Virginia Tech Football: 3 reasons to be excited for the Hokies defense in 2024

Over the offseason, Virginia Tech football coach Brent Pry and his staff made the defensive side of the ball a priority when it came to the transfer portal. They beefed up along the line and added a key linebacker for the upcoming season.

We have officially entered the first game week of the 2023 season for the Hokies as they prepare to open the season at Vanderbilt on Saturday afternoon. Earlier this month, we gave three reasons why you should be excited about Virginia Tech’s offense this season, and here are three reasons to be just as excited about their defense.

“Sacksburg” should be back and better

If you liked how the Hokies got to the quarterback last season, wait until this season. Antwaun Powell-Ryland and his 9.5 sacks return and the addition of Aeneas Peebles, Kelvin Gilliam, Khurtiss Perry, and Kemari Copeland should be able to get after the opposing team's quarterbacks. 

A lot of the talk this offseason has been about the Hokies offense, and rightfully so, but the defense is healthy and can be just as big of a difference-maker in 2024. It would be surprising if Virginia Tech’s defense led the ACC in sacks at the end of the season.

Secondary has a lot of talent

Two of the bigger retainments the Hokies got last December were in the secondary when Mansoor Delane and Dorian Strong both announced they were returning. With both players coming back, it gives defensive coordinator  Chris Marve two shutdown players in the secondary.

Mose Phillips had a good spring season and carried that over to the summer and has appeared to nail down one of the safety spots opposite of Jalen Stroman which leaves Delane in his natural position. 

Strong had a very good 2023 season and while his numbers may not reflect that, it’s because teams tend to gameplan to throw away from him. Well, most teams except for Boston College. Strong had a pair of interceptions in the first quarter of last season’s game in Chestnut Hill that led to 10 Hokies’ points in a win that went a long way into Tech becoming bowl-eligible.

Sam Brumfield at mike linebacker

The addition of Sam Brumfield at linebacker fills what was turning into a glaring need for the Hokies in 2024, a linebacker who could come in and fill the role as the mike. It appears that the Middle Tennessee State transfer is going to do that. Some may question his size at 5-foot-11, but he was a tackling machine for the Blue Raiders in 2023 and should be a big addition stopping the run at the second level. If Virginia Tech’s defense is going to be good this season, shutting down the run is a must.

It's hard to believe, but the Hokies season is here and the excitement is off the charts for the 2024 campaign.