Phil Steele names 16 most-improved teams for 2021 (247)

13. VIRGINIA TECH

There appears to be a pretty sizable drop off from North Carolina and Miami to Virginia Tech in the ACC Coastal. Justin Fuente’s Hokies have a number of question marks after a promising season ended with Virginia Tech going 5-6, not least of which is how to replace Khalil Herbert, who didn’t just rush for 1,183 yards and eight touchdowns, but did so while averaging 7.6 yards per carry. Defensive end Amare Barno gives the defense a building block a lot of teams would love to have, and there’s ability on that side of the ball. If Oregon transfer Braxton Burmeister can key an improvement in the passing game, the Hokies could be solid.