Virginia Tech's Ja’Ricous Hairston grows role with key blocks
Virginia Tech tight end Ja'Ricous Hairston (middle) runs after making a first-quarter reception as Old Dominion linebacker Montrell Chapman (left) closes in for the tackle on Sept. 12 in Blacksburg.
Virginia Tech tight end Ja'Ricous Hairston catches a pass in the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter against Georgia Tech on Oct. 17 in Blacksburg.
Virginia Tech tight end Ja'Ricous Hairston tries to break through the tackle attempt by Old Dominion linebacker Ja'mez Drummer during the first quarter on Sept. 12 in Blacksburg.
BLACKSBURG — Virginia Tech coach James Franklin brought up Ja’Ricous Hairston’s name unprompted a couple of weeks ago as he rattled off players outside of Que’Sean Brown and Luke Reynolds who could get targets in the Hokies’ passing attack.
What was Hairston doing well that merited more looks from quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer?
The senior was doing all the things well that don’t show up on the box score. He improved his blocking in the C-gap. His route running made steady gains. And his targets resulted in catches.
There’s something about being an integral piece to a high-powered offense that makes the Bassett native realize he’s earned more targets in the regular season’s final four weeks. And, on Wednesday morning, Hairston was nominated for the Burlsworth Trophy, which is awarded annually to college football's most outstanding player who began his career as a walk-on.
“It’s very special to me,” Hairston said after practice last week. “First and foremost, it’s all glory to the man above. Without Him, I would be nothing. Just knowing that I have an impact on this team is a testimony to what God can do. Not many people believed in I could walk-on here, switch positions, become a tight end, so it’s all glory to the man above.”
Hairston began the season as the third option in the tight end rotation. His snap count has steadily increased in recent weeks as his work away from the ball has improved. Even with Reynolds receiving plenty of midseason accolades, Hairston’s steady work ethic is showing up as a key piece to the Virginia Tech offense.
Hairston has two touchdown catches on six receptions while rotating with Reynolds and Benji Gosnell as the Hokies’ primary tight ends. Freshman Pierce Petersohn has appeared in six games, but the majority of the snaps have gone to the top three on the depth chart.
“This season has been the most fun I’ve had playing football in college,” Hairston said. “Everybody’s confidence is through the roof. Everybody’s loving what we’re doing. We’re all trusting Coach and just coming to work every day. Me and some of the guys were just talking the other day how this tight end room feels closer than any other room.”
Hairston has six catches for 81 yards and two scores this season. He posted career highs of 12 catches, 112 yards and three touchdowns last season.
Last season’s strong numbers weren’t enough for Hairston. He spent the summer working with assistant wide receivers coach Cam Phillips. There were sessions that focused on route running, releases at the line of scrimmage and top of the route elements that allowed Hairston to improve in that aspect of the offense.
That work paid dividends on his two touchdown catches, especially on his route running as he emerged open for scores against Maryland and Georgia Tech.
Hairston said the Hokies (6-2, 3-2 ACC) ran the same play concept out of different formations for both of those scores.
“I was super happy for Ja’Ricous, one of my guys on the team,” Reynolds said. “Obviously, based on the play design, there’s a chance for a lot of guys to just come free based on the communication the defense has to make. You’re hoping that it’s easy and that he’s that open, but we’re obviously preparing for having to go out there and make plays.”
Hairston said his biggest growth came with his blocking in the C-gap.
“I’ve been dominant in the run game, I feel like, and I feel like I can still take another step there,” he said. “There’s many blocks that I’m not finishing. We’re getting three yards but my guy falls off and makes the tackle, so I feel like I can still take another step there. It’s all thanks to Coach (Ty) Howle, Coach (David) Rocco and Coach MTV (Matt Vergara). They’ve really helped me restore my confidence.”
Hairston delivered strong blocks last season around the goal line that allowed Kyron Drones to finish runs into the end zone. The tight end has continued that this season with key blocks for Jeffrey Overton Jr. and Marcellous Hawkins around the goal line that have resulted in touchdowns.
“The receiving, everybody gets the stats and all of those things, but we really have to take a lot of pride in controlling the C-gap, and that’s where we spend a lot of time working,” Howle said in late September. “I’m really happy with the progression the guys are making. It’s not perfect yet, but they’re taking pride in it. They’re being physical, so I want it to keep getting better and better like it has been.”
Hairston’s improvement as a blocker is a key reason why Franklin mentioned that Hairston could be in line for more targets. His touchdown catch against Georgia Tech came five days later, and his blocking is what will keep him on the field during the season’s closing stretch.
“More than anything, he’s been really coachable. He’s worked his tail off. He’s got the size requirements. Got the athleticism,” Franklin said. “Then, I think Coach Rocco and Coach Howle have done a really good job and we’ve got a history of developing and recruiting that position. The thing I’ve been pleased with him specifically, but really the group as a whole, is just how physical he’s been.
“Everybody looks at the touchdown catches and things like that or the explosive catches, but the plays that we look at that I know their defense is looking at as well is how physical he has been in the run game as well. He’s a guy, his weight fluctuates a little bit. He’s been anywhere between 255 and I think he’s been as big as 265, I think. He’s got the ability and the size to be a physical guy on some of the bigger and the more physical defensive ends that we face.
“I’m proud of him. I think he’s a perfect example. I think he came in here as a walk-on and earned it, earned a scholarship before we got here. Heard a lot of good things about him once we got here. He’s continued to build on that. It’s a good group and it’s a position we think we’ve got a decent amount of depth at.”
Damien Sordelett (540) 981-3124
Related
Virginia Tech coach James Franklin discusses how tight end Ja'Ricous Hairston has improved this season.
