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

inside.hokiesports.com 35 Get Your Career in Gear Join the Lawrence team and drive for a top pay carrier. We offer a paid training program to get your career started. To find out more, vist www.DriveForLTS.com This season, he needs to provide more of that —plus the leadership. “I’d say I have to, and of course a lot of other people, too,” Floyd said when asked if he needed to be the one to provide leadership. “Even young guys are taking a leadership role because we’ve got a big season, a lot of tough games, so we’ve got to get ready to do business. “I think the biggest thing for me is staying in everybody’s ear, making sure everybody’s focused and doing the little things. Taking care of school, taking care of things out of school when we’re home, just making sure we’re being safe and making smart decisions. I’ve just been keeping in touch with everybody and making sure their head is on straight.” Floyd also needs to stay healthy, as there is no experience behind him. Neither walk-on John Jennings nor Chamarri Connor, a freshman, have played in a college game. Speaking of staying healthy, that needs to happen to Divine Deablo as well. Deablo played in four games a year ago before a foot injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season. He finished with eight tackles and an interception. After the season, he received a medical hardship waiver, so he goes into this season as a redshirt sophomore. Unfortunately, Deablo missed most of spring practice after re-injuring himself, but Tech’s staff expects him to be ready for the season opener. “He’s a big plus for us on the defensive side, especially on the back end,” Floyd said. “It’s going to be a show for him to come back and have everybody out there with us to play.” Fortunately, Khalil Ladler returns and can play either the rover or the free safety spots. That versatility makes him a valuable player. He started two games last season, finishing with 12 tackles, including one on fourth down against Pittsburgh that preserved Tech’s 20-14 win. Also, Devon Hunter returns for Tech. Hunter, the heralded recruit in the 2017 recruiting class, played in 10 games as a true freshman, though most of that came on special teams. Tech’s staff moved Hunter from rover to the nickel/whip position before spring practice, and he takes over for Mook Reynolds, who QUICK FACTS ON TECH’S FREE SAFETIES, ROVERS AND NICKEL BACKS Returning starter: Reggie Floyd (12 career starts) Starters lost: Terrell Edmunds, Mook Reynolds Projected new starters : Divine Deablo, Devon Hunter Top reserves: Khalil Ladler, John Jennings, Chamarri Conner Newcomers: Crossen, Conner Breakout candidate: Hunter Notes: Floyd finished third on the team and led all of Tech’s defensive backs in tackles in 2017 (72) and is the Hokies’ top returning tackler … Floyd’s three interceptions ranked second on the team last fall and are the most among Tech’s returning players … Floyd’s two forced fumbles were the second-most on the team in 2017 … Floyd recorded at least five tackles in eight games a year ago … Nine of Ladler’s 12 tackles last season came in the final three games … Among the safeties, rovers, nickel backs and corners, Jennings is the only senior on the roster. was dismissed from the team. The coaches feel that the move is a good one for Hunter, one that takes advantage of his size and ability as a tackler. “You’ll see the five-star [recruit] that everybody was talking about,” Floyd predicted. “He has a little statue at his house of Caesar from Planet of the Apes, so every time we’re getting ready in the weight room or on the field, we say, ‘Ape season’ because he’s getting ready to go crazy. Everyone is going to see a nice show.” Preseason practices will sort out the backups at all these spots, with freshmen expected to play key roles. The Hokies open with Florida State on Labor Day night, which eliminates the possibility of easing an inexperienced player into the season. Most players like the idea of taking on the Seminoles in the opener— including Floyd. “Everyone on this team as a ‘dawg’ mentality, and every time we get on the field, it’s attack,” he said. “So we’re ready for it.”