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

24 Inside Hokie Sports by Jimmy Robertson SPECIAL TEAMS SEASON PREVIEW 2020 SPECIAL TEAMS DEPTH CHART (in numerical order) Kickers 92 Mark Applegate (5-11, 155, r-Fr.) 93 Brian Johnson (6-1, 191, r-Sr.) 96 John Parker Romo (5-11, 170, Sr.) Punter 91 Oscar Bradburn (6-1, 221, Sr.) Snappers 97 Oscar Shadley (6-0, 246, Jr.) 99 Justin Pollock (6-2, 235, r-Fr.) PLAYER TO WATCH Brian Johnson returns to anchor the kicking duties for the Hokies, and he is coming off a very good season in which he made 19 of 23 field-goal attempts. Johnson struggled beyond 40 yards as a sophomore, hitting just 3 of 9, but he rebounded last fall to make 4 of 8, including a career-long 54-yarder in the Hokies’ loss to Kentucky in the Belk Bowl. Johnson rebounded from two missed field goals in Tech’s epic six- overtime win over North Carolina to make his final 12 attempts. In fact, he made three against Virginia in the regular-season finale and three against Kentucky. He also made all 48 of his extra-point attempts in 2019, and he scored more than 100 points (105) for the first time in his career. Now a senior, Johnson hopes to continue his upward trend this season. OTHERS IN THE MIX A senior also anchors the Hokies’ punting position in Oscar Bradburn, who earned honorable mention all-conference honors last fall. He averaged 46.5 yards per punt and provides Tech with the important ability to flip a field, pinning an offense back in its own territory. John Parker Romo served as the Hokies’ kickoff specialist last season, with 46 of his 69 kickoffs being sent into the end zone for touchbacks. He also stepped in for Bradburn in the Notre Dame game last season and averaged 44.3 yards per punt on eight punts. So his versatility is helpful. Shadley gives Tech a dependable snapper in special teams situations. He has played in 26 consecutive games heading into the season. INTERESTING FACTS • Bradburn set a school record in punting average last season and currently stands as the Hokies’ all-time leader in that category at 43.6 yards per punt. • Bradburn has been an honorable mention All-ACC choice in each of the past two seasons. • Bradburn’s 46.5-yard averaged ranked third in the ACC in 2019, and his 21 punts of 50 yards or more were fifth in the conference. • Johnson was one of five kickers in the ACC to score more than 100 points last season and his 8.1 points per game ranked second in the league. • Tayvion Robinson, the Hokies’ punt returner, finished second in the ACC in punt return average at 14.2.