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Virginia Tech Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017

By Jerran Anderson

BLACKSBURG, VA - OCTOBER 20: Head coach Justin Fuente of the Virginia Tech Hokies looks on in the second half of the game against the Miami Hurricanes at Lane Stadium on October 20, 2016 in Blacksburg, Virginia. Virginia Tech defeated Miami 37-16. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images)
BLACKSBURG, VA - OCTOBER 20: Head coach Justin Fuente of the Virginia Tech Hokies looks on in the second half of the game against the Miami Hurricanes at Lane Stadium on October 20, 2016 in Blacksburg, Virginia. Virginia Tech defeated Miami 37-16. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images) /
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BLACKSBURG, VA – NOVEMBER 12: Quarterback Matthew Jordan #11 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets is sacked by defensive lineman Vinny Mihota #99 and defensive tackle Woody Baron #60 of the Virginia Tech Hokies in the second half at Lane Stadium on November 12, 2016 in Blacksburg, Virginia. Georgia Tech defeated Virginia Tech 30-20. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images)
BLACKSBURG, VA – NOVEMBER 12: Quarterback Matthew Jordan #11 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets is sacked by defensive lineman Vinny Mihota #99 and defensive tackle Woody Baron #60 of the Virginia Tech Hokies in the second half at Lane Stadium on November 12, 2016 in Blacksburg, Virginia. Georgia Tech defeated Virginia Tech 30-20. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images) /

Defensive Line

Starting tackles: Ricky Walker, Tim Settle
Backups: Darius Fullwood, Jarrod Hewitt/Jimmie Taylor

Defensive tackles Ricky Walker and Tim Settle get their chance to lead the Hokies up front. Walker is a redshirt junior who appeared all 14 games for the Virginia Tech Hokies last season, starting in four of them. Walker recorded 28 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks a season ago.

Settle returns looking to be a bigger force on the defensive line in his redshirt sophomore season. He recorded 17 tackles, seven tackles for loss and blocked a kick in 2016. Both serve as potential breakout candidates in 2017.

Darius Fullwood and Jarrod Hewitt currently serve as the backups. The Hokies are a bit thin at the defensive tackle position so fans could also Jimmie Taylor get some time as well. Hewitt spent last season redshirting. Fullwood and Taylor combined to appear in five games last season.

Starting ends: Trevon Hill, Vinny Mihota
Backups: Houshun Gaines, Emmanual Belmar

The defensive end position is where the strength is for the Virginia Tech Hokies. Trevon Hill and Vinny Mihota are two players who push the pace off the edge and can give the quarterback problems.

Hill started in the Belk Bowl for the Hokies, one of two starts he made in 2016. He appeared in all 14 games last season. Mihota started in all 13 games he appeared in last season, recording 43 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks.

Houshun Gaines is still working his way out of the doghouse this season and will serve as one backup at defensive end. He appeared in 12 games in 2016 for the Hokies. Emmanual Belmar is the other potential backup defensive end. He spent last season as a redshirt player.

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