Cornerback is the best position group on the Hokies roster. Virginia Tech’s top two cornerbacks, Mansoor Delane and Dorian Strong, are among the top cornerbacks in the ACC. In the recently released EA Sports College Football 25, Dorian Strong was ranked the 75th best player in the country and was also the 9th highest rated cornerback in the game. Strong is also what most national analysts would describe as a “star” player for Virginia Tech and has the potential to become a true star in the NFL.
One of the reasons for Virginia Tech’s success on defense was the excellent lockdown coverage by the Hokie cornerbacks. Virginia Tech never allowed more than 250 passing yards last season and held two teams to under 100 passing yards. Dorian Strong in particular had really great coverage numbers and held the Virginia Tech defense together.
Mansoor Delane, who will play opposite Dorian Strong, is another intriguing name in this secondary. Mansoor had a great freshman year at Tech, leading the team in pass breakups (8) and an interception while being named a 247Sports True Freshman All-American. Delane became a full-time starter as a sophomore in 2023 and showed true potential as the No. 1 cornerback on the depth chart in the future. I think the combination of him and Dorian Strong will be huge in 2024.
Braylon Johnson is a cornerback who will be playing for the first time in 2023 and played in all 13 games last season. With the departure of Derrick Cantine, Johnson will likely see a significant increase in playing time and potentially even his first collegiate start. Johnson was very solid in coverage last year, finishing the season with seven tackles.
Dante Lovett is also expected to see a significant increase in playing time and is best suited to the nickel role vacated by Derrick Cantine. Lovett had three passes defended and three pass deflections. Lovett also recorded a fumble recovery last season as a freshman.
This cornerback corps is young, with Dorian Strong being the only senior or freshman at the position, and most of the roster being sophomores and freshmen.
One freshman who could potentially play is Jonathan Pennis, who is yet to play his first game after redshirting last season.
According to his Virginia Tech Athletics biography:
“High school career: A four-year letterman under coach Doug Smith at Appomattox County High School in Virginia…Served as team captain his sophomore, junior and senior years…Helped the Raiders win back-to-back state titles as a freshman (13-2) and sophomore (10-0)…Voiced team MVP each of the past three seasons…Winner of Dogwood District Offensive Player of the Year as a senior…Earned All-Region 2C honors four times as a defensive back, an All-Region selection three times as a running back and an All-Purpose Player as a senior…Earned All-State honors three times as a running back, two times as a defensive back and an All-Purpose Player as a senior…Rushed for 1,210 yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior…Had 18 receptions for 335 yards and three touchdowns as a senior…Rated as a three-star recruit by 247 Sports, ESPN, On3 and Rivals…No. 102 cornerback in Virginia by 247 Sports #100 in recruiting and #34 in recruiting…#111 cornerback in Virginia by ESPN and #38 in recruiting…#149 cornerback in Virginia by On3 and #41 in prospecting…#36 in Virginia by Rivals…Letterman in basketball and track and field.”
Penix originally came to Blacksburg as an athlete and someone who could likely play on the offensive side of the ball, but he has been training as a cornerback under head coach Brent Pry and will likely play there for the first time this year.
Among the freshmen who will make an immediate impact in their first year is cornerback Joshua Clark. Clark received 37 offers during his high school career but ultimately chose Virginia Tech. Clark was rated the 14th best player in the state of Virginia by 247Sports. Clark recorded five interceptions as a senior in high school, good enough to receive All-State honors. Clark has quickly surpassed other young players and is showing enough potential to make a difference in the long term.
The reason for the young, inexperienced core at cornerback is the players Virginia Tech lost to the transfer portal this offseason: redshirt senior Derrick Cantine transferred to Cincinnati and Antonio Cotman Jr. transferred to Charlotte. Cotman, a versatile cornerback/safety/linebacker, played in just three games last season before transferring, and Cantine left after just three games but made a huge impact on the team.
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Overall, cornerback is the Hokies’ strongest position and likely their youngest. The main story to watch is how Dorian Strong’s play will affect his draft rating. He’s currently projected as a fifth-rounder but could be ranked higher. It will be interesting to see what the depth at cornerback looks like, and hopefully Strong and Delane will have breakout appearances in 2024.
