Virginia Tech Football Bye Week Awards: 3 MVP’s through 7 games

Through the first seven games of the 2023 season, the results have been mixed for the Virginia Tech football team. Sitting at 3-4, the Hokies enter their bye week coming off of their most complete performance in a 30-13 thrashing of Wake Forest.

There have been many different players who have stepped up for coach Brent Pry through the first seven weeks. Here are three MVPs, one of offense, one of defense, and one on special teams, in the first seven games.

Virginia Tech Offensive MVP: Kyron Drones

Coming out of camp, Pry announced that Grant Wells would be his starter at quarterback, beating out Baylor transfer Kyron Drones. During Week 2 against Purdue, Wells suffered an ankle injury and has been out since and Drones has settled into the role as QB1.

He is getting more comfortable throwing the ball and reading defense and his skill set opens up the playbook for offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen. He has proven that when he rushes the ball, he’s tough to bring down. It also helps to have Bhayshul Tuten be effective running the ball, which opens up the passing, as we saw against Wake Forest Saturday when Drones threw for 321 yards. Tuten is a close second.

Virginia Tech Defensive MVP: Antwaun Powell-Ryland

It’s no secret that the Hokies’ defense has been getting better, especially in their ACC wins over Pittsburgh and Wake Forest. There have been several players that have stepped up, but the MVP so far this season has been Florida transfer Antwaun Powell-Ryland.

He had his most dominant game last weekend against the Demon Deacons with six tackles and four sacks. For the season, the 6-foot-3, 242-pound junior from Portsmouth, Va. has 25 tackles, 14 solo, seven sacks, three forced fumbles, and fumble recovery. He is just four tackles shy of his career-high he had last season for the Gators.

Virginia Tech Special Teams MVP: Peter Moore

John Love has been good as the placekicker for the Hokies, but Peter Moore has flipped the field several times with his punts, pinning teams in their territory. The junior is averaging 43.6 yards per punt with his longest going 62 yards against Rutgers in September.

After that, his next longest punts are 57 (vs. Old Dominion), 56 (vs. Wake Forest), 55 (vs. Purdue), 53 (vs. Marshall), and 52 (vs. Pittsburgh) yards. Field position is key this season for the Hokies and Moore being able to flip it at different times has been huge.