Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry and his program are in a tough spot with Pitt on Saturday. (Ivan Morozov)[/caption]
Ahead of its game at Pitt on Saturday afternoon (3:30 p.m., ACC Network), Virginia Tech released its updated depth chart
Here are the depth chart changes, along with quotes from head coach Brent Pry's weekly press conference, and notes on redshirting and the need for explosive plays.
Updated Depth Chart Notes
Freshman tight end Dae'Quan Wright, who led the Hokies with four receptions for 31 yards at North Carolina on Saturday, is into the depth chart for the first time. He's the fourth player at his position behind Nick Gallo, Drake De Iuliis and Connor Blumrick, but he's shown potential.
At wide receiver, Jaylen Jones slid into the No. 2 role behind Jadan Blue. The sophomore from Richmond has three catches for 37 yards this season and had two receptions against the Tar Heels.
"We thought he did pretty good [against UNC]," Pry said of Jones on Tuesday. "He did some good things in the game. He’s one of those guys just on that second tier that kind of teases you, shows you some things. Him and Christian [Moss] and [Stephen] Gosnell, these guys that just got to keep coming. He’s certainly one of them."
Jaden Keller is back to the No. 1 option at Will linebacker. He shares an "OR" with Jayden McDonald, but Keli Lawson was relegated to the third spot.
Mansoor Delane, another true freshman, is listed as a backup at cornerback. He saw his first collegiate action at UNC and had three tackles, including two on back-to-back plays.
Redshirt freshman Nyke Johnson is on the depth chart at safety. He's played in all five games in 2022 and recorded his first tackle of the year at UNC.
Too Early To Tell For Malachi Thomas, Dorian Strong
For the first time all season, Malachi Thomas is on the depth chart at running back. He's the fourth player listed there behind Keshawn King, Jalen Holston and Chance Black. He traveled and dressed for the game in Chapel Hill this past weekend, though he did not play.
His situation is slowly progressing and will be evaluated later in the week. As the depth chart indicated, he has the potential to make an appearance for the Hokies soon.
Cornerback Dorian Strong is in a similar situation. While he's listed as the No. 1 cornerback, he's dealing with a hand injury he suffered against West Virginia, and he did not play against North Carolina. Pry said it's too early to tell if Thomas or Strong will see the field in Pittsburgh.
"I’ve really got to see them Tuesday and Wednesday and feel better about it," Pry said. "I think everybody’s got a chance right now. I think Malachi, probably just from a spirit and a demeanor standpoint, has really kind of crossed the threshold, and I think he’s anxious and eager and feels pretty confident."
Stephen Gosnell Update
Though wide receiver Stephen Gosnell is listed as a backup on the depth chart, it's unlikely he'll play this week. He suffered a head injury against North Carolina with six minutes left in the fourth quarter. Pry said he's "a long shot" for this week's game at Acrisure Stadium.
He caught an 11-yard pass from Jason Brown before being hit by two Carolina defenders, both who appeared to use their helmet. A flag was initially thrown for targeting but was overturned.
Pry said the program turned the call into the ACC officiating office and received clarification. However, the league said it would have ruled that it was not targeting, which is how it was called.
A transfer from UNC in the offseason, Gosnell has nine receptions for 124 yards this season, good for fourth on the team. Moreover, he's averaged 13.8 yards per catch in 2022, which is the second-most behind Tech receivers with multiple catches. Only captain Kaleb Smith (16 receptions, 250 yards, 15.6 avg.) is better.
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Should Virginia Tech tight end Dae'Quan Wright redshirt? (Ivan Morozov)
Always Stay Redshirting
Through five games, Virginia Tech has played a handful of true freshmen. Delane and Wright, cornerback Cam Johnson, left guard Braelin Moore, left tackle Xavier Chaplin and defensive end Kyree Moyston are six that haven't hit the redshirt limit of four games yet. How do the Hokies handle the situation going forward?
"Right now, those guys are, 'Hey, we've got to get four out of them,' and then we’ll evaluate it," Pry said. "If they’re trending enough, doing enough good things, let’s keep playing them. Braelin Moore’s in that conversation, Xavier Chaplin, Cam Johnson. ... Kyree Moyston’s a guy we’re considering."
On the other hand, defensive end Keyshawn Burgos has played in five games on special teams and cannot redshirt. Running back Bryce Duke is another player who Tech has decided to play.
He has 16 carries this year for 41 yards and caught a wheel route for a 27-yard touchdown against Wofford. He's also been a contributor on special teams and the staff thinks he has a bright future.
"Bryce Duke is a guy that is bringing value," Pry said. "He’s a guy in short-yardage, tight red zone, he’s a north-south guy that does a good job. He understands protections well, so he’s a guy that’s kind of in that Holston role a little bit and he’s bringing value on teams. Once we decide to play these guys, that responsibility on special teams is going to grow. A guy that’s only playing 10-12 plays a game potentially, let’s make sure he’s starting on two [special] teams and getting experience and bringing value that way."
For more information on Tech's true freshmen and their redshirt status, see today's TSL Pass article.