Virginia Tech Football: 3 big things we learned about the Hokies in March

Now that the calendar has flipped to April, that means one thing for Virginia Tech football fans, the 2024 spring game is less than two weeks away. This year’s game will take place on April 13 at 3 p.m. at Lane Stadium and this will be one of the more anticipated games in the last few years, to say the least.

The Hokies started their spring practices in March and there were a lot of things that we learned about the current roster and some former players. Here are three of the biggest things we learned about the Hokies in March.

1. Kyron Drones is going to be a good leader

All eyes in spring practices have been on quarterback Kyron Drones as the Baylor transfer settles in as QB1 this offseason. The returns have been promising so far, but he recently spoke to the media and said that he wants to be a leader for not only the offense but the whole team. He says that he is a lot more confident than he was last year and he knows that people are expecting big things from the Hokies in 2024 and he’s ready to be the leader to take them there. One of the better dual-threat quarterbacks in the country, if he continues to have confidence through camp and into 2024, it could be a special fall in Blacksburg.

2. Sam Brumfield could be a huge addition at LB

Linebacker was a position that head coach Brent Pry filled in the transfer portal with Sam Brumfield from Middle Tennessee State. The Mississippi native had a long journey to Blacksburg through junior college and MTSU, but he appears ready to jump right in and make an impact despite being a little undersized at 5-foot-11. “He’s put together really well,’’ Pry said. “His lack of length doesn’t concern me. He’s got other qualities that I think make up for it.’’ Last season for the Blue Raiders, he had 82 tackles, 46 solo, and 3.5 sacks. Playing behind a talented defensive line, he could be a big addition to the second level of the defense in 2024.

3. Pheldarius Payne raises draft stock

Virginia Tech hosted their pro day on March 26 and one former Hokies’ player who raised some eyebrows was defensive lineman Pheldarius Payne. NFL reporter Matt Lombardo of Heavy Sports listed Payne as one of his players to watch as the draft nears at the end of the month. Payne ran a 4.85 40-yard dash with a 31’ vertical. In 2023, the Virginia native has 31 tackles, 10 solo, and four sacks for Chris Marve’s defense. It seemed like a long shot up until last week that the Hokies would have a player picked on draft day, but that may change with Payne. We’ll see and hopefully, he gets to have his name called.

The spring game is just 11 days away and there is a lot to look forward to for Virginia Tech fans over the month of April.