Defensive tackle is a major need for Virginia Tech to address this offseason with Pheldarius Payne, Norell Pollard, and Mario Kendricks all out of eligibility. The Hokies did receive some good news to help at DT with Josh Fuga announcing his return for his final season in 2024.
Thank you Hokie Nation ❤️ pic.twitter.com/9y0x7Aihnl
— Joshua Fuga (@jfuga01) December 5, 2023
Fuga chose to return for what will be his sixth year in college football, taking advantage of the COVID free year given in 2020 to do so. This comes after star pass rusher Antwaun Powell-Ryland announced on Sunday that he was returning to the Hokies for the 2023 season.
Fuga was a captain for the Hokies in 2023 playing in 12 games with four starts while having 13 tackles including 1.5 for loss plus one QB hurry and one fumble recovery. For his career, Fuga has 56 tackles including 5.5 for loss with 2.5 sacks plus four QB hurries, three pass breakups, one blocked kick, and one fumble recovery.
Fuga has had his ups and downs at Virginia Tech, but has been a pretty solid player throughout his Tech career. Bringing back an experienced DT like Fuga who dies seem to have some more untapped potential that can be unleashed is always a plus.
He also should be a clear favorite to be a DT starter for the Hokies in 2024 though much of that will depend on who Tech brings in from the transfer portal and from the JUCO ranks. Among the most notable current targets to monitor are Duke DT Aeneas Peebles, Penn DT Joey Slackman, and three-star JUCO DT Kemari Copeland.
Fuga should bring plenty of strong leadership to the defensive line room alongside Antwaun Powell-Ryland that should help, especially given the numerous new faces that will be in that room next season.
