Fansided

College football rankings 2018: FanSided preseason Top 25

By Connor Muldowney

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Alabama Crimson Tide running back Damien Harris (34) runs with the football during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Clemson Tigers on January 1, 2018, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Alabama Crimson Tide running back Damien Harris (34) runs with the football during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Clemson Tigers on January 1, 2018, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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ORLANDO, FL – DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Josh Jackson #17 of the Virginia Tech Hokies celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during their game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys on December 28, 2017 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Josh Jackson #17 of the Virginia Tech Hokies celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during their game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys on December 28, 2017 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images) /

Uncertainty arose regarding the future of Josh Jackson as Virginia Tech’s quarterback thanks to some academic issues, but everything seems to be resolved, setting the sophomore up for a big year.

If Jackson is able to play the entire season, he will become one of the top quarterbacks in the ACC, if he isn’t that already. If he’s not able to play, Hendon Hooker has the talent to take over without a hitch, but the inexperience could be concerning. Sean Savoy will be of some assistance as a rising star at receiver, catching 39 passes for 454 yards and four scores as a freshman.

Jackson had 2,991 yards and 20 touchdown passes last season, so head coach Justin Fuente knows his sophomore gunslinger can ball.

Virginia Tech had the second-best defense in the ACC behind Clemson last season, but it loses seven starters. Most of the defensive line returns, but the linebackers will be inexperienced, along with just one returner in the secondary. To think that there won’t be any sort of drop-off would be silly, but this is still a top-tier unit.

The Hokies had nine wins last season but a tough schedule awaits in 2018. Anything more than nine victories would be a huge success.