We’re closing in on game time, and today we have a Q&A segment with Bryan Manning from Gobbler Country. Huge thanks to Bryan for giving us some insight into the Hokies!
Virginia Tech is 3-3 with close losses to Vanderbilt, Rutgers, and Miami. What are the feelings around the team right now?
GC: Disappointment. But as it turns out Vandy and Rutgers are much better than people thought. Of course, that’s no consolation for the Hokies, who expected to compete in the ACC this year. VT should have won all three games, but various mistakes and, most notably, slow starts, killed them in the Rutgers and Vanderbilt losses. It was impressive how the Hokies bounced back and trounced Stanford one week after the heartbreaker in Miami. It was a cross-country trip, which is always difficult, and the Hokies responded. Now, after a week off, the team has renewed energy.
This is Brent Pry’s third year in Blacksburg and he won the Military Bowl last year. Do you feel like he has the Hokies headed in the right direction?
GC: I am still not sure. I love the idea of Pry. He says all the right things. He is a nice guy. He understands VT should be recruiting the state of Virginia and has prioritized it. Pry has also brought several players “home” who began their college careers elsewhere. He has built a solid culture. Players want to play for him. He’s a likable guy. A nice guy. But he must win. As of now, Pry’s record is 13-17 in his third year. The Hokies have shown big improvements and he inherited a mess. So, he has a ways to go, but this season’s start was disappointing. Pry and the Hokies need to finish on a solid note. Getting to 8-4 would be huge at this point.
Who has been VT’s best player this year and who has been your favorite player to watch?
GC: RB Bhayshul Tuten and DE Antwaun Powell-Ryland are Virginia Tech’s top players. The Hokies are loaded at wide receiver but haven’t had as many opportunities this season. APR is having an All-American season. He is one of the players I was referring to about beginning his career elsewhere, before returning to his home state and flourishing. My favorite players to watch: Tuten and APR are two of them, but I also enjoy watching tight end Benji Gosnell and wide receivers Da’Quan Felton and Jaylin Lane. Felton is a matchup nightmare, as he is huge with blazing speed. Lane is small, quick, and dynamic. He is a game-changer as a returner or receiver. All five of these guys are future NFL players.
What are the Hokies’ biggest strengths and weaknesses as a team?
GC: Strengths are at wide receiver and the running game as a whole. When Kyron Drones gets going as a runner, it opens up everything. Don’t be surprised if the Hokies use Drones in the run game early on Thursday. Defensively, Tech has several talented defensive linemen and arguably the ACC’s top pair of cornerbacks, Mansoor Delane and Dorian Strong. Weaknesses are defending the big plays on defense, usually due to linebackers struggling with gap control. Offensively, the OL, particularly at RT, is a weakness.
Kyron Drones has thrown for 1155 yards and 8 TDs this year and rushed for another 278 yards and 3 scores. How would you rate his performance this year?
GC: Drones has regressed this year, but it isn’t a massive dropoff. I believe some of it is due to him not trusting his protection. He’s also not seeing the field, and he’s missed throws this year that he made with ease in 2023. He is due for a breakout performance. He’s had some good moments this year but hasn’t had that one performance where he carried the offense like he did a couple of times last season.
Who do you think can be VT’s x-factor against the BC?
GC: Tuten. It’s important for the Hokies to establish the run early. It makes things easier for Drones in the passing game. If Tuten can get going early, it should be a good night for the offense.
What’s your prediction for the game?
GC: I think this game comes down to the wire. I would not be shocked if BC won. However, I am going with the Hokies playing under the lights at Lane Stadium in a game that will be decided late in the fourth quarter. Hokies 31, Eagles 27