With the losses at receiver from last season, Hokies looking for Cam Phillips to step up big along with inexperienced receivers.
The talent at receiver last year for the Hokies might have come as a surprise to some but expected by others. There is no doubt though that Virginia Tech had some exceptional playmakers along the outside for Jerod Evans last year.
Now, with the loss of Isaiah Ford and Bucky Hodges, Cam Phillips now becomes the go-to guy in Blacksburg this season for this inexperienced receiving group. But there have been a few names early on that have shown flashes in the spring.
But let’s start with Phillips. The Hokies return just 43.7 percent of their receiving yards from last year and Phillips brings much of that, as he is coming off a season in which he recorded 76 receptions, 983 receiving yards, and five touchdowns. He has already notched 32 career starts as a Hokie and has a chance to become the al-time leading receiver in Blacksburg.
Having Phillips is huge, as the senior will be counted on in helping these young and inexperienced wide receivers.
“We already know what he's capable of doing on the field, but now he's become the veteran that the younger guys turn to,” Chase Parker from Collegiate Times said. “He will be the No. 1 receiver and split out wide most of the time. But the coaches have said that he's capable and experienced enough to move back and forth from inside to outside receiver.”
The inexperience though at receiver has the staff concerned but also excited on who can step up into the spotlight. Sophomore Eric Kumah will be one looked at to extend the field, freshman Phil Patterson should also get some early touches. Also look for some freshmen to get some early touches as well, as Caleb Farley was a hot name throughout the Spring Game earlier on this year.
Parker broke down more of what he has seen so far this season from these young but talented receivers.
“Inexperience at the receiver position is one of Fuente's biggest concerns this year,” Parker said. “The only two guys that are returning with any real experience are Cam Phillips and CJ Carroll (and CJ's experience isn't much).
Eric Kumah is expected to be a guy that steps up and fills the role of the down-the-field jump-ball go-getter. Phil Patterson is another guy that will get some good playing time as well. Both are taller guys so the outside is a good spot for them. As far as the slot receiver spot goes, it's sort of up in the air.
Two true freshman, Caleb Farley and Kalil Pimpleton, impressed in the spring. Caleb is a guy who was recruited as an athlete, went through most of spring camp as a defensive back, but played as a receiver in the Spring Game and had one of the best performances of the day. It's hard to imagine the coaches putting him back on the defensive side of the ball.”
With question marks at quarterback, if the Hokies can rely on Phillips to take the lead role and for their young receivers to step up and make plays for whoever is slinging them the ball, defenses will certainly have to respect more of the Hokies passing game this season and would relieve a lot of pressure for the quarterback.
