Inside HOKIE SPORTS | Vol. 12 No. 1 | August 2019

32 Inside Hokie Sports LINEBACKERS by Jimmy Robertson 2019 LINEBACKERS DEPTH CHART (in numerical order) Mike linebackers 15 Keshon Artis (6-0, 235, So.) 23 Rayshard Ashby (5-10, 237, Jr.) 48 Daniel Griffith (6-0, 232, r-Jr.) Backers 4 Dax Hollifield (6-1, 232, So.) 34 Alan Tisdale (6-3, 220, r-Fr.) 38 Amaré Barno (6-6, 235, Jr.) 44 Dylan Rivers (6-1, 237, Jr.) 47 Dean Ferguson (6-2, 228, Fr.) PLAYER TO WATCH Dax Hollifield arrived at Tech last summer with much fanfare as one of the top recruits in the 2018 recruiting class, and he lived up to it last season, seeing extensive action after Dylan Rivers suffered an ankle injury. Hollifield played in all 13 games, and he started the final six of those, finishing with 62 tackles, including eight for a loss, and two sacks. He wound up fourth on the team in tackles. Hollifield admittedly came in a little too heavy, and he thought the added weight limited his play last fall. He spent this winter, spring and summer losing weight, leaning up and adding muscle. He dropped 16 pounds, and he appears ready to be the anchor for this Tech defense this season. OTHERS IN THE MIX In addition to Hollifield, Tech’s linebacking corps features two other players with talent and experience. In his first season as a starter, Rayshard Ashby, an honorable mention All-ACC choice, started 11 games and led the team with 105 tackles (9.5 for a loss). He also forced two fumbles and recovered a fumble. He fits the mold of the prototypical Tech mike linebacker—a little short, powerful and instinctive. He makes plays from sideline to sideline. Rivers started the first seven games before suffering that injury. He returned to the field later in the season, but wasn’t quite 100 percent. Still, he finished with 35 tackles for the season (two for a loss) and an interception. He looked much faster this spring and played well. Defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Bud Foster really likes the younger players behind that trio. At the mike linebacker position, Keshon Artis finished this spring behind Ashby. He playedmostly on special teams as a true freshman in 2018, but showed instincts for the position. Alan Tisdale missed last season with a shoulder injury, thus taking a redshirt season, but he ranks as the fastest linebacker on the team. Daniel Griffith showed improvement this spring and adds depth, while also figuring in on special teams. INTERESTING FACTS • Tech’s returning linebackers accounted for 203 tackles, including 19.5 for a loss, and 4.5 sacks in 2018. • Ashby’s 105 tackles led all underclassmen in the ACC last season. • Ashby led the Hokies in tackles in six of their 13 games last fall. • Ashby’s 15 tackles in both the Duke and Marshall games were the most by a Tech defender last season. He recorded at least nine tackles in six games. • Hollifield registered at least six tackles in four of the Hokies’ final six games of 2018, including a career-best 10 against Boston College. • Rivers’ interception against Cincinnati in the Military Bowl was the only interception by a Tech linebacker last fall. 2019 OUTLOOK With Ashby, Hollifield and Rivers all returning, the two linebacker positions are arguably the strongest parts of Tech’s defense heading into this season. Foster loves this group, too, citing their work ethic, their willingness to improve and their unselfishness as the reasons why. He feels that the positions are built for short-term success because of the three experienced players and for sustainability because of intriguing prospects like Artis and Tisdale. Still, the group is young. Like several positions on the roster, this group lacks a senior. Plus, the two juniors, Ashby and Rivers, only have one season of true playing experience under their belts. That said, there isn’t any reason to believe that the players at these two positions won’t have great seasons. Anything less would be disappointing. BOLD PREDICTION Ashby becomes the eighth player in Tech history to record at least 100 tackles in back-to-back seasons. , C.E.C. www.Pro f es s i m See our vintage ! See our vintage Ad!