It is finally game week for the Virginia Tech football team as they are in Charlotte to prepare for the Duke's Mayo Bowl against Minnesota on Friday night. Between now and kick-off at 7:30, the big question is, who is and who isn't going to be donning the Hokies uniform?
Some of those questions as to who is playing and who isn't were answered by head coach Brent Pry after the Hokeis practice on Monday. It is not surprising some of the players opted out of the bowl game for various reasons.
Virginia Tech coach Brent Pry leaks some of the opt-outs
First and foremost, most of the players who entered the transfer portal won't play, and some of them. are key players. Mansoor Delane (LSU), Braelin Moore (LSU), Xavier Chaplin (Auburn,) and Mose Phillips (Missouri) are off to their next programs for 2025, but some players were questionable and not yet declared whether or not they were going to play one more time for Virginia Tech.
After practice, Pry said that running back Bhayshul Tuten, right guard Kaden Moore, and linebacker Keonta Jenkins are not with the team and haven't been since before Christmas. Another linebacker, Sam Brumfield, will not play either after he entered the transfer portal recently after being granted another year because JUCO players get another year of eligibility. That is not surprising after defensive coordinator Chris Marve was fired earlier this month.
This could end up being a long night for the Hokies with all the opt-outs, but it will give the coaching staff and fans a good look at some of the younger players for the future. Kyron Drones is unlikely to play, as it makes zero sense for him to play after recovering from multiple injuries and have him as healthy as possible going into 2025.