This time last year, Virginia Tech’s wide receivers still were learning the basics of their position. Now they say they’re ready to become a key part of the Hokies attack.

BLACKSBURG Speaking in a calm and steady tone, Kevin Sherman sounds like a patient man. He likes to think of himself as one, too. This season, more than any of his 13 others as a wide receivers coach, required him to draw on his patience, to understand that for every eyebrow-raising catch his players made, one of their drops might leave him shaking his head.