Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – With the season opener against Vanderbilt less than a week away, Tech football is preparing for a season filled with high expectations and limitless potential. Providing reliability to the Hokies is a special teams unit that sees much of its production return this year. With the conclusion of Fall Camp, the position preview series, presented by Farm Bureau Insurance, wraps up with a look at the special teams squad aimingto build on a successful 2023 season.
Coached by special teams coordinator Stu Holt, and assistant special teams/specialist coach, Brandon McCombs, the Tech special teams unit saw great success last year. Much of that success can be attributed to kicker John Love. The placekicker had a career year last season, drilling 22 of his 24 field goals over 13 games. His 91.7 percentage ranked sixth overall across the country, and the redshirt sophomore was one of two kickers with over 20 made field goals and an accuracy rate of over 90%. The Spartanburg, South Carolina native also nailed all 47 of his extra point attempts en route to All-ACC Honorable Mention accolades. Love was also one of thirty kickers recently recognized on the Lou Groza Award watch list, which is given to the nation’s best kicker.
Alongside Love is kickoff specialist Kyle Lowe. The Midlothian, Virginia product played in all 13 games last year, averaging 62.8 yards per kickoff with over 76 kickoffs. 54 of the redshirt junior’s kicks were touchbacks, placing him amongst the ACC’s top placekickers. Lowe’s most complete performance last season came against Syracuse where he set a season high with 585 kickoff yards and registered eight touchbacks out of nine kickoffs. Lowe could also be counted upon in long field goal situations this season.
Punting the ball for the Hokies this season will be Peter Moore who will serve as a team captain for the third straight season. Moore punted 60 times for 2,588 yards and averaged 43.1 yards per punt in 2023. Nineteen of his punts went for over 50 yards while 17 were downed inside the 20-yard line. This fall he was named to the Ray Guy watch list, which is annually given to the nation’s best punter. This is Moore’s third straight season being nominated to the list, and he was one of 34 punters nominated. Moore will receive snaps this season from returning long snapper Christian Epling, who appeared in 12 games in 2023.
The return game was good to the Hokies last season. Bhayshul Tuten returned 19 kicks for 550 yards and two touchdowns, becoming one of five FBS players to record two-plus kick return touchdowns on the year. Tuten earned All-American honors as a kick returner from Phil Steele, the Sporting News, and College Football Network.
With Tucker Holloway still recovering from an injury in the spring, the punt return duties will fall to Jaylin Lane, Ali Jennings and Takye Heath, at least early in the season. Lane returned five punts last season and has returned 43 throughout his career.
The special teams unit looks to provide anchoring stability and veteran presence this fall. With the return of Love, Lowe and Moore into the rotation, Holt is sure to have his special teams room ready for the season opener at Vanderbilt. Tickets are continuing to sell out fast, so make sure to purchase your tickets now before they run out.