Another month has passed and it was a busy one for the Virginia Tech football program. It started with the Hokies playing Minnesota in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl and falling, 24-10, and then it went along with a key hiring and five former players in Mobile, Alabama for the Reese’ Senior Bowl.
It was also a busy month on the recruiting trail for Brent Pry and his staff who made some visits within the Commonwealth, as well as offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen making visits to Pennsylvania to check in on a recent quarterback de-commit. With that said, here are three things we learned in January.
Virginia Tech officially finishes the 2024 season with a losing record
This should be the least surprise of anything on this list, but in a season that started with so much hype and high expectations, the Hokies dropped their bowl game to the Golden Gophers on Jan. 3 to finish 6-7 on the season. It was a fitting end to a season that saw so many frustrating ups and downs.
Virginia Tech’s roster was a depleted one with the number of players that entered the transfer portal and players opting out for the draft. It was a good chance for some younger players to get some key snaps in a game ahead of spring practice.
Brent Pry is a patient man
Seven weeks after firing defensive coordinator Chris Marve, Pry officially hired a defensive coordinator with Sam Siefkes coming to Blacksburg after a stint as the Arizona Cardinals linebackers coach. There was a lot of praise for Siefkes from NFL coaches, but meeting with the media the next day, Pry said that he took his time and didn’t rush through the process just to hire someone.
Pry: "Our search process, I'm never going to be rushed." Said the #Hokies wanted to take on all the interest and narrow it down. 10 candidates, six in-person for four-hour interviews.
— Andy Bitter (@AndyBitterVT) January 28, 2025
Pry also mentioned that there was a coach in the mix for the job that was coaching in the national championship game, which slowed the process. This has to be the right hire for the Hokies head coach who is entering a huge season at the helm of the program.
Players impress at Senior Bowl practice
This past week, five players from the 2024 team were in Mobile, Alabama for the Reese’s Senior Bowl. Wide receivers Jaylin Lane and Da’Quan Felton, running back Bhayshul Tuten, defensive lineman Aeneas Peebles, and cornerback Dorian Strong are also taking part.
Lane stuck out as a wide receiver according to some of the attendees and impressed more than some of the bigger names. Peebles was another player who stuck out and Strong is the one player who can sneak his way into an early-round pick in April in Green Bay. Next up for the hopefuls is the combine in Indianapolis in late February and early March.