Defensive back Ny'Quee Hawkins was not listed on Virginia Tech's recent spring roster with a Virginia Tech spokesman confirming what was reported by VT Scoop's Evan Watkins first reported that Hawkins is not enrolled at VT currently.
Hawkins has left the Hokies after spending four seasons at Virginia Tech. After having a very limited role at most in his first three seasons, Hawkins had a notable rotational role this past season finishing with 25 tackles including 0.5 for loss. He has 36 tackles including 3 for loss with 1 sack for his VT career.
He has two seasons of eligibility remaining. His reasons for departure from VT are unknown at this time.
His current departure is a little bit surprising after Hawkins had risen the depth chart into the two-deep this past season and seemed poised to be a top backup safety next season. He wasn't expected to be a starter but seemed like the frontrunner to be Tech's #3 safety this season.
While the starting duo of Nasir Peoples and Jalen Stroman seems locked in, both of the backup safety spots appear to be open with Nyke Johnson and Jalen Hoyle being the two non-starting veterans in that room though both have a lot to prove. Devin Alves was a guy on the rise before injuries derailed him and though he may not be 100% this spring, he could absolutely end up in the two-deep by the time the season starts.
Two other guys to watch to climb into those spots are Jaylen Jones and Braylon Johnson. Jones made the move from wide receiver to safety which has worked before for Hokies as we saw with Divine Deablo. Meanwhile, the early enrollees Johnson has had loads of hype around him coming out of Blacksbug, and it wouldn't surprise me if he ends up breaking into the two-deep especially with the news of Hawkins not being enrolled.
