Virginia Tech vaults up national CFB guru's power rankings

As we enter the dog days of summer, more and more preseason polls and predictions are starting to come out for the 2024 college football season. With each day inching closer and closer to the start of the season, there are going to be more and more rankings and polls released.

One college football guru, Phil Steele, released his 2024 power rankings and Virginia Tech vaulted up his list from the spring seven spots to No. 17. In fact, the Hokies are inching closer to three ACC schools ranked ahead of them, Miami's No. 10, Clemson is No. 13 and Florida State is No. 14. Virginia Tech will play both the Hurricanes and Tigers this fall.

"Defensive end Antwaun Powell-Ryland deciding to return for his senior season is a mega-boost for Virginia Tech's defense after he finished with a team-best 9.5 sacks last fall. Leading tackler Keli Lawson is back in the middle along with most of a star-studded secondary. This unit under Brent Pray should be one of the league's best if they're able to stay healthy. On offense, dual-threat quarterback Kyron Drones is back for another year along with the Hokies' top running back, Bhayshul Tuten, who managed 863 yards and 10 scores as a junior."

- Phil Steele

Both sides of the ball have the opportunity to be good this season for Virginia Tech, but Steele is right, if they stay healthy, with all the retainment that Brent Pry and Chris Marve got on that side of the ball along with some key transfers from the portal, the Hokies defense could be one of the best, if not the best, units in the ACC.

Offensively, the Hokies will go as Kyron Drones and Bhayshul Tuten go with their running game. Not to be overlooked is a talented wide receiving group as well as their experienced offensive line. Phil Steele usually knows what he is talking about and this is just another reason for Hokies' fans to look forward to the fall.