Inside HOKIE SPORTS | Vol. 13 No. 1 | August 2020

inside.hokiesports.com 13 3. enough depth Is there at cornerback? 4. receiver? enough Is there depth at 5. Can HendonHooker take the next step development? in his Hooker played outstanding for the Hokies once inserted into the starting lineup and arguably saved Tech’s season. His ability to run added some sizzle to Tech’s rushing attack—he rushed for five touchdowns—and he completed 61.1% of his passes for 1,555 yards in eight starts. Those weren’t even his most important traits. For starters, he took care of the ball, throwing just two interceptions in 162 attempts. But perhaps even more importantly, Tech’s players played more comfortably around Hooker, and the offense averaged 36 points per game in his eight starts. Now, Tech’s staff expects Hooker to be even more productive as a result of last fall’s experience. Given the difficulties of Tech’s schedule—no ODU or Middle Tennessee State and the additions of NC State and Clemson—Hooker needs to stay healthy and have a big year for the Hokies to enjoy team-wide success again. Fortunately, he possesses the skills to do exactly that. This was actually a storyline last season, too, when the Hokies entered the 2019 campaign with a standout cornerback in Caleb Farley and a bunch of unproven contenders for the starting job opposite him. Now, Tech finds itself in the same situation, as Farley opted out of this season to prepare for the 2021 NFL Draft, leaving Jermaine Waller as the shutdown corner in the Hokies’ defense, and Tech searching for someone on the other side of him. Last year, Waller emerged as a top-flight corner, starting 10 games, intercepting three passes and finishing with 46 tackles. He returns as the ACC’s top graded returning cornerback according to Pro Football Focus. But who will play on the other side? Tech’s staff loves the long-armed Armani Chatman, who started three games last season and played fairly well. He certainly appears ready to take another step in his development. After Waller and Chatman, though, there aren’t many proven commodities. Brion Murray played cornerback in junior college and figures to be moved to that spot from the nickel position. Nasir Peoples, Nadir Thompson and walk-on Hunter Green are ones in the mix. Hamilton and Smith, the new cornerbacks coach, need to find the answers to the depth situation rather quickly, especially with college football becoming as pass-happy as it has. Tech was supposed to be stacked at receiver in 2020, but Damon Hazelton, Hezekiah Grimsley and Phil Patterson all transferred in the offseason, and now, the Hokies lack depth and experience at the two spots. It helps that Tré Turner returns as a star after leading the team in receptions and receiving yards in 2019. Also, Tayvion Robinson played great as a true freshman, leading all Tech players in plays of 20 yards or more (five on returns), and talented, versatile James Mitchell plays more as a receiver than a tight end. But Tech needs for other weapons to emerge. Kaleb Smith and Darryle Simmons bring size and potential, and Jaden Payoute, a former 100-meter state champion in high school, brings speed—he took a redshirt season in 2019. There are also some incoming freshmen with the skills to be playmakers. The staff remains bullish despite the youth, but Tech needs to stay healthy. Replacing Turner or Robinson in the event of an injury would be a tall task. Armani Chatman