Virginia Tech has a Plethora of Tight Ends, but too few Proven Wideouts

The Virginia Tech offense should look a little bit heavier this fall. The Hokies' offensive formations and personnel packages that is.

"We got three tight ends that are really good players," Michael Brewer said at ACC Kickoff. "We feel like they can all play on the field at the same time. I think you'll see a lot of two tight end sets. And obviously you'll see some three tight end sets. You'll probably see a lot of two tight end sets, and then be able to have them flex, have them tight, basically put a lot of strain on the defense because of the multiple things they bring to the table, in the run game and the pass game."

Virginia Tech will try to leverage its favorable situation of three versatile, and proven, tight ends on the roster, and create mismatches in both the pass and run game.

"I think the real positive thing about our offense is three tight ends there, that are tough kids," Frank Beamer said at ACC Kickoff. "They'll block inside for you, then you get them out in space and they get matched up on a linebacker or a strong safety and they give you some options there. They're good in space."

Bucky Hodges is perhaps Tech's most talked about option at tight end, and for good reasons. The redshirt sophomore has a unique combination of size (6-6, 249), speed (4.46 second 40-yard dash clocked in 2014) and athleticism (38.5 inch vertical jump measured in 2014). At times last season, Hodges looked like an athlete playing tight end. Bucky transitioned from QB to TE while on the scout team in 2013. To take the next step, he'll have to become a more polished route runner.

"We spent a lot of time throwing with the receivers and the tight ends, and pretty much making the tight ends run everything that the receivers run," Brewer said. "That's not to say that they will in the fall. That's asking a lot for those big guys. But for them to just get better and learn things from Cam (Phillips) and Isaiah (Ford), the way that they run routes, has been beneficial for those guys."

According to Brewer, Hodges has been preparing for a more demanding role this season.

"He had a great spring," Brewer said. "This summer he's just been working on getting in shape because he knows he's going to get in the game a lot. He's got to be able to play as much as he can for us, because he poses such a threat on the field with his ability to split out and come in with his hand on the ground. So he's been getting in shape. He's been learning more and more about the offense. The sky's the limit for him."

Redshirt senior Ryan Malleck and redshirt sophomore Kalvin Cline round out Tech's trio of talented tight ends. Malleck earned the George Preas Award as the offense's most valuable performer of spring practice.

"What's so crazy is, we didn't show as much last year, but Malleck is a very good route running tight end as well," Brewer said. "Don't be surprised to see him more involved in the pass game this year as well. He's looked great out there."

Cline caught 26 balls for 321 yards and 2 scores his freshman year. However, his 2014 campaign was cut short because of a knee injury. According to Brewer, Cline is 100%.

"Seems like he's been hurt, healthy, hurt, healthy ever since I got here," Brewer said. "Kalvin was a guy with how much time he missed with all of his injuries, he just needed reps. That's all he needed. He got a lot of that this offseason. He's been improving each week. Every time we go out there he looks better. His hands are good. His routes are starting to get better. He's a big enough guy to where he can put his hand in the ground and block as well. I'm sure he'll fall into the mix as well."

Scot Loeffer will have the necessary tools at tight end to create a slew of favorable situations for Tech's offense.

"Having the tight ends that we do in Bucky and Ryan and Kalvin. If we can keep them healthy this year, and they can continue to improve like they have been, they're going to be a weapon for us," Brewer said. "We can use them in the run game and in the pass game. They create mismatches for people. It causes teams to play to our personnels, which is a problem for them, because our personnel, all three of those guys can get out and play receiver, especially Bucky. You're playing two tight end personnel then you put Bucky out at receiver, put him out in a route, and it's difficult for linebackers to match up with him.

However, while Tech is set across the board at tight end, the Hokies are in search of depth at wide receiver.

Willie Byrn, who hauled in 47 passes in 2014 (second most on the team), was a senior last season. Flaky-productive, Joshua Stanford left the program before last year's Military Bowl. Kendrick Holland and Carlis Parker both showed glimpses of potential, but left the program in the offseason prior to spring practice.

"It's still a project right now. We need at least two more to really step up," Brewer said.

True freshman wideouts Isaiah Ford and Cam Phillips blossomed into reliable pass catchers last season. Ford led the Hokies in receptions (56), receiving yards (709) and was second in receiving touchdowns (7). Phillips wasn't a pushover on the field either. He racked up 40 catches, 498 yards and scored 3 touchdowns.

Over the course of preseason camp in August, Tech needs to coach up the receivers underneath the duo on the depth chart to round out its two-deep.

"How well we develop the wide receiver position will be a big part of our football team," Beamer said.

Demitri Knowles, Jaylen Bradshaw and Kevin Asante among others are all in the fold.

From Brewer's perspective, he wants players that can simply execute on the field.

"(Demitri Knowles) got the most experience of those guys that are right now playing backup roles," Brewer said. "We feel like he can help us out a lot, especially (as a) down-the-field threat with his speed. He's just got to go out there and perform come camp, and I'm sure he will. We'll see how it goes."

"He (Jaylen Bradshaw) looks a lot better this summer than he did last fall," Brewer said. "I remember throwing with him this summer and kind of going, 'is that the same kid from fall?' He's gotten a lot bigger, he looks better, his routes are more crisp."

In certain situations, the Hokies will be able to cash-in on their riches at tight end to offset any insufficient depth at wideout, but it's a momentary, and not a season long cure-all.

"Looking at Bucky Hodges, Malleck and Cline, those guys give you flexibility and affect the wide receiver position a little bit," Beamer said. "When you've got guys that are tough enough to be on the inside and athletic enough to be on the outside, you've got something pretty good, that's what I like."

During spring practice, Loeffler noted that Ford and Phillips played too many snaps last season, and that may have affected their production down the stretch. Tech will need more than just a seat filler when either one is catching his breath on the sideline.

"We'll see who that is in the fall," Brewer said. "We made that a big point. So they know where we are at with that. Usually what happens, from what I've seen, is once you get into camp after that 3 weeks they'll declare who the next two guys are. It means something to them, and they have been working at it. I don't know who it will be, but we'll figure it out."