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Harry Lyles Jr., ESPN Staff Writer
In an era when college football roster turnover is at an all-time high, Virginia Tech has worked to create a culture of continuity. With that continuation, expectations blossomed in Blacksburg.
A big reason for these expectations was the school's strong finish to the 2023 season, which saw it win its first bowl win since 2016 and set its first winning record since 2019. But the bigger reason is that the group's production is back.
Based on the latest numbers compiled by ESPN's Bill Connelly, the Hokies have returned 84% of their production from last season, fourth most in the FBS, with 91% of their production on offense and 77% on defense. is back.
Coach Brent Pry told ESPN that the level of consistency has been and will continue to be important for Virginia Tech.
“We know a lot more about the players on our team now than we did this time last year,” Pry said. “For years, even defensive coordinators, you look at your depth chart and you want to know what you're going to get out of a player when you put him on the field. … And we have There are more players out there who have the track record, the experience, the consistency, the work ethic, the attitude, you know what you're going to get. ”
Roster continuity will make the job of putting together a winning team easier for Pry and his coaching staff, who are entering their third season in Blacksburg.
Defensively, top pass rusher Antoine Powell-Ryland (14.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks) returns, as do top corners Dorian Strong and Mansour Delaine. Virginia Tech also added veteran Duke defensive tackle Aeneas Peebles, who will pair with Josh Fuga at Interior.
On the offensive end, running back Beishl Tuten and top receivers Daquan Felton, Stephen Gosnell, Jaylin Lane and Ali Jennings all return, as does the entire offensive line.
Of course, any team with high expectations needs a star quarterback, and the Hokies have one in Kyron Drones.
Drones took over at quarterback for the Hokies last season after Grant Wells left with a leg injury and elevated Virginia Tech's offense. The Drones ranked 19th in total QBR after Week 5, finishing the season with 2,085 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, just three interceptions, and 818 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
“He's getting better all the time,” Pry said. “He's a guy who really learns from his reps. I mean, when he got here, he hadn't even started playing the game of college football yet.”
Connelly listed Drones as the second most interesting quarterback in the country heading into next season, behind Penn State's Drew Aller. That kind of recognition, along with working out with Shedule Sanders and Cam Ward, gets people's attention.
Mr. Drones, Mr. Sanders and Mr. Ward worked out together in Miami during spring break in March, but that is not new as Mr. Drones has been working out with Mr. Ward, his cousin and Mr. Sanders since high school. he said. Drones began training with Darrell Colbert of Houston-based Select QB Athletics, and once Sanders and Ward began training with Colbert, working out together became commonplace.
One of the Drones' focuses this offseason is trying to become an extension of offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen.
“It helps a lot if it’s just me telling the receivers, linemen, everybody what their job is,” Drones said. “Last year we were able to do that, but this year it's going to be different. Knowing that the coach doesn't have to make as many calls and being able to make those calls myself and then really just run the offense.” Facilitates attacks as a back. ”
Pry is confident that his teammates will take on the new leadership role as they work on drones.
“The players have a lot of confidence in him,” Pry said. “I remember playing at Florida State, we were coming up pretty good, and all of a sudden he takes off, runs 50-something yards, makes guys miss, runs guys over, and our sideline is kind of It's chaos.'', “Wow, look at Chiron!'' He has that kind of gravitas on the team.''
Drones said he encouraged his teammates to work out individually and tried to bond with them off the field, especially with transfers who are new to the program.
But he recognizes that being a leader also requires tough conversations. “When things aren't going well, someone has to say something, and it should be me,” he said.
“People say I've solidified myself, but I know that's still where people come from in my position. So I have to keep competing every day and just keep working.”
The pieces are in place for Virginia Tech to take another step up in 2024, but Pry notes it hasn't been a quick process. And it doesn't matter to him. Because the slow burn provided the consistency he and the program desired.
Pry cited three things that helped Virginia Tech return to this high-prospect spot.
“Culturally, it's about being transparent and honest with the team and the coaches,” Pry said. “Add to that, being open to tough conversations with transparency and being honest. I think we got a lot out of that.
“Secondly, the ability to take our footprint and sign a ton of high school players that we're developing. This is a good fit for Virginia Tech and gives us some of the consistency and continuity that you want. You're bringing players there.'' It's a good fit for technicians who want to come here and grow in the program.
“Thirdly, the ability to access the transfer portal and meet the right type of players and real needs. … We'll see how this year goes, but we've brought in five.” [transfers] It's in the right place. So far, they've been great in the locker room, they're workers, they're selfless, they've been great in places where we've had to help ourselves.
“That's the difference between taking shortcuts and trying to do things quickly,” Pry says. “I'm not criticizing anyone else's process, but for us, it just takes time to get it to where we want it to be and to a place where we can sustain it. The process. is a process, and the freshmen come in, they see it, and they grow in it, and being able to keep this many players and coaching staff, including the coaches, is something that will move it forward. It really helps me keep going.”
Despite this cycle of Virginia Tech football, Pry has tried to keep his team in an even frame of mind, even as they navigated the offseason with high expectations.
“When we were 1-3, there was a lot of noise, right? Everyone was complaining. And we ignored all the noise and talked about what was important,” he said. “And they did a great job with that. And what we can learn from that is because there's a lot of noise now — top 25, top 10 quarterbacks — it's still noise, guys. What back then? There was no meaning to it.” [negative]it doesn't really make sense right now.
“I love getting a pat on the back. But if we stay humble and stay hungry and win each phase, we can go on to win four games. So we Remind them of how they grew up and what it was like, and just trust the process.'' ”
Part of that process is to focus on the job at hand and not get ahead of yourself by worrying about the start of the season, let alone the summer and training camp.
“We don't even know who we're going to play in Week 3 or Week 4,” Pry said. “That’s the message and they’re buying into it.”
Outside noise aside, there is a belief within the program that this could be the year that Virginia Tech football once again gains national attention.
“Everyone is working hard to get Virginia Tech back on track,” Drones said. “We already know where Virginia Tech used to be, and we already know that Virginia Tech has been in the doldrums for years. The last year has taken us one step closer to where we want to be. We were just moving forward.
“This year, we're just going to focus on what we want to do, which is win the ACC and make the playoffs.”
