Virginia Tech Football: Brent Pry gives an update on Ali Jennings

All the news recently surrounding the Virginia Tech football team has been good. Sunday, the Hokies found out that they will be making their trip to the Military Bowl in Annapolis, Maryland on Dec. 27 to play Tulane out of the AAC. Defensive end Antwaun Powell-Ryland announced earlier that day that he would be returning to Blacksburg next season. All the news wasn’t great, however, as it appears that Old Dominion transfer Ali Jennings is unlikely to play in the bowl game, and in reality, it should not be a surprise.

Brent Pry doesn’t expect Ali Jennings to be available on Dec. 27

Pry said recently that Jennings has not been ruled out of the game against Tulane, but it’s unlikely he will make a return this season. As for what the future might hold for the speedy wideout, that remains to be seen.

In the season opener against his former team, he had five catches for 72 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a 36-17 win over the Monarchs. He was injured the following week against Purdue and hasn’t been on the field since with an ankle injury.

Losing him was a big blow to the Virginia Tech offense and it makes you wonder where they would be today if he was healthy all season long. They are likely at least a seven or eight-win team. Quarterback Kyron Drones has had a good season and next season, he could be even better if Jennings decides to apply for a medical redshirt this season and return in 2024, that would be bigger than adding a wide receiver through the transfer portal.

It’s no surprise that Jennings, even though he’s not completely ruled out of the Military Bowl, would not be on the field against the Green Wave. It would make no sense. Getting to apply for a medical redshirt and return next season makes the Hokies offense a tougher unit.