ACC Football: 5 storylines to follow at 2019 ACC Kickoff

4. Will Devon Hunter have a role in Virginia Tech’s defense?

Virginia Tech limped to bowl eligibility last season, finishing the regular season with a 6-6 record before a 35-31 Military Bowl loss to Cincinnati sunk them under .500 with a 6-7 record in 2018.

A major reason for the team’s struggles a year ago was the defense, which was predominantly comprised of underclassmen. The unit was 106th nationally against the run, allowing 210.3 yards per game, 85th nationally in scoring, allowing 31.0 points per game, and 98th nationally in total defense, allowing 438.7 yards per game.

By all accounts, this was the worst defense that defensive coordinator Bud Foster fielded in his 32 years at Virginia Tech.

One player who was not featured on one of the ACC’s worst defenses was former five-star defensive back Devon Hunter. In fact, Hunter, who is one of the most decorated recruits in school history, has not made much of an impact at all in his two years with the program.

As a freshman in 2017, he played in 10 games, mostly on special teams, and made one tackle.

Last season, he had six tackles and one sack, but ended up only playing in four games. He benefited from the new NCAA redshirt rules, and was able to keep his eligibility fresh.

Now, with three seasons remaining of eligibility, fans are wondering if the redshirt-sophomore will play a key role on the defense this fall.

While Virginia Tech returns much of their defense from a year ago, Hunter should play a role on that side of the football, where he could slide into a safety position alongside Reggie Floyd, or at WHIP linebacker as a slot coverage defender who could also play in the front seven against the run.

Expect questions to come up about Hunter’s development at the ACC Kickoff, as reporters will try to get a sense if Bud Foster has plans for Hunter to play a bigger role for Virginia Tech’s defense this fall.