The availability report for Virginia Tech is out ahead of tonight's clash with the California, and the Hokies are showing some signs of getting healthier. Here's a rundown on where things stand.
Probable
- LB Jaden Keller
- LB Brett Clatterbaugh
Out
- S Quentin Reddish
- CB Caleb Brown
- CB Joshua Clarke
- WR Keylen Adams
- WR Chanz Wiggins
- OL Montavious Cunningham
- OL Brody Meadows
- RB Braydon Bennett
- RB Jeff Overton Jr
- DE James Jennette
- DE Sherrod Henderson
- DT Andrew Hanchuk
- WR LJ Booker
- WR Nate Hobbs
It's important to note that RB Terion Stewart is not on this list, an encouraging sign that the bulldozing transfer running back will be good to go to form a 1-2 punch with Marcellous Hawkins. The Hokies will need Stewart and Hawkins to have a big game collectively if they want to have the best chance possible of beating Cal.
Backup Braydon Bennett is out, though I think he would be the fourth or fifth running back for the Hokies anyway at this point.
Keylen Adams remains out at wide receiver, with it being fair to wonder if he may be heading towards a medical redshirt at this point. The same can be said for Chanz Wiggins too who is yet to play this season. On a positive, starting slot WR Cameron Seldon is good to go and will certainly be used in a variety of ways given his athleticism to see if he can generate a big play or two.
With Montavious Cunningham still out, it seems reasonable to expect Tomas Rimac to remain at guard while Aidan Lynch continues to start at right tackle.
The linebacker situation one is fascinating as Kaleb Spencer is playing well enough where I don't expect he will drop out of the starting lineup while Caleb Woodson seems certain to start. Even if Jaden Keller returns, I would expect that he takes on a rotational role behind Woodson and Spencer.
What's interesting is what VT does with Noah Chambers, especially since he hasn't burned his redshirt just yet and still can play one more game before being in jeopardy of doing so. If Keller is good to go, I think there's a decent chance that VT considers saving that fourth game for Chambers, especially since they seem comfortable playing former walk-on George Ballance as a rotational interior LB too.
At cornerback, Thomas Williams is good to go after suffering an injury versus Georgia Tech, though it is definitely possible that VT starts true freshman JoJo Crim over him. Meanwhile, Quentin Reddish remains out and seems to be choosing to redshirt at this point rather than return following Brent Pry's dismissal.
