Virginia Tech Football: Early transfer portal targets is an encouraging sign

The transfer portal for college football is in full effect. Last season Virginia Tech coach Brent Pry struck it big in the portal and the Hokies are hoping to do so again. There is still another month of football in Blacksburg with Virginia Tech bowl-eligible and they will find out their destination and opponent Sunday.

Right now, the focus is on the transfer portal and recruiting and the Hokies have already lost tight end Dae’Quan Wright and running back Bryce Duke to the portal. Pry and his staff appear they have a direction they are going to go this season with the portal and it’s a very encouraging one on different levels.

Virginia Tech appears to be focusing on the linemen in the portal

Last season on the offensive side of the ball, the Hokies hit it big with quarterback Kyron Drones from Baylor and running back Bhayshul Tuten from North Carolina A&T among some of the names that have made a big impact this season, along with wide receiver Jaylin Lane.

This year, the Hokies appear to be going in a different direction and looking to bolster their lines, mainly on the offensive side of the ball. As this article is being written, Virginia Tech has been linked to 10 offensive linemen.

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.