Brent Pry gives a promising update on Virginia Tech's glaring hole on defense

Three days into fall practices and Virginia Tech football coach Brent Pry is happy with the way things have gone so far. He brings back a veteran group across his roster with all the retainment he got, but he does have some holes to fill on the field.

The biggest hole is in the secondary at the safety position. Virginia Tech returns Jalen Stroman, but the other spot is very much up in the air as camp begins. Pry does have the option to move Mansoor Delane back there, but he'd rather not unless of an emergency. One player who got his feet wet last year as a freshman is Mose Phillips III and the Tennessee native is pushing himself into the lineup.

Brent Pry says that Mose Phillips III is "pushing himself into the lineup"

After Virginia Tech's third practice Friday, Pry was asked about the safety position with Stroman and he said that Phillips III "is pushing himself into the lineup."

"To be honest, Mose is pushing into the lineup. Mose in a lot of ways is a starter for us right now. He's had a great offseason, he knows the package much better, he knows his position much better. "

- Brent Pry

Pry went on to say that there are other guys in the mix back there with Phillips III and Stroman along with freshman Quentin Reddish, Braylon Johnson, Tyler Childress, Devin Alves, and Delane. Last season Phillips III played in all 13 games and starting two of them and registered 27 tackles, 15 solo. His best game was in the 41-20 Military Bowl win over Tulane where he had seven tackles and a forced fumble.

The second safety position is vital for a unit that on paper could be one of the top defensive units in the ACC this season and if Phillips III can push himself into the lineup, that would solve a huge hole the Hokies have entering the season.