The free COVID year in 2020 has given plenty of football players who would be seniors normally this year, the opportunity to return for one more extra year in 2022. While many Hokies are still undecided on that front, Virginia Tech starting LB and captain Dax Hollifield has already made up his mind.
LB Dax Hollifield, who's in his fourth year, said he's coming back next season. "I'm not a senior." Said he has unfinished business here at Virginia Tech. Doesn't want to go out like this. #Hokies
— Andy Bitter (@AndyBitterVT) November 9, 2021
Hollifield will be returning for what likely would be his fifth-straight year of starting at least 6+ games as long as he stays healthy and his fourth season as a primary starting linebacker for Tech for the overwhelming majority of it.
Hollifield is having his best season in his Hokie career now starting as his natural mike linebacker spot as he has 63 tackles (should set a single season career high against Duke) plus 6.5 tackles for loss including 3.5 sacks, both of which are single season career highs.
Given the very high probability that Virginia Tech will be making a coaching change after this season, having a captain like Dax Hollifield already confirming his return should undoubtedly be a boost for the Tech locker room especially since Tech's 2022 team might be a lot younger than this one.
Of course, a coaching change could always lead a guy like Hollifield to reconsider, but the odds of that seem very, very low based on his definitive statement today knowing the widespread speculation.
