With so many returners last year, it was hard to predict who exactly would be a breakout candidate for Virginia Tech Football during the 2025 season. However, a large amount of graduations and a few significant transfers away have opened lots of room for players to establish themselves as standouts and have breakout seasons.
Some of Tech's more proven transfers like Ben Bell or Donavon Greene or Tomas Rimac do not qualify as breakout candidates along with proven starters like Caleb Woodson and Benji Gosnell. However, that leaves room for plenty of breakout candidates for the Hokies this season.
So who are the Hokies' top breakout candidates? Here's my rundown on the top guys to watch.
1. WR Ayden Greene
Ayden Greene received some consideration for a spot on last year's list but didn't due to how deep of a WR room that the Hokies were returning. However, Greene found a role in a loaded WR room and now with the other top four receivers from last year's team gone, the stage is cleared for Greene to be WR1 this fall.
Yes, Wake Forest transfer Donavon Greene will absolutely battle Ayden Greene for that role of WR1 throughout the fall, but it's clear that the junior from Tennessee will be a big part of the Hokies' offense.
Part of the confidence is due to what Greene showed during Virginia Tech's bowl game against Minnesota. Greene got his first opportunity to truly be a focal point of the Hokies' offense and while the unit as a whole struggled, Greene shined with six catches for 115 yards.
Since then, Greene has continued to take the next steps in his development and earned plenty of the praise in the process including from WRs coach Fontel Mines.
