I’ve lurked in the shadows for the better part of 15 years (under many usernames) reading this board daily, and very selectively adding to discussion. Hopefully I’m representing all those that do the same. This is the best post/thread in a decadereason being, we have so many guys on the roster that are cause for excitement (whether that be this year or in the future). Look at how many responses have highlighted different names, all Juniors and younger. I know I’m not following your rules but this gets me pumped up. I’ll answer your question with my top guy but here is a list of guys getting me excited for 2019 (so many story lines):

Fuente - can he bounce back after tumultuous 2018? This dude won COY in ACC just 2.5 years agoneed that mojo back.
Bud - final ride. Tackling. Schemes.
Cornelson - watch the VT vs Clemson ACCChamp game from 2016I rewatched it yesterday. From the 2nd quarter on, we threw out so many wrinkles on offense. And that was with only 3 wide receivers (1 was really a TE, Bucky) and 1 year of learning the playbook. Could see some wild stuff this year with empty sets, 5 wide, 3 big wideouts (Tre, Haze, Mitchell) in redzone (possibly 4 with Keene). Speed packages (Hezzy, Robinson, Patterson). 2 TE sets. Plus the True Freshmen WRs. Can’t wait to see this.
Wiles - He has his work cut out for him
Justin Hamilton - How is our secondary without Nix teaching them incorrectly? Love this guy.
Hilgart - hope we have the stamina late in games.
Darrisaw - experience at LT
Hoffman - NCAA. Consistency at Center. Leader in the middle and the locker room
Nester - living up to the star ranking
Tre - big plays
Hazelton - redzone threat. Can win 1 on 1 battles. Jump balls
Grimsley - slot has always been important to us under Fuente. Watch the FSU game from last yearif I recall correctly, Hezzy got the first 4 passes of the game so that JJ could settle in to the passing game.
Robinson - Electric. Maybe a return game finally?
Phil Patt - breakout year. Showed some signs last year with big catches. 1 TD against Duke was sweet.
Clease - can he stay healthy and give us good ypc and yac?
Holston - breakout year
King - electric. Shifty. Fast. Twitch. High praise.
Willis - consistency. Long ball. Throws over the middle. RPO
HH - How do we use him? How much did he really progress?
Mitchell - How do we use him?
Keene - How do we use him? H-back up the seam
Gallo - hype?
Garbutt - Big year ahead. Establish himself as a star at DE
DTs - young but can they produce?
Dax - crazy man. Flys around the field. One of my favorite players. So much character.
Ashby - will he lead us in tackles again? Can he fill those running holes? We will see week 1 with Dillion
Tisdale - the unknown plus the praise is intriguing.
Connor - beat out a veteran upperclassman for the job. Bruiser. Reminds me of the old days.
Hunter - How does he bounce back after redshirt and all the high expectations?
Deablo - fully healthy off season. Could be real good.
Webb - the comeback
Waller - can he produce?
Farley - mind catching up with athleticism this year. Could be special.
Artis - will he get time?
Rivers - solid backup. Does he contribute?
Bradburn - most exciting punter in college footballon the field and on Twitter.
Johnson - can he make a few long ones for us?

But my formal answer to you is Reggie Floyd. He excites me for many reasonshe leads our defense this year. He leads our team this year. He’s a senior. He likely aided in the cultural overhaul for 2019. He’s wearing #1. The entire team selected him to be representation on/off the field. He’s our player spokesman (ACC media day). He hits hard. He’s played since being a sophomore. Coaches love him. NFL prospect.

Sidenote: excited to watch the guys that left too. JJ, Savoy, Kumah, Pimpleton, Hill, Cunningham. Once a hokie, always a hokieregardless of the SI article. Hope they succeed. Watch the Nick Saban response to the media about guys getting in trouble or making a mistake. It will make you rethink how you look at these guys.

Big year. 15-0. Positive vibes only. Hype is real. Go Hokies!









[Post edited by vtschlic at 08/27/2019 5:30PM]