It’s somewhat rare when only one true freshman avoids a redshirt in a season, yet that was true for Virginia Tech last season with Quentin Reddish being the only freshman to exceed the redshirt maximum of four games.
Looking ahead to 2025, several of these redshirt freshmen are looking at opportunities that will allow them to take on larger roles than they had this past season. This spring will be crucial for all of them in their push for either starting jobs or spots in the two-deep. So with that in mind, here are my five redshirt freshmen to watch for Virginia Tech entering the spring.
WR Keylen Adams
Let’s start with Keylen Adams who received the second most snaps of any returning WR in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl and broke into the two-deep late this past season. The former four-star recruit was buried behind a veteran WR group last season, but now is in a great spot to push for a starting job in 2025, even with the addition of Wake Forest WR transfer Donavon Greene.
Adams showed his massive potential during the bowl game with a 47-yard reverse where he showed off his impressive explosive play potential plus a 14-yard reception. There was also some nuance to his game that shined including a rep in the slot where he chipped a Minnesota blitzer while releasing on his route, buying Collin Schlee an extra second to be able to read the blitz and elude it.
When you have a receiver doing those type of little things, it's an encouraging sign that he is more than ready to step into a starting role with all that entails. It's one thing to be able to make some plays, but to do the little things well is what makes the difference at this level and is how the best players earn the most snaps.
Adams brings a lot of versatility to the table that opens up some opportunities for him as a starter to work outside or in the slot depending on how things shake out. While Takye Heath will certainly be pushing for that slot job, I wouldn't be surprised if Adams is in the starting three whether that puts him in the slot or on the outside.
