Potential Loss of C.J. Reavis Could Hurt Virginia Tech Defense

The Virginia Tech Hokies‘ defense has been the strength of the team year in and year out, often getting hamstrung by an impotent offensive attack. This season, the Hokies are projected to have one of the best defenses in the country once again but could suffer a hiccup in that plan with the news the projected starting safety C.J. Reavis is no longer enrolled at the university.

According to the Roanoke Times, Reavis’ enrollment status changed “after the result of a student conduct hearing” on Thursday. The sophomore defensive back’s attorney, Jimmy Turk, said that they would be appealing the result of that hearing which could take seven to ten days to complete. While that appeal is ongoing, the athletic department declined to comment on the situation.

If the ruling is upheld in appeal, Virginia Tech will have to work on replacing Reavis, who figured to be a featured member of the Hokie defense this fall. As a freshman, Reavis played in all 12 games, primarily on special teams, and tallied eight tackles, half a sack, a forced fumble, and a blocked kick. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound former four-star recruit practiced with the first team defense throughout spring practice as the team looked to replace safeties Kyshoen Jarrett and Detrick Bonner. Reavis looked impressive with the starting defense, recording nine tackles in the spring game.

The cupboard is far from bare in Blacksburg and Virginia Tech will have other options to consider at safety for next season but C.J. Reavis appeared ready to step up and contribute in a major way in 2015. Will his departure derail a stout defensive group for the Hokies?

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