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

inside.hokiesports.com 15 by Jimmy Robertson RECEIVERS SEASON PREVIEW 2020 RECEIVERS DEPTH CHART (in numerical order) 9 Luke Bussel (6-1, 210, r-Fr.) 11 Tré Turner (6-2, 190, Jr.) 14 Evan Fairs (6-3, 205, Gr.) 15 Changa Hodge (6-1, 200, Gr.) 16 Darryle Simmons (6-2, 212, r-So.) 34 Tink Boyd (5-10, 180, r-So.) 40 Travis Williams (6-3, 212, r-So.) 45 Jacob Van Landingham (5-11, 203, r-So.) 48 Nikia Peerman (6-3, 176, r-Fr.) 49 William Kakavitsas (6-1, 175, r-Fr.) 80 Kaleb Smith (6-2, 207, r-So.) 83 Tayvion Robinson (5-10, 186, So.) 85 Jaden Payoute (6-1, 206, r-Fr.) 88 Elijah Bowick (6-1, 216, r-Fr.) 94 Conner Dusenbury (6-0, 175, r-Fr.) 97 Keondré Banks (5-11, 185, r-Sr.) PLAYER TO WATCH Tré Turner figures to receive the lion’s share of attention from opposing defenses this season, but those defenders better not snooze on Tayvion Robinson, who enjoyed a nice freshman season in 2019. In fact, Robinson started his first collegiate game and was productive, catching six passes for 72 yards and a touchdown. Robinson worked mostly in the slot last season for the Hokies and turned into a dual-threat player. He caught 31 passes for 404 yards and a score, and he ran 11 times for 132 yards, averaging 12 yards per carry. Robinson was able to take advantage of the attention received by Turner, Damon Hazelton (who transferred in the offseason), and Dalton Keene. Tech’s staff thinks that Robinson can be just as effective on the outside in light of the lack of experience within the receiving corps. He brings versatility, and the coaches know they can move him around to get him in advantageous matchups. He could be in line for a big sophomore season. OTHERS IN THE MIX Obviously, Turner and Robinson lead the way for the group. Turner led the team in both receptions (34) and receiving yards (553), including four receptions for a touchdown. He also ran the ball 24 times for 255 yards and a score. Tech’s staff attempted to bolster the group over the summer by adding graduate transfers Evan Fairs (Kansas) and Changa Hodge (Villanova). Fairs caught 28 passes in 25 games at Kansas, while Hodge caught 65 passes for 1,118 yards and 13 touchdowns for the Wildcats. He brings production and interesting skills to the position. A year ago, Kaleb Smith caught nine passes for 121 yards for the Hokies—but caught just one pass in the final 10 games—and Darryle Simmons caught one pass last season. No other Tech returning receiver hauled in a reception. The position includes two who took redshirt seasons in 2019 and hope to emerge this fall—Jaden Payoute and Elijah Bowick. INTERESTING FACTS • Six receivers on Tech’s roster have caught a pass against a Division I opponent—Turner, Robinson, Smith, Simmons, Fairs, and Hodge. • Turner is the only receiver on Tech’s roster with a 100-yard receiving game, finishing with two in 2019—including a career-best 134-yard effort against Virginia. • Turner finished fifth on the team in rushing last season with 231 yards, and his 57-yard rush against Wake Forest was the Hokies’ longest rush of the season. • Turner’s 16.3 yard-per-catch average ranked eighth in the ACC in 2019. • Robinson led all Tech players with 14 plays of 20 yards or more last season (six receptions, four punt returns, three rushes, and one kickoff return). • Turner was second with 11 plays of 20 yards or more last season (eight receptions, three rushes). 2020 OUTLOOK Three offseason transfers created a lack of depth heading into this fall, and now there are a lot of unknowns within the group. Tech’s staff loves the talent, but that talent will be getting on-the-job training right from the opening kickoff. The staff hopes that Fairs and Hodge can transition smoothly into the Hokies’ scheme. Plus, Smith, Simmons, Payoute, and Bowick especially need to learn this offense and their roles, and more importantly, be instant contributors. One thing is for sure—the Hokies need to keep Turner and Robinson healthy. Those two bring a dynamic skillset to this roster, and their skillsets aren’t easily replicated. BOLD PREDICTION Turner finishes the season with more than 1,000 all-purpose yards (rushing and receiving). Tayvion Robinson