Virginia Tech Football: A positive indication is the early transfer portal targets
For college football, the transfer portal is operational. Coach Brent Pry of Virginia Tech had great success in the portal last season, and the Hokies hope he can repeat the feat. Virginia Tech football players who are bowl-eligible still have one more month of football left in Blacksburg. On Sunday, they will learn their destination and opponent.
The transfer portal and recruiting are currently the main concerns for the Hokies, who have already lost running back Bryce Duke and tight end Dae’Quan Wright to the portal. This season, Pry and his team seem to have a direction for the portal, and it’s a very encouraging one on several fronts.
It seems that Virginia Tech is concentrating on the linemen in the portal.
With quarterback Kyron Drones from Baylor and running back Bhayshul Tuten from North Carolina A&T among the names that have made a big impact this season, along with wide receiver Jaylin Lane, the Hokies hit it big on the offensive side of the ball last season.
The Hokies seem to be taking a different approach this season, focusing primarily on strengthening their offensive line. Ten offensive linemen have been connected to Virginia Tech as of the writing of this article.
Unsurprisingly, Pry is focusing on the line, especially the offensive one. Against average or teams that did not make a bowl team, the Hokies dominated those lines with Tuten and Drones running the ball, as well as pass protection for their QB to allow him to make throws downfield. Against good teams (Florida State, Louisville, and North Carolina State to name a few), the protection was not good and the running game struggled. Big time.
Another encouraging sign about the linemen is that it could very well mean that most of the eligible receivers and running backs are planning on returning to Blacksburg in 2024. Of course, adding a receiver who can be a game-changer, like Chris Tyree of Notre Dame, should not be passed on if you can add a talent like him.
In the big picture, the offensive line was a concern at times this season and with the seasons Drones and Tuten had, hitting the transfer portal for next season is a smart move for Pry and his staff to add some “Big Boys.” When Virginia Tech runs the football and protect for Drones, they are a different team offensively.
