As we close in on the second weekend in April, it’s time for another Virginia Tech football Spring Game. This season will be a little different for the Hokies, as they enter the game with a lot more questions than answers regarding the roster for the fall.
This goes for both sides of the ball, as there has been a lot of turnover between players using up all of their eligibility and players entering the transfer portal and declaring for the NFL Draft later this month in Green Bay. As we get closer to kick-off, here are some of the biggest questions for the Hokies heading into the game.
Offense
There were question marks at quarterback for Virginia Tech with Kyron Drones coming back from multiple injuries late last fall, but those questions got bigger last Saturday when it was announced that he was going to miss the remainder of practice and the game for a medical procedure. Not great. Now, all eyes will turn to Pop Watson, as Drones’ injury history should be a red flag for the Hokies. He could end up being ready for the season, but if not, Watson will become an important player for Brent Pry.
Another rather big question mark is at running back with Bhayshul Tuten gone to the NFL Draft and Malachi Thomas entering the transfer portal. Pry got Marcellus Hawkins from Central Missouri, Also facing a ton of questions is the offensive line that Matt Moore needs to rebuild quickly, and getting some commits who followed him from West Virginia is a good start.
Defense
Two areas on defense that the Hokies have to replace the most talent is along the defensive line and in the secondary. The defensive line lost key players in Antwaun Powell-Ryland and Aeneas Peebles to the NFL Draft, and this a golden opportunity for some of the younger players to scoop up more playing time.
In the secondary, gone are Dorian Strong, Mansoor Delane, and Mose Phillips, leaving a bunch of huge voids back there. From the portal, Clemson transfer Sherrod Covil, East Carolina's Isaiah Brown-Murray, and Rice transfer Tyson Flowers provide experience back there. If there is one area where there is concern entering next season, it's in the secondary.