Fansided

College Football Rankings: Top 25 entering spring games

By Brad Weiss

December 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; General view of the College Football Playoff championship trophy during the game between the Clemson Tigers and Ohio State Buckeyes at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
December 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; General view of the College Football Playoff championship trophy during the game between the Clemson Tigers and Ohio State Buckeyes at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 25
Next
Nov 26, 2016; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies running back Travon McMillian (34) scores a touchdown during the third quarter against Virginia Cavaliers defensive back Chris Moore (39) at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies running back Travon McMillian (34) scores a touchdown during the third quarter against Virginia Cavaliers defensive back Chris Moore (39) at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports /
20

Virginia Tech Hokies

2016: 10-4, ACC- Coastal Division

The 2016 season was a good one for the Virginia Tech Hokies, who got big play from their superstar quarterback, Jerod Evans. In 2017, the Hokies will need to replace Evans, who heads to the NFL after leading the team to 10 wins. Josh Jackson is expected to take over for Evans this season, and whether on not the Hokies do well will be dependent on how he does in his first season under center.

Jackson is a true freshman, but that did not stop head coach Justin Fuente from throwing him right into a three-man battle for the starting job. At running back, Trevon McMillan is going to be the lead horse in the stable, and he should be in for a huge season for the Hokies. Virginia Tech does have enough talent to repeat as Coastal Division champs, but with only 37 letter winners returning, Fuente is going to have to do an incredible job at coaching.

Whoever is under center will have to make due with a wide receiving corps that is lacking the two best options from a year ago. Bucky Hodges and Isaiah Ford are both gone, but Cam Phillips does return for another season. Phillips needs only a shade over 900 yards receiving this year to become the school’s all-time leading receiver, a mark that is well within reach.

This team has had a lot of turnover from last season, and it is going to be very hard to replace the production, and leadership of a guy like Jerod Evans. However, they are very strong up front on the defensive line, and if Terrell Edmunds has the kind of year that is expected of him in the secondary, they should play good, solid defense in 2017. If Jackson is as good as he projects coming into his true freshman season, the Hokies just may be able to capture the Coastal Division crown once again.

Home/College Football