Virginia Tech Football News: Key Injury Update, Jaden Keller Breakout, APR’s Sack Domination

Tuesday, Virginia Tech football coach Brent Pry met with the media for his weekly session ahead of Saturday afternoon’s battle against Georgia Tech. He touched on a number of topics as the Hokies look to add to their two-game winning streak after wins over Stanford and Boston College. Speaking of the Eagles, that’s where we’ll begin this edition of Virginia Tech Football News.

Bhayshul Tuten takes home another award

Nobody will forget Bhayshul Tuten’s Thursday night in Blacksburg. He rushed for an all-time single-game program record 266 yards, three touchdowns on the ground, and one through the air late in the second quarter. His awards have been rolling in the last couple of days and on Tuesday, he was named the Walter Camp Offensive Player of the Week. He has been a big part of the Hokies offensive success and he is raising his draft stock with each passing week.

Tucker Holloway working out

Over the offseason, one of the biggest losses the Hokies roster had was punt returner Tucker Holloway. Jaylin Lane has done a good job in his place, returning a punt against Marshall for a touchdown, but Holloway has been working out and according to Pry, he’s looked good.

There not have been any talks about Holloway returning to the lineup anytime soon and a redshirt is in play for the 2024 season. Speaking of redshirts, Pry said that some of the younger players, Gabe Williams, Chanz Wiggins, and Keylen Adams, are options on special teams and there is wiggle room with the four-game redshirt rule.

Jaden Keller moving up depth chart

Jaden Keller has been very good this season for the Hokies at linebacker and on this week’s depth chart, the mike linebacker is listed as Jaden Keller or Sam Brumfield. Brumfield was good at the beginning of the season, but we each week passes, Keller is becoming the better at the mike spot.

"Those guys have all had moments,’’ said Pry. “There's pieces there. It's putting the best group out there for the most number of snaps." 

Antwaun Powell-Ryland’s insane stat

We are in Year 2 of Antwaun Powell-Ryland on the Hokies and he has played in 20 games and he has registered 20.5 sacks. He had four against Boston College last week alone against Thomas Castellanos.

"I'm happy for him, and he's certainly done a tremendous job," Pry said.

Powell-Ryland is already ninth on the Virginia Tech all-time sack list, which includes a very impressive group. Expect Georgia Tech to game plan for him this week whether it’s King or Pyron under center at Lane Stadium.