# Clemson's 3 Key Players vs Virginia Tech

> Clemson must watch Jeffrey Overton, Aycen Stevens, and Que'Sean Brown in Week 8 clash.
- Title: Clemson's 3 Key Players vs Virginia Tech | Shortify
- Summary: Clemson must watch Jeffrey Overton, Aycen Stevens, and Que'Sean Brown in Week 8 clash. Clemson faces Virginia Tech's top rushing threat Jeffrey Overton…
- Keywords: clemson, virginia tech, jeffrey overton jr, aycen stevens, que'sean brown, ethan grunkemeyer, acc, week 8, football, rushing defense, sports, Clemson's
- Source: Clemson Tigers On SI — https://si.com/college/clemson/football/3-opposing-players-clemson-can-t-afford-to-ignore-vs-virginia-tech-in-week-8-
- Published: 2026-10-20T18:48:34+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: clemson, virginia tech, jeffrey overton jr, aycen stevens, que'sean brown, ethan grunkemeyer, acc, week 8, football, rushing defense, sports
## Clemson's Record
Clemson Football and head coach Dabo Swinney are now 4-2 through seven weeks after shutting out FCS program Charleston Southern, 37-0, this past weekend.
## Top 3 Opposing Players
Clemson Tigers on SI has created a list of three opposing players, and an honorable mention, that the Tigers cannot afford to ignore entering the Week 8 matchup.
## Jeffrey Overton Jr
Sophomore Jeffrey Overton Jr. has broken out for the Hokies across the first seven games of 2026, totaling 613 rushing yards and four touchdowns on just 103 carries (6 yards per carry).
## Jeffrey Overton Jr. Stats
He currently sits top 20 nationally in rushing yards and is sixth nationally in yards per carry (min. 100 attempts).
## Marcellous Hawkins Jr
Hawkins Jr., meanwhile, has carried the ball 79 times for 325 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 4.1 yards per carry.
## Aycen Stevens
The 6-foot-5, 264-pound edge rusher has anchored one of the best defensive lines in the country while totaling 18 tackles, 11 for a loss, eight sacks and three forced fumbles across seven contests.
## Aycen Stevens Stats
He is currently tied for the third-most sacks and the fifth-most tackles for loss nationally.
## Virginia Tech Defense
That trio has helped Virginia Tech build the nation’s No. 10 rushing defense, which allows just 87.4 yards per game and 2.9 yards per carry.
## Virginia Tech Weakness
The Hokies do have one weakness: the end zone. They’ve given up 10 rushing touchdowns, making them one of only five teams in the top 50 rushing defenses to allow 10 or more.
## Que'Sean Brown
Through seven contests, the 5-foot-8 senior has logged 46 receptions for 616 yards and three touchdowns.
## Que'Sean Brown Stats
He has all the momentum heading into Week 8, as over half of those yards (392) have come over the past three games.
## Que'Sean Brown Field
He shares the field with Luke Reynolds, who currently leads tight ends nationally in receptions and receiving yards with 43 catches for 449 yards and four touchdowns.
## Ethan Grunkemeyer
Junior signal caller Ethan Grunkemeyer is one of the most familiar opposing players Clemson will be facing this weekend.
## Ethan Grunkemeyer Stats
Through seven contests this season, he’s completed 72.9% of his passes for 1,984 yards, 15 touchdowns and two interceptions.
## Ethan Grunkemeyer Challenge
He could face a top-40 passing defense in Clemson, which has previously shown it can lock down some of the best quarterbacks in the country.
## Key takeaway

Clemson faces Virginia Tech's top rushing threat Jeffrey Overton, dominant edge rusher Aycen Stevens, and top receiver Que'Sean Brown in Week 8.