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Virginia Tech football: 3 Ways Hokies Get Back In Spotlight

By Michael Hanich

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - NOVEMBER 29: Head coach Justin Fuente of the Virginia Tech Hokies watches his team warm up before the start of a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium on November 29, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - NOVEMBER 29: Head coach Justin Fuente of the Virginia Tech Hokies watches his team warm up before the start of a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium on November 29, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /
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Nov 23, 2019; Nashville, TN, USA; East Tennessee State Buccaneers running back Jacob Saylors (8) is tackled by Vanderbilt Commodores safety Tae Daley (3) and Vanderbilt Commodores defensive lineman Josiah Sa’o (57) during the second half at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2019; Nashville, TN, USA; East Tennessee State Buccaneers running back Jacob Saylors (8) is tackled by Vanderbilt Commodores safety Tae Daley (3) and Vanderbilt Commodores defensive lineman Josiah Sa’o (57) during the second half at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Find the Key Starters in the Secondary

The key factor for the Hokies in the upcoming 2021 College Football season is to establish the starters in the secondary. Last season, the Hokies’ defense ranked 99th in the nation in passing yards allowed per game (243.9), which is ranked 11th in the ACC. It couldn’t have helped that Farley decided to forgo the 2020 season because of COVID-19 concerns.

Senior cornerback Jermaine Waller is looking for a big 2021 season after he was forced to miss a majority of the 2020 season due to injury. Waller was coming along as the surprise number one cornerback for the Hokies last season before the injury but he will be back as an All-ACC favorite. At the other cornerback spot, other players are looking to make a case as the starter.

Redshirt junior Armani Chatman and senior Brion Murray are the players expected to make the push for the number two cornerback. Chatman led the Hokies’ defense in pass deflections with six while also accounting for 32 total tackles, 24 solo tackles, and one sack. Murray accounted for 36 total tackles, 24 solo tackles, four pass deflections, and two interceptions last season. A big underdog for the other starting cornerback is sophomore Dorian Strong, who had five starts this past season due to the injuries to the other players.

Former Vanderbilt transfer Tae Daley is expected to make the start as the boundary safety for the Hokies this season. Daley accounted for 102 total tackles, 70 solo tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, three interceptions, and one forced fumble in 2018 and 2019 for Vanderbilt. Daley has the most experience of all the safeties for this Virginia Tech football team.

There are some discussions for the free safety position between J.R Walker, Keonta Jenkins, and former Illinois State transfer Devin Taylor. The competition at the free safety spot will have to compete at the nickel position where Chamarri Conner is the favorite to lock down the position. These positions are the biggest concern when it comes to the defense of the Hokies in the 2021 season.

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