Former Hokie Flowers saw Hosley’s potential

Just like former Virginia Tech cornerback Brandon Flowers, punt returner Jayron Hosley is from Atlantic High School in Delray Beach, Fla.

Hosley, a freshman, has emerged as special teams threat for the Hokies. After growing up with Hosley, Flowers said he saw that it in him since an early age.

“That was one of the young guys you knew was going to be great,” Flowers, now a cornerback for the Kansas City Chiefs, said in a recent telephone interview.

Flowers, a 2007 first-team all-American at Virginia Tech, said he could see Hosley’s ability “from Little League, just watching him light up the field game after game. You can go to his YouTube and go to his whole list of highlights on kickoff and punt returns.”

Although Hosley’s numbers have dipped since his 64-yard return for a touchdown against Marshall on Sept. 12, he has had other dazzling returns that have been called back because of penalties. Hosley ranks 41st nationally in yards per punt return (8.12).

Despite Hosley’s put returning ability, Flowers said he was eager for Hosley to emerge as a cornerback. Flowers described Hosley as a gifted defensive back who would bolster the Hokies’ secondary in the future.

“He’s patiently waiting his time,” Flowers said. “I can’t want till he can play cornerback.”

For Flowers, it is a point of pride that Hosley came from the same Florida high school.

“I hope there’s going to be another Jayron Hosley coming out in the next few years,” Flowers said.