Virginia Tech Football: Running List of Preseason Watch List Candidates

Expectations are high for the Virginia Tech football team going into the 2024 season and rightfully so. Not many people saw Year 3 of the Brent Pry-era having this much hype, but it just goes to show how quickly he has sped up the rebuild in Blacksburg. Retainment of a ton of key players and a rather doable schedule that the Hokies face have led to a lot of the hype they are getting.

Virginia Tech starts the season in 22 days at Vanderbilt in a non-conference battle against a rebuilding SEC school and as we hit the dog days of camp, let's take a look and keep a running list of Preseason Award Watch List that Hokies' players have been recongized on,

As you can see, there is no shortage of Hokies who have been named to Preseason Award Watch Lists. Running back Bhayshul Tuten leads the way with three watch lists, followed by quarterback Kyron Drones with two. Wide receiver Ali Jennings and tight end Nick Gallo are named to the Comeback Player of Year watch list as Gallo was lost at the end of camp last summer while Jennings, who transferred from Old Dominion went down with an injury in Week 2 against Purdue. Gallo was also named to the John Mackey Award watch list.

Kickers John Love and Peter Moore are also on watch lists, as is wide receiver Jaylin Lane. The Hokies did not have some players on other watch lists to begin the season, but there is a chance that they find their way onto some of them in the middle of the season as they get updated.

It's not surprising to see this many Hokies getting some preseason recognition ahead of the season and it's surprising to see Tuten and Drones leading the way in what could be the most exciting fall in Blacksburg in some time.