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We jump from the 2nd most complete roster chart in the books (the Offensive Line) and cross the line of scrimmage to take a look at the Defensive Line Roster. There has already been one switch between the linebacker corps and the defensive line. Jaylen Griffin is reportedly moving into a Tackle position to provide some depth.
Virginia Tech Hokies 2019 Defensive Line Roster
| Number | Name | Position | Height | Weight | Class | Hometown | High School | Previous School |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | Name | Position | Height | Weight | Class | Hometown | High School | Previous School |
| 8 | Emmanuel Belmar | DL | 6-2 | 245 | R-Jr. | Suwanee, Ga. | Collins Hill | |
| 5 | Jarrod Hewitt | DL | 6-1 | 288 | R-Jr. | Venice, Fla. | Venice | |
| 36 | DaShawn Crawford | DL | 6-0 | 283 | Jr. | Bay Springs, MS | Bay Springs | Jones County Junior College |
| 92 | Jaden Cunningham | DL | 6-2 | 304 | Jr. | Lithonia, Ga. | Martin Luther King | Hutchinson Community College |
| 53 | Aiden Brown | DL | 6-2 | 288 | R-So. | Silver Spring, Md. | Bullis School | |
| 58 | Nathan Proctor | DL | 6-2 | 237 | R-So. | Indian Head, Md. | Lackey | |
| 98 | Rob Porcher | DL | 6-1 | 271 | R-So. | Orlando, Fla. | Dr. Phillips | |
| 41 | Jaylen Griffin | DL | 6-1 | 257 | R-So. | Rome, Ga. | Rome | |
| 45 | TyJuan Garbutt | DL | 6-1 | 236 | R-So. | Fredericksburg, Va. | Riverbend | |
| 13 | Zion Debose | DL | 6-1 | 247 | R-So. | Salisbury, N.C. | North Rowan | |
| 46 | Eli Adams | DL | 5-11 | 243 | R-Fr. | Rock Hill, S.C. | South Pointe | |
| 67 | Gideon Driscoll | DL | 6-5 | 282 | R-Fr. | Blacksburg, Va. | Blacksburg | |
| 90 | Jaevon Becton | DL | 6-4 | 249 | R-Fr. | Virginia Beach, Va. | Ocean Lakes | |
| 94 | Nigel Simmons | DL | 6-2 | 209 | R-Fr. | Newport News, Va. | Heritage | |
| 91 | Josh Fuga | DL | 6-2 | 311 | Fr. | Woodbridge, VA | Freedom | |
| 93 | Mario Kendricks | DL | 6-0 | 288 | Fr. | Kissimmee, FL | Osceola | |
| 99 | Maxx Philpott | DL | 6-0 | 295 | Fr. | Salem, Va. | Glenvar | |
| 96 | Norell Pollard | DL | 6-0 | 251 | Fr. | Apopka, FL | Wekiva |
On a set of really positive notes, this squad is signed on, all in, and has a broad range of experience. Most of them played a serious number of snaps last season. Even though there were some degrees of unease, new positions, or simply players who needed another season before they played significant opponents, the defensive line kept working hard during the season. The losses for 2018 were just too many and too critical to not have a negative effect on the entire unit.
All of that is behind them. Several players have stepped it up and even though they aren’t seniors. Jarrod Hewitt and Emmanuel Belmar are “academic seniors” but are currently on the roster as redshirt Juniors. That means there are exactly ZERO seniors of any type on the D-Line for the 2019 season.
That might seem like a tricky thing, but there is little doubt that there was some serious experience gotten and spread through the ranks for 2018. That is going to boost 2019’s prospects.
The probable starters for the two deep (we are going to just stick with starters and not mess with designating Tackle or Defensive End for this one) looks like it is going to be:
- Jarrod Hewitt (okay I’ll commit that Hewitt is a Tackle)
- Jaden Cunningham
- Nathan Proctor
- Rob Porcher
- TyJuan Garbutt
- Zion Debose
There, also, will be much expected from junior transfers DaShawn Crawford and Jaden Cunningham. They have JUCO experience and are better sized Tackles than we usually see. Their workouts this Fall will be critical.
They’ll be swapped in and out, but an injury or issue that removes any of them from the mix is going to be a serious problem. Out of every unit on the 2019 Hokie football team, this one is the one that makes most of us nervous. The Linebackers are going to need to be active and the pass rush will probably be an issue. There is just to little beef in the burger.
The upside of the roster is that the anticipated starters all have heavy critical game experience. We are going to be keeping a close eye on developments. How this line solidifies is going to determine how good the Hokie Defense is this season (IMHO, anyway).