2024 Position Group Previews: Wide Receivers & Tight Ends

The Hokies were a run-heavy team in the 2023 season, but the more comfortable Kyron Drones became, the more we saw the team begin to air it out. Pry & Co. have prioritized loading up at wideout and tight end during this offseason. Now with vastly diversified and improved rooms, the Hokies are lined up to become one of the stronger air raids in the ACC.

WR

#9 Da’Quan Felton GR 6′5″ 213 Portsmouth, VA (2023 Stats: 38 REC 667 YDS 8 TDs 17.6 YPR)

#0 Ali Jennings GR 6’2” 207 Richmond, VA (2023 Stats: 5 REC 72 YDS 2 TDs 14.4 YPR)

#83 Jaylin Lane GR 5’10” 192 Clover, SC (2023 Stats: 41 REC 538 YDS 6 TDs 13.1 YPR)

#12 Stephen Gosnell GR 6’2” 198 Pilot Mountain, NC (2023 Stats: 22 REC 348 YDS 3 TDs 15.8 YPR)

#26 Ayden Green SO 6’2” 185 Knoxville, TN (2023 Stats: 5 REC 56 YDS 11.2 YPR)

#5 Xayvion Turner-Bradshaw RS-SO 6’0” 160 Bluefield, VA (2023 Stats: 1 REC 9 YDS, 4 ATT 73 YDS 1 TD)

#11 Tucker Holloway JR 6’2” 185 Andrews, NC (2023 Stats: 5 REC 49 YDS, PR ATT 20 PR YDS 258)

#2 Takye Heath RS-FR 5’10” 165 Richmond, VA (2023 Stats: N/A)

#4 Chance Fitzgerald RS-FR 6’2” 191 Nashville, TN (2023 Stats: N/A)

#81 Jordan Tapscott RS-FR 6’0 188 Warrenton, VA (2023 Stats: N/A)

#6 Keylen “Brodie” Adams FR 6’2” 180 Virginia Beach, VA (2023 Stats: N/A)

#7 Chanz Wiggins FR 6’3” 207 King George, VA (2023 Stats: N/A)

TE

#86 Nick Gallo GR 6’4” 240 Richboro, PA (2023 Stats: N/A)

#82 Benji Gosnell RS-SO 6’5” 240 Pilot Mountain, NC (2023 Stats: 12 REC 137 YDS 1 TD 11.4 YPR)

#87 Harrison Saint Germain RS-SO 6’4” 241 Centreville, VA (2023 Stats: 2 REC 13 YDS 1 TD)

#99 Cole Reemsnyder RS-SO 6’6” 213 South Riding, VA (2023 Stats: N/A)

#40 Cole Pickett RS-JR 6’3” 232 Galax, VA (2023 Stats: N/A) 

#85 Ja’Ricous Hairston RS-FR 6’2” 244 Bassett, VA (2023 Stats: N/A)

#88 Zeke Wimbush RS-FR 6’2 240 Ashburn, VA (2023 Stats: N/A)

The Hokies want to compete this year. They may not be able to on a national scale, but within the ACC, they are one of the stronger teams. One of the headlines from this strong offseason for Tech has been the FBS-leading 22 returning starters. This is heavily felt in their receiver room. Four graduates lead the room, with each of them offering different roles to play in this offense. Many eyes are on ODU transfer Ali Jennings, who suffered a season-ending injury against Purdue in the 2nd week of last season. A healthy Jennings is expected to open up more opportunities for both Kyron and the rest of the starting receivers. Lane, Felton, and Gosnell were able to put up good lines in Jennings's absence, but he has an eye for the endzone that was previewed in his 72 YD, 2 TD performance against his former team in Week 1. With Lane’s ability to work in between the numbers and Felton’s exterior threat, Jennings could be the missing piece of the artwork this receiving core could be. 

A returning Nick Gallo will also be looking to bolster a rather quiet tight end room. With Kyron at the helm, Gallo’s blocking expertise and ability to work well off play action could be emphasized. Redshirt Sophmore Benji Gosnell filled in for Gallo last year and provided Drones with a reliable safety valve. Gosnell, a 4-star recruit out of high school, showed flashes as a receiver but was mainly noted for his pass protection. With Gallo back, Gosnell’s fit and development as a vertical threat will be the storyline to watch at tight-end position. While Hokie fans are excited to see what the veteran pass-catchers can do this year, many eyes are on the younger pieces who could make an impact sooner rather than later. 

What’s so special about the position both rooms are in is the talent that’s gearing up to replace the current starters. Every starting receiver is on their last ride with the Hokies. Luckily, the players proceeding with them have very enticing ceilings. Fans got a glimpse at sophomore Ayden Greene during the Military Bowl when he made an impeccable contested grab in one of the bigger highlights from the game. Xayvion Turner-Bradshaw showed potential as a dual-threat player with his effective flashes in the run game. When given the opportunity, the young guns Pry has stashed at the wideout position have shined. And we haven’t even got a glance at prospects like Chance Fitzgerald, Brodie Adams, and Chanz Wiggins. 

Looking at the identity of the tight-end room, the Hokies are leaning toward honorary linemen rather than strong vertical threats. As previously mentioned, Gosnell could be the one to break through for the Hokies. I currently see Gosnell easily filling the role Galo will eventually leave. The name I would consider you hitch the wagon to is redshirt freshman Zeke Wimbush. Wimbush is the vertical threat the Hokies could be looking for in the future. His ability to high-point contested catches both inside and outside the numbers is something this offense doesn’t have in abundance. Wimbush also has the speed to work well in the open field, something an offense with a hybrid QB like Drones could look to utilize more. Separation, especially at the collegiate level, is a massive tool and it’s one that Wimbush still needs to master. With the wide array of potential scattered throughout both rooms, the future is bright for these young pass-catchers.

This upcoming season’s unit looks to blend physicality and speed. The Hokies have emphasized having confidence in whoever is called upon. Some may say the lack of identity within the team’s pass game is concerning. I say it’s the one thing that makes me hopeful of this unit’s future. This team is finding its identity step by step. The identity of this passing game is being molded as its leader develops. Kyron favored play-action, attacking the defense inside the numbers, and making plays himself when all else fails. Now with full commitment to him being QB1, I see Coach Pry letting Drone’s arm strength loose. With a strengthened offensive line, a group that we’ll look at next, Kyrons confidence should be at an all-time high. All signs point towards a revitalized Hokies offense that I see providing our receivers and tight ends with one of the best environments Hokie fans have seen in the past decade.