The Virginia Tech Hokies are replacing a lot of talent at wide receiver in 2025. Jaylin Lane, Da’Quan Felton, Stephen Gosnell and Ali Jennings are all gone. Most are in NFL training camps this summer, with Lane looking like he may lock down a potential starting role for the Washington Commanders.
Fortunately, the position isn’t barren. Thanks to the presence of wide receivers coach Fontel Mines, the Hokies have recruited the wide receiver position well in recent years. In addition to some returning
talent, led by junior Ayden Greene, the Hokies are also bringing in some impressive freshmen and key transfers.
The roster
Rotation
Greene leads the way. The junior wideout caught 19 passes for 268 with two touchdowns. He averaged over 20 yards per reception. Later in the season, he assumed a larger role and was the Hokies’ No. 1 receiver for the bowl game. Greene does everything well, including blocking, making him an integral part of the offense.
The Hokies hope Keylen Adams is ready for a larger role in 2025. The former star recruit enters his second season in Blacksburg and has massive potential. Takye Heath can fly and is best suited in the slot. One returnee to watch is 6-foot-3 Chanz Wiggins. While he’s dealing with an injury now, Wiggins took a big leap this offseason and has the size to step in and immediately replace Felton.
Tucker Holloway returns after an injury that sidelined him last season. He’s an elite punt returner, but he’s ready for a more significant role as a receiver. He’s another player who had a strong offseason.
The Hokies added three transfers: Donavon Greene (Wake Forest), Cameron Seldon (Tennessee), and Isaiah Spencer (Jackson State). All three will play, but Greene has plenty of ACC experience, catching 102 passes in four seasons for the Demon Deacons. He’ll likely be one of Virginia Tech’s starters, alongside Ayden Greene. Donavon Greene isn’t going to take the lid off the defense, but he can be an excellent safety valve for Kyron Drones, acting in the same role as Stephen Gosnell did over the last two years. Spencer has good size, but it’s unclear how much he’ll play in 2025, but he will be on the field.
Seldon is the name to watch. The Tennessee native is a former four-star recruit and chose to return home to Virginia to continue his career. Seldon is a former running back, so he’s built like and plays like one. We aren’t sure how much OC Philip Montgomery will run jet sweeps, but when he does, Seldon is the guy. Think of Seldon as a poor man’s Deebo Samuel. That’s the role we envision for him at Virginia Tech—an exciting player with plenty of untapped potential.
The Hokies added some impressive freshmen to the room: Micah Matthews, Snook Peterkin, and Cameron Sparks. We could see Matthews and Peterkin playing this season, especially Peterkin. The Winston-Salem native was Virginia Tech’s top recruit and has massive potential.
Outlook
Until we fully see what style of offense Montgomery runs, this unit is a mystery. We think we know what type of offense he will run, but he may alter that with Drones under center. The talent is there for the Hokies at receiver. What they lack in experience can be made up with speedy playmakers. Early in the season, the Greenes and Holloway are likely Tech’s top three receivers. While that’s not set in stone, those make the most sense. Ayden Greene is VT’s No. 1 guy.
Holloway can be Drones’ top deep threat. Drones can throw the deep ball, and Holloway can fly. I would expect him to have a breakout year as a receiver, while still being a top punt returner. Seldon will have a role, too. He can be a difference-maker.
At some point, Wiggins and Adams should see plenty of action, too. It wouldn’t be shocking to see one of the younger receivers take time from Donavon Greene as the season progresses.
On paper, this is a quality group, despite losing some top names. If the Hokies can remain relatively healthy at receiver, this unit could go from a question mark to a team strength.
