Hokies hope to uphold "DBU" reputation

Virginia Tech returns experienced defensive backs

Heading into the 2017 season, one of the biggest concerns for Virginia Tech is the inexperience on offense. There are young players who need to fill big roles.

"In one given play we have a redshirt freshman quarterback, a true freshman tailback, a true freshman tight end, a true freshman slot, another true freshman receiver and a redshirt freshman receiver. Those are our skill guys," said Hokies head coach Justin Fuente.

The defense returns more veterans, especially the defensive backs. Brandon Facyson, Adonis Alexander and Greg Stroman bring depth at cornerback, and with Terrell Edmunds at safety, the secondary looks to live up to its 'DBU' reputation.

"Once I started coming here, talking to coach Gray, talking to coach Bud and just seeing everybody in the atmosphere talking to some of the older guys, the DBU tradition definitely grew on me. And now I'm part of the DBU tradition and I can't let it down, I don't want to let it down. We hold ourselves to a higher standard than most colleges I'd say, and each and every day we are trying to be great," safety Terrell Edmunds said.

"That first month or two, people started talking about DBU, and the number of DB's that have gone into the NFL and are still playing in the NFL and that's remarkable. Coach Foster has done a tremendous job of fostering and creating that DBU here at Virginia Tech and its impressive, there's no other school like it," added cornerbacks coach Brian Mitchell.

The secondary will be put to the test early, facing Will Grier and the West Viginia receivers September 3.