Five days before the Virginia Tech football team opens the 2025 season against 13th-ranked South Carolina in Atlanta. Head coach Brent Pry doesn't need any more distractions to take his mind off the game. Captain and linebacker Caleb Woodson getting into trouble with the law was not something Pry wanted to deal with.
On Tuesday, Andy Bitter of Tech Sideline reported that Woodson was arrested for DWI, according to online court records. He posted on his X account a couple of hours before Pry with the media ahead of the opener against the Gamecocks, and of course, Pry touched on the subject and didn't say whether or not he would play.
Brent Pry said there are internal program consequences in play with LB Caleb Woodson following his DWI arrest. There has not been a determination about his status for the South Carolina opener.#Hokies have removed his captain status with the opportunity to earn it back.
— Andy Bitter (@AndyBitterVT) August 26, 2025
You have to think that he won't play as the situation works itself out in the courtroom in the future, but we'll see as we get closer to kick off. This is certainly not something Pry wants to be dealing with ahead of a pivotal season.
Kelvin Gilliam has clear message to teammates
This is a huge year for Oklahoma transfer Kelvin Gilliam along the defensive line. He is turning into a leader and one of the five captains this year. He had a message for his teammates before playing South Carolina.
“If you’re not ready for that, just stay here,” said Gilliam of what he told his teammates.
He also mentioned it being a four-quarter fight against a Top 15 team, and the Hokies certainly would benefit from a very good start against the Gamecocks. Gilliam and his teammates on defense are going to have their hands full trying to stop South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers.
West Virginia dashes rivalry hopes
Last week, West Virginia AD Wren Baker spoke about the Mountaineers' schedule and potential opponents. Virginia Tech came up during one of his comments, and he would love a series with the Hokies. There was a chance of one real soon, but those hopes were dashed on Tuesday.
West Virginia and Alabama mutually agreed to terminate their upcoming two-game home-and-home series beginning next season. Instead, West Virginia picked up games against Coastal Carolina in 2026 and Southern Miss in 2027. A West Virginia/Virginia Tech two-game series would have had some real juice between the two fan bases.