The Hokies looked to have taken on a sizeable receiver group in the 2023 class, though with Jonathan Pennix playing corner, it’s narrowed down to four guys. That’s still a good-sized group, and it looks to have covered the bases in terms of inside and outside players. It also might be the group with the most immediate impact on the depth chart. Chance Fitzgerald looks like he could push for serious snaps even as a summer enrollee, and Takye Heath has an outside shot at the punt return job. Ayden Greene is one to keep an eye on with his ball skills, while Marcell Baylor likely needs some development time before we know how good he is.

Ayden Greene
Wide Receiver (Outside)
6’2, 170
Powell High
Knoxville, TN

Reminds me of Da’Quan Felton, in that he was a basketball guy before settling into football relatively late in high school, and that he also has great catch skills. Unlike ‘Felton, Greene had plenty of eyes on him, including offers from Pitt, Mississippi State, Tennessee, and Arkansas, and at one point was committed to Cincinnati. He high-points like nobody’s business on offense and defense, and in general does a good job catching the ball away from his body.

He’s a bit of a glider coming out of his stance, and he’ll need to learn to be more sudden—he’s got good size and speed, but not elite, and college cornerbacks aren’t going to play ten yards off the ball every down like his high school competition did. Doesn’t look like a tackle-breaking threat, so I’d expect his role to be “move the chains.” Benefited from presence of Adarius Redmond, who might’ve been the top receiver* in the state. Also played some defense, but definitely looks more comfortable on offense.

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