31 | 2023 SOUTHERN FOOTBALL GUIDE
VIRGINIA TECH
HEAD COACH: Brent Pry OC: Tyler Bowen DC: Chris Marve
Blacksburg, VA
2022 RECORD: 3-8 (1-6) FOUNDED: 1872 STADIUM: Lane (65,632)
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
The Hokies’ offense was close to nonexistent last season. Grant Wells was interception prone and the offensive line couldn’t give the backs any running room. The Hokies averaged just 3.1 yards a carry and converted only 31.5 percent on third down. Wells is back, but will be challenged by Kyron Drones, a transfer from Baylor. Malachi Thomas is a capable runner if given any space. The line made not be much improved, but at least there’s promise for the future. The left side will be manned by a couple of redshirt freshmen Xavier Chaplin and Braelin Moore, who may take some lumps this season while gaining experience. The Hokies are counting on three transfers to spark the receiving corps. Ali Jennings (ODU) is the best of the trio. Jaylin Lane (Middle Tenn) is a real speedster, and Da’Quan Felton (Norfolk State), should cause matchup problems with his size.
The defense was not horrible, and the returning players should benefit from a year under coordinator Chris Marve. The defense allowed just 3.9 yards per rush, 5.4 yards per play, and got off the field on third down. But there were not enough big plays. The Hokies had just 23 sacks and forced only nine turnovers. The two best players (Dax Hollifield and TyJuan Garbutt) are gone, so there are big holes to fill. The projected front four combined for 16 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks last season, so all four must step up their games this season. The secondary should be outstanding, but they may also be asked to make too many tackles downfield. Mansoor Delane and Sorian Strong are good cover corners. Transfer Derrick Canteen is exceptional in coverage as well, and he will likely line up at safety. Somehow, Nasir Peoples, Jalen Stroman and Canteen need to be on the field at the same time.
DEPTH CHART
DEPTH CHART
NO 6 24 0 9 83 86 65 61 68 72 70
PLAYER Grant Wells Malachi Thomas Ali Jennings Da’Quan Felton Jaylin Lane Nick Gallo Xavier Chaplin Braelin Moore Kaden Moore Jesse Hanson Parker Clements
POS QB RB WR WR WR TE LT LG C RG RT
HT 6-2 6-0 6-2 6-5 5-10 6-4 6-6 6-3 6-3 6-5 6-7
WT 212 206 198 207 180 240 325 290 300 300 305
CLASS SR SO SR SR SR SR FR FR JR SR JR
NO 56 3 22 17 34 38 7 4 44 13 5
PLAYER C.J. McCray Norell Pollard Mario Kendricks Cole Nelson Alan Tisdale Jayden McDonald Keonta Jenkins Mansoor Delane Dorian Strong Derrick Canteen Nasir Peoples
POS DE DT DT DE LB LB LB CB CB S S
HT 6-3 6-0 6-0 6-3 6-3 6-4 6-3 6-1 6-0 5-11 6-0
WT 246 281 293 247 228 239 207 180 180 194 202
CLASS JR SR SR JR SR SO SR SO JR SR SR
1 33 12 3 11 8 75 77 58 75 79
Kyron Drones Bhayshul Tuten Stephen Gosnell Da’Wain Lofton Tucker Holloway Dae’Quan Wright Bob Schick Brody Meadows Jack Hollifield Bob Schick Johnny Garrett
QB RB WR WR WR TE LT LG C RG RT
6-2 5-11 6-2 5-11 6-2 6-4 6-6 6-6 6-3 6-6 6-5
229 200 194 190 180 234 305 311 300 305 297
SO JR SR JR SO SO JR FR SO JR FR
2 6 91 39 24 53 21 11 15 26 18
Keyshawn Burgos Josh Fuga Wilfried Pene Jorden McDonald Jaden Keller Will Johnson Keli Lawson Devin Alves Jaylen Jones Jalen Stroman Mose Phillips III
DE DT DT DE LB LB LB CB CB S S
6-5 6-2 6-3 6-4 6-3 6-2 6-4 6-3 6-1 6-1 6-2
240 308 285 249 228 227 217 185 202 202 192
SO SR JR SO SO SO SO FR JR JR FR
97 85
John Love Peter Moore
170 197
FR JR
22 11
Bryce Duke Tucker Holloway
205 180
SO SO
SPECIAL TEAMS K P
5-11 6-1
2023 SCHEDULE S.2 ..................Old Dominion
O.14 .................. Wake Forest
S.9 ................................Purdue
O.26 .........................Syracuse
S.16 .......................at Rutgers
N.4 ......................at Louisville
S.23 ..................... at Marshall
N.11 ....... at Boston College
S.30 ...................... Pittsburgh
N.18 ......................... NC State
O.7 ............... at Florida State
N.25 ...................... at Virginia
SPECIAL TEAMS KR PR
5-11 6-2
NEWCOMERS Derrick Canteen, DB — The talented athlete will line up primarily at safety, but he is excellent in coverage, giving the Hokies multiple coverage options. Mose Phillips III, S — Phillips’ father, who played at Tennessee, was his high school defensive coordinator helping the younger Phillips develop a high football IQ. Jaylin Lane, WR — The diminutive Lane, who had 69 catches for 940 yards for Middle Tennessee last season, will step into a large role for the Hokies. His speed will allow Virginia Tech to stretch the field.
