Virginia Tech's 2023 season opener is just over one month away and whether you're a die-hard Hokie fan, or just a casual follower, here are four names you gotta know on both offense and defense.
Plus, I've included one "under the radar" player to make you sound like a genius at your next Alumni Association or Hokie Club gathering.
Offense – Four Players to Watch:
- Ali Jennings (WR, Sr., Highland Springs, Va./ODU). Ali transferred to Tech from ODU after leading the Monarchs with 54 receptions for 959 yards and nine touchdowns last year. He had five catches for 122 yards against the Hokies last year in Norfolk and is one of three huge additions (Jaylin Lane and Da'Quan Felton are the others) to join Virginia Tech's wide receiver room. When you think of Highland Spring Springers who have excelled at Tech, stars like Waddey Harvey, Macho Harris and Jim Davis come to mind. Jennings could be the next in line.
- Bhayshul Tuten (RB, Jr., Paulsboro, NJ/NC A&T). We are all "Rootin' for Tuten!" as he makes the jump to the ACC. He rushed for 1,363 yards and 13 touchdowns on 208 carries for the Aggies last year and caught 31 passes for 572 yards and four touchdowns. The Hokies finished 13th in the ACC and 113th nationally in rushing last season, thus improving that number is focus No. 1 for the Hokies. Tuten has big-play potential and that's one thing Tech needs on its 2023 offense.
- Grant Wells (QB, R-Sr., Charleston, WV/Marshall). Grant started all 11 games for the Hokies last season and hopes to improve greatly during his second campaign in Blacksburg. Wells threw just nine TD's last year and nine interceptions as well. Tech hopes the improved receiver corps and a revamped offense will help improve those numbers dramatically. Wells and the Hokies visit Marshall on September 23. Grant was the Thundering Herd's starting QB in 2020 and '21 where he threw for 5,623 yards and 34 TD's.
- Kyron Drones (QB, R-So., Pearland, Texas/Baylor). Drones is one big dude (6-2, 231) who was a huge signee for Baylor after leading his high school team to a 16-0 record and a 5-A State Title. He enrolled early at Baylor but played in just seven games in two seasons in Waco. Now at Tech, he will push Wells in the pre-season and you can expect to see him on the field at some point, and in some role this fall. The Wells-Drones combo gives the Hokies two interesting quarterback prospects and an intriguing competition in the pre-season. The two will push each other for sure.
Offense – Under the Radar:
Stephen Gosnell (WR, Sr., Pilot Mountain, NC/UNC). Stephen is a name coaches bring up over-and-over in conversations because he's a winning player. With all the newcomers at receiver, he might get overlooked by some, but he's a clutch player who has really impressed his teammates. At some point this fall, No. 12 is going to make a huge play at a key point in a game. He's the type of player every coach wants (and needs) on his team.
Defense – Four Players to Watch:
- Antwaun Powell-Ryland (DE, Jr., Portsmouth, Va./Florida). Tech's coaches simply call him APR, and that's a terrific acronym for a guy who had 34 career tackles (14 solo), 7.5 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks for 28 yards, three forced fumbles and a pass deflection as a Florida Gator. Listed at 6-3 and 233, APR is more Jason Worilds than Darryl Tapp (who was built much bigger,) but APR will be a difference maker. Pop on the highlights of the Florida -Texas A&M game from last year when he had six tackles, forced a fumble, and recorded a sack and you'll see what I mean. Tech didn't have a dude like this on its defense last year. It does now.
- Mansoor Delane (CB, So., Silver Spring, Md.) This freshman All-American led Tech in pass breakups (eight), had 38 tackles (17 solo), 1.5 TFL , one interception and two forced fumbles. He's legit and the real deal in Virginia Tech's secondary. In the grand tradition of premier defensive backs in Blacksburg, is Mansoor the next great one? Early returns suggest the answer is 'Yes.'
- Dorian Strong (CB, R-Jr., Upper Marlboro, Md.) Dorrian missed the last seven games of the 2022 season after breaking his hand against West Virginia. It was an injury that eventually required surgery. So last year was a tough one for him, but as a rookie in 2020, Strong was a freshman All-American and hopes to return to that form this fall. Now fully healed from his injury, look for No. 44 to be a key player in Virginia Tech's secondary.
- Jalen Stroman (S, Jr., Bristow, Va.) Coaches felt Jalen would make a tremendous play in 2022 but follow that with a sloppy one. That was not the case this past spring where Stroman took huge strides. He has experience at both safety positions and got reps at nickel last year as well. Pop on the Miami game from last year when Jalen had 11 tackles including five solo tackles. He was solid, but the '23 version is better. With Chamarri Conner graduating, the Hokies need a huge season out of No. 26.
Defense – Under the Radar:
Josh Fuga (DT, R-Sr., Woodbridge, Va.) This summer, Tech's coaches raved about Josh and their expectations of him this fall. They'll need him. The Hokies have three senior tackles on their defensive line (Mario Kendricks and Norell Pollard are the others) but since the midway point of spring ball throughout summer, Fuga's name kept coming up in the meeting rooms and hallways.
In summary, Tech's coaches did a roster overhaul since last November. The team that takes the field on September 2 against ODU will look a lot different than last year's club.
"We need to execute better on offense and that starts with running the ball," head coach Brent Pry told me. "Everything else we do offensively is predicated on having a strong running game."
As for the other side of the ball?
"We need to win more one-on-one battles and make plays. We need more TFLs. More sacks. Create more turnovers."