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Position: CB
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 180
Hometown: Richmond, Va
High School: Henrico HS
Year: RS Junior
Twitter: @Hoskey22
Hoskey had given a verbal commitment to play football and run track at Richmond but was just shy of of the ACT requirement to enroll, so he couldn't sign his LOI. As a result of that, he was still uncommitted when he scored a higher mark in March of his senior year. Upon receiving that higher score, Virginia offered him an offer for their track team. He accepted right away.
He had been recruited at Richmond by Mike London, and when London moved on to Charlottesville, he offered Hoskey a chance to play football for the Hoos as well. Hoskey is now a CB for the Hoos football team and a sprinter/hurdler for the Hoos track team.
As you'd expect from a track athlete, Hoskey is fast. Seriously fast. He's run a 4.3 40. He's run the 5th fastest time in school history at the 60m hurdles. He might be the fastest player on the football team. That speed is his game. He's not a big guy, although he's worked hard in the weight room to put on 20 pounds of muscle since he arrived. He's also quick, which is almost as important for a CB as straight line speed is. The quickness is what helps him stay with a receiver in and out of cuts, and the straight line speed is what helps him recover if he loses a step.
Hoskey played in every game last year, starting 10 times, and finished with 36 tackles, 5 passes defended and 1 forced fumble. This comes after playing in every game in 2011, and finishing with just 4 tackles and 1 pass defended. Much of his work in 2011 came on special teams, although he did see some time in dime packages.
This year, Hoskey is expected to start at one CB spot. He's really fighting with sophomore Maurice Canady for that starting role opposite preseason All-ACC nominee Demetrious Nicholson. Hoskey's problem is that he's too similar to Nicholson, but not as skilled. Canady provides a completely different look, because of his size and strength advantage. Most likely, the starter will be determined by the matchups. Teams with a bigger WR will see more of Canady (and true freshman Tim Harris) whereas teams with quicker WRs will see more of Hoskey.
When we go to a nickel package, Hoskey will slide inside and cover the slot WR. He's a better matchup against most slot WRs, as they tend to be smaller and quicker. Due to his speed, Hoskey will also continue to be a factor on some special teams units.