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

inside.hokiesports.com 33 Providing Teamwork and Fast Forward Document Technology to Virginia Tech Athletics ... and your company! MFPs I Document Management I Managed Print Services I Production Print VBS VT ad 2018_Layout 1 7/26/18 10:28 AM Page 1 CORNERBACKS by Jimmy Robertson 2019 CORNERBACKS DEPTH CHART (in numerical order) 2 Jeremy Webb (6-4, 205, r-Jr.) 3 Caleb Farley (6-2, 207, r-So.) 12 Nadir Thompson (5-10, 188, r-Fr.) 26 Jovonn Quillen (6-0, 188, Sr.) 27 Armani Chatman (5-11, 195, r-Fr.) 28 Jermaine Waller (6-1, 180, So.) 32 Hunter Green (6-1, 190, r-Fr.) 32 Ny’Quee Hawkins (6-0, 195, Fr.) PLAYER TO WATCH The coaching staff and Tech fans expect Caleb Farley to come into his own this season, but a key player for the Hokies’ defense could be Jermaine Waller, a sophomore who figures to be in a battle with senior Jovonn Quillen and redshirt freshman Armani Chatman for a starting job. Bryce Watts, who started 12 games last season, elected to transfer after spring practice, leaving a void. On the optimistic side, though, his departure creates an opportunity for another player. Waller played in 12 games last season as a true freshman, mostly on special teams. But he came on this spring, and he played well in the Spring Game. He made a nice hit to break up a pass and stop a potential touchdown in that game—one of many plays inwhich hemade this spring. Waller is a little on the light side, but he stands 6-foot-1, with arms long enough to break up passes. He also gained much-needed strength in the strength and conditioning program, and at this point in his career, he just needs experience. If he earns the position, he’ll be tested extensively. If he plays the way he played this spring, he’ll be more than ready for it. OTHERS IN THE MIX Farley leads the group after starting all 13 games last season as a redshirt freshman. The tall speedster recorded 36 tackles and two interceptions in his debut season, though admittedly came up short of his own expectations. He enters this season motivated and ready to extend the Hokies’ tradition of excellent cornerback play. Quillen, Chatman and Nadir Thompson appear ready to carve out significant roles on this defense this fall. Quillen played extensively last season, playing in all 13 games and starting two of them—including the Military Bowl in which he registered six tackles. He finished with 42 tackles and four pass breakups. Thompson played in three games as a freshman before being pulled out of action in favor of a redshirt season, while Chatman played in two before being pulled for the same reason. Chatman came on this spring, and he, like Waller, played well in the Spring Game. Jeremy Webb remains an ‘X’ factor with this group. In the summer of last year, Webb tore his left Achilles tendon, and just as he was recovering from that injury, he tore his right one in mid-December. He received clearance to practice in late July, but how effective he can be remains an unknown. INTERESTING FACTS • The Hokies’ returning cornerbacks have combined to play in 65 games in their careers. • Quillen’s 35 career games are the third-most on the Hokies’ roster this season. • Quillen’s 42 tackles in 2018 were the most among Tech’s cornerbacks, and he is the position’s leading returning tackler. • Tech’s cornerbacks combined for just three interceptions last season—two by Farley. • Farley’s seven pass breakups led the Hokies a season ago. 2019 OUTLOOK There is arguably some uncertainty at the cornerback positions heading into this season, though no one questions the group’s overall potential. This team needs for Farley to play up to his incredible athleticism and become that lockdown cornerback in the mold of past Tech greats like DeAngelo Hall, Brandon Flowers and Macho Harris. It also needs for someone to emerge opposite of Farley—someone to be a playmaker and not a placeholder. The competition between Quillen, Waller and Chatman should be interesting. Collectively, the group needs to tackle better this season. Tech cornerbacks coach Brian Mitchell devoted large chunks of spring practice to the fundamentals of tackling after watching the cornerbacks struggle in this area in 2018. They need to become more consistent in tackling and truthfully every part of the game. Another offseason in the strength and conditioning program probably benefitted this group more than any other. Added strength and the year of experience figures to make this group much better this season. The potential is there with this group. Hopefully, the consistency follows right along. BOLD PREDICTION Farley plays up to his potential and finishes in the top five in the ACC in interceptions.