Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – The third and final week of the NFL preseason has concluded, as all 32 NFL teams saw the field to close out competition. Former Hokies continued to make their presence known as teams moved closer to their first games of the season at the beginning of September. With only one week from the season opener between the Baltimore Ravens and defending Super Bowl LVIII champion Kansas City Chiefs, we continue to look at how Hokies are performing before the season begins. In this latest edition of NFL Hokies, presented by Coca-Cola, we take a look at some performances from the last week along with some matchups fans should look for in September.
CB Greg Stroman Jr.
Stroman Jr. logged yet another impressive preseason performance for the Bears against the defending champion Chiefs, tallying 2 tackles (2 solo) and one for a loss. His 66.3 run defense and 60.0 pass rushing grades from PFF all point to Stroman having another productive season with Chicago. Combined with his 75.6 coverage grade, the Bristow, Virginia product has a lot in store this season.
T Luke Tenuta
The Packers’ Luke Tenuta provided protection and blocking in the victory against the Ravens last week. His PFF grades were the highest of his preseason, coming out of the third and final game with an 85.1 pass-blocking and 68.9 run-blocking grade. Both were improvements from his grades during Week 2, when he posted an 80.9 pass-blocking and 64.9 run-blocking grade. Now on his third stop (Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts) in the NFL, Tenuta has the right skillset to provide depth to the Packers’ offensive line.
G Lecitus Smith
The Green Bay guard led the offensive line in snaps against the Ravens in a commanding 30-7 victory. Smith’s 63.2 pass blocking and 63.5 run blocking grades on PFF demonstrate what the workhorse can bring to a football field this fall. Entering his third year in the NFL, Smith is competing for a roster spot amongst an equally inexperienced offensive line that is still finding its footing. If Smith acquires a spot on the 53-man roster, he has the chance to join former Hokie alumni tackle Luke Tenuta.
DT Mario Kendricks
Seattle Seahawk Mario Kendricks picked up a solo tackle en route to a 37-33 win over the Cleveland Browns last Saturday. Kendricks has been battling for a roster spot this fall as an undrafted rookie, and his final preseason performance puts him in a good position to acquire one. For his efforts, Pro Football Focus awarded Kendricks with a 56.3 pass rushing grade, suggesting that the Florida product can add value to the Seattle defensive line.
G Wyatt Teller
The Bealeton, Virginia product turned in another good showing of pass blocking and protection for the Browns in the 33-37 loss to the Seahawks. Teller was a highlight for the Browns in the loss, as his 78.3 pass-blocking PFF grade was seen in action against fellow Hokie Mario Kendricks. Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 315 pounds, Teller is poised to provide the Browns with the interior protection they need to succeed this season.
Notable Week 1 Matchups
New York Jets at San Francisco 49ers: Monday, Sept. 9 at 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN
The Jets will travel to San Francisco for the first time since the two teams faced each other in 2020. The game will be full of storylines, most notably the return of quarterback Aaron Rodgers after a season-ending achilles injury in the first game of the Jets’ 2023 season. Additionally, Hokies will be facing off against one another in the matchup, as safety Chuck Clark and the New York defense will aim to halter former Commanders tight end Logan Thomas’ first game in San Francisco.
Tennessee Titans at Chicago Bears: Sunday, Sept. 8 at 1 p.m. ET on FOX
The Titans will meet the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field during the 1 p.m. slate of Sunday action. Titans cornerback Chris Farley will square off against a trio of Hokies in running back Khalil Herbert, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and cornerback Greg Stroman Jr. This will be the first time the teams have met since the Titans bested the Bears 24-17 in November of 2020. Herbert and Edmunds did not play in the final week of preseason competition, but their names will be called when kickoff starts Sunday.
Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns: Sunday, Sept. 8 at 4:25 p.m. ET on FOX
Cleveland hosts the Dallas Cowboys to start the 2024 season. With the matchup comes an offensive line battle between Dallas center Brock Hoffman and Cleveland guard Wyatt Teller. Cleveland’s Teller has the experience advantage (five years compared to Hoffman’s two), yet Hoffman’s ability to protect the quarterback (61.9 PFF interior blocking grade) is strong. While the two former Hokies will not face each other directly, the game promises to be a battle in claiming Hokie offensive line supremacy.