Ford and Hodges Are Gone, But Cam Phillips Dominant In The Slot

Cam Phillips will be the man next year for the Hokies. (Ivan Morozov)

The Hokies lost both of their starting outside receivers to the NFL Draft.  Isaiah Ford and Bucky Hodges are gone, along with their combined career numbers of 343 catches, 4,714 receiving yards and 44 receiving touchdowns.  That’s a whole of production, and it will not be easy to replace them.

Who will take their spots on the outside?  The Hokies could move Cam Phillips to the outside, but I believe his best position is in the slot.  It’s a possibility, but it’s unlikely, in my opinion.  Between players who are currently on the roster or committed to the Hokies, I think there are six possibilities to fill the role of outside receiver.

Divine Deablo (6-3, 208, So.)
Eric Kumah (6-2, 210, So.)
Phil Patterson (6-2, 180, r-Fr.)
Dalton Keene (6-5, 225, Fr.)
Drake Deluliis (6-6, 205, Fr.)
Caleb Farley (6-3, 180, Fr.)

Right now I view Tahj Capehart (5-11, 185) as more of a slot receiver type, though I could certainly be wrong about that.  He lists himself at 6-0, 193 on his Hudl page, and if that’s accurate then I could very well be wrong.  (I also think Capehart is a really good safety prospect, for what it’s worth.)  So right now I’m not going to talk about Capehart, though I’ll readily admit that the staff could elect to use him as an outside receiver.

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