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Notre Dame football at Virginia Tech: 3 Hokies who must be stopped

By Toby Brown

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - NOVEMBER 29: Head coach Justin Fuente of the Virginia Tech Hokies watches his team warm up before the start of a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium on November 29, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - NOVEMBER 29: Head coach Justin Fuente of the Virginia Tech Hokies watches his team warm up before the start of a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium on November 29, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /
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Oct 10, 2020; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Javonte Williams (25) with the ball as Virginia Tech Hokies defensive backs Nadir Thompson (12) and J.R. Walker (19) and linebacker Rayshard Ashby (23) and defensive lineman Norell Pollard (96) and defensive back Jermaine Waller (28) defends in the third quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2020; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Javonte Williams (25) with the ball as Virginia Tech Hokies defensive backs Nadir Thompson (12) and J.R. Walker (19) and linebacker Rayshard Ashby (23) and defensive lineman Norell Pollard (96) and defensive back Jermaine Waller (28) defends in the third quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Notre Dame football at Virginia Tech: 3 Hokies who must be stopped

Jermaine Walker, Cornerback

Lastly, what I believe to be the Hokies’ best player on the defensive side of the ball will be the one guy the Irish will have to not allow to make a difference in this game. Jermaine Waller leads the Hokies in Interceptions with three in only four games.

He already has 21 tackles as a cornerback to add to his resume as well. He is the main outside cornerback for this defense and will be matched up with some of our best wide receivers.

Where he has great ball skills and the ability to play in a zone or man scheme, he is a little undersized for his position. He weighs in at about 180 lbs causing him to struggle against some of the bigger wide receivers he has faced in his career.

With that being said, he makes up for his lack of strength with how smart he is on the field. He can recognize routes and adjust accordingly leading to his three interceptions so far this year.

Notre Dame quarterbacks are going to have to respect his ball skill and ability to cover to make sure we do not give up any untimely interceptions like we did last week against Cincinnati. I don’t think it is a great idea to try and challenge Waller too much this game and allow whoever he is not covering to make plays.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I believe these three Hokies will be the key if Virginia Tech wants to come out victorious. However, I do believe all three players have very noticeable flaws that can be used to the Irish’s advantage.  As long as the Irish limit the big plays from Burmeister and keep Waller from getting takeaways, Notre Dame football should not have problems with the rest of this Hokies Roster.

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