Virginia Tech Football: Hokies will be legitimate ACC contenders in 2018
Offense
Last year was defined by inconsistency and youth offensively. There was inexperience all over the field, and it killed the Hokies in big games. If those players are ready for the spotlight, the talent is there for a huge season.
The most important part of the offense is back. Despite some odd suspension rumors recently, Josh Jackson is back, and all things indicate that he will in fact be eligible. That’s huge news for Virginia Tech.
Jackson struggled last year with consistency, as most freshmen quarterbacks do. Against lesser opponents, Jackson flashed a ton of potential. He lit up bad defenses in the air and with his legs. However, against the best defenses Tech played (Miami and Clemson), he was a serious liability. He crumbled under pressure, and really hurt his offense.
He’ll likely be better this season. With a year of experience under his belt, Jackson has faced the tough defenses, seen the huge crowds, and played under the lights. He’s ready to lead this offense, and if his good games last year become the norm this season, he’ll be one of the ACC’s best.
Supporting cast
Josh Jackson won’t be able to do it on his own, however. Last season he led the team in rushing yards. That can’t be the case this season. While Travon McMillan is gone, Steven Peoples, Deshawn McLease, and Jalen Holston should all improve. Tech was woefully inept running for quite a bit of 2017, and that won’t work if they want to challenge for the ACC.
That means that at least one of those backs will need to step up. The running back by committee strategy didn’t really work, and Fuente really needs a workhorse. McLease was the best back last season, and I don’t imagine that’ll change. However, at just 5-foot-9, 180 pounds, there are durability concerns.
That’s where Peoples and Holston are necessary. Peoples is a much bigger, power back, while Holston is a combination of the two. Holston makes the most sense as an every down back, but the production is there to believe in that yet.
Like running back, wide receiver is a big question mark. Can Phillips is gone, and there’s a ton of uncertainty in his wake. Eric Kumah and Sean Savoy were both solid last year, but one will have to emerge as a top target. Behind them, CJ Carroll, Damon Hazelton Phil Patterson, and Hezekiah Grimsley will battle for time. They won’t be able to replace Phillips, but the group as a whole should be better this year.
The offensive line should be a strength, which will help the rest of the offense a ton. Every starter is either a redshirt junior or senior, and there’s a ton of experience all over the place. Yosuah Nijman, Kyle Chung and Braxton Pfaff will lead the group. If they work well as a unit, the offense will be able to run no matter who plays in the backfield.
Can Holston take over?
As I mentioned, the two top returning backs, McLease and Peoples, are not perfect by any means. McLease’s lack of size and Peoples’ lack of speed make them difficult to trust with a bunch of carries.
Jalen Holston flashed potential. He has the size and skill set of a workhorse, and fits the scheme really well. Unfortunately, he was injured during much of the spring, so we didn’t get to hear a ton about his progress. However, the potential is there. If Holston makes a jump in the fall and wins the starting job, the Hokies will be a lot better on offense.