Adonis Alexander and Houshun Gaines Reinstated, Will Miss Season Opener Against Liberty

Virginia Tech announced Wednesday that Adonis Alexander and Houshun Gaines have been reinstated to the football program by head coach Justin Fuente. Alexander and Gaines will sit out the Hokies' season opener against Liberty on September 3, but will be available for the remainder of the season if they continue to operate under the (undisclosed) parameters Fuente has set for their full return.

Thank God for everything I have because I know exactly how it feel to have something you love taken away because I took it for granted.— 36clips (@Adoniskaaaaa) July 13, 2016

Both Alexander and Gaines had been suspended indefinitely following their April arrests for possession of marijuana.

Alexander started eight games in the Hokies' secondary as a true freshman in 2015 and was penciled in as a starting cornerback prior to his arrest. The Charlotte, North Carolina native drew rave reviews from former secondary coach Torrian Gray throughout his freshman campaign.

"All he's done is scratch the surface with his potential," said Gray following Alexander's seven tackle performance against Purdue. "He's still learning every day...As far as ability goes, and potential, he's a special guy."

Alexander switched to corner late in the 2015 season after a rash of injuries wreaked havoc on the Hokies' young secondary. There were some early blips along the way, but the freakish athleticism of Alexander was on full display in a potential game-saving play in the Hokies' twelfth-straight victory over rival Virginia.

Gaines is expected to contribute in the Hokies' two-deep at defensive end this fall, a position longtime defensive coordinator Bud Foster labeled "as green as green can be" on multiple occasions this offseason.

Gaines impressed throughout the spring and stepped into the first unit opposite of Ken Ekanem after Vinny Mihota was sidelined with a right foot injury in April. Along with fellow redshirt freshman defensive end Trevon Hill, Gaines will surely be relied upon to provide key depth this fall at a position of utmost importance to Foster's defense.

"Gaines has really done a nice job...Improving each day," remarked Wiles midway through the spring. "Are they (Hill and Gaines) ready yet? No. But those two guys have kind of emerged as the next couple of guys behind Ken and behind Vinny."

Redshirt junior Seth Dooley also figures to enter the mix at defensive end this fall, but the Salem native's health remains a question mark after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery. Mihota has been a consistently solid player for Wiles over the years, but concerns over his speed have not dissipated. The message seems clear — if Gaines can clean up his act off the field and continue to perform on it, playing time at defensive end should be ripe for the taking.

Alexander and Gaines also represented Fuente's first public discipline of players, perhaps setting a benchmark for any future transgressions. Much like his predecessor, Fuente appeared swift, albeit fair, in his punishment process. If the pair of promising defensive standouts in fact return on September 10, Foster's unit will get a welcome boost as they take on the Vols in Bristol.