Miami football best player for each 2020 ACC opponent

Virginia Tech Linebacker Rayshard Ashby

Hendon Hooker made his first start at QB for Virginia Tech against Miami in 2019. Hooker improved throughout on as the season, but the Hokies best player is linebacker Rayshard Ashby.

Ashby was the highest vote-getter at LB on the All-ACC second team in 2019. Ashby had 117 tackles, 17 TFLs, five sacks and three forced fumbles in 2019. Ashby is undersized at 5’10 and had to wait his turn to play on defense for the Hokies until his sophomore season in 2018.

Ashby had 109 tackles and 9.5 TFLs in 2018. Entering the 2020 season, Ashby will be consensus preseason All-ACC. The Hokies enter 2020 hoping to improve on a strong finish to their 8-5 2019 season.

Virginia Tech’s 42-35 victory over the Miami football team in 2019 helped turned the Hokies season around. Virginia Tech was 0-2 in the ACC and only had victories over Old Dominion who plays in Conference USA and FCS Furman. The Hokies raced to a 28-0 lead over Miami 4.5 minutes into the second quarter.

The Virginia Tech defense allowed 563 yards against the Hurricanes, but Hooker led Virginia Tech on a late game-winning TD drive. Ashby led the Hokies defense with 11 tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack in the victory. With cornerback Caleb Farley opting out for the 2020 season, Ashby will be the Hokie to gameplan for.