Fall camp is always a critical time for players looking to establish themselves, but that's especially true for a Virginia Tech team entering a new era under head coach James Franklin.

With the season opener against VMI now less than two weeks away, several players have used the first couple of weeks of camp to make a stronger case for themselves. Some entered camp as fringe candidates for starting jobs, while others needed to prove they could compete with more established players. Here are four Virginia Tech players who, in my eyes, have done the most to improve their chances of starting.

No. 1: WR Marlion Jackson

Jackson figured to be the next-most experienced of Virginia Tech's wideouts beyond Ayden Greene (516 yards, three TDs at Virginia Tech in 2025) and Que'Sean Brown (846 yards, five TDs at Duke in 2025), but fall camp has done well to solidify his spot as one of the leaders for the third wide receiver spot.

With Greene and Brown appearing to have the strongest claims to starting roles, the biggest question in the receiver room is who will join them.

Jackson, a redshirt senior who compiled 753 receiving yards over his three years at Louisiana Tech, brings considerably more experience than some of the other candidates competing for the job, and his continued presence among the top group of receivers has made him a logical candidate for significant playing time.

There's still plenty of competition at wideout, but Jackson appears to have separated himself from the pack enough to be firmly in the conversation for a starting role.

No. 2: WR Tyseer Denmark

Denmark hauled in four catches for 39 receiving yards during Virginia Tech's spring game on April 18.

His spring performance was only the beginning, however, as the Penn State transfer has continued to make his case during fall camp, showcasing his strengths as a slot receiver.

Denmark didn't put up big numbers during his time in Happy Valley — he compiled only 45 receiving yards over two seasons in Penn State — but he arrived in Blacksburg with plenty of pedigree. He was a highly regarded recruit coming out of Imhotep Charter in Philadelphia and now has an opportunity to carve out a much larger role with the Hokies.

The wide receiver room is crowded, but Denmark's combination of athleticism and familiarity with Franklin's system makes him an intriguing candidate.

No. 3: OL Justin Terry

Terry already projected to be a factor in the two-deep, but fall camp has reinforced his status as one to watch.

During the first media-open fall practice, he was working with the ones at left tackle, and he brings a unique blend of size, speed and physicality at 6-foot-5, 331 pounds.

That first-team opportunity is particularly notable because Terry is competing with Oklahoma transfer Logan Howland for the starting tackle job. Howland has considerably more starting experience, but Terry has the advantage of already receiving first-team opportunities early in camp. Howland started six contests at Oklahoma at left tackle in 2024, including each of thre final five games of the season.

Terry, the Ohio State transfer, appeared in six games last season and played 129 total snaps, including 57 on offense. If he can continue holding onto those first-team reps, he has a legitimate chance to be the player protecting Ethan Grunkemeyer's blind side when Virginia Tech opens the season against VMI.

No. 4: WR Luke Stuewe

The redshirt freshman didn't play a single snap during the 2025 season, so he entered fall camp without any collegiate production to his name. That didn't stop him from making an impression.

During the first media-viewed practice, Stuewe made several notable plays, including a dig route in which he beat Joshua Clarke.

Virginia Tech's receiver room is arguably its most crowded position group, with Greene, Brown, Jackson, Denmark, Stuewe, Takye Heath, Keylen "Brodie" Adams and Chanz Wiggins all among those competing for opportunities.

Stuewe has gone from a player who wasn't expected to be a major factor to someone who seems likely to push his way into the two-deep in my eyes.

Virginia Tech's 2026 season starts on Saturday, Sept. 5, when the Hokies host VMI at Lane Stadium. The meeting will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET, with viewing available on the ACC Network.