Going into the season, the Virginia Tech football team is left replacing its top four wide receivers from last season. They have some transfers who are hoping to fill some of the voids left, as well as some young receivers who made an impact last season, including Ayden Greene.
The incoming freshmen class has some talented players in it, and don't be surprised if some of them end up making an impact at some point this fall. One of those players is wide receiver Shamarius "Snook" Peterkin. The Winston-Salem, North Carolina native committed to the Hokies last summer and has opened some eyes, especially with wide receivers coach Fontel Mines.
Virginia Tech assistant coach Fontel Mines impressed with Shamarius "Snook" Peterkin in camp
Peterkin is a 6-foot-3 multi-sport athlete who was a big playmaker in high school, and Mines isn't afraid of using him this season without hesitation, despite hitting some rough patches in camp.
"He's looking like a freshman, he's looking like a really talented freshman, who probably has made the most explosive plays in camp and most touchdowns, but also probably the most mental errors,'' said Mines.
Mental errors are going to happen, especially with true freshmen, and they are learning curves. However, talent sometimes trumps mistakes, and Mines wouldn't be afraid to put him into a game without hesitation.
"I promise you, I wouldn't hesitate at all to put him in the game. He's similar to Ayden (Greene), as far as confident, like the moment's not too big for him. I don't think he's going to get out there and freak out. If it's one thing that kid's going to do, he's going to make a play.''
Virginia Tech's wide receiver group is going to have to make plays early in the season against a pair of SEC schools in South Carolina and Vanderbilt, but if Peterkin can come in and make some plays, that gives Kyron Drones another weapon on the outside as the season goes along. If there is a year where the Hokies need a freshman to step in and make plays, it's 2025.