3 Virginia Tech football players who need to stay healthy in 2024

If there is one thing that the Virginia Tech football team has this season is depth. Thanks to a ton of retainment from the 2023 roster and some key transfer portal additions, head coach Brent Pry and his staff will have several players at their disposal.

There are, however, some players that Virginia Tech could not afford to lose at any point during the season and these three players are at the top of the list.

Kyron Drones

Ok, let's get the obvious one out of the way first. Last season starter Grant Wells went down in a Week 2 loss at home to Purdue and Baylor transfer Kyron Drones stepped in and after losing his first two starts, he led the Hokies from a 1-3 start to a 7-6 finish that included a Military Bowl win and a 5-3 ACC record.

He decided to come back for another season in Blacksburg and was instrumental in the Hokies turnaround and he is primed for a breakout season in 2024. UCLA transfer Collin Schlee committed in April to battle it out with Pop Watson as Drones' backup this season, but if Drones stays healthy, the Hokies will be a factor in the ACC.

Antwaun Powell-Ryland

Another huge announcement for the Hokies was from edge Antwaun Powell-Ryland who announced that he was also returning for 2024. Last season he recorded a team-high 9.5 sacks and became a tough player for opposing teams to defend.

This offseason, Virginia Tech loaded up at defensive tackle in the transfer portal with Aeneas Peebles, Kemari Copeland, Kelvin Gilliam, and Khurtiss Perry, but Powell-Ryland is the key to the line and if he stays healthy, the Hokies front will be tough.

Bhayshul Tuten

Last season once Drones and running back Bhayshul Tuten got things going in the running game, Virginia Tech became a different team offensively. Tuten rushed for 863 yards and 10 touchdowns, while he also became a valuable kickoff returner, bringing two back for touchdowns against Florida State and Virginia.

Malachi Thomas returns, while P.J. Prioleau and Jeremiah Coney played well in the Spring Game after spring practices, but the running game will go as Tuten goes, as well as the kick return game.

Overall, there is a lot of depth for Virginia Tech going into 2024, but they still need to avoid as many key injuries as they can.