3 questions that must keep Virginia Tech football coach Brent Pry awake at night

Expectations are high for the Virginia Tech football team going into 2024 for many reasons. This will be Year 3 of the Brent Pry-era in Blacksburg and he is ahead of schedule in terms of the rebuild he was left with following Justin Fuente. 

Believe it or not, besides aside from position battles in camp this summer, there are some questions surrounding the Hokies for the 2024 season. Some of them must keep Pry up and night and these questions would do it.

1. Just how good is the offensive line going to be?

There was a lot of retainment on offense for the Hokies with quarterback Kyron Drones, running back Bhayshul Tuten, and four wide receivers returning which should allow Virginia Tech to be able to put up points. One surrounding the Hokies offense is will the line be improved from 2023. A lot of the line is returning and Georgia State transfer Montavious Cunningham will likely be a big addition, but will they be able to open holes for the running game and protect Drones, and give him time to find receivers down the field? That’s the question.

2. How will Virginia Tech navigate Miami and Stanford road games?

The schedule is manageable for Virginia Tech this season both in the ACC and non-conference, but clearly their toughest part will be when conference play starts. They open the ACC schedule at Miami on a Friday night, Sept. 27, then must fly across the country the following Saturday to play at ACC newcomer Stanford. The Hurricanes will be a difficult opponent on the road, but not coming home from Stanford with a win would be disappointing. However, with travel, you can never guarantee anything anymore.

3. Who will step up behind Bhayshul Tuten?

Tuten returns for another season and the North Carolina A&T transfer is looking to have a better season than he had in 2023. Aside from an injury, he should have better numbers after rushing for 863 yards and scoring 10 touchdowns. He also had 239 yards receiving on 27 catches out of the backfield. He also returned kicks and took two for touchdowns against Florida State and Virginia. Malachi Thomas returns, while youngsters Jeremiah Coney and PJ Prioleau looked good in the Spring Game and are more than capable of playing key snaps. A good running game will open things up for offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen.

Pry and his staff have done a wonderful job of building what they have so far in two full seasons in Blacksburg and appear to take major steps in 2024, but that doesn’t mean there are not questions that keep the former Penn State defensive coordinator up at night.