One of the deeper and more talented positions for the Virginia Tech football team entering last season was at wide receiver. With a lot of retention, the Hokies were primed to have a big year from their receivers. By now, for many reasons, you know that it didn’t happen.
Whether it was play-calling, injuries or whatever reason, it was an underperforming position. Gone are Ali Jennings, Stephen Gosnell, Jaylin Lane and Da’Quan Felton with some of them setting their sights on the NFL Draft next month in Green Bay. Going into 2025, the Hokies are returning quarterbacks Kyron Drones and Pop Watson, but who are going to be their wide receivers? One player returning is a potential breakout candidate for new offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery.
Wide receiver Ayden Greene is a potential breakout candidate for the Hokies in 2025
One receiver who got some reps and balls thrown in his direction last fall was Ayden Greene. The Tennessee native made some big catches for the Hokies and finished with 19 catches for 268 yards and a touchdown. With a roster depleted for the Duke’s Mayo Bowl game against Minnesota in January because of NFL opt-outs and players leaving through the transfer portal, Geene shined against the Golden Gophers with six catches for 115 yards, which included an impressive 67-yard catch and run.
He came up big early in the season when he hauled in a touchdown pass against Miami in September in a game that Virginia Tech blew a fourth-quarter lead and lost on a controversial ending with an overturned touchdown on the game’s final play. Greene was also used by former offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen running the ball on reverses and gadget plays to the tune for six carries for 99 yards and a touchdown.
The wide receiver position will have a slew of new faces fighting for playing time in spring practices and when fall camp starts over the summer. In a short sample size, Greene has shown a lot of promise and if he gets a bigger role next fall, the 6-foot-5 receiver can be a big breakout candidate for Montgomery and head coach Brent Pry.