Since Brent Pry's arrival, Virginia Tech has had at least one true freshman defensive back breaking into the Hokies' DB rotation. In 2022, it was Mansoor Delane on his way to stardom. In 2023, it was a trifecta of Mose Phillips, Braylon Johnson, and Dante Lovett. And this past season, it was Quentin Reddish.
If Virginia Tech can have it their way, they hope that it could become four-straight years via three-star safety Sheldon Robinson.
The Northern Virginia safety was a major recruiting victory for the Hokies over the summer over several other regional schools including Vanderbilt, Duke, Pittsburgh, and Virginia. He then shined on the field this fall with four interceptions, seven pass breakups, and 26 tackles in only eight games.
Based on his HS production (10 INTs in 2 years), Robinson profiles as a little more of a ball hawk than what the Hokies have with Quentin Reddish and Mose Phillips, even though both can slide into free safety-like roles and be effective. While those two should be expected to lead the safety along with Jalen Stroman if he chooses to return, Robinson has all the opportunity in the world to earn a spot in the two-deep like Phillips and Reddish did as freshman.
For CBs coach Derek Jones, he's hoping Robinson can deliver an instant impact and break into that two-deep as a freshman while also providing great competition in line with Tech's culture.
