Virginia Tech Football: Predicting the Starters for Each Hokie Position in 2016

New Virginia Tech head coach Justin Fuente received some good news last week when sophomore tight end Bucky Hodges announced he was returning to school for at least one more season (via Andy Bitter of the Roanoke Times). 

With Hodges back in Blacksburg, Virginia, Fuente now has a full complement of weapons for his debut season as head coach. The Hokies have nine starters back on offense, including four offensive linemen, Hodges, running back Travon McMillian and All-ACC wide receiver Isaiah Ford.

All Fuente must do now is settle on a quarterback.

Tech lost seven starters on a defense that had its share of struggles in 2015. But Fuente's biggest addition to that side of the ball was convincing longtime defensive coordinator Bud Foster to stay on board. 

Spring practice is a little over two months away, but it's never too soon to take a look ahead to the 2016 season as we examine who could start at each position for Virginia Tech.

The Hokies will stage a four-man battle for the starting quarterback position this spring.

Senior Brenden Motley returns, although his chances of winning the job aren't great. Motley started six games for Tech in 2015 when Michael Brewer went down and produced mostly mixed results. He struggled with sacks and turnovers and doesn't possess a great feel for the position. 

Also returning is prized sophomore Dwayne Lawson. The 6'6", 230-pound sophomore could be ticketed for a redshirt season if he doesn't win the job. The Hokies should've redshirted Lawson last fall, but Brewer's injury changed things. Lawson has everything you look for in the position; he just needs experience. 

The newest Hokies, junior-college signee Jerod Evans and early enrollee Joshua Jackson, will be competing for the starting job, too.

In fact, Evans could be the favorite. The 6'4", 225-pound Evans was the nation's top JUCO dual-threat quarterback and is a lot like Lawson in terms of size and athleticism. Evans has experience, though, starting last season at quarterback for Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas, and passing for 38 touchdowns and just three interceptions.

Jackson, another dual-threat quarterback, is probably ticketed for a redshirt season. The 6'2", 200-pounder from Saline, Michigan, will have a chance to impress coaches this spring. Don't rule him out; however, the odds are against him in 2016.  

Quarterback: Jerod Evans

This position is fairly easy to predict.

Rising sophomore Travon McMillian took over the starting job in early October and never looked back. The former high school quarterback rushed for 1,042 yards after rushing for just 223 yards over Tech's first five games. 

With McMillian back, the Hokies are set at running back. And depth will not be an issue either.

Trey Edmunds, VT's leading rusher in 2013, returns. A pair of sophomores, Marshawn Williams and Shai McKenzie, also return. 

Both Williams and McKenzie were having strong freshmen seasons before knee injuries interrupted their 2014 debut seasons. Each player was redshirted in 2015. 

At fullback, Sam Rogers is back. While Fuente often uses 11 personnel (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WR), minimizing the use of a fullback, he will find ways to get Rogers on the field. Rogers is a leader and does everything well on offense.

Running Back: Travon McMillian

Fuente's high-scoring spread attack will have plenty of weapons in 2015. 

Ford is back and should shatter every receiving record in Tech's history. As a sophomore in 2015, Ford caught 75 passes for 1,164 yards and 11 touchdowns. In the Independence Bowl, Ford was unstoppable with 12 catches for 227 yards. His outstanding season led to a place on the All-ACC First Team.

Rejoining Ford is fellow junior Cam Phillips. Phillips flies under the radar because of Ford, but has caught 89 passes in his first two seasons. Phillips runs terrific routes, and his hands improved last season.

Since Fuente often employs three receivers, someone new has a chance to step up in 2016. Will defensive back/wide receiver Greg Stroman be that guy? Or will one of VT's freshmen make an impact this fall?

Hodges' return has Hokie fans excited. The 6'7", 241-pound Hodges is a mismatch wherever he lines up. The former coaching staff would often line Hodges up in the slot and expect Fuente to continue with that as well as moving him around. 

Hodges could have an All-American-type season in Fuente's offense next fall.

Wide Receiver: Isaiah Ford

Wide Receiver: Cam Phillips

Wide Receiver: Greg Stroman

Tight End: Bucky Hodges

The good news for Virginia Tech fans is the Hokies return four starters from their offensive line.

The bad news for Virginia Tech fans is that this group didn't always play that well.

However, as the season progressed, this group did improve. Left tackle Jonathan McLaughlin often had issues with quicker pass-rushers, meaning that a move back to right tackle isn't out of the question. McLaughlin is a strong run-blocker.

Left guard Wyatt Teller can dominate games. He also suffers from the occasional concentration lapse, too. That would often lead to unnecessary penalties. Teller could take the next step and become an All-ACC first-teamer in 2015.

Right guard Augie Conte and center Eric Gallo are back, too. Gallo surprised everyone last season, taking over at center and becoming, arguably, Tech's most consistent offensive lineman in 2015. 

Who will start at right tackle? Well, McLaughlin could be ticketed for that role as sophomore Yosuah Nijman and JUCO signee Demetri Moore battle for a starting spot.

Nijman flashed last season, but needed a full offseason in Tech's strength program to become a full-time player. His combination of size (6'8", 280 lbs), arm length and athleticism has Hokie fans salivating at his raw potential. 

Moore could play either tackle position. This spring will be an important one for him.

Left Tackle: Yosuah Nijman

Left Guard: Wyatt Teller

Center: Eric Gallo

Right Guard: Augie Conte

Right Tackle: Jonathan McLaughlin

Virginia Tech lost a ton of talent from last season along the defensive line. Dadi Nicolas, Luther Maddy and Corey Marshall combined for 154 career games played for the Hokies. 

Fortunately, the cupboard isn't necessarily bare.

Defensive end Ken Ekanem returns. The 6'3" senior has started every game over the last two seasons and posted 24 tackles for loss and 14 sacks. Ekanem is also a strong run defender.

Defensive end depth is a bit of an issue for the Hokies. Seth Dooley and Vinny Mihota—the top backups in 2015—are both back. Look for the 6'5", 270-pound Mihota to take a big step forward. Mihota, who has moved between defensive end and tackle over the last two seasons, has found a home on the edge. His versatility is an asset.

Although Maddy and Marshall are gone, Woody Baron, Nigel Williams, Tim Settle, Ricky Walker and Steve Sobczak should give Foster plenty of depth—and talent—on the interior.

Williams and Baron—both seniors—have played significant roles throughout their careers. Baron took a big step forward last season when Marshall was out with an injury. He started five games, recorded eight tackles for loss and three sacks. Both players, specifically Baron, can rush the passer from the interior. 

Settle was last year's prized recruit. He had a terrific summer, but coaches preferred to see Settle spend one season in the weight room before putting him on the field. He could push for a starting position as coaches—specifically defensive line coach Charley Wiles—are excited about him, according to Bitter just before the 2015 season began.

Now, does he have some tools? Absolutely. 350 pounds-plus. And you see quickness. His feet are very good, he can do some things. If we had to play him, we could probably get him ready to play. There would be I’m sure throughout the process some liabilities and things. But Tim is going to be a very good player. I’m glad Tim’s on our football team.

Right Defensive End: Ken Ekanem

Nose Tackle: Woody Baron

Defensive Tackle: Nigel Williams

Left Defensive End: Vinny Mihota

A big reason for Tech's struggles on defense in 2015 could be traced to the linebacker position. 

Middle linebacker Andrew Motuapuaka had his share of ups and downs. Motuapuaka would often overrun plays or fail to get off blocks. That would lead to some big plays in the running game. While Motuapuaka did have some good moments, look for sophomore Carson Lydon to push him this spring.

The Hokies lose both starting outside linebackers from a year ago. 

Deon Clarke was one of the better Hokie defenders over the last two years, but he was far from perfect. He was solid in every area, but he would sometimes struggle with penalties.

Anthony Shegog, a safety/linebacker, finally had a chance to play in 2015 and was impressive. He will battle sophomore Raymon Minor this spring. Minor needs a good spring. 

Replacing Clarke should be sophomore Tremaine Edmunds. The 6'5", 236-pound Edmunds showed a knack for being around the ball when he received playing time on defense. Edmunds is athletic and can also rush the passer. He could be Virginia Tech's next defensive star. 

Outside Linebacker (WHIP): Anthony Shegog

Middle Linebacker: Andrew Motuapuaka

Outside Linebacker (Backer): Tremaine Edmunds

Heading into the 2015 season, analysts from around the country hailed Virginia Tech's secondary as one the best. In part, because of the presence of cornerbacks Kendall Fuller and Brandon Facyson.

Well, things didn't exactly play out that way with Fuller missing most of the season with a knee injury.

Fuller is off to the NFL, but Facyson is back. The 6'2" junior has 22 career starts and will lead Tech's secondary in 2016. 

Across from him is sophomore Terrell Edmunds. The middle of three brothers currently playing for the Hokies, Terrell started eight games in his redshirt freshman campaign. At 6'1", 201 pounds, Edmunds has good size and can play cornerback or safety. After some struggles early, Edmunds settled down and became a reliable starter.

Chuck Clark was Tech's MVP in the secondary in 2015. A former cornerback, Clark made the move to free safety and solidified the position. He is back and could have a big senior season.

Adonis Alexander was forced into action a littler sooner than defensive coaches would've liked last fall. He produced. Alexander intercepted four passes and was a physical presence in the running game. He will only improve with experience. 

Another sophomore, Mook Reynolds, was also forced into action last year. Reynolds played slot cornerback and had his share of struggles. But like Edmunds, he got better the more he played. 

VT's secondary struggled more than a typical Hokie defensive backfield in 2015. That should pay dividends in 2016 as almost everyone returns. 

Cornerback: Brandon Facyson

Cornerback: Terrell Edmunds

Free Safety: Chuck Clark

Rover: Adonis Alexander

Nickel (Slot CB): Mook Reynolds

In junior Joey Slye, the Hokies have one of college football's better placekickers. Slye, a Lou Groza Award semifinalist in 2015, connected on 23 of 30 attempts last season. Slye was 13 of 19 from 40 yards and beyond. 

Tech loses punter A.J. Hughes—its punter for the past four seasons. 

Who will replace him?

Marshall Long, a true freshman, could be that guy. Long, who committed to the Hokies just last week, is an Under Armour All-American. 

While Frank Beamer may be gone, "Beamerball" will still be important in Blacksburg.

New special teams coach James Shibest comes to Blacksburg as one of the country's more accomplished special teams coaches. In three of his four seasons as the special teams coach at Memphis, Shibest coached the AAC's top special teams player. 

Kicker: Joey Slye

Punter: Marshall Long

Kick Returner: Der'Woun Greene

Punt Returner: Greg Stroman