Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Leading the charge at the tight end position this season is redshirt sophomore Benji Gosnell. After a successful 2023 campaign, Gosnell has given the Hokies yet another reliable target this season for quarterback Kyron Drones and offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen. Gosnell and the Hokies will see the field Thursday night in Lane Stadium as the Hokies welcome the Boston College Eagles on Oct. 17 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Gosnell stepped into a larger role in 2023 as veteran Nick Gallo continued to rehabilitate a knee injury. In the role, the Pilot Mountain, North Carolina native corralled 12 passes for 137 yards over 13 games for the Hokies, including a ten-yard touchdown against Tulane in the Military Bowl. The then-redshirt freshman would have his name called eight times as a starter and was second in receiving yards among tight ends.
As the Hokies continue their 2024 season this fall, Gosnell has seen a steady rise in his production. The redshirt sophomore exceeded his previous totals through a mere five games and has 16 receptions for 151 yards after the win against Stanford on Oct. 5. He currently ranks fourth in yardage and second in receptions on the offensive side.
Gosnell has been productive in a majority of the contests this fall, his name most recently called in the contest against the Cardinal where the tight end corralled two passes in the 31-7 victory. Against Miami, Gosnell found paydirt after separating himself from the Hurricane secondary in the first quarter for a 25-yard score. In the most recent contest at home, both Benji and Stephen Gosnell caught two-point conversions in an exciting fourth quarter against Rutgers on Sept. 21. The brothers have demonstrated their offensive firepower on the field for the Hokies this season as the duo has combined for 31 receptions, 427 yards and two touchdowns over six games. The redshirt sophomore has started all six games for the Hokies this fall, cementing his spot as the current TE1 and ranking second in receptions across the offense.
Standing at 6-foot-5, 240 lbs., Gosnell finds success in various concepts across the offense. In passes of 10 yards or less, the tight end has earned a strong 91.2 receiving rating from Pro Football Focus (PFF), and in passes of 20 yards or more, Gosnell has earned an 89.1 receiving rating. Gosnell also puts up strong numbers in the middle of the field, earning an 86.6 rating in passes of 10 to 19 yards from PFF. Over six games this season, Gosnell’s PFF receiving grades exemplify how his size and strength are valuable assets for the Hokies.
Gosnell and the Hokies will welcome a Boston College (4-2, 1-1 ACC) team that lost its most recent game 24-14 to Virginia. Thursday’s game marks the sixth home sellout of the season, but fans who want to see Tech play live should visit SeatGeek, the official fan-to-fan marketplace of Virginia Tech Athletics.