Our 2022 Virginia Tech Football preview series continues today as we make our picks for who will be the Hokies' offensive and defensive MVPs this season.
Tim Thomas: Malachi Thomas
Malachi Thomas was poised to be my certain offensive MVP pick prior to his injury that make a him an unknown for at least this week's opener at ODU.
That opens the door for a couple other candidates like Grant Wells and any of Tech's top 3 receivers but even with the injury, I'm still sticking with Thomas.
Yes, Thomas may miss a couple games, but this is going to be a physical football team that needs a high-quality bellcow back with Thomas being the lone guy on this team. While the injury may rule out the possibility of becoming the first Hokie to have 1,000 rushing yards since Khalil Herbert and first non-transfer to do so at VT since Travon McMillian, don't be surprised if Thomas still may come close.
He may not play in all of them, but Thomas will truly be the most "valuable" offensive player, not just the best stats guy.
Tech's defense has a few top candidates including Dax Hollifield and Dorian Strong but I'm going with Tech's best senior draft prospect: Chamarri Conner.
Conner should get to play more to his strengths working at the strong safety spot and not having to play as much in man coverage. When he does, it shouldn't come against speedy slot receivers that have given him issues. Instead, the new position should play to his strengths both as a safety who can come into the box and make plays, and someone who can be effective in zone and in man coverage against tight ends and slower, jumbo WRs.
Carter Hill: Kaleb Smith, TyJuan Garbutt
When looking at potentially who could be Virginia Tech’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) on the offensive side of the ball in 2022, there aren’t a ton of obvious names that immediately jump off the list.
Starting quarterback Grant Wells could certainly be a popular one. As could sophomore running back Malachi Thomas, even with his status unknown for Friday night’s showdown against Old Dominion. You could get creative and go Drake Delulis or Nick Gallo, but the name that stands out to me continues to be Kaleb Smith.
A star receiver out of Bumpass, Virginia, Smith appears to be destined for a breakout season under first-year offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen’s newly-installed system in 2022. Compliment that with the addition of Wells, a two-year starter during his time at Marshall, and the 6-foot-2, 222-pounder has all the tools to have his best year yet to potentially cap off his collegiate career suiting up for Virginia Tech.
Hauling in 20 receptions for 260 yards and two touchdowns a season ago, Smith has certainly shown some flashes throughout his time donning the maroon and orange. But now with the opportunity to engineer a rather thin unit and to be the X-factor in the middle of the Hokies’ offense, the redshirt senior is ready to make the next step to be the one to make the offense click when it’s all said and done come the conclusion of the upcoming campaign.
Defensively for Virginia Tech, it might be a little bit tougher to select just one potential candidate for the unit’s MVP. But for me, I’m going with TyJuan Garbutt.
Poised to lead the charge in a solid defensive line room, the Fredericksburg, Virginia native accounted for 30.0 total tackles a season ago, with 17.0 coming of his own. That’s not all. The 6-foot-1, 255-pounder additionally tied for second on the team with 3.5 sacks, while also racking up 7.0 tackles for losses to round out what overall was a respectable 2021.
Lining up alongside the likes of Norell Pollard, Josh Fuga and Mario Kendricks, it’s easy to get lost in the mix when it comes to looking at a talented bunch. But with Garbutt’s ability to wreak havoc up front for the Hokies, don’t be surprised if the sixth-year senior goes off for a monster 2022.
You could go with Dax Holliflield. You could go with Chamarri Conner. But with Garbutt’s peak potential that potentially hasn’t even been shown just yet, it’s hard to shy away from such a gifted athlete that’s ready to get after an opposing quarterback.
Peyton Seay: Grant Wells, Chamarri Conner
Wells comes to the Hokies after a season at Marshall where he threw for over 3,500 yards. Although the offense Brent Pry and his staff are projected to run appears to be a more run-heavy approach (Malachi Thomas another name to watch perhaps…), Wells’ ability to throw the deep ball accurately will give the Hokie offense a chance to take some deep shots down field.
In two years as a starter, Wells has a 50% completion percentage on balls thrown 40+ yards downfield, which ranks second only behind Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder (52.6%). His deep ball ability and veteran leadership offer up some excitement for this coming fall season.
My biggest concern about this prediction is Wells’ struggles with throwing interceptions. He had 22 in two years as a starter at Marshall. This coupled with the lack of experience at wideout could prove interesting. However, if Wells can prove efficient while taking the appropriate shots downfield, he should be able to offer the Hokies stable QB play for once.
With Wells entering the ACC, he will be one of five returning QBs in the conference to average more than 270 passing yards per game last season. The Hokies may find themselves in enough negative game scripts to see this number come to fruition again. Wells has the potential to keep the Hokies in games in 2022 with that big arm of his, and hopefully win some too.
The Hokies received some great news when Conner announced he was returning for his fifth season in maroon and orange. He was all over the field last year and will continue to be a versatile defensive threat for Pry in the Hokie secondary. Last season, Conner was led the team in solo tackles while also adding 5 passes defended, 1 INT, 2 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles.
Conner’s versatility gives him the ability to stay on the field for every down. Wide receiver De’Wain Lofton called him “one of the hardest hitters on the team” and Wells said he was one of the hardest on the other side of the ball to go up against (Andy Bitter, The Athletic). Conner will provide great stability and anchor this hungry Hokie defense in 2022.
