Virginia Tech Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017
The Virginia Tech football team will see some turnover entering the 2017 season, but will it mean less success than 2016?
The Virginia Tech football program saw success in Justin Fuente’s first year as head coach. The Hokies went 10-4 in 2016 with a first-year starter at quarterback in Jerod Evans. Things went in a positive direction for the Hokies despite tough early season losses. By the end, the Hokies won 35-24 in the Belk Bowl after trailing 24-0 at halftime.
Evans looked good with weapons like wide receiver Isaiah Ford and tight end Bucky Hodges to throw to, but all three have since moved on to the NFL. Ford had 1,094 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns for Virginia Tech last season. Hodges caught seven receiving touchdowns as well along with 691 receiving yards in 2016.
Fuente enters 2017 with the same question as last season: who will start at quarterback? Evans threw for 3,552 passing yards, 29 passing yards and just eight interceptions while also rushing for 846 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns in his lone season as starter. Entering this season, Fuente has some options to choose from in order to continue to establish his new offensive culture.
Behind head coach Fuente is defensive coordinator Bud Foster. The Foster-led defense allowed just 22.8 points per game last season, 28th in the FBS. The Virginia Tech Hokies return seven of those starters including an interesting move with a playmaker in the secondary.
The coaching staff will have some position battles to decide on this fall. Still, here’s a look at an early 2-deep depth chart for the Hokies.
Offensive Line
Starting tackles: Yosuah Nijman (LT), Tyrell Smith (RT)
Backups: Parker Osterloh/Kyle Chung, T.J. Jackson/D’Andre Plantin
Junior left tackle Yosuah Nijman headlines an offensive line that is still finding its depth. He started in all 14 games for the Hokies last season. Nijman is expected to protect whoever the new quarterback will be entering Sept. 3. Tyrell Smith should make the start at right tackle. He is a redshirt sophomore who made 14 appearances in 2016.
Redshirt senior Parker Osterloh could see time if Smith doesn’t work out at the right tackle spot. The 6-foot-8, 325-pound linemen has appeared in 26 games so far in his career. Redshirt freshman T.J. Jackson is the other potential backup tackle for 2017. The Hokies have the potential to also play senior Kyle Chung or D’Andre Plantin in some capacity.
Starting center: Eric Gallo
Backup: Zachariah Hoyt
Center Eric Gallo is the most experienced player on this developing offensive line group for the Hokies. He’s got 25 starts in 26 games, starting in 12 of 13 games last season. Behind him is Zachariah Hoyt who was a redshirt player a season ago. Hoyt was a member of the Hokies 2016 recruiting class as the 22nd ranked center nationally, according to 247Sports.
Starting guards: Wyatt Teller (LG), Braxton Pfaff (RG)
Backups: Kyle Chung, Parker Osterloh
Wyatt Teller has all but locked up the starting left guard position for 2017. Teller is a redshirt senior with 24 career starts in three seasons. At the right guard position, Braxton Pfaff looks to still be in control after spring camp. Pfaff is a redshirt junior who played in nine games last season.
Kyle Chung and yes, Parker Osterloh are listed twice as backups for both guard and tackle positions which speaks for to their versatility as offensive linemen. Chung and Osterloh are two experienced lineman who have shown they want to play. They should see time in the rotation at some point this season.