Three Things That Seem Evident About Virginia Tech's Offense Early Into Fall Camp

Virginia Tech’s offense is already beginning to take shape under James Franklin.

Virginia Tech Athletics

It's important to note the caveat that the media has not experienced any drills that feature any formations. The Virginia Tech football program's fall camp only opens up specific drills that don't show any formation — we do get a good look at a plethora of one-on-one reps and are also drawing off of what we've heard in the spring. Here's three new things that can safely be projected about the offense.

No. 1: Virginia Tech will rely on its tight ends more.

At the spring game, Virginia Tech's tight ends combined for 205 of the contest's 428 receiving yards — an imposing 47.9% split. Last year, the Hokies' top two TEs in yardage, Ja'Ricous Hairston (112 receiving yards, three receiving touchdowns) and Benji Gosnell (86 receiving yards), combined for only 178 yards. During April 18's spring contest, Hairston and Gosnell totaled 58 and 34 yards, respectively, with Gosnell receiving a game-high seven targets.

Penn State import Luke Reynolds was the leader of the pass-catchers that day; the former five-star recruit from Massachusetts caught five passes for a game-high 69 receiving yards. Though we haven't seen the Hokies operate in any sets — or, with the way NFL offenses have adapted and evolved, whether Virginia Tech could use any 12- or 13-personnel — it feels like a safe bet to say that the Hokies will utilize their tight ends in more packages.

No. 2: The quarterbacks appear stronger.

That seems to be a byproduct of two things. First, the strength and conditioning. Several players lauded the new strength and conditioning regime headed by Chuck Losey, with intention to detail spotlighted as one of my main takeaways from my conversations with the student-athletes. Second, the caliber of quarterbacks Virginia Tech has brought in.

It still feels reasonable to assume that Penn State transfer Ethan Grunkemeyer will man the starting spot under center for Virginia Tech's season opener against VMI on Sept. 5; the redshirt sophomore threw for 1,339 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions. Behind him, none of the other three quarterbacks on the roster have logged true snaps at the college football level, though UNC transfer Bryce Baker has impressed me at times in practice with his level of mobility and returning redshirt freshman Kelden Ryan has delivered several sharp passes.

No. 3: Two names have been the clear mentions at wide receiver, followed by a gaggle of other options.

Virginia Tech seems to have two clear answers and an unknown third quantity as its options for the starting wide receiver spots. First, the baked-in probable starters. Ayden Greene is the incumbent No. 1, having tallied 516 receiving yards and a trio of scores for the Hokies last season. Then, Duke import Que'Sean Brown steps in after a 846-yard, five-touchdown season.

Beyond that, however, the door remains open. Louisiana Tech wideout Marlion Jackson seems to be a strong factor with his mix of speed and size, though he missed the spring.

"You look at Marlion; he's a big guy, but he can still sink his hips and run," said offensive coordinator Ty Howle of the Louisiana Tech transfer at Media Day. "He can run. He's dynamic, so he has a really nice combination of speed and size. And so we've been able to see that, obviously throughout the summer when he was getting back and rolling. But also, in these first three practices, you've seen how he can be one of these guys that can maybe take the top off the defense, but still be able to run the whole route."

Redshirt freshman Tyseer Denmark has also been mentioned after playing in eight games for Penn State last year, while Luke Stuewe, and Davion "FatRat" Brown have also drawn mentions from some of the players and/or coaches that I've spoken to.