As Virginia Tech football builds momentum toward the 2024 season, all eyes are on spring ball for the upcoming campaign.
The Hokies have returned much of their offense from a season ago and have plenty of firepower spread throughout. Let's take a quick look at what Tech looks like on that side of the ball.
quarterback
It's hard to talk about Tech's success in 2023 without mentioning its current starting quarterback. chiron drone.
The Baylor transfer significantly changed the direction of Tech's season, with the redshirt junior taking over as the Hokies' starting pitcher just three games into the 2023 season.
Drones threw for 2,085 yards and 17 touchdowns in his first year, taking off for 818 yards and scoring five scores on the ground.
The 6-foot-2, 234-pound Drones' dual-threat ability changes the dynamic for Tech on the offensive side of the ball, and the Pearland, Texas, native has his sights set on another breakout year in 2024. .
Tech also has Pop Watson and Dylan Witke To act as a substitute. Watson was active in two games before the season, but Wittke is still in the quarterback room waiting for his turn.
running back
It's no secret that the Hokies were ready to welcome back starting running back Beishul Tuten After deciding to return in 2024, with open arms.
The 2023 All-ACC Third Team running back rushed for a team-high 863 yards a season ago, finding the end zone 10 times and averaging an impressive 5 yards per carry.
Tuten was also one of the top kick returners in the country last season, finishing the season as one of only five players in the FBS to return at least two kicks for a touchdown. Tuten also tallied 1,633 all-purpose yards, helping prove how dynamic he can be when handling the rock in a variety of ways.
Don't forget about the redshirt juniors malachi thomas In the same way. The Hartwell, Ga., native complimented Tuten nicely, who ran for 381 yards on 81 attempts a year ago, averaging 4.6 yards per carry and scoring two scores while on the field.
Beyond that, redshirt freshman jeremiah coney and tralon mitchell Waiting for your turn to get a crack. Connie carried the ball 11 times for 32 yards before the season, but Mitchell is looking ahead to his college debut.
wide receiver
wide receiver coach fontel mine His most experienced and productive group returns for the 2024 campaign.
The Hokies have the luxury of returning their top four targets from a year ago. ali jennings, Daquan Felton, Jaylin Lane and stephen gosnell Everyone returns for another go-around.
Jennings was an excellent receiver under Coach Mines at Old Dominion, but played in just two games and scored two points in his Tech debut before suffering a season-ending injury in his first year as a Hokie. . The former first-team All-Sun Belt selection showed potential entering his sixth collegiate season in 2022 by catching 54 passes for 959 yards and nine touchdowns.
Meanwhile, Felton came into his own from Norfolk State. The 6-foot-5, 213-pounder had 38 catches for a team-high 667 yards and eight scores in 2023, showing he can be a weapon even after moving up to the Power Five ranks. .
Lane also had a smooth transition to the Power Five level after transferring from Middle Tennessee. The fifth-year senior caught a team-leading 41 passes for 538 yards and six touchdowns in his first year with the Maroon and Orange.
Gosnell returns for another year after catching 22 passes and three touchdowns a season ago. tucker hollowayXavion Turner Bradshaw aiden green Back to the fold too.
The Hokies have an additional quartet looking to get a chance; Taki Heath, chance fitzgeraldKaylen Adams, chans wiggins I look forward to playing my role.
tight end
6th grade senior Nick Gallo He returns to the tight end room after missing the entire 2023 season due to a knee injury. The Richboro, Pa., native has been one of the mainstays of the group for quite some time, ranking second on the team in receptions in 2022 and making 30 catches for 256 yards as one of Tech's biggest weapons in the passing game. was recorded.
Hokies also bring back redshirt sophomores benji gosnell Harrison St. Germain will be acquired in 2024, with Gosnell catching 12 passes for 137 yards and a touchdown a season ago, while St. Germain played in a limited role with two catches and one score. It ended in the third round.
red shirt freshman zeke winbush and Jallikas Hairston The fact that both are aiming to make their college debuts may also be a factor.
offensive line
offensive line coach Ron Crook We're going to bring everyone back for our second year in town.
with the Kaden brothers braylin moore, Parker Clements, xavier chaplin, bob schick and Brody Meadows Everyone returns to the starting rotation, Tech adds Georgia State transfer, etc. montavious cunningham He entered the mix after finding success in the Group of Five ranks at Georgia State University.
Johnny Garrett The duo of Reis Gannan and Reis Gannan also return and should provide depth up front. Hannes Hammer You are expected to compete to get on the field.
