Veteran front expected to be key cog in defense
Football
8/18/2022 8:00:00 AM
PLAYERS TO WATCH
With the likes of TyJuan Garbutt, Norell Pollard and Josh Fugathe defensive line for Virginia Tech certainly will have a chance to be a productive unit up front.
Garbutt, a sixth-year senior out of Fredericksburg, Virginia, started 11 of his 13 appearances with the Hokies a season ago. The 6-foot-1, 255-pound lineman showed his versatility last season, making nine of those starts at defensive end and two at defensive tackle. He certainly produced, tying for second on the team with 3.5 sacks and registered 7.0 total tackles for loss, in addition to forcing two fumbles.
For Pollard, the Apopka, Florida native totaled 27.0 total tackles (nine solo) and recorded 3.0 tackles for loss. Fuga, who came into his own late during 2021, started three games but was productive during his opportunities. The Woodbridge, Virginia native registered 21 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks.
OTHERS IN THE MIX
Mario Kendricks is also poised to return to the mix after missing a good chunk of 2021 due to a shoulder injury he suffered during the Hokies’ 26-17 win at Georgia Tech. The fourth-year junior competed in eight games a year ago. Sixth-year senior Jaylen Griffin returns as well, following a season in which he quietly added 14.0 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks.
NOTES
– All five of Garbutt, Fuga, Pollard, Kendricks and Griffin have starting experience on their collegiate resumes.
– The Hokies produced 25.0 total sacks and 68.0 tackles for loss a season ago.
– Virginia Tech returns 72 percent of its sack production from 2021.
POSITION OUTLOOK
It is hard to argue that Tech’s defensive line may be one of its most experienced groups from top to bottom entering the 2022 season. With the production returning to Blacksburg this year, the Hokies have every reason to be excited about what is to come up front under the leadership of Price.