Virginia Tech football coach Justin Fuente flaunted his recruiting prowess again on Monday by landing wide receiver Damon Hazelton, a transfer from Ball State.
The 6-foot-2, 209-pound talent found success as a freshman with the Cardinals last season, hauling in 51 passes for 505 yards and four touchdowns. That's an impressive stat line from a player who was listed as just a two-star prospect coming out of high school.
NCAA rules will let Hazelton practice with the Hokies this season, but he can't play in a game until the start of the 2018 campaign. I actually think this is the ideal scenario for a transfer player, especially one trying to master Fuente's complex offense. With the departures of Isaiah Ford and Bucky Hodges, there isn't a position with more question marks in the foreseeable future than wide receiver, especially considering Cam Phillips will be long gone by the time Hazelton hits the field.
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We know the Baltimore native is a big-bodied pass catcher who has proven himself early against FBS competition, but lets dive a little deeper into his game.
One of the first things I noticed is Hazelton's ability to track the football and haul in tough catches. This touchdown grab from last season against Central Michigan is the perfect example. The cornerback isn't in great position, but his body shields the path of the ball limiting Hazelton's line of vision.There is limited space between the edge of the end zone and the sideline, yet he remains poised to pull in the tough catch.
ROSTER ALERT jQuery17206336967450413034_1495473569211??
Please join us in welcoming @dahazeltonjr to Hokie Nation!
WR Damon Hazelton info ⤵️https://t.co/xds2ACuw6m#Hokies ???? pic.twitter.com/xxQJnF5jXW
— VT Football (@VT_Football) May 22, 2017
I can't reiterate it enough. Hazelton might not be a burner or run the most crisp routes, but he is a wizard for making seemingly impossible grabs. Just watch this highlight reel from start to finish. There are very few routine catches.
The other main quality that stood out is Hazelton's ability to pick up extra yards after the catch. His frame is one of his biggest weapons and he doesn't shy away from contact. While he's not lighting quick, he has sneaky agility and has shown the ability to make defenders miss with quick cuts.
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Fuente and the Hokies coaching staff are desperately searching for a big-time play making receiver to help fill the voids left by Ford and Hodges. This kid has the potential to be really productive in Virginia Tech's pass-heavy offense and I don't think the coaching staff envisions Hazelton as a simple role player. With a full season to become an expert with the playbook, he has a chance to be the No. 1 guy heading into the 2018 campaign.
