The warm weather in early March has everyone feeling the spring fever. This is especially true for soccer fans as spring football returns. The Virginia Tech Hokies began spring practice on Friday, and optimism for Blacksburg's 2024 team is growing.
Head coach Brent Pry spoke earlier this week about the 2024 team, expectations and quarterback Kyron Drones' development during the offseason.
Let's take a look at the attack.
quarterback
- 1 Kyron drone: 6'2, 234, R-Jr.
- 18 William “Pop” Watson: 5-foot-11, 190, Republican Fr.
- 17 Dylan Witke: 6-foot-1, 201, R-Fr.
- 15 Jackson Sigler: 6-foot-0, 193, R-Fr.
- 19 Ben Locklear: 6-foot-5, 251, R-Jr.
Looking at Virginia Tech's spring depth chart, one notable name was missing: Grant Wells. That's not surprising. Since the end of the season, it was expected that Wells would transfer and redshirt freshman William “Pop” Watson would back up the Drones. Speaking of Watson and Tech's QBs, they are a young group. Joining Watson behind the Drones are Dylan Wittke, Jackson Sigler and Ben Locklear. Only Watson has game experience, consisting of two brief appearances and one pass attempt.
What are the Hokies looking for at the quarterback position this spring? Draughn's continued development could make him a strong candidate for ACC Player of the Year. Mainly, Pry just wants to see the drone get through the next month just fine.
Watson will be auditioning for the backup job outright this spring. He arrived last year and immediately impressed, and despite his size, he is a highly capable passer.
run back
- 33 Beishul Tuten: 5-foot-11, 209, Sr.
- 24 Malachi Thomas: 6-foot-0, 215, R-Jr.
- 21 Jeremiah Coney: 6-foot-0, 200, R-Fr.
- 16 Traron Mitchell: 6-foot-0, 209, R-Fr.
- 19 PJ Prioleau: 5-foot-11, 180, R-Jr.
- 23 Tyler Mason: 6-foot-0, 194, Fr.
This is the Tuten and Thomas show. The Hokies received great news when Tuten returned for another year. Tuten rushed for 863 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, but imagine what would have happened if the Hokies had been able to block in the first few games. With Drones at quarterback, Tech's ground game went from subpar to at times deadly. Tuten has the speed to bring it home, as evidenced by his performance as a returner, but he also has strong running and great vision.
Thomas returns after serving as Tooten's backup last season. He will receive a lot of carries in 2024, but the Hokies know what they have in Tuten.
Some notable names here are Connie, Mason, and Mitchell. Mitchell could end up playing another position, and Mason has already opened some eyes since enrolling this semester. Connie played great last year and will be playing again in 2024. This spring is all about finding that third back. Tuten will be Virginia Tech's second receiver and third-down back.
Look at Mason. He was like a redshirt player when we signed him and was able to push into his role with a strong springboard.
wide receiver
- 0 Ali Jennings: 6-foot-2, 207, Gr.
- 2 Takie Heath: 5-foot-10, 165, R-Fr.
- 4 Chance Fitzgerald: 6-foot-2, 191, R-Fr.
- 5 Zayvion Turner Bradshaw: 6-foot-0, 160, R-So.
- 6 Kaylen “Brody” Adams: 6-foot-2, 180, Fr.
- 7 Chans Wiggins: 6-foot-3, 207, Fr.
- 9 Daquan Felton: 6-foot-5, 213, Gr.
- 11 Tucker Holloway: 6-foot-2, 185, Jr.
- 12 Stephen Gosnell: 6-foot-2, 198, Gr.
- 26 Aiden Green: 6-foot-2, 185, So.
- 81 Jordan Tapscott: 6-foot-0, 188, R-Fr.
- 83 Jaylin Lane: 5-foot-10, 192, Jr.
Find a better group in the ACC. You can't. The return of Jennings, Lane, Gosnell and Felton is a huge win heading into 2024. Jennings scored two touchdowns in the season opener last season, but then missed the season. Felton and Lane were dominant at times, and no one believed Pry would be able to keep all three in 2024. Gosnell was one of the Drones' favorite targets last season. Pry's best job this offseason was keeping a number of key starters.
The Hokies have been injury-tolerant this year. Turner-Bradshaw and Heath will be looking to make a good impression behind the lane. Both are electric. Offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen needs to find a way to get them involved. Adams and Wiggins enrolled in January and look like future stars. It will be interesting to see how much work they get this spring. Keep an eye on Holloway and Green. Holloway is a phenomenal returner and deserves more chances in the passing game. Green utilized playing time as a true freshman last season.
tight end
- 40 Cole Pickett: 6-foot-3, 232, R-Jr.
- 82 Benji Gosnell: 6-foot-5, 240, R-So.
- 85 Jarikas Hairston: 6-foot-2, 244, R-Fr.
- 86 Nick Gallo: 6-foot-4, 240, Gr.
- 87 Harrison St. Germain: 6-foot-4, 241, R-So.
- 88 Zeke Wimbush: 6-foot-2, 240, R-Fr.
- 99 Cole Riemsnyder: 6-foot-6, 213, R-So.
The top two tight ends began spring practice without full functionality. Nick Gallo did not play the full game as he is recovering from a knee injury that sidelined him all of last season. Benji Gosnell did not participate. Apparently, there is nothing serious between them. This brings us to the next point. St. Germain, Wimbush and Hairston have a big opportunity to show coaches what they have this spring. Saint-Germain flashed in the bowl game. At the end of the day, Wimbush will be a great player. The Hokies need depth here, and spring is the time to find it.
offensive line
- 50 Gunner Givens: 6-foot-5, 285, R-So.
- 51 Elijah Horhout: 6-foot-4, 303, R-Fr.
- 52 Tyler Smedley: 6-foot-2, 304, R-Jr.
- 54 Grant Karczewski: 6-foot-7, 283, R-Fr.
- 55 Lemar Law Jr.: 6-foot-5, 335, R-So.
- 56 Reiss Gannam: 6-foot-5, 302, R-Fr.
- 59 Gabriel Arena: 6-foot-5, 280, R-Fr.
- 60 Caleb Nitta: 6-foot-2, 289, R-Fr.
- 61 Braylin Moore: 6-foot-3, 290, R-So.
- 63 Griffin Duggan: 6-foot-5, 295, R-Jr.
- 64 Lance Williams: 6-foot-3, 310, R-Fr.
- 65 Xavier Chaplin: 6-foot-6, 323, R-So.
- 66 Montavious Cunningham: 6-foot-4, 310, R-Jr.
- 67 Hannes Hammer: 6-foot-7, 296, R-Fr.
- 68 Kayden Moore: 6-foot-3, 303, R-Sr.
- 70 Parker Clements: 6-foot-7, 300, R-Sr.
- 75 Bob Schick: 6-foot-6, 304, R-Sr.
- 77 Brody Meadows, 6-foot-6, 327, R-So.
- 79 Johnny Garrett: 6-foot-5, 315: R-So.
You can put the Moore brothers, Chaplin, and Clements in the starting lineup. Can Cunningham earn a starting spot? He will have every opportunity this spring. Then it's all about the development of young linemen like Meadows, Gunnum, Garrett and Williams entering his second season and his third with the program. When it comes to the spring game next month, I would like to pay most attention to the offensive line. The Hokies have a chance to be an incredible offensive force this fall, but they need stability on the offensive line.
