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

inside.hokiesports.com 29 QUICK FACTS ON TECH’S DL Returning starters: Ricky Walker (17 career starts), Trevon Hill (14 career starts), Vinny Mihota (25 career starts) Starter lost: Tim Settle Projected new starter: Houshun Gaines Top reserves: Emmanuel Belmar, Xavier Burke, Jarrod Hewitt, Zion Debose Newcomers: Debose, TyJuan Garbutt, Nathan Proctor, Robert Porcher IV Breakout candidate: Gaines Notes: Gaines recorded two tackles for a loss and a sack in each of the Hokies’ final two games last fall … Walker had a combined 3.5 tackles for a loss and two sacks in Tech’s final two games last season …Hill led all Tech defensive linemen with 46 tackles last fall … Tech’s defensive line accounted for 18.5 of the team’s 32 sacks in 2017–players who made 14.5 of those sacks return … Mihota’s 25 career starts lead all returning players on defense … The Hokies’ projected starters on the defensive line this fall recorded 32.5 tackles for a loss last season. Hearp Financial, LLC Strategies By Tech Fans, For Tech Fans, and more Todd F. Hearp is a Registered Representative and Investment Adviser Representative of, and securities and investment advisory services offered solely by Equity Services Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC, 4401 Starkey Road, Roanoke, VA 24018, (540) 989-4600. Hearp Financial, LLC. and Eddie Hearp are independent of E quity Services, Inc. TC91033(07/16)P 4401 Starkey Roa d, Roanoke, VA 24018 www.nfservicesinc.com • Hearp_Todd@nlvmail.com Strategies For Seeking a Safe Retirement Todd F. Hearp Class of ‘89 Eddie F. Hearp Class of ‘65 Proud to Support Virginia Tech Athletics (540) 989-4600 Hearp Financial, LLC is based in Roanoke, VA and our representatives have been helping families and businesses address their financial concerns for many years. Our clients receive the benefit of working with an entire team. Each team member has a specific area of expertise, which allows our clients to access the talents and experience of each of our specialists. • Financial Planning • Investment Services • Insurance Services • Wealth Management • Estate Planning Strategies Flanking those two will be Trevon Hill and Houshun Gaines, two long, lanky ends. Hill started 12 games a year ago and finished sixth on the team with 46 tackles. More importantly, he recorded 5.5 sacks, which ranked tied for first on the teamwith Tremaine Edmunds. Tech’s staff hopes – and maybe even expects – Hill to be in double figures in sacks this season. Gaines spent most of 2017 backing up both end spots, and he played in 12 games, registering 24 tackles and three sacks. The coaches expect him, too, to boost his production this fall. “House is hungry,” Walker said. “Everything he does, he wants to compete. He always talks about how, in high school, his team didn’t win a game. He wants to be great and this and that. That’s one thing about House – he can talk now. House comes to me, and I’m always listening to him. He had a great spring and offseason, and I think House is going to shock a lot of people.” Those four possess the most experience, but the coaching staff figures on Emmanuel Belmar, Jarrod Hewitt and Xavier Burke being significant contributors in reserve roles. All three played quite a bit in 2017, as the trio combined to play in 27 games. Hewitt played much better toward the end of the season, while Burke gradually got better after moving from tight end to the defensive line. Belmar, an end, was all over the field this spring, showing athleticism and confidence after moving from linebacker to the end spot. Tech’s staff wants to see another tackle emerge – perhaps redshirt junior Darius Fullwood or redshirt sophomore Jimmie Taylor. But the coaches have plenty of good, young ends ready to make a name for themselves, led by redshirt freshmen Zion Debose, TyJuan Garbutt and Nathan Proctor. They all stood out this spring, showing excellent speed and quickness and an ability to use their hands to shed blockers and get to the quarterback. “Those young guys are hungry,” Walker said. “Just so many names. I’mexcited for them in the future. They all have different characteristics. They all can rush the passer. They’re having a great summer. I’m seeing it for myself, just working out with them. I’m excited for those guys.” They all look up to Walker, one of three seniors in the group (along with Mihota and Raymon Minor). He leads the way for a very good defensive line and for a defense replacing seven starters. Tech’s defensive line will be tested right from the start when the Hokies kick off the season at Florida State on Labor Day night. Cam Akers, one of the ACC’s six 1,000-yard rushers in 2017, awaits. “I’m sure people knew we were going to be underdogs,” Walker said. “There is nothing wrong with that. We can’t control that. We just come in and work each week and prepare that week and go down there, and hopefully, walk out with a win.”