Way-Too-Early Virginia Tech Preview
Each year it’s seems like the Irish play at least one tough road game versus an ACC opponent. Last year it was Miami (welp). In 2016 it was NC State (welp again). In 2015 it was Clemson (you get the idea). This year, it’s Virginia Tech.
Notre Dame will be traveling to Blacksburg to play the Hokies this October in what is typically one of the more hostile environments for a road team to visit. Justin Fuente is 10-2 at home in his two years with the program. The crowd won’t make it an easy game for Brian Kelly’s team.
The players wearing maroon won’t make it easy either. Virginia Tech is projected to be a top-25 program heading into the season despite losing some key pieces. They have some key players coming back as well. This could end up being one of the most difficult matchups the Irish face all season.
Good News for Notre Dame
The Hokies are losing three starters on the offensive line and haven’t recruited very well at that position. Even with those guys around last season, the offense wasn’t very good. That’s a bit surprising when you consider that Fuente’s background is on offense.
They finished 96th in S&P+ and really struggled to run the ball. Running back Deshawn McClease led the team in rushing, but managed only 530 yards on the season. He’s back this year and is not considered a difference-maker at the position.
Virginia Tech did have one of those at receiver with Cam Phillips developing into a number one target. Unfortunately for them, he’s moving on to the NFL and they will have to find somebody to replace his production.
Bud Foster’s defense carried the team last season, but they are losing some significant players that made last year’s group a great one. Defensive tackle Tim Settle was a disruptive presence, but he declared for the NFL Draft. Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds was one of the best defenders in the nation and could do a little bit of everything for them. He’s expected to be a top-10 pick this spring.
If you add in two very good corners and a starting safety that won’t be back too, then it looks like the defense is going to experience a significant drop off in the talent department.
Bad News for Notre Dame
Despite the personnel losses on defense, it would be surprising if the defense wasn’t very good. They may not be 9th in S&P+, 6th in Havoc Rate, and 4th in scoring defense good, but Foster almost always has his group playing at a high level.
Only once since 2005 has Virginia Tech’s defense not finished in the top-25 in S&P+. There’s a reason why he is considered one of, if not the, best defensive coordinator in college football.
They also have defensive tackle Ricky Walker returning (12.5 tackles for loss) and a pass rusher that is ready to breakout as a star in Trevon Hill. In terms of new additions, they signed the number two ranked JUCO corner in the nation in Jeremy Webb and are bringing in blue-chip linebacker Dax Hollifield to their linebacker room. With those players and some others waiting in the wings, they will make life difficult for Chip Long.
While the running game may never be great and losing Phillips will hurt, they are gaining Damon Hazelton as a transfer from Ball State. He put up big numbers as a freshman and then sat out last season at Virginia Tech. Sean Savoy, their second leading receiver, and Caleb Farley are two players I really liked as recruits. Both of them have the ability to take on much bigger roles this fall.
The big key for them is having Joshua Jackson return at quarterback. He might have struggled a bit towards the end of the season, but overall he had a terrific debut as a redshirt freshman. He can make plays with his legs and should be much better in his second season starting for Fuente.
Spring Questions
Virginia Tech has always been able to develop disruptive defensive lineman, but losing Settle with him potentially having two more years of eligibility had to have hurt them quite a bit. He was an elite recruit and became an elite player for them. They need to find someone to pair inside with Walker and the options are going to be inexperienced.
They are one of a few schools that calls themselves “DBU” and they’ve earned the right to do that. However, losing two veteran corners has to sting. They may consider moving safety Mook Reynolds to corner. If they don’t have the same type of talent to play man to man, it will have a big impact on how Foster will call the defense. Finding more corners has to be a big priority for them this spring.
Replacing those starters on the offensive line is going to be big and they’ll need to get their running game going to help Jackson. They don’t want to rely on him to be so important when it comes to running the football. If they can't do that, then it will be up to Jackson and some receivers who have not done that much for the Hokies to carry the offense this fall.