Virginia Tech Football: Holiday Wish List for the Hokies

It's the most wonderful time of the year, and for the Virginia Tech Hokies, things couldn't be any better.

There are plenty of reasons to be optimistic if you're a Virginia Tech fan these days. The Hokies are going to a bowl for the 23rd consecutive season and just hired, arguably, the hottest coach in this frenzied coaching market.

Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports gave the Hokies an A-plus for their hiring of Justin Fuente to replace the retiring Frank Beamer. 

Dan Wolken of USA Today also gave Virginia Tech an A-plus for its selection of Fuente. Tech's ability to retain longtime defensive coordinator Bud Foster was extremely smart, Wolken noted: "The possibility of Fuente's offense producing like it did at Memphis, which won 19 games the last two seasons, combined with Foster's defense is a scary thought for the rest of the ACC."

How does a dynamic, new-age offense sound, Hokies fans? 

Replacing Beamer will be tough. He built the program from the ground up and did the unthinkable by making Tech relevant on the national level, even playing for a national title. 

So, while things are great in Blacksburg this Christmas season, they could be even better if three of the Hokies' holiday wishes are granted. 

A Bowl Win for Frank Beamer

This weekend represents the official end of what is one of the more storied careers in college football history, as Beamer retires after 29 years in charge of his alma mater.

Overall, he was a head coach for 35 seasons, including six years at Murray State. He compiled a record of 277-143-4 and leaves as one of college football's all-time winningest coaches. In this age of instant gratification, how likely is it that another coach stays in one place for 29 years?

What better way for the Hokies to honor their legendary leader by sending him out a winner?

Tech stands a good chance of defeating Tulsa—its opponent in the Independence Bowl on Saturday—as it is presently a 14-point favorite, according to Odds Shark.

It won't be easy, though, as the Golden Hurricane are one of the more explosive teams in the FBS, ranking No. 14 in total offense and averaging more than 500 yards per game.

Beamer will need another great effort by Foster and his group. 

Bucky Hodges to Bypass the NFL Draft

Cornerback Kendall Fuller is gone. Last week, he made it official, bypassing his final season of eligibility to join his brothers in the NFL.

Now, the Hokies have one more important NFL decision: tight end Bucky Hodges.

Hodges will reportedly submit his paperwork to the NFL Draft Advisory Committee after Tech's bowl game. At that point Hodges will get information about where NFL teams see him and how high he could be picked in the 2016 NFL draft. 

For his part, Fuente is trying to convince Hodges to stick around for another season. A redshirt sophomore, Hodges has two years of eligibility remaining.

Why is Hodges so important to the new regime?

In two seasons, he has caught 81 passes and 13 touchdowns. That's impressive numbers for a tight end, specifically in Virginia Tech's traditionally inferior offense.

At 6'7", 241 pounds, Hodges has remarkable size. In addition to his basketball-player frame, he also runs a wide receiver-like 4.46 40-yard dash. 

Another season in Fuente's aggressive, uptempo offense could do wonders for Hodges. With most of Tech's top skill-position players returning next fall, the Hokies have a chance at becoming a potent offense much sooner than expected.

Keeping Hodges for one more season would go a long way toward making that happen. 

Strong Finish in Recruiting

Any time there's a coaching change, it can hurt a team's recruiting efforts, at least initially. It's generally tough for a new coach to put together a strong class in such short order. 

But, according to Andy Bitter of the Roanoke Times, Fuente has hit the ground running on the recruiting trail. Because of the current dead period in recruiting, he wanted to spend as much time as he could on the road before recruiting resumes in January. 

It's paid dividends too.

Wide receiver Phillip Patterson, a formers Hokies commit who backed off his pledge after Beamer's retirement announcement, quickly recommitted to Virginia Tech once he spoke with Fuente, per Evan Watkins of 247Sports. 

The good news didn't stop there. 

Junior college quarterback Jerod Evans signed with the Hokies and will enroll in January. He was one of the top JUCO players available and will immediately factor into the quarterback competition in spring practice.

Another JUCO, offensive tackle Demetri Moore, also chose the Hokies. The 6'6", 285-pounder picked Tech over schools such as Auburn, Georgia and Ole Miss.

While a lot of work remains to be done, Fuente has gotten off to a strong start with his first recruiting class. The Hokies have lost only two previous commits since Beamer's announcement. 

Virginia Tech has its work cut out for it, as the Hokies rank No. 37 in 247Sports' team rankings. Official visits will pick back up in January, and the Hokies hope that leads to a few more surprise commitments just before national signing day in February.