20 Inside Hokie Sports Continued from page 19 • Tisdale has started all but five games the past two seasons • Tisdale has racked up at least 50.0 total tackles and 4.0 tackles for loss in the last three seasons for the Hokies POSITION OUTLOOK Combine the return of Hollifield and Tisdale with the addition of the defensive-minded Coach Pry plus defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Chris Marve, Virginia Tech should feel really good about its linebacker unit in 2022. DEFENSIVE BACKS PLAYERS TO WATCH Chamarri Conner has proven to be a must-watch player during his time at Virginia Tech. A hard-hitting machine? Yes. A physical tackler? Absolutely. A dynamic athlete who can fly around the field? You bet. The fifth-year senior returns to the field in Blacksburg fresh off a season in which he finished third on the team with 85.0 tackles, secured 5.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, five pass breakups, two forced fumbles and one interception. He earned an All-ACC Honorable Mention nod and was named ACC Defensive Back of the Week following his game-sealing interception that capped the Hokies’ 17-10 upset of No. 10 North Carolina at Lane Stadium. Cornerbacks Dorian Strong and Armani Chatman also return in search of another big year in 2022. Strong, an Upper Marlboro, Maryland product, totaled 23.0 tackles (20.0 solo), an interception and six pass breakups a year ago while Chatman, a redshirt-junior out of Virginia Beach, is looking for a big breakthrough season after showing some flashes back in 2021. The 5-foot-11, 205-pounder tallied 13.0 tackles (8.0 solo), an interception and a team-high, seven pass breakups. OTHERS IN THE MIX It would not be a preview without mentioning Brion Murray as someone who can heavily contribute at corner as we inch closer to opening kickoff. Murray, a junior college product out of Milford, Delaware, has been around for some big moments during his time at Virginia Tech. The sixth-year senior totaled 8.0 tackles (5.0 solo) with four pass breakups back in 2021. Nasir Peoples will do the same at safety for Virginia Tech. Another fifth-year junior, Peoples earned All- @PrestonsRestaurant @InnVirginiaTech 540.231.0120 | www.InnatVirginiaTech.com 901 Prices Fork Rd, Blacksburg, VA 24061 (inside The Inn at Virginia Tech) Reservations recommended. A delicious game-day tradition. BEFORE THE GAME OR AFTER, Preston’s Restaurant is a delicious place for a new game-day tradition. Start with our fresh breakfast. Order lunch or dinner from our mouth-watering menu of seasonal cuisine. Sip on hand-cra ed cocktails or a selection from our award-winning wine list. And don’t forget the Valley’s best brunch, every Sunday at Preston’s. Make Preston’s Restaurant your game-day tradition. DORIAN STRONG
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