Dax Hollifield was a 4-star recruit and the No. 151-ranked player in the class of 2018, per the 247Sports.com composite rankings. The highest-rated player in Virginia Tech’s class and the No. 21-ranked Virginia Tech recruit of all time, his recruitment was a heated battle with Clemson that came down to national signing day, and the Hokies won out in dramatic fashion.

To say that Dax Hollifield arrived in Blacksburg with high expectations is an understatement. After all, Bud Foster did a cartwheel the day he signed. Literally.

On the surface, Hollifield’s 2018 season was a success, especially for a true freshman. Thrust into the starting lineup after an injury to Dylan Rivers in the eighth game of the season, Hollifield held onto that spot and started the last six games of the season, finishing fourth on the team with 62 tackles, fourth with eight tackles for loss, and tied for third with a pair of sacks.

The numbers, as usual, don’t tell the whole story. Playing as a freshman at the major college level is very difficult for all but a chosen few (cough-Trevor Lawrence-cough), and Hollifield was asked to a play a position for which he was not suited. A natural mike, he was instead slotted as a backer, which brings with it more coverage responsibilities and more plays in space.

...