BLACKSBURG — Virginia Tech didn’t need many breakout performances last season with most of its production back on the roster. The sheer number of players back in key roles didn’t provide many opportunities for others to stand out and eventually step into bigger roles.
The Hokies lost a significant chunk of production from last season’s six-win team. Several key players are fighting to make NFL rosters. Some elected to transfer for other opportunities.
It opened the door for competition at nearly every position throughout the spring and training camp. Could a player who has been on the verge over the last couple of seasons take over a starting role? Is there a transfer who didn’t receive much fanfare in the offseason ready to blossom?
Here are five Hokies who are positioned for breakout roles heading into Sunday’s season opener against No. 13 South Carolina:
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Ayden Greene, WR
Greene spent the preparation in the lead-up to the Duke’s Mayo Bowl getting ready for this very opportunity. He was 19 years old at the time and many of the other wide receivers on the roster were already looking at Greene as a leader.
He turned 20 less than two weeks after the bowl game and still holds the same position in the room, even with the receiving corps getting older through the additions of transfers Donavon Greene, Isaiah Spencer and Cam Seldon.
“He’s done a really good job of attacking that role, embracing that role vocally on and off the field,” wide receivers coach Fontel Mines said. “And Donavon as well. That’s ‘Unc’ as they call him. That’s our wily vet, man, and just teaching these guys the small things, how to watch tape. Some of these young guys really don’t understand. You tell them to do extra and watch film, but they need education on how to do it as well.”
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Wide receiver Ayden Greene (left) was presented with Virginia Tech’s spring offensive MVP by Brent Pry during halftime of the spring game on April 12 in Blacksburg. Matt Gentry, The Roanoke Times
The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Ayden Greene first showed his potential at outside receiver with a highlight-reel catch in the rain against Tulane in the 2023 Military Bowl. It was his fifth and final catch of the season.
He found his way into the rotation on a more frequent basis last season and had 268 yards and two touchdowns on 19 receptions. His experience through two seasons — combined with the graduations of Jaylin Lane, Stephen Gosnell, Da’Quan Felton and Ali Jennings — put him into a leadership role that he still maintains entering the season.
Dante Lovett, CB
Lovett, like Greene, is a junior who bided his time over the last two seasons behind veterans Dorian Strong and Mansoor Delane.
Lovett was on the two-deep depth chart for most every week throughout the two seasons as Delane’s backup at boundary corner, and he played for a series or two every week.
Strong is with the Buffalo Bills. Delane transferred to LSU. Neither played in the bowl game.
That one game was enough of an audition for Lovett to prove he’s ready to be a starter.
“Definitely the same mentality and definitely the same mindset going in there,” Lovett said. “Just be aggressive and win your one-on-ones. That’s really what it is.”
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Virginia Tech cornerback Dante Lovett speaks during the team’s media day on Aug. 6 in Blacksburg. HEATHER ROUSSEAU, The Roanoke Times
He played 29 snaps in coverage against Minnesota, recorded his first career interception and posted a coverage grade of 73.7, according to Pro Football Focus.
The 6-foot, 200-pound Lovett will be tested immediately against South Carolina wide receivers Nyck Harbor and Mazeo Bennett Jr.
Marcellous Hawkins, RB
Virginia Tech brought in three transfer running backs with the hopes of all three collectively replacing the production of Bhayshul Tuten.
Bowling Green’s Terion Stewart received plenty of fanfare with his tackle-breaking ability. Coastal Carolina’s Braydon Bennett brought pass-catching tools to the backfield.
There wasn’t much known for Hawkins from Division II Central Missouri. He was hurt in both the 2022 and ’24 seasons and put up gaudy numbers in ’23.
There’s no way he would be the one to emerge for the starting role, right?
“I think he looks like he gained a step. He’s got a pretty good, well-rounded skill set,” Hokies coach Brent Pry said. “He can run, he can run tough, he can run fast. Pass pro pretty good. I think he’s leaning up, he’s healthier, he feels pretty good. One of his best qualities is he’s just a high-energy guy. He brings it every day. Very positive. Whether it’s on special teams or offense, he just brings a great attitude.”
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Virginia Tech running back Marcellous Hawkins speaks during the team’s media day on Aug. 6 in Blacksburg. HEATHER ROUSSEAU, The Roanoke Times
Pry has raved about the 5-foot-11, 219-pound Hawkins throughout training camp. When he wasn’t hurt at the Division II program, Hawkins shined.
He rushed for 1,053 yards and 18 touchdowns on 157 carries in 2023. Those numbers certainly look better than the 259 yards and four touchdowns on 49 carries he had combined in 2022 and ’24 when he appeared in a total of five games.
Kemari Copeland, DT
Copeland is a weight room freak. Even former NFL great J.J. Watt noticed Copeland’s squatting prowess last summer.
But that’s not what Copeland wants to be remembered for this season. A triceps injury forced Copeland to miss the final nine games of last season, and he’s back and in the starting lineup with an opportunity to solidify the inside of Tech’s defensive line.
“He does everything you ask him. He’s a worker, man. He gives you everything he’s got every single day,” defensive line coach J.C. Price said. “He shows up early, he stays late. He’s doing everything that a guy that is in his position needs to play. His preparation is as good as anybody that I’ve been around at this point.”
Copeland, 'a 280-pound ball of muscle,' thriving at defensive tackle for the Hokies
The 6-foot-3, 283-pound Copeland was finally getting traction in the rotation when he suffered the injury against Rutgers last season. He had six tackles (two solo) prior to the injury.
His role was going to increase with All-American Aeneas Peebles graduating and two other seniors (Josh Fuga and Wilfried Pene) graduating.
Montavious Cunningham, RG
Cunningham was expected to push for a starting role in 2024 after joining the Hokies from Georgia State. However, that never materialized, and he only played 25 offensive snaps.
A new position coach can change everything.
Cunningham moved into the starting lineup at right guard early in the spring under Matt Moore’s watch, and the redshirt senior is projected to start in between West Virginia transfers Tomas Rimac (right tackle) and Kyle Altuner (center).
“He’s got traits of a 3-technique of a tackle. He’s twitchy, he’s got agility, he’s sudden at times. That’s what we need,” Pry said of Cunningham. “If we can get him to come on and have the type of year that his potential, his athleticism says he can have, we’ve got a pretty good guard right there.”
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Right guard Montavious Cunningham is presented with the most improved offensive player in the spring by Brent Pry during halftime of the spring game on April 12 in Blacksburg. Matt Gentry, The Roanoke Times
The 6-foot-4, 318-pound Cunningham played right tackle at Georgia State in the 2023 season. He initially worked at tackle when he arrived at Tech and then moved inside to guard.
Cunningham told reporters that he sees his future playing at guard. Rimac, an All-Big 12 guard at West Virginia, has worked with Cunningham on his footwork and blocking technique at guard, which has helped accelerate Cunningham’s development at the position.
Damien Sordelett (540) 981-3124
damien.sordelett@roanoke.com
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