Hokies WRs Jennings, Felton, Lane, Gosnell All Announce They’re Returning In 2024

By: Andy Bitter | Senior Staff Writer
Ali Jennings only played in a little more than one game this season for the Hokies. He’ll get another crack at it in 2024. (Ivan Morozov)

Virginia Tech’s receiving room got some good news Tuesday night — times four.

Ali Jennings, Da’Quan Felton, Jaylin Lane and Stephen Gosnell made a joint announcement on social media that they’re all returning in 2024. 

The news means the Hokies basically get back their entire receiving corps next season, with the added bonus of Jennings, who was injured in September, and the group being able to spend all offseason with an incumbent quarterback in Kyron Drones.

The quartet combined for 105 catches, 1,611 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2023, despite Jennings suffering what amounted to a season-ending injury early in the Purdue game in Week 2. 

In Jennings’ absence, Felton and Lane, two fellow transfers last offseason, carried most of the load. Felton, who came from Norfolk State, emerged down the stretch, finishing tops among the team with 38 catches, 667 yards and eight touchdowns. 

Lane, who operated frequently in the slot as a transfer from Middle Tennessee, had 37 catches for 524 yards and six touchdowns. With Jennings out, Gosnell emerged as a reliable threat, posting 22 catches for 348 yards and the first three touchdowns of his career. 

Jennings, who had the highest NFL potential prior to his injury, only recorded stats against his former team, Old Dominion, in the opener, though that was a five-catch, 72-yard effort with two touchdowns.

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  2. Awesome news. Hope to hear good news From Strong and Tuten soon. Running backs At a premium in the NFL. Hokie running backs, turning pool early. Don’t have a great history.

  3. If the portal is recruited properly it will always be an asset to Virginia Tech. If we can keep our coaching staff intact, players committed to our foundations and be able to recruit Virginia high schools, we’ll be competitive for the top awards and the portal’s will come. So far, nothing but praise for CBP.

  4. Great receiving corp ! Hope we don’t lose some of the young bucks from this but we will be ok. Good job to coach pry and team for attracting and keeping talent

  5. I remember how many negative comments were posted on TSL for much of the year. Especially wanting to fire all our coaches and AD. Time and their hard work fixed things. It pays to have patience and believe. 24 will be a good year. A few quality portal additions and quality recruits as they start to contribute and we’re fine. Very limited injuries hopefully.

    GO HOKIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    2. Not me. That is, things don’t always work out, but with Pry it wouldn’t be for lack of effort. A couple things I’m impressed with is he could talk players into coming even w/ a 3-8 record so I suspect a few dudes will show up this year also.

  7. So far, keeping the most important pieces of our team together, we’re doing a great job. I’m glad the guys all seem to be on the same page and committed to team success.

    Hoping Tuten comes back as well. I’m not sure his draft stock is higher than a mid round pick based on the overall stats. Although, if people actually watched the games, they’d see a difference maker on the field. if we would loose him, i think we’d need to pickup a replacement to fill his shoes. Thomas & the existing stable of rbs couldn’t carry that kind of load. Although i did see Ramon Brown is in the portal.

    Now just need to shore up the OL, DL, and LB positions

  8. Fantastic news. Quite an air attack right there. It would be great if Tuten came back, but with Malachi Thomas we’re looking good. Thomas is still relatively young and a beast. He’s been waiting for his chance to break out. Had an injury, and then Tuten in front of him which was fine because Tuten is a beast and more experienced. But I’m all in on Thomas. Kid will soon be a man beast.

  9. Early Christmas present.. Now we need to get Strong & Tuten to return, IMO, neither would be drafted in early rounds. GO HOKIES!!!!!!!!!!

  10. That video made me want to run through a wall! Great news, hope this makes the beef boys up front want to sign on.

  11. Rebuild in full swing!! Thank you guys!!! Now let’s get Strong and Tuten on board. Let’s Go Hokies. Future is definitely looking up!❤️👍😃

  16. This could be huge.

    A big 2024 season could be the juice to in state recruiting. Still need to fix the NIL$ if you want to compete with the UGA’s of the world grabbing the in state elite recruits.

  18. now if we can Tuten to come back; and, by the way we need to keep up the donations to keep Coaches like Fontel Mines. Without him we may not have had all four come back. Go Hokies!

  21. .
    Mr. DS, Mr. BT, Mr. DW, Mr. DC, Mr. NH and Mr. JD :: take note!
    holler back, y’all.

    ( whether free$hoes or klumpsum eject or not )
    somebody in acc needs to take control and complete big wins!
    who dat?
    Virginia Tech
    let’s roll!
    .

  22. that is good news x 4!

    and that they orchestrated it together as one,
    speaks of team spirit, loyalty, close communication,
    commitment, intention, desire, and leadership.

    i like what this portends for Hokie football –
    in ’24 and going forward.

    let’s go! Hokies!

      1. All 4 would be gone the following year though…. While I am stoked for their return, wondering about depth for follow on years

        1. This is old-school thinking, though. We just develop the younger players and go fill the holes in the portal. Planning ahead and filling your roster with developmental players is not really the plan anymore.

        2. Was thinking the same. Got to work some of the young guys. Only so many passes to go around. Hopefully it’s a great year in 24.

        3. Then we find more receivers in the portal, and the cycle continues. This is amazing news! Think about next year, if we win 9-10 games bc of a potent offense, more talent will come.

          1. Is there a Oline Tackle and 2 DTs in the portal?

            Now to coach up the Fr WR in stock so they are ready from Day 1 – 2025 after this group graduates next year. That’s the way it is supposed to be.

            GO HOKIES surf the green wave to Victory.

        6. Even before the portal, by definition, every college football program has turnover every year. And by definition, those players all get replaced. Life goes on. Worrying about something so matter of fact is the ultimate glass half-empty view.

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