Our 2024 Virginia Tech Football Preview series of TLP staff predictions kicks off today as we take a look at our picks of breakout candidates for the Hokies.
Last season delivered a good amount of breakout seasons including Pheldarius Payne finding stardom as a defensive tackle, Antwuan Powell-Ryland delivering on the hype at DE, Dorian Strong becoming one of the best cornerbacks in the country, and Kyron Drones becoming one of the best QBs in the ACC after not starting the first two games.
This year's team has plenty of intriguing breakout player candidates who could be poised for big seasons this fall. So with that said, let's jump into the predictions.
Tim Thomas: DE Cole Nelson
Antwaun Powell-Ryland and Aeneas Peebles will get the most attention from opposing coaches in their preparations for the Hokies this fall, but Cole Nelson turned a corner last season and could be poised for a big year while starting 2024 under the radar.
After losing his starting job before the start of 2023, Nelson fought his way back into a starting role by midseason before finishing the regular season strong. Over his final six regular season games, Nelson had six tackles for loss including four sacks, proving himself to a be difference maker especially in his dominant performance against UVA where he generated six total QB hurries including two sacks.
Nelson has built on that throughout the offseason both as a player and as a leader, earning captain honors recently. Head coach Brent Pry also had high praise for Nelson's development as a player and leader early on in his fall camp.
"Cole has been an outstanding leader the entire summer. He’s had the Lunch Pail. He’s very, very proud right now and he deserves to be. He came on the back half of the season for us and he’s carried that momentum through the winter, spring, summer and into camp. He’s bigger and stronger than he’s ever been. He’s primed himself to have a good year and we need him to," Pry said.
Nelson is in a great situation for a breakout season. He has appeared to turn a corner with his game starting last fall and also will get tons of one-on-one matchups with defenses giving lots of attention to Antwaun Powell-Ryland and Aeneas Peebles. That's the type of combination that has me confident Nelson could have an All-ACC level season as part of one of the strongest defensive lines for Tech in a while.
Ryan Duvall: TE Benji Gosnell
The Hokies will have a dynamic offense in 2024, and I believe the rushing attack led by Bhayshul Tuten and Malachi Thomas will allow Kyron Drones to flourish in the passing game.
We already know about the ‘Bad Boys’ including four senior receivers (Ali Jennings, Jaylin Lane, Da’Quan Felton, Stephen Gosnell), but I think it will be the younger Gosnell brother, Benji that breaks out in 2024.
After the transfer of Dae’Quan Wright to Ole Miss, and with Nick Gallo still working his way back from his season-ending injury last year, I see Benji Gosnell taking the reins of tight end one, and never giving it back.
The younger Gosnell is a perfect fit for the Dae'Quan Wright role as a versatile receiver who can work out of the slot and as an in-line tight end. His receiving upside should shine this fall with a strong redshirt sophomore season on the horizon.
Tucker Terry: OL Braelin Moore and LB Caleb Woodson
On a team with as many experienced players as the Hokies, the offensive line seems to present more question marks than any other part of the offense. Brent Pry recently said there are eight players fighting for starting spots on the offensive line, one of which is Braelin Moore.
While Moore is a proven commodity, starting in all 12 of his appearances last season, his athleticism and versatility should allow him to have a potential All-ACC season. At left guard last season, Moore was one of the anchors of a top 25 run offense in the nation, but with the emergence of Layth Ghannam, Braelin Moore may shift to center to give the Hokies their best possible starting five offensive linemen.
Regardless of where he lines up, Braelin Moore is all set to be a leader on an offensive line eager to take a big step forward this fall.
On the defensive side, the position of greatest need after last season was Linebacker. Due in part to inconsistent linebacker play, the Hokies conceded 4.2 yards per carry last season, which was the fourth worst mark in the ACC. There are quite a few players who project to get some time at one of the linebacker spots, but one with true breakout potential is Caleb Woodson.
Woodson only started one game last year, but he is now one more year experienced as a linebacker, a position he switched to during his senior year of high school, having previously played safety. Woodson was brought in to play the STAR position where he had lots of success in limited reps last season but he has since gotten work at Will linebacker with the Hokies hoping he can take on a bigger role.
With multiple players vying for time at both STAR and Will linebacker, Caleb Woodson has an opportunity to get quite a few snaps at either position and potentially work his way into a large role this season. Look for defensive coordinator Chris Marve to find playing time for Woodson, as he has as much superstar potential as almost anyone on the Hokies' roster.
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