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It isn't often you'll see a freshman in his second year as a starting quarterback. Nor is it often that said freshman has three years' experience within the system with his offensive coordinator. That is the situation with Marshall quarterback Grant Wells, however. Wells, Conference USA's all-conference first-team quarterback in 2020, returns as a third-year freshman due to an extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This season will be very different for Wells, however, as he lines up behind center in the schemes of first-year head coach Charles Huff. "I mean, geez, what has stayed the same?" Wells said. "My [position] coach has stayed the same, but other than that, that's about it. We have a lot of new faces around here." Wells' role is enhanced under the new staff, with Huff emphasizing the quarterback position and running an aerial-based offense that will have the Thundering Herd taking downfield shots and allowing athletes on the outside to make plays. Wells, a former George Washington High School standout, benefits from being in the only group on the team that returns its position coach from the 2020 staff. - Charleston Gazette

(DS#999 QB) rSr/2024

QB Grant Wells, Virginia Tech
News Source: Charleston Gazette
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04/23/21 - Pheldarius Payne, rSr/2024, Virginia Tech, 6-2, 286 (DS#28 DT) + More +

The 2020 football season didn't proceed normally for anybody, but when Nebraska defensive coordinator Erik Chinander fielded a question last week about players who might have particularly needed this spring, his mind went first to Pheldarius Payne. The junior college transfer built a good reputation as a pass-rusher at that level, verbally committed to North Carolina State and played with Lackawanna (Pennsylvania) Community College all the way to the juco national title game on Dec. 5, 2019. He flipped his commitment to Nebraska and signed his national letter of intent two weeks later, but wasn't set to arrive on campus until May 2020. Midway through that period, of course, the coronavirus pandemic arrived in the United States and threw pretty much everything off-kilter. Payne did arrive at NU on schedule, but he dealt with more than just the pandemic.

"At first when I came in, I had shoulder surgery, so as soon as I came in, I rehabbed for about two months," he told reporters Monday. "And I had to hurry up and lift weights and bench (press) and I was benching, I don't think 135 (pounds). I was benching like 25 on each side." The original plan was for Payne to play on the defensive line for Tony Tuioti. Listed at 6-foot-3 and 270 pounds, he was built a little bit more like, say, Deontre Thomas than some of the behemoths in the room such as Ty Robinson, Jordon Riley, Damion Daniels and other 300-plus pounders. Tuioti thought Payne could provide some pass-rush punch with a quick get-off and different repertoire of moves. "Then I got COVID and I had to sit out and I lost weight," Payne said. - Lincoln Journal Star

(DS#28 DT) rSr/2024

DT Pheldarius Payne, Virginia Tech
News Source: Lincoln Journal Star
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04/12/21 - Tyree Rodgers, rSr/2022, Virginia Tech, 6-1, 180 (DS#999 FS) + More +

Virginia Tech safety Tyree Rogers has entered his name into the transfer portal, a source with knowledge of the information confirmed. Rogers was one of the six super seniors on the team who took advantage of the extra year of eligibility the NCAA granted in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The veteran defender opted out of the 2020 season after playing in Tech's opener. Coach Justin Fuente said he wanted to focus on academics at the time. Rogers was working at free safety this spring along with Keonta Jenkins and Jalen Stroman as the Hokies look to replace Divine Deablo, who was a three year starter at the position. Rogers was a mainstay on Tech's special teams units throughout his career, but he did make three starts at free safety in the 2018 season. - Roanoke Times

(DS#999 FS) rSr/2022

FS Tyree Rodgers, Virginia Tech
News Source: Roanoke Times
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04/08/21 - Changa Hodge, rSr/2022, Virginia Tech, 6-1, 196 (DS#63 WR) + More +

Changa Hodge went eight straight games to start his Virginia Tech career without a catch. That wasn't an experience Hodge was very used to. The Villanova transfer had at least one reception in 30 of the 32 games he played at the FCS level. He had more yards in his second career game as a true freshman in 2016 than he did all last season. Hodge's three catches for 25 yards was a far cry from the breakout year he had in 2019 when he tied for No. 14 in the FCS with 1,118 yards, but Tech's coaching staff didn't give his lack of production much consideration when making roster decisions in December.

Offensive coordinator Brad Cornelsen and wide receivers Jafar Williams asked Hodge to come back as a super senior and take advantage of the extra year of eligibility the NCAA granted. They were impressed with the way he handled himself in the face of some significant adversity and had the talent to play a significant role in the offense this fall. "He got here late, to camp, about halfway through camp, then had a hamstring and then had COVID, and it was like one thing after the next," Williams said, in March. "So he never really got a chance to catch his breath." By the time Hodge was cleared to fully practice, the team was so focused on game prep that he didn't get much to learn the offense and different techniques specific to Tech's offensive scheme. - Roanoke Times

(DS#63 WR) rSr/2022

WR Changa Hodge, Virginia Tech
News Source: Roanoke Times
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04/01/21 - Amare Barno, rSr/2022, Virginia Tech, 6-5, 247 (DS#11 OLB) + More +

Tech still plans to rely on a deep rotation on the defensive line, so the Hokies will really be three deep at both defensive end and tackle. Barno had a breakout season last year, and the coaching staff doesn't believe he's reached anywhere near his ceiling. He would make for a strong first team pairing with Belmar, one of Tech's super seniors who opted to take advantage of the free year of eligibility. - Roanoke Times

(DS#11 OLB) rSr/2022

OLB Amare Barno, Virginia Tech
News Source: Roanoke Times
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03/29/21 - Jaden Payoute, rJr/2024, Virginia Tech, 6-1, 210 (DS#999 WR) + More +

Virginia Tech receiver Jaden Payoute's spring camp was short-lived. Tech coach Justin Fuente announced Payoute would miss the rest of the spring after he underwent an additional surgical procedure on the season-ending leg injury he suffered in fall camp. The training staff recommended the receiver go through with the surgery after he participated in Tech's first spring practice on March 16. The Hokies are scheduled to practice three times a week for five weeks this spring. "I have an update on Jaden Payoute, he practiced in the first practice and we really felt it was best that he get the remaining plate from his foot or leg," Fuente said. "He will be out the rest of the spring recovering and be ready to go, full go, come fall camp." The 6-foot-1, 210 pounder was a four-star signee in Tech's 2019 signing class. He redshirted that year after playing in four games. Fuente had high expectations for Payoute going into last fall before he suffered the leg injury. - Roanoke Times

(DS#999 WR) rJr/2024

WR Jaden Payoute, Virginia Tech
News Source: Roanoke Times
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03/29/21 - *Caleb Farley, rJr/2021, Virginia Tech, 6-2, 197 (DS#3 CB) + More +

There have been some awkward moments at the NFL Draft when players invited to the event had extended stays in the green room waiting for their name to be called. Former Virginia Tech cornerback Caleb Farley is confident he won't join that list. Farley accepted an invite to this year's draft earlier in the week within days of having back surgery. The defender's latest injury setback prevented him from working out in front of scouts in Blacksburg at Tech's pro day. It was supposed to be a big moment for Farley since he opted out last fall. He anticipated wowing scouts with his testing numbers (particularly in the 40-yard dash) and lessening doubts about his football readiness in the position drills. He was a spectator on Friday instead, but that didn't impact the cornerback's confidence. "If a team wants the best corner in the draft they will come and find me," Farley said. - Roanoke Times

(DS#3 CB) rJr/2021

CB *Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech
News Source: Roanoke Times
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03/28/21 - Grant Wells, rSr/2024, Virginia Tech, 6-1, 210 (DS#999 QB) + More +

Perhaps there is no Marshall football player who can take advantage of the "fresh start" philosophy of first-year Thundering Herd coach Charles Huff more than quarterback Grant Wells. For Wells, his first season as the Herd's starting quarterback could not have featured a higher peak or a lower valley. Wells ended the 2020 season as the All-Conference USA first-team selection at quarterback, but from a team standpoint it was a disappointing finish after one of the best starts to a season in program history. With a new coach on board, Wells has to again prove himself as the team's starting quarterback during the important spring practice sessions.

"There's a lot of guys in that boat," Marshall offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey said. "This is their first true spring ball where they are able to compete and prove to Coach Huff what they can do on the football field." Wells was thrust into the Herd's starting role just six weeks before the 2020 season was set to begin after the exit of Isaiah Green, and Wells took the opportunity and ran with it, leading Marshall to a 7-0 record and No. 15 national ranking. At the time, there was even dark horse Heisman Trophy talk, and comparisons to other Marshall greats started raining down on the Charleston native. Almost as quickly as those statements were made, they vanished. Wells struggled mightily over the last three weeks of the season, which led to the Herd ending the year on a three-game skid. - Charleston Gazette

(DS#999 QB) rSr/2024

QB Grant Wells, Virginia Tech
News Source: Charleston Gazette
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03/25/21 - *Christian Darrisaw, rJr/2021, Virginia Tech, 6-5, 322 (DS#2 OT) + More +

Projected first-round pick Christian Darrisaw won't be running the 40-yard dash on Friday. Darrisaw told The Roanoke Times on Tuesday he won't be participating in the majority of tests draft prospects are asked to do at NFL combine, and will stick to position drills later this week when scouts and other league personnel travel to Blacksburg. "Looking like position work only right now, still playing it by ear on the bench," Darrisaw said. "[40-yard dash] That's out the window." Top draft prospects normally are put through a series of tests including the 40, shuttle run, three-cone drill, vertical jump, broad jump and bench press at the annual combine in Indianapolis.

The NFL canceled the traditional combine this year in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and shifted testing and skill evaluations to the player's pro day. The timing didn't work out for Darrisaw, who had surgery on a core muscle injury in early January. "It was close," Darrisaw said on Tuesday. Darrisaw spent the last nine weeks training at the EXOS facility in Pensacola, Florida, and spent the majority of his time rehabbing an injury that was discovered by a precautionary MRI in December. - Roanoke Times

(DS#2 OT) rJr/2021

OT *Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech
News Source: Roanoke Times
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03/25/21 - Raheem Blackshear, rSr/2022, Virginia Tech, 5-09, 194 (DS#51 RB) + More +

Virginia Tech running backs coach Adam Lechtenberg had simple advice for Raheem Blackshear when they reviewed film of the 2020 season before the start of spring practice. "Slow down," Lechtenberg said. That might seem counterintuitive considering Blackshear relied on his athleticism and 4.4 speed to become an immediate contributor for Rutgers in 2017 as a true freshman, but Lechtenberg made his point during those film sessions. "I was missing a lot of open gaps," Blackshear said. "I was like hitting a lot of stuff too fast. So as a player I was really not afraid of making my reads correctly. So by me slowing down, now I've got a chance to make my reads and make my right cuts."

Blackshear built his offseason training program around Lechtenberg's recommendation, and believes it's already paid off through four spring practices. The 5-foot-9, 194-pounder has shown improved (and slower) footwork amidst a crowded competition for playing time in Tech's backfield. The Hokies opened spring with eight scholarship running backs on the roster competing to replace Khalil Herbert, the program's first 1,000-yard rusher in a decade, and even more on the way (four freshman backs are enrolling this summer). "I feel like it's going to be big and I'm going to take advantage of it," Blackshear said, of spring camp. "I finally get a chance to learn the program and learn like everything, so I feel like this is going to be a big 15 practices for me." - Roanoke Times

(DS#51 RB) rSr/2022

RB Raheem Blackshear, Virginia Tech
News Source: Roanoke Times
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03/11/21 - Amare Barno, rSr/2022, Virginia Tech, 6-5, 247 (DS#11 OLB) + More +

Virginia Tech co-defensive line coach Bill Teerlinck is excited to see what Amare Barno does for an encore. Barno was an immediate playmaker for the Hokies last fall at defensive end, a position that Teerlinck joked he had been at "for all of 10 minutes." The junior college transfer came to Blacksburg as an outside linebacker and redshirted in 2019. He wowed coaches with the plays he made in practice and in a few brief appearances late in the season on special teams.

Tech coach Justin Fuente and defensive coordinator Justin Hamilton thought the fastest way to get Barno on the field last season would be to shift him over to defensive end, and that was very much the case. Barno moved into the starting lineup midway through the season, and ended up leading the ACC with 16 tackles for loss (the most for a Tech defensive lineman since Woody Baron in 2016). "I knew the kid had a chance, I knew he was going to make plays," Teerlinck said on Wednesday. "How fast he made them? Might have surprised me a little bit." Teerlinck had good reason to be surprised. - Roanoke Times

(DS#11 OLB) rSr/2022

OLB Amare Barno, Virginia Tech
News Source: Roanoke Times
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03/04/21 - Dax Hollifield, rSr/2023, Virginia Tech, 6-1, 232 (DS#36 ILB) + More +

Dax Hollifield is likely the next man up in the middle of Tech's defense. He has 182 career tackles (70 solo) with 14.5 for a loss, 5.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and three interceptions. He's a proven playmaker and now gets the chance to play the position he was recruited at. That opens up the full-time job on the outside for Alan Tisdale, who has come off the bench for much of his career. - Roanoke Times

(DS#36 ILB) rSr/2023

ILB Dax Hollifield, Virginia Tech
News Source: Roanoke Times
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02/18/21 - Changa Hodge, rSr/2022, Virginia Tech, 6-1, 196 (DS#63 WR) + More +

Villanova grad transfer Changa Hodge was one of six super seniors who took advantage of the extra year of eligibility from the NCAA. Hodge arrived in Blacksburg coming off a spectacular junior season with 65 receptions for 1,118 yards and 13 touchdowns. Hodge never really got an opportunity to showcase his pass catching skills after getting a delayed start in the fall from signing late and going through COVID-19 protocols. He played 142 offensive snaps and was only targeted six times (five of those came in the last two games). The coaching staff encouraged Hodge to come back and are optimistic that his slight uptick in production at the end of the season was a sign of things to come for 2021. - Roanoke Times

(DS#63 WR) rSr/2022

WR Changa Hodge, Virginia Tech
News Source: Roanoke Times
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02/17/21 - James Mitchell, rSr/2022, Virginia Tech, 6-4, 248 (DS#18 TE) + More +

Virginia Tech fans witnessed a string of high-profile departures from the team in December. Starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw announced he was leaving early for the NFL, defensive stalwarts Rayshard Ashby and Jarrod Hewitt opted to pass on the COVID-related extra year of eligibility from the NCAA and multiple starters transferred. Fans grew increasingly anxious about what starting tight end James Mitchell was going to do as they counted down the days to 2021. Mitchell posted a video on social media to announce he was coming back on Dec. 29, but told reporters on Tuesday that he had already made up his mind a week earlier.

Mitchell said it was a pretty straight forward process that started with putting his name into the NFL college advisory committee for feedback. He also sat down with his family and had multiple meetings with various Tech coaches from head coach Justin Fuente to defensive line coach Bill Teerlinck, who has maintained strong ties with NFL personnel. - Roanoke Times

(DS#18 TE) rSr/2022

TE James Mitchell, Virginia Tech
News Source: Roanoke Times
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02/10/21 - Grant Wells, rSr/2024, Virginia Tech, 6-1, 210 (DS#999 QB) + More +

This week was one in which normalcy was expected for first-year Marshall head coach Charles Huff. Huff finally got his staff finalized and capped off National Signing Day, and had his sights set toward preparation for spring ball. As has been the case for nearly 11 months, though, COVID-19 made sure normalcy was an afterthought. Marshall has indefinitely suspended its 2021 offseason workouts due to COVID-19 positives within the program and subsequent contact tracing. It puts a halt to the offseason program of new strength and conditioning coach Ben Ashford. - Charleston Gazette

(DS#999 QB) rSr/2024

QB Grant Wells, Virginia Tech
News Source: Charleston Gazette
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