BLACKSBURG – Linebacker Jaden Keller has emerged as a key player on Virginia Tech’s defense, consistently showing his growth and development. In his third season with the Hokies, the redshirt junior has established himself as a reliable presence in the middle of Tech’s defense. Keller will be leading the charge as the Hokies prepare to take on Georgia Tech this Saturday, Oct. 26, at noon ET at Lane Stadium.
The Bristol, Tenn., native has made an impact since making his collegiate debut in Tech’s season opener in 2021 in a win over No. 10 North Carolina. As a redshirt freshman in 2022, he played in 11 games and recorded 25 tackles (13 solo) and 1.5 tackles for loss. TFL, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery. Last season, Keller played in all 13 games, totaling 23 tackles (eight solo), including two TFL games, and had a season-high five tackles in both games against Old Dominion and Purdue.
Keller is truly having a breakout season this season, recording an incredible 39 tackles, surpassing his tackle total from the previous two years. The 6-foot-3, 235-pound linebacker also had a fumble recovery against Rutgers. In his recent performance against Boston College, he had a career-high 10 tackles, further solidifying his status as a tackling machine.
Keller’s instincts were on full display at a crucial moment in that game. Early in the fourth quarter, when Boston College faced a critical fourth-and-one, he read the play perfectly, stopping a runner in the backfield, and the Hokies got the ball back. This game-changing stop completely changed the momentum as the Eagles failed to score for the remainder of the fourth quarter.
Keller established himself as a central figure in Virginia Tech’s defensive scheme with his proven ability to read plays and react quickly. He has a deeper understanding of the game and is on track to significantly improve his production compared to previous years. He not only contributes with tackles, but also influences the momentum of the game with important stops.
Don’t miss your chance to watch Keller and the Hokies take on the formidable Yellow Jackets this Saturday. The game is sold out, but fans still looking for tickets can visit SeatGeek, the official fan-to-fan ticket marketplace for the Virginia Tech Athletics.
