Collegiate Times

Three different quarterbacks in three years. Perhaps no other group of players on the Virginia Tech football team has had to deal with change quite as much as the wide receivers. Yet amidst the constant adjustments, they have quietly grown into one of the most mature and dangerous receiving corps in the nation.

Senior David Clowney, who led the team in receptions (34) and receiving yards (619) last season, will spearhead the experienced offensive unit and will try to help bring along the new quarterbacks.

?It?s our job as receivers to help (quarterbacks) gain their confidence. If they put a ball in the air, we have to be the ones to bring it down no matter what,? Clowney said. ?By us being named one of the top receiving corps in the country, and me knowing that we are the top receiving corps in the country, that?s a job we have to succeed in and something we have to take of as a group.?

Josh Morgan, who changed his jersey number from 17 to 2, was the team?s second leading receiver last year. He will be counted on as a valuable offensive weapon for the Hokies, looking to have more big time performances similar to his seven catches for 128 yards in the ACC Championship game against Florida State.

Justin Harper will be thrown into the mix as well after averaging 18.4 yards per catch. The junior?s size and speed will allow the Hokies to have another deep option in the passing attack.

Josh Hyman will also be an important part of the receiving scheme after averaging 15.2 yards a catch last fall, and looks to rebound strong from his shoulder surgery in the spring.

Tech fans will get to see a long-time connection reform this season as former Westfield High School teammates Sean Glennon and Eddie Royal are sure to link up on several passes. While Glennon is in his first year as the starting quarterback, Royal, a junior, is a seasoned veteran having played a significant role in the offense since arriving on campus as a freshman in 2004.

?I feel real comfortable with him at quarterback,? Royal said. ?He knows the offense and he?s confident back there, he can make every throw in the playbook, so the whole offense feels comfortable with him right now.

?You?ve got to adjust to each of their different styles,? Royal said of the constant change at the quarterback position. ?You just have to go out there and run your routes, and all of the quarterbacks we?ve had have been able to get us the ball.?

Zach Luckett, a freshman out of New Jersey could also potentially add more depth to the lineup. Coaches have not yet decided whether or not they are going to redshirt the Prepstar All American, a decision that will be made close to the season opener against Northeastern.

This talented group also faced change on the coaching staff during the off-season, as Kevin Sherman arrived from Wake Forest as the new wide receivers coach.

?It?s good to come in with a veteran group, they work hard, and they work well together,? Sherman said. ?They play at a high level, push each other all the time and I?m very pleased to work with them. I?m still trying to figure them out a little bit, and they?re trying to figure me out in our game situations, but it?s been great to come in and work with such a talented group.?