The Hokies Seek to Replace Two Long-Term Starters in the Secondary

Editor's Note: Will Grooms is a sophomore business student at Virginia Tech. He's previously been the sports editor for its student-run newspaper, Collegiate Times, and a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Will's a native of Northern Virginia. He's going to be working the Virginia Tech football beat for TKP this spring and fall. He'll attend most if not all media events, games, open practices and report on them. --Joe

Production from the secondary has been a premium for the Virginia Tech football team for the better part of the Bud Foster era.

A unit fondly coined "DBU" has produced more professionals than any other position group over the past 20 years. Since 1995, 19 Hokie defensive backs have been chosen in the NFL draft — three of whom have been selected to at least one Pro Bowl and two of whom have won Super Bowls.

2015, however, will be the first time over the span that the Hokies will be tasked with replacing two potentially NFL-bound safeties, if both Kyshoen Jarrett and Detrick Bonner were to be drafted.

According to cbssports.com, Jarrett is currently the 10th-ranked strong safety and Bonner is the 10th-ranked free safety. Both are projected seventh-round picks.

The longtime duo combined to appear on 5,406 defensive plays over the past four seasons and highlighted a 2014 secondary that was forced to compensate for the loss of 2013 freshman All-American Brandon Facyson.

Jarrett and Bonner made their respective cases for NFL draft selection, both recording career-bests for total tackles, tackles for loss and sacks during their senior seasons.

Though the 2014 defense bent more often than it broke, Tech often felt the pangs of its inexperience. Through all the turnover and turmoil — a defense that lost one of its best cover guys in Facyson and arguably its best run stopper in Luther Maddy — Jarrett and Bonner were the constants.

The seniors' longevity and unprecedented personal production helped boost a unit, that could've been written off, to a 21st-ranked total defense — one that allowed just 343 total yards per game.

The issue going forward will be the undertaking of replacing the Hokies' 2014 interception leader in Jarrett and filling a vacant free safety spot that was occupied by Bonner for 40 consecutive games — the eighth-longest streak for consecutive games started by a player under Frank Beamer.

Excelling last spring, Desmond Frye figured to be a player that would appear in spots for Jarrett and receive an increased role after appearing on 30 defensive plays in 2013.

The Thomas Dale High School product, however, was stymied by injury early on.

Recently granted a medical hardship waiver after 11 missed games following left shoulder surgery, Frye will have to compete with younger players that have gained ground at rover and free safety.

The most experienced returning defensive back is Chuck Clark.

Clark started 11 games in 2014 and saw an increased role following Facyson's injury. The rising junior fits in well at rover due to his familiarity with the system. Twice recording a team-high in tackles in 2014, Clark's a player whose physical nature will only be enhanced by making the full-time switch to rover.

Der'Woun Greene is another player that figures to be in the mix at rover to replace the departing Jarrett.

The rising redshirt junior had little to boast, other than appearing on special teams and occasionally shuffling in on defense, until the Military Bowl.

Greene saw his first action as a kick returner in the Hokies' season finale, setting up two scoring drives on two returns that totaled 73 yards — one of which, a 46-yard return — set up a 49-yard Joey Slye field goal that gave Tech the lead as the first half expired.

The Portsmouth, Virginia, native will be a fourth-year player — one who appeared on 27 defensive plays in 2014 and made one start in Jarrett's stead.

Anthony Shegog is someone who continues to improve and graduated as far as to making his first career start in the Military Bowl after missing action early in the season with a thumb injury. The North Stafford high school product appeared on 16 plays defensively in 2014.

Additionally, after two years, joining the fold will be Holland Fisher — a four-star product of the 2013 class who redshirted during the 2014 season after spending the 2013 season at Fork Union.

Ranked as the No. 1 prep player in the country by 247Sports, Fisher likely fits in best at rover — though he could compete for the free safety spot, with other returning players.

C.J. Reavis finished the 2014 season as Tech's two-deep at free safety — behind Bonner. The first-year Chester, Virginia, native was able to bubble up amid injuries and solid special teams play. Reavis logged extensive duty on special teams, appearing on 105 plays, and appeared residually on defense.

Reavis recorded a season-high three tackles in the Hokies' finale against Cincinnati.

The youngster should figure to be in the mix with a recovering Frye.

Three-star, class-of-2015 signee Jahque Alleyne highlights a Tech DB class that includes a trio of three-star cornerbacks.

The safety who helped lead Ocean Lakes High School to its first 6A Virginia State Championship win in 2014 will, at worst, provide depth to a secondary that was riddled with injuries in 2014.

The leadership and experience factor that Jarrett and Bonner brought isn't something that can be easily replaced. Whoever is given the reins to DBU will be forced to grow up quickly.