Virginia Tech football gets a slew of preseason All-Conference players from Athlon Sports

Preseason rankings are starting to roll in with the start of the college football season two months away. Multiple publications are releasing their preseason teams and Athlon Sports has named 13 members from Virginia Tech on their ACC Football 2024 All-Conference Teams.

Here is a breakdown of the 13 nominations the Hokies got,

First Team

Defensive linemen: Antwaun Powell-Ryland
Cornerback: Dorian Strong
Punt Returner: Tucker Holloway

Second Team

Defensive Linemen: Aeneas Peebles
Cornerback: Mansoor Delane
Kick Returner: Bhayshul Tuten

Third Team

Running Back: Bhayshul Tuten
Wide Receiver: Ali Jennings
Offensive Linemen: Kaden Moore
Offensive Linemen: Parker Clements
Kicker: John Love

Fourth Team

Wide Receiver: Da'Quan Felton
Punter: Peter Moore
Tight End: Nick Gallo

It's not surprising to see so many Hokies land on the preseason All-Conference Teams ahead of a season where there are some big expectations for the first time in a long time. There are some players on here, Ali Jennings and Nick Gallo, who are returning this season from injuries that cost them nearly all of the 2023 season.

Gallo was injured at the end of camp before the season opener against Old Dominion last summer and Jennings, who transferred from Old Dominion, had an impressive season-opener against his former team but suffered an ankle injury in the first quarter of a Week 2 loss at home to Purdue, which allowed him to apply for a medical redshirt and retain his eligibility.

One name missing is quarterback Kyron Drones, who is someone who could surprise a lot of people around the country who haven't caught on yet. Is he the top QB in the conference? No, but if he comes close or passes his stats from last season, he'll likely be a top-four signal caller in the conference when everything is all said and done. His retainment is the biggest Pry got last winter looking ahead to 2024.