Virginia Tech's linebacker production in 2016 was much better than it was in 2015. Though the tackles for loss and sack numbers were similar, Andrew Motuapuaka and Tremaine Edmunds combined for 70 more total tackles and three more interceptions in 2016 than Motuapuaka and Deon Clarke came up with in 2015. The secondary also improved, but one of the key reasons for the overall improvement in the defense was linebacker play.