BLACKSBURG — Da’Quan Felton had spent his entire football career in the 757 area code before deciding after the 2022 season it might be time for a change.
As it turned out, Virginia Tech’s football program was making changes of its own and thought if Felton would consider moving across the state, it might benefit both parties. When he chose the Hokies, Felton transferred from Norfolk State and immediately became part of a drastic overhaul second-year head coach Brent Pry was overseeing with his offense.
Since the 2022 season came to an end, Pry has insisted that Virginia Tech’s offense needed a quick upgrade, which would include an infusion of experienced skill players that would be ready to go for the Hokies’ Sept. 2 season opener against Old Dominion at Lane Stadium.
Last year’s Hokies offense averaged just 314 yards per game — the lowest total since the 2008 team averaged just 303. That Virginia Tech team, however, still managed to win the ACC championship and played in the Orange Bowl.
Last year’s 3-8 Hokies needed a complete offensive overhaul.
Felton is one of four skill position players added to Virginia Tech’s offense via the transfer portal.
In the backfield, ex-North Carolina A&T running back Bhayshul Tuten has joined redshirt sophomore Malachi Thomas to bolster a running game that struggled with consistency all season.
And besides Felton, the Hokies also welcomed former Old Dominion and West Virginia receiver Ali Jennings as well as Middle Tennessee transfer Jaylin Lane.
The Hokies wanted the 6-foof-5 Felton, a Churchland High graduate who has been part of the Norfolk State football team since 2019, for his ability to fight for a football in a crowd — such as in red-zone situations. Felton, who in 2021 was Norfolk State’s top receiver in both total catches (39) and receiving yards (573), said he was intrigued by the plan that Pry and his coaching staff pitched to him.
Jonathon Gruenke/Daily Press
Norfolk State’s Da’Quan Felton, left, tries to catch a pass next to Hampton’s Byron Perkins during a 2021 game. Felton has transferred to Virginia Tech. STAFF FILE
And while he absolutely was looking for a change in atmosphere — football-wise — living in Blacksburg means more change than just a different style of offense and new teammates.
“Out here, it is different — with the mountains and everything,” Felton said Tuesday during Virginia Tech’s media day. “… But it’s good. It’s not like being in the city.”
Jennings had earned a reputation at Old Dominion as someone with great hands and speed. Jennings, who may have the highest expectations of the new receiving trio after earning all-Sun Belt Conference honors in 2022, was still healing from a hamstring injury when he arrived in Blacksburg. That problem is in his past now and he sees progress with the offense every day.
“I don’t feel there were a lot of growing pains this offseason,” Jennings said Tuesday. “We had to build chemistry with each other on the field, but off the field, everyone jelled real well, everyone enjoyed being around each other and that translated into allowing us to put in a lot of hard work on the field.”
Lane, who refers to himself as “small and shifty,” said as the summer went on and the receivers had a chance to spend time with the Hokies’ top two quarterbacks — 2022 starter Grant Wells and Baylor transfer Kyron Drones — confidence began to build and all the receivers found they enjoyed being pushed by each other to improve.
“The biggest thing us three brought in was the competition,” said Lane, who led MTSU in receptions last year with 69. “The biggest thing you want within your team is to be able to compete with each other. That’s the only way you can grow.”
Pry said on Tuesday that while there is still a lot of work ahead, he believes the offense is going in a good direction.
“We’re in a much better place currently,” he said. “There’s more guys that can make more plays at more positions. We’re not where we need to be, and we’re still young with some of those players I’m talking about, but I feel better about the opportunity to make plays. I feel better about the opportunity to be competitive with the personnel we have than last year at this time.”
Even more important, despite having so many new faces in the receiving room, the players say comradery is solid. Egos have not clashed, they say, and that has led to constant improvement.
“These are my guys,” Felton said. “Everybody in our room has a nice bond, everybody is talented. “We’re pushing each other, but in a good way. I love competition.”
