Progrums

Hokies’ Veterans: Proof or Bust This Fall

Virginia Tech enters 2026 with over 50 newcomers, but its success will hinge on three veteran starters: safety Tyson Flowers, wide receiver Ayden Greene and defensive tackle Kemari Copeland. Flowers, a redshirt senior, led the secondary in tackles last year but must turn solid play into game-altering impact—think forced turnovers and big stops. Greene emerged as the go-to target in 2025, racking up 516 yards, but now faces tighter coverage and must prove he can thrive under a microscope. Copeland earned All-ACC honors with 7.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks, yet will see more double-teams and must maintain week-to-week disruption in both the run and pass games. For Copeland and Flowers—both draft-eligible—2026 is a last-chance showcase, while Greene has an extra year if he chooses to use it.

The Hokies’ locker room is starting to resemble a rehab clinic for washed-up prospects—all that’s missing is a neon sign flashing “Last Chance Cornhole.” Flowers must stop being everyone’s favorite placeholder and start forcing fumbles like he’s collecting rare Pokémon. Greene’s job is now less “open field burner” and more “target painted bullseye,” because nothing says trust like forcing defensive coordinators to invent a new tackle to stop you. And Copeland? He’ll have to play chess with five guys on the line every down—no pressure, champ. Good luck showing up NFL scouts when you’re busy being triple-teamed into next week’s highlights. In Blacksburg, it’s eat or be eaten—grab your playbook and your liver donor sign.