A new year of college football comes with a rejuvenation of a team. A clear record, a fresh start, and a time to prove they can do more. For Virginia Tech, it is capable of more.
The Hokies finished their last season by vanquishing Tulane in the Military Bowl. A 7-6 record was different from what they had hoped for.
However, with the 2023 season behind them and camp underway, things will look different for the Hokies this season.
OFFENSE
Unlike many teams that are trying to figure out who their man is at quarterback, that question is answered at Virginia Tech. The answer is Kyron Drones.
A transfer out of Baylor in 2023, he put up a great first season in Blacksburg, with 22 touchdowns in 10 starts. With 800 yards on the ground, combined with an arm talent that amassed over 2,000 yards, the Hokies are hoping for an even better year out of their lead guy.
The running game was a highlight for Virginia Tech, and it is expected to continue that way. With the rushing talents of Drones combined with the workhouse abilities of Bhayshul Tuten, their combination can work wonders yet again. The duo helped the rushing offense combine for 213 rushing yards per game in 2023.
Top receivers Da’Quan Felton and Jaylin Jones are returning for another run, joined with previously-injured deep threat Ali Jennings. The receiver situation only gets better.
Montavious Cunningham, a Georgia State transfer, joins the previous offensive line to help fill a guard spot with his talents. While the line provides the most uncertainty on the offense, their offseason work and continuing process of meshing the unit together will help solidify the offense as a whole.
DEFENSE
With the second best defense in the ACC in 2023, expectations are high and talents are abounding yet again.
Star edge rushers Antwaun Powell-Ryland and Cole Nelson, who combined for 14 sacks last year return to man the ends, while the interior is filled up with new talent. Transfers Aeneas Peebles (Duke) and Kelvin Gilliam (Oklahoma), amongst other talents, will help beef up the line.
Keli Lawson, who had 80 tackles in his last campaign to lead the entire unit, and Middle Tennessee transfer Sam Brumfield are expected to lead the linebacker squad, with tons of depth to follow, including Jayden McDonald and Alan Tisdale.
With the top pass defense in the ACC last season, the Hokies will be strong in the secondary again. Even with the loss of top talent Derrick Canteen, who transferred to Cincinnati, the pass defense is still looking good.
Interception team leader Dorian Strong will head the unit alongside veteran safety Jalen Stroman and the talents of Mose Phillips III and Nasir Peoples.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Special teams is looking very good for the Hokies. John Love, who kicked and made a fantastic 91.7% of his field goals in 2023, returns for another campaign. Additionally, Tucker Holloway and Bhayshul Tuten will lead the return game in an expected productive fashion. Redshirt senior Peter Moore is planned to lead the punting squad for the new season.
OVERVIEW
With three year Virginia Tech coach Brent Pry at the head of the Hokies squad, the year to come is being watched.
A few difficult conference matchups, traveling to Miami and Stanford in back-to-back weeks and ending the season with the Cavaliers in Virginia, lie in front of the Hokies. It isn’t a poor situation for them, and their schedule allows for the opportunity to put up a good ACC standing.
Clemson, however, will be one of their tougher matchups. With much of the season already undergone and both sides of the ball developed and grown to match the tempo of the season, the Tigers defense is expected to be on their A-game, and their powerful defensive line won’t be giving free yards to Virginia Tech’s rushing game.
Save the date, Nov. 9 will show which elite defense comes out on top.
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