Inside HOKIE SPORTS | Vol. 11 No. 1 | August 2018

20 Inside Hokie Sports Five Players to Watch Ricky Walker – Walker is probably the most talented player on Tech’s squad, with a tremendous combination of strength and quickness, and he puts up big numbers from his defensive tackle position. More importantly, every player on this team respects Walker. He stands as the undeniable leader of the squad. Damon Hazelton– Hazelton resembles what a coach wants in a receiver at an impressive 6-foot-2, 222 pounds, and those on Tech’s staff feel that he can play a big part in providing the big plays that the offense lacked last season. He missed spring practice with an injury, but got over that this summer, and now everyone wants to see his ability come to the forefront. Rayshard Ashby– Ashby takes over for three-year starter Andrew Motuapuaka at the important mike linebacker position, and he brings a lot of the same traits in terms of height, size and speed (5-10, 230). Hopefully, he produces in the same vein as Motuapuaka, who finished his career with more than 300 tackles. Ashby enjoyed a tremendous spring and hopes to carry that to this fall. Bryce Watts– Watts certainly finds himself in the spotlight, as Tech lost its top three cornerbacks from a season ago. He brings the height at 6-0 and blazing speed, but he is one of the smallest scholarship players on the team (177 pounds). Despite that, he showed an ability to make plays, and Tech’s staff desperately needs a shutdown corner to emerge—and quickly. Kyle Chung– Tech lost a great center in Eric Gallo, but the Hokies’ staff moved Chung, a sixth-year senior, to the position and feels great about him there. He certainly brings the experience and leadership, while also bringing athleticism. If Tech’s offense is humming along this season, it’s probably because Chung keeps making the right calls and putting his line in the best positions. 1 2 3 5 4 Bryce Watts Continued from page 19 HOKIES TRAVEL WITH MARTIN TRAVEL When planning a tour of Europe, a family vacation, a warm weather escape, or hitting the road to cheer the Hokies to victory, Martin Travel is the source for all your travel needs. Visit Your Local Store or go to MartinTravel.com Blacksburg | 1344 S. Main Street, Suite 3 | 540-951-7854 Martinsville | 156 East Market Street | 276-632-6126 Roanoke | 3615 Franklin Road SW | 540-343-5400 JM-Martin Travel-Hokies Travel with Martin Travel Ad-7.5x4.8 - Opt B.indd 1 7/26/2018 2:23:21 PM