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

22 Inside Hokie Sports by Jimmy Robertson LINEBACKERS SEASON PREVIEW 2020 LINEBACKERS DEPTH CHART (in numerical order) Mike Linebackers 15 Keshon Artis (6-0, 235, r-So.) 23 Rayshard Ashby (5-10, 237, Sr.) 35 Matt Johnson (6-0, 210, r-Fr.) 40 Ben Skinner (6-1, 215, r-Fr.) 43 Michael Peterson (6-1, 215, r-Fr.) 47 Dean Ferguson (6-2, 228, r-Fr.) 50 Tré Maxwell (6-0, 205, r-Fr.) 55 Austin Rosa (5-10, 213, Gr.) Backers 4 Dax Hollifield (6-1, 232, Jr.) 34 Alan Tisdale (6-3, 220, r-So.) PLAYER TO WATCH Rayshard Ashby ranks as one of the ACC’s top linebackers, having earned second-team All-ACC honors in 2019, and he possesses all the skills to be considered among the nation’s best. A season ago, he established himself as the anchor of this defense, leading the team not only in tackles, but becoming the leader whom every player looked to for guidance both on the field and off of it. Statistically, Ashby led the ACC in total tackles with 120, and he finished tied for the ACC lead in tacklers per game with 9.2. His 17 tackles for a loss far and away led the Hokies—no other Tech player finished with more than 10—and his five sacks were second on the squad. Ashby has been a two-year starter with more than 100 tackles in each of the past two seasons. Tech’s staff expects more of the same this fall. OTHERS IN THE MIX In addition to Ashby, Tech returns two other players with experience at the two linebacker spots and several backups with intriguing potential. Dax Hollifield started all 13 games at the backer spot last fall, and he finished with 67 tackles to rank fifth on the team. Of his tackles, 4.5 were for a loss, and he added two sacks and three interceptions. Hollifield’s backup last season, Alan Tisdale, saw extensive playing time, and he finished sixth on the team with 52 tackles, including 5.5 for a loss, and three sacks. Last year’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, Bud Foster, actually considered the lanky Tisdale a starter, though he never actually started a game. Two other linebackers—both of whom took redshirt seasons in 2019—bring interesting skillsets. Keshon Artis, a mike linebacker, played in 11 games in 2018, mostly on special teams, and then played in four games last season before smartly taking a redshirt season. In many ways, he resembles Ashby in terms of stature and instincts. Dean Ferguson brings similar compelling traits. INTERESTING FACTS • The trio of Ashby, Hollifield and Tisdale combined for 239 tackles, 27 tackles for a loss, and 10 sacks last season. • Ashby is seeking to become the first Tech player to record at least 100 tackles in three consecutive seasons since Rick Razzano registered four straight from 1974-77. • Ashby has started 17 consecutive games for the Hokies. His 24 career starts and 38 career games lead all of Tech’s returning linebackers. • Ashby finished in double figures in tackles in six games, and his 18 tackles in the North Carolina game were the most by a Tech player in 2019. • Hollifield has started 19 consecutive games at Tech. 2020 OUTLOOK Tech’s linebacker unit is in great shape heading into the season, with a combination of star power, overall talent, and experience—though Ashby is the lone scholarship senior in the group. In many ways, the linebacker spots sit in perfect position within the team philosophy, as the group is built for short-term success with depth to ensure long-term sustainability. Like with the defensive line unit, it remains to be seen how a new position coach affects the dynamic. New linebackers coach Tracy Claeys walks into a rather nice situation and hopefully the experienced Claeys keeps this position trending upward. There certainly isn’t a reason to think that won’t be the case. BOLD PREDICTION Ashby earns first-team All-ACC honors, finishes with 120 tackles, and leads the ACC in tackles again.