As we countdown to kickoff in September, we’re doing a team-by-team opponent preview. Today, we're previewing Syracuse's matchup with Virginia Tech on Oct. 26 with our friend Tim Sullivan over at HokieHaven.
Most important offensive player, defensive player
The most important player on offense will likely be wide receiver Ali Jennings. That's not necessarily because of his individual contributions, but because of the upgrade he represents at the position (and therefore the degree to which he makes everything easier for the rest of the offense). The receiving corps was dire last year, and a true threat on the outside opens everything else up.
The most important defensive player is cornerback Dorian Strong. He missed last season with injury, and while the secondary still performed at a decent level, adding a lockdown corner to a group that includes freshman All-ACC selection Mansoor Delane will make life difficult for opposing receivers.
Rising star on offense, defense
It's not often that an offensive lineman is seen as a rising star - particularly one who'll just be a redshirt freshman this Fall, but Xavier Chapman fits the bill. He would've contributed last season but for an injury that kept him behind schedule, and when he did finally see the field in the season finale, he didn't look out of place in the least. If he can lock down one of the bookends, it'll be a major step forward for the run game.
On defense, junior defensive end Cole Nelson has played an increasing role... but even then, incoming transfer portal additions from Florida (Antwuan Powell-Ryland) and junior college (James Jennette) may force him to fight for his gig.
Team outlook: Best-case scenario
There's not a game on the schedule that's unwinnable. This Hokie team doesn't have the experience to lean back on to get through tough times, necessarily, so even if they come out blazing, a couple losses are probably going to happen. A 10-2 record may be a lofty goal, but it isn't completely out of the question.
Team outlook: Worst-case scenario
There's also not a game that's a guaranteed win, and as we saw in the first year of the Brent Pry era, too many "should-win" games have turned into losses for the Hokies. With two Big Ten opponents in the non-conference (as well as an Old Dominion team that beat these Hokies last year), a 1-3 non-conference record is a distinct possibility, and while even a bad Hokies team should win a couple games against ACC opposition, a second-straight three-win season is in the realm of possibility.
Head coach / program is on the rise, stagnant, decline because ...
This is a program on the rise, primarily because of how low it had gotten. The final two years of the Justin Fuente era saw personnel mismanagement and recruiting misses come home to roost, and while the early days of the Brent Pry era are correcting those... last year was very much a "my first try at being a head coach," with on-field mistakes robbing the Hokies of at least a couple more wins.
If Pry hammers out clock management, game control, and the like, improvement this year feels near-guaranteed, while much better player retention and night-and-day improvement on the recruiting trail should get this program back among the ACC's leaders within a couple years.
Key portal additions and losses
Key portal additions: QB Kyron Drones (Baylor), RB Bhayshul Tuten (North Carolina A&T), WWR Ali Jennings (Old Dominion), DE James Jennette (JUCO), LB Antwuan Powell-Ryland (Florida)
Key portal losses: WR Kaleb Smith (Notre Dame - has already retired from football), RB Keshawn King (Western Michigan), CB Armani Chatman (North Carolina)
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