Virginia Tech Football Star Continues to Shine in Front of Hokies Legend

Let’s not sugarcoat things when it comes to Virginia Tech football coach Brent Pry and his staff when it comes to the transfer portal, they can recruit some pretty impactful players on both sides of the ball. Two years ago when Virginia native Antwaun Powell-Ryland entered the transfer portal at the University of Florida, the Hokies were able to get a commitment from him.

Little did anyone know that the former Gator was about to break out in Blacksburg. Breaking out this season would be an understatement, but if there’s one thing we have learned watching Powell-Ryland for the last year and a half, he performs well when the lights shine the brightest and there is a Hokies legend in the house.

Antwaun Powell-Ryland had another dominant performance in front of a Hokies legend

Former Virginia Tech legend Bruce Smith was at Lane Stadium Thursday night to watch the Hokies 42-21 rout of Boston College. The former NFL star witnessed a record-breaking performance from Powell-Ryland.

Facing a talented and scrambling Thomas Castellanos at quarterback for BC, Powell-Ryland was able to record four sacks for the third time in his short Hokies’ career and it was the third time that he has accomplished that feat, the most in program history. He also recorded four sacks earlier this season in a 37-17 win at Old Dominion.

“Bruce Smith was here again and last time Bruce was at the game, (APR) had four sacks,’’ said Pry. “He’s there tonight. So Bruce is coming. I’m going to ask him and make sure he’s there the rest of the season.”

Powell-Ryland has 11 sacks in seven games this season, which is tied for tops in the nation going into action this weekend with Trey White of San Diego State. To put it in perspective, Smith only accomplished the feat twice and APR has passed a Hokies legend to sit on top of the record books.