Chris Marve has a take that should fire up Virginia Tech football fans even more for 2024

As the 2024 season went along, the Virginia Tech football team improved in multiple areas and one noticeable area was on the defensive side of the ball. A key to the Hokies turnaround from a 1-3 start was on the defensive side of the ball. Tech turned into "Sacksburg'' last season with Antwaun Powell-Ryland leading the way with 9.5.

This season the Hokies have a lot of players returning on that side of the ball, but they also added some transfers that will step right in and make a contribution right away. Defensive coordinator Chris Marve met with the media and other Virginia Tech players and coaches and he was asked about a huge leap they made in sacks last season and Marve had a quote that should fire up fans for what could be in 2024.

"A second year in the system that attributes to a better comprehension of what we're trying to get done in terms of, you know, being aggressive, playing on edges, and knowing how to cage the rabbit, so to speak, when you're talking about the quarterback. A thing about two years ago, we got to the quarterback a fair amount but struggled to finish. Last year, we got to the quarterback a fair amount, we finished a few more plays, but there was still meat on the bone, so there's still more to go out there and get. "

- Chris Marve

Getting after the quarterback this season is going to be something to watch each week and with there being more meat on the bones, that's bad news for the 12 Hokies' opponents. Powell-Ryland is back along with Josh Fuga, but transfer portal additions Aeneas Peebles (Duke), Kelvin Gilliam (Oklahoma), Kemari Copeland (Iowa Western Community College), and Khurtiss Perry (Alabama) should open things up for everyone.

Virginia Tech's defense has a chance to be one of the top of the ACC and a unit with a fair amount of key retainment got deeper with the transfer portal. We could look at another big "Sacksburg" this fall in Blacksburg.