Photo Credit: Harley Taylor
Virginia Tech landed another transfer tonight as Rich kicker Zach Hoban committed to the Hokies as a preferred walk-on.
COMMITTED 🦃 #GoHokies pic.twitter.com/OPnVAcdLVO
— Zach Hoban (@zhoban16) June 6, 2020
Hoban chose the Hokies over other preferred walk-on offers from Minnesota and Rutgers along with interest from UCLA. He averaged 59.9 yards per kickoff on 34 kickoffs with 14 touchbacks this past season. Hoban will have three years of eligibility remaining after sitting out next season.
He had this to say about why he chose Virginia Tech.
"At the end of the day, VT gave me the best chance to succeed. With all their specialists going into their last year of eligibility and me being forced to sit a year, it lined up well. I’ll have 6 months to learn from guys who have had success at a high level, while getting stronger and acclimated to daily life at VT, before I have a chance to compete for a job.
"Also, I really wanted a place that truly valued football. The VT fan base is second to none, with great student and alumni support. I really loved building relationships with the coaches, especially Coach (Will) Burnham and (James) Shibest. I also love the tough, hardworking brand of football VT has shown. I am walking away from a scholarship to walk-on, in hopes of earning one at the Power 5 level. You don’t do that if you are scared to work, and I am certainly not," Hoban said.
As mentioned above, Hoban will enter an opportunity to earn both the kicker and kickoff jobs after sitting out this upcoming season with Brian Johnson and John Parker Romo both entering their senior seasons. Hoban should face some competition including from incoming walk-on kicker Kyle Lowe.
Hoban becomes the latest transfer to join the Hokies this offseason joining a group that includes Kansas RB Khalil Herbert, Youngstown State DE Justus Reed, Rutgers RB/WR Raheem Blackshear, and Kansas WR Evan Fairs.
