ESPN used to love Virginia Tech football. VT became famous in the 1990s in part because of the exposure ESPN gave the Hokies.
Unfortunately, Virginia Tech football hasn't been the same in recent years. The last few years of the Frank Beamer era were difficult, but things got much worse under his successor, Justin Fuente.
Brent Pry was hired after the 2021 season, and his debut season couldn't have been worse. But there were also signs of hope. Pry has made recruiting within Virginia a priority again, working to rebuild relationships with high schools. He also worked to repair relationships with his fans and community.
Despite a tough start last season, Tech won five of its past seven games, including a 41-20 victory over Tulane in the Military Bowl. Pry did a great job bringing back nearly everyone this offseason, signing seven players through the transfer portal.
Everyone is watching. There's some serious hype surrounding the football team, and it seems even ESPN is buying in. ESPN recently released its Top 25 from the spring, which included the Hokies at No. 21.
It's been quite some time since the Hokies have been a serious contender in the ACC race, but that could change in coach Brent Pry's third season. ESPN colleague Bill Connelly ranks the Hokies No. 1 in return production, grading them No. 1 on offense (95%) and No. 12 on defense (77%), with Pry and his The staff say they have taken advantage of this move. A portal to close the hole. The Hokies averaged 43 points in their final four games of 2022, going 3-1 during that stretch. Quarterback Kyron Drones passed for 22 touchdowns and three interceptions, rushing for 818 yards and five scores. He is one of 11 starters returning to the offensive line. Coach Pry strengthened the defensive line by transferring four players: Aeneas Peebles from Duke University, Kelvin Gilliam Jr. from Oklahoma University, Curtis Perry from Alabama University, and Kemari Copeland from Western Community College. Virginia Tech's non-conference schedule is more than manageable (Vanderbilt, Marshall, Old Dominion, Rutgers), and they do not play Florida State, Louisville or North Carolina State during the regular season.
No team in the Power Five returns more starters than the Hokies. He has strong technical ability at several positions, including wide receiver and defensive tackle. Despite the concerns for the Hokies, there is a lot to look forward to, and it starts with the drones. If Drones builds off last season's strong performance, he could become a top pick in next April's NFL draft. VT wouldn't want to lose Drone after this season, but it would mean things worked out.
What do you think about Virginia Tech's ranking? Is it too high or too low?
