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News today that redshirt-sophomore flanker Kevin Asante is no longer with the Virginia Tech football program was broken and confirmed by a Virginia Tech source at the first day of ACC Media Days (or the ACC Kickoff).
VT spokesman confirms Kevin Asante is not on the team this year. #Hokies
— Hokies Journal (@HokiesJournal) July 21, 2013
No reason was given for his departure, but the timing for this announcement is peculiar, as Asante was not listed on the media guide that was printed a little over a month ago:
Considering Kevin Asante isn't in the media guide, Virginia Tech has known for at least a month that he was off the team. #Hokies
— Mike Barber (@RTD_MikeBarber) July 21, 2013
Asante, who was second on the depth chart at flanker behind fellow redshirt sophomore Demetri Knowles, stood to gain a lot of playing time in a fairly green receiving core with the departures of seniors Marcus Davis, Corey Fuller and Dyrell Roberts, Tech's three leading receivers from a year ago respectively.
Well the Kevin Asante departure just created more questions regarding the VT receiving core.
— Mike Stancik (@SportsByMooch) July 21, 2013
Asante played in 10 games a year ago, starting 1 (Boston College) in place of Marcus Davis, who was suspended for his effort in the Florida State game when a video went viral of him missing key blocks and running routes half-heartedly. Asante caught 2 balls in 2012 for 18 yards, and also posted a 17-yard kickoff return, a tackle and a recovered fumble on special teams.
While his experience will be missed, his departure opens up the door for potential names like Joel Caleb, one of the Hokies top recruits of the 2012 class, Willie Byrn (listed as third on the spring depth chart behind Asante) and Charlie Meyer. Meyer in particular was praised by Logan Thomas at today's ACC Kickoff, seemingly suggesting that he might step into that role.
As @RTD_MikeBarber first noted, #Hokies WR Kevin Asante not listed in this season's VT media guide. Charley Meyer praise makes more sense.
— Hokies Journal (@HokiesJournal) July 21, 2013
The praise Mark Giannotto is talking about? The comments Logan Thomas made Sunday:
"He's a workhorse. He's got a passion to be better like I've really never seen. He'll definitely play this year. And he'll be huge for us. He's the one that's going to make that receiving corps go, and they follow after him because he brings it every single day."
Meyer redshirted last year, but according to comments made by coaches at the beginning of the season last year, Meyer was very close to working his way into some playing time. He has certainly made an impression.
As for Asante, we will have to wait to hear the reason why he is no longer with the team, and perhaps where he will transfer to if that is in the cards. He was the receiver at Mallard Creek High School in Charlotte, NC for North Carolina backup quarterback Marquise Williams, a former Hokie target himself, an arrangement that when Asante committed to Tech, I felt was meant to steer Marquise towards the Hokies. Asante, however, per ACC rules would not be eligible to transfer to any ACC school.
For all your Virginia Tech football news, updates and analysis as the 2013 season nears, you can count on us here at Gobbler Country.