.5 sacks last season, but nearly everyone else returns, including Norell Pollard, Josh Fuga and Mario Kendricks.
Pollard tallied 15 tackles, starting all 11 games in 2022, while Kendricks fought through nagging injuries to record 21 tackles in 11 games, making six starts. Fuga brings some toughness up the middle coming off a season that saw him register 12 tackles, half of those for loss.
OTHERS IN THE MIX
Keep an eye on Florida transfer Antwaun Powell-Ryland at defensive end. Ryland is a proven pass rusher who made 13 appearances, including five starts last season with the Gators. Powell-Ryland made his presence felt with 29 tackles, three of those sacks. The Portsmouth, Virginia native could be a disruptive force for the Hokies in 2023.
Defensive tackle Wilfried Pene and defensive ends Cole Nelson and C.J. McCray will provide valuable depth for coach Price.Gallery: (8-18-2023) FB: Defensive Line DL NOTES
- The Hokies produced 23.0 sacks and 74.0 tackles for loss last season
- Fuga, Kendricks and Pollard have combined to make 55 career starts with 35 belonging to Pollard
- Tech returns 50 percent of its sack production from 2022
POSITION OUTLOOK
Following the 2022 season, Coach Pry lamented the fact that his team only forced nine turnovers the entire year. Increasing that number will start with pressure from the defensive line.