C.J. Reavis Will Make A Strong Push to Start in 2015
By Tim Thomas
Nov 28, 2014; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies safety C.J. Reavis (21) blocks a punt by Virginia Cavaliers punter Alec Vozenilek (30) in the second quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
The Virginia Tech Hokies had an up and down season with plenty of close losses that led them to finishing this season with a 6-6 record. The Hokies may have had an inconsistent offense but they had one of the top 10 to 12 defenses in the country this season despite replacing over half of the 2013 starters.
Next season, the Hokies will only need to replace 3 or 4 starters depending on whether you think Derek Di Nardo was a consistent enough starter to count or not. However, the Hokies are losing both of their starting safeties in Kyshoen Jarrett and Detrick Bonner.
One of the guys that could end up replacing one of those two seniors is freshman C.J. Reavis.
Reavis was a valuable special teams player this season with five tackles and the punt block in the Commonwealth Cup game that was receoved by Bucky Hodges. Reavis has also been the backup behind Detrick Bonner for much of the season since Desmond Frye’s season ended due to injury.
Reavis has proven to be a hard worker on special teams and that type of attidute makes him a player to watch in the battle for the spots at safety.
One thing that could significantly impact Reavis is if Chuck Clark moves back to free safety with Brandon Facyson ready to come back fully healthy next season and take a starting cornerback spot. If Clark is at free safety, expect a battle between Reavis, Frye, and Der’Woun Greene to be the starting rover.
Reavis is more of the unknown given that he has only been in the program for one reason but Reavis has huge potential especially with his size at 6-1 and 207 pounds along with his athleticism. Reavis also has the work ethic that has given many fans confident that he could a really good safety for the Hokies.
C.J. Reavis will be a starter for the Hokies in the future but that could come as soon as next season.