Virginia Tech Football: Key camp injury not good ahead of opener

Just over a week before the Virginia Tech Hokies kick off the 2023 season, second-year coach Brent Pry announced that a key piece of the offense will be missing for redshirt senior quarterback Grant Wells against Old Dominion at Lane Stadium on Sept. 2. Tight end Nick Gallo is out for an unknown amount of time with an injury suffered in camp and it couldn’t have come at a worse time.

Gallo’s injury is a blow to Virginia Tech’s offense

Gallo, a senior, had 30 receptions last season for 256 yards and was a safety option for Wells. He is not only an option in the passing game, he’s a key part of the blocking scheme for the running backs.

Wells will have sophomore Dae’Quan Wright and redshirt freshman Benji Gosnell to take some reps in place of Gallo, however, the injury is going to put more pressure on the new wide receiver core that was brought in through the transfer portal this offseason.

Ali Williams, Jaylin Lane, and Da’Quan Felton are the new receivers that Wells will have to throw to and all three are coming in off of good seasons in 2023 with their previous school and should give their senior quarterback more downfield options this season.

Injuries this early in the season can make it tough to maneuver around, but if there is ever a season that Virginia Tech needs some young players to step up and play some big downs and contribute, it’s this season.

Last season the Hokies offense struggled at times and were put in a lot of third-and-long situations which made them become more predictable in play calling. With the additions of three new receivers and their running game, losing Gallo hurts in many ways with the different options he gives the coaching staff. Tech could use him back as soon as possible, but four non-conference games to begin the season can be a benefit for Wright and Gosnell to get their feet wet in 2023.