5 bold Virginia Tech football predictions for 2024

2. Ali Jennings leads Virginia Tech in receiving

The good news for quarterback Kyron Drones is that Jaylin Lane, Stephen Gosnell, and Da’Quan Felton all returned for the upcoming season, but so did Ali Jennings. Last season Jennings came to Virginia Tech from Old Dominion and had a promising showing in his first game against his former team.

Jennings caught five passes for 76 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the Hokies win. A week later, he was injured against Purdue and never played again and it was a big loss. He used a redshirt season and returns healthy giving offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen and Drones a downfield threat who can make plays. The ball will be spread around in 2024, but the feeling here is that a 100% Jennings is going to be a big difference-maker for the Hokies.

3. Bhayshul Tuten has 1,500 all-purpose yards and 15 touchdowns

Yes, Drones has his top receivers back, but so too does running back Bhayshul Tuten in the backfield. As last season went along, they combined to form a tough duo for opposing defenses to defend and despite not being as big as Drones, Tuten is tough to bring down on first contact.

He rushed for 863 yards last season and 10 touchdowns, but as good as he was out of the backfield, he was equally as good returning kick-offs. He returned two for touchdowns against Florida State and Virginia and he’s back and ready to return more kicks. He is poised for a big year running and returning the ball.