The Hokies have had a long list of talented guards to come through the program over the years. However, none made more 3-pointers and played in more games than Hunter Cattoor, who finished his college career last season and is playing professionally in France.
With the loss of Cattoor and departures of MJ Collins and Tyler Nickel, Tech’s coaching staff retooled the guard position with three newcomers to complement returner Jaydon Young.
In Tech’s offense, guards must be smart, tough, versatile, while being able to screen, cut and knock down shots. The VT coaching staff feels they have those traits in place with the guard group. Despite the void left behind by Cattoor, the Hokies are primed to pack a punch with the added versatility from Rodney Brown Jr., Tyler Johnson and Jaden Schutt.
Young has had an impressive offseason and looks positioned to take a major step forward in his sophomore campaign. He averaged 8.4 minutes in his 26 games played. The Goldsboro, N.C., native raised eyebrows at Auburn on Nov. 29 when he chalked up a season-high nine points on 3 for 4 shooting from long range. With that showing against an SEC heavyweight in one of the toughest environments in college basketball, are more breakout performances on the horizon for Young? Hokie Nation certainly hopes so.
With just over two weeks to go before tipoff, we continue our Hokies Position Previews with a closer look at the guard group.
Welcome back: Jaydon Young (6-4, 205, So.)
Hello: Rodney Brown Jr. (6-6, 185, So., transfer/Cal), Tyler Johnson (6-5, 215, Fr.), Jaden Schutt (6-5, 205, r-So., transfer/Duke)
Goodbye: Hunter Cattoor (eligibility expired), MJ Collins (transfer/Vanderbilt), Tyler Nickel (transfer/Vanderbilt)
Young: One of Tech’s five returners, Young has worked his tail off in the offseason, both in the weight room and on the court. He has gained around 10 pounds of muscle and is shooting at a high level in practice.
As one of the Hokies’ stronger perimeter threats, Young will quickly move up opponents’ scouting reports. He’s developed a quick release and has made some head-turning plays during the preseason.
Schutt: Although he has only been on campus for a few months, it does not take one long to notice Schutt is one of the more vocal leaders of this team. He brings a championship pedigree coming from Duke and is the 2022 Gatorade Player of the Year in Illinois.
He redshirted at Duke last season after left knee surgery and did not get fully cleared to practice with the Hokies until late-August of this year. Nonetheless, Schutt has progressed quickly and adds to the competitiveness within the guard unit.
The Yorkville, Ill., native has established himself as a playmaker and a great connector within Tech’s motion offense. On the defensive side, he has been equally imposing. Schutt commands a high basketball IQ and will be a crucial piece to Tech’s success this season.
Brown Jr.: A natural playmaker, Brown Jr. can score at all three levels with his athleticism. The Cal transfer played in all 32 games last season for the Golden Bears, averaging 3.5 points, 1.1 rebounds in 14.1 minutes per game off the bench as a freshman.
He shot 39.7% (23 of 58) from 3-point range and reached double-figure scoring three times in Pac-12 road games at USC (13), Arizona (12) and Washington State (12).
Johnson: Dubbed as a “hard-rocking man” by head coach Mike Young, Johnson is one of those under-the-radar recruits who Tech identified to fit nicely into its system. The early returns prove spot on.
The Orlando, Fla., native is perhaps Tech’s best rebounder and is fearless when crashing the glass. Whether it is rebounding or defending, Johnson is a ball hawk, a go-getter and a missing piece that Tech has needed in past seasons. He does a lot of winning things for the Hokies and his toughness is certainly toward the top of the list.
If season started today: Young and Schutt, with their college-level experience, are the frontrunners to earn the starting nod at the 2- and 3-guard positions. However, when Coach Young goes to the bench, do not expect a drop-off in production, both offensively and defensively. Brown Jr. and Johnson should both play prominent roles and double-digit minutes.
Speculation: Johnson’s impact may be the biggest surprise of the preseason. He’s a fierce offensive rebounder, something the Hokies have lacked in recent years. The 6-foot-5 guard has also progressed in his shooting efficiency. He has the potential to be an ACC All-Freshman team member.
Quote of Note: [Tyler Johnson’s impact] surprised me a little bit. … He really knows how to play. He’s got great hands. He’s a freshman now so there’s going to be some growing pains as we move along — there are every day — but man, he’s conscientious. It drives him crazy to make a mistake. He wants to correct it. … He’s going to be a really good player for us.” — Mike Young, Virginia Tech head coach
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