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

34 Inside Hokie Sports This spring, for the first time in his career, Reggie Floyd walked into the free safeties/rovers position room in the Merryman Center and failed to see Terrell Edmunds either standing or sitting, cracking jokes or being loud. Actually, for the first time in his career, Floyd walked into that room and was the oldest guy there. Almost by default, Floyd takes over the leadership reins from Edmunds, as the rising junior stands as the only returning starter among Tech’s cornerbacks, safeties, nickels and linebackers. The Hokies return just four starters on defense—three on the defensive line and Floyd. Those who project Tech’s depth chart in the future probably expected Edmunds to be back, but the starting free safety elected to punt on his final year of collegiate eligibility and make himself available for the NFL Draft. That turned out to be a smart decision, as the Pittsburgh Steelers selected him toward the end of the first round, and in late July, signed him to a multi-million dollar contract. Unfortunately, though, Edmunds’ departure leaves the Hokies without any leadership or experience, with the exception being Floyd. “It was a big difference not having Terrell,” Floyd said. “I’m used to having all those upperclassmen in the room—guys with experience like Terrell and Chuck Clark and Mook [Reynolds] and Deon Newsome. There were a lot of older guys who already knew the system from having Coach [Torrian] Gray here and then Coach Scott, and now we have Coach Nix. “My main thing about Terrell was his personality. When you’re with him, he has that vibe where you know everything will be good. If there is any doubt, you know he’s going to have your back. That was the main thing with him. He was able to make you relax and be able to see everything and slow it down. Once you were out there, it was like slow motion. You were able to play fast.” Now, Floyd finds himself thrust into that leadership role in addition to needing to be a playmaker on this young defense and being dependable for new safeties coach Tyrone Nix. The good news for Tech fans—he already has proven himself on the field. A year ago, in his first season as the starting rover, Floyd racked up 72 tackles, including three for a loss, and three interceptions. He returned one of those interceptions 69 yards for a touchdown in the Hokies’ whipping of North Carolina, earning ACC co-Defensive Back of the Week honors. But his biggest play of the season came on Senior Day against Pittsburgh. He chased down Pittsburgh receiver Jester Weah late in the game, tackling him at the goal line and saving a touchdown. Tech subsequently used a goal-line stand to preserve the victory. Season Preview 2 18 FREE SAFETIES, ROVERS AND NICKELS FREE SAFETIES, ROVERS AND NICKELS August, 2018 (in numerical order) FREE SAFETIES 9 Khalil Ladler (5-11, 192, r-So.) 17 Divine Deablo (6-3, 220, r-So.) ROVERS 21 Reggie Floyd (6-0, 222, Jr.) 22 Chamarri Conner (6-0 206, Fr. 42 John Jennings (5-11, 177, Sr.) NICKELS 7 Devon Hunter (6-0, 225, So.) 31 Nasir Peoples (6-0, 190, Fr.) FLOYD to lead a young group at the FREE SAFETY , ROVER and NICKEL positions by Jimmy Robertson Reggie Floyd