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

inside.hokiesports.com 27 “ TRAVEL I NG ACROSS COUNTRY TO SEE YOUR FAVOR I TE TEAM PLAY MAKES I T LOG I ST I CALLY TOUGH TO HOST AN EVENT FOR FR I ENDS AND FAMI LY ON GAME DAY. TA I LGATE GUYS TOOK ALL THE WORRY AND HEAVY L I FT I NG OUT OF THE PLANN I NG ; ALLOWI NG OUR FAMI LY TO FOCUS ON THE GAME . I WON ’ T EVER GO TO ANOTHER GAME WI THOUT TA I LGATE GUYS ! ” - G R E G A Z A R , V I R G I N I A T E C H A L UM , D E N V E R , CO L O R ADO “ I I I I I I I . I I I I ; I I . I ’ I I ! ” - E Z , I I I T E L , E E , L S I MP L I F Y G AME DAY I N B L A C K S B U R G # T A I L G A T E B E T T E R Replacing STROMAN and SLYE the TOP priorities on special teams by Jimmy Robertson Lost among the discussions surrounding the 2018 football season are Virginia Tech’s special teams. In 2017, with a great punt returner, a great kickoff specialist and several other important players, the Hokies’ units dominated. In addition to kicking and returning well, Tech also blocked six kicks, tying with Florida State for the most in the ACC. Can the Hokies play this well again? Yes, but not without replacing some key personnel. Tech saw star Greg Stroman, big-legged kicker Joey Slye and dependable snapper Colton Taylor all depart following last season, leaving rather large voids. Stroman returned two punts for touchdowns a year ago and averaged 11.3 yards per punt return, ranking fourth in the ACC and earning honorable mention All-ACC honors for his efforts. Slye made 15 field goals, but more importantly booted 53 of his 63 kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks. He and Stroman helped the Hokies dominate the field position battle for the most part. Guys like Terrell Edmunds, Anthony Shegog and Deon Newsome also played a lot on special teams, helping Tech to rank No. 17 nationally in both punt return and kickoff return defense. The Hokies thus need to find some difference makers in these areas. Look for guys like Jovonn Quillen, Devon Hunter, Rayshard Ashby, Jaylen Griffin and Tyree Rodgers to play larger roles on these units this fall. The kicking competition figures to be interesting. A year ago, Brian Johnson played when Slye went down with a hamstring injury, and he performed well, making three of four field-goal attempts and sending six of his 12 kickoffs for touchbacks. But Jordan Stout, who took a redshirt year in 2017, possesses a strong leg. Oscar Shadley takes over the snapping duties vacated by Taylor’s graduation. The freshman ranked as one of the best snapping prospects nationally in the 2018 recruiting class. Tech’s staff plans to try any number of players as the punt returner, including C.J. Carroll, Terius Wheatley and Caleb Farley, who also figures to get a look as the kickoff returner. Punter Oscar Bradburn returns after a freshman season in which he averaged 42.4 yards per punt. The Australian exhibited a big leg and got better at placing the ball inside the 20. If he continues his development, he could rank as one of the best punters in the ACC. Much like the man he replaced, head coach Justin Fuente places a ton of emphasis on special teams. It showed a year ago, as special teams played an understated role in the Hokies’ winning of nine games. Those units gave Tech an advantage. With a young defense and an offense still finding its identity, the Hokies need special teams to give them that extra edge in games. Fuente continued Beamer’s emphasis and tradition of excellence on special teams. Hopefully that tradition extends into the 2018 season. QUICK FACTS SPECIAL TEAMS Returning starter: Oscar Bradburn (13 career starts) Starters lost: Joey Slye, Colton Taylor, Greg Stroman Projected new starters: Brian Johnson or Jordan Stout, Oscar Shadley Top reserves: Johnson or Stout Newcomer: Stout Breakout candidate: Bradburn Notes: The Hokies ranked second nationally in blocked kicks last season (six) … Under Bradburn and a good punt unit, Tech finished third in the ACC and 27th nationally in net punting … The Hokies finished with 59 touchbacks, which ranked fifth among Power Five schools … All four of Johnson’s field-goal attempts last season came from inside of 40 yards. SPECIAL TEAMS August, 2018 (in numerical order) PUNTERS 91 Oscar Bradburn (6-1, 211, So) 92 Jordan Stout (6-2, 197, r-Fr.) KICKERS 92 Jordan Stout (6-2, 197, r-Fr.) 93 Brian Johnson (6-1, 185, r-So.) SNAPPER 97 Oscar Shadley (6-0, 235, Fr.) Season Preview 2 18 SPECIAL TEAMS