We are just past the halfway point of the Virginia Tech football season, which is on its first of two byes in 2025. Sitting at 2-5, the Hokies have had an up-and-down first seven weeks, to say the least.
They lost their first three games and fired Brent Pry, before winning two in a row and losing their last two. It's been one of those seasons in Blacksburg where it's turning into a lost season on the field, but a vital one off for the future of the program. At the break, let's grade Virginia Tech at the unofficial midway point of the season.
Virginia Tech Report Card through 2025-26 point of season
Offense: B-
This was a tough grade. When healthy, they can run the ball effectively, as Terion Stewart has been impressive and Marcellous Hawkins has run well. Kyron Drones has been good at times and then really bad at times. There really has been no in between. The wide receivers have made some plays, and they've made some impressive plays that were out of bounds.
The offensive line has been, well, bad. They have battled injuries, but it has been as bad as you thought it would be before the season started. Even when healthy, it still hasn't been good. Overall, they could benefit from making more big plays.
Defense: C+
Against Old Dominion, this looked like a group that quit. It also looked like that against Vanderbilt in the second half. Wofford excluded, their best game was at North Carolina State when they came up with some big plays, including Christian Ellis' pass deflection on fourth down that sealed the win. That was his last snap as a Hokie, as he has since entered the Transfer Portal.
Some young defensive backs are getting a look with Dante Lovett also entering the portal, and there are young guys all over the roster getting looks on this side of the ball. It has been an undisciplined group at times, and that has cost them.
Special Teams: A-
The kick return game took a hit when Tucker Holloway hit the portal, and John Love is once again close to automatic. Punter Nick Veletsistas has been good and pinned some opponents inside the 10-yard line. Virginia Tech could use a few big plays from this group over the final five games.
Coaching: Under Brent Pry: F/Post-Brent Pry: B+
It was abysmal the first three weeks under Pry. The Hokies looked unprepared, they looked like they were quitting at times, and just overall flat. From an effort standpoint, it was bad, bad football.
After Pry was fired, Philip Montgomery got the attention of the room, and the one big takeaway, the team has not quit and plays hard every game. They are down in numbers because of injuries and players entering the portal, but the effort from the players is not really a question each week, which is a good sign.
Overall: C+
Given what has happened, to be 2-5 is not surprising. How they got there is surprising. They beat Wofford, which was no surprise, but who had them going to NC State and winning after the way they looked in the first three weeks? I get a coaching change had a big part in that, but losing to Wake Forest at home after beating the Wolfpack was a season-killer.
Their remaining schedule is difficult with California, Louisville, and Miami at home and trips to Florida State and Virginia remaining. Is this the year Virginia wins the Commonwealth Clash? If they don't, they never will.