Now that the Metallica concert at Lane Stadium is over, Worsham Field will be quiet on the extracurricular front until Virginia Tech Football returns in late summer. Scott Roche wrote an early schedule review and prediction this week that forecasted another year of mediocrity for the Hokies. What will it take for Tech to exceed those expectations?
There were some glaring problems in 2024, and lots of departures since the season ended. Following are some areas of concern on both sides of the ball and how they've been addressed.
Offense
Outside of Bhayshul Tuten (1,159 rushing yards), the Tech offense was average-to-below-average across the board last year. Some of the most noticeable struggles (stats from the ACC and NCAA) are in the below chart, with the statistical categories and Tech's ACC rank in each:
Off. Category | Stat | ACC Rank |
|---|---|---|
First Downs/Game | 18.5 | 15th |
Pass Yards/Game | 189.4 | 16th |
Pass TDs | 15 | 16th |
Pass Completion % | 59.0% | 15th |
Sacks Allowed | 34 | 11th |
3rd Down Conversion % | 36.3% | 13th |
4th Down Conversion % | 38.1% | 16th |
Red Zone Scoring % | 80.4% | 14th |
Red Zone TD % | 60.9% | 10th |
The above illustrates the mess that was the Virginia Tech offense last year. So the large amount of turnover since the season ended could be a good thing. We haven't gotten a ton of meaningful updates from inside the Merryman Center (nor will we). But we know we have a new offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. We can look forward to a healthy Kyron Drones and a deeper QB room in 2025. We see a nearly complete overhaul of the offensive line with players who fit the profile our new coaches desire. And Tech has a number of new arrivals (Bowling Green transfer Terion Stewart and Tennessee transfer Cameron Seldon are two) to replace departing playmakers. It's a lot of change.
If all of these areas can gel and form a solid identity, Tech could see improvements from the above numbers.
Defense
Statistically speaking, Tech's defense wasn't terrible last year. They struggled in run defense, and situationally as well. For instance, Tech outscored opponents 302-84 in the 1st, 2nd and 4th quarters. But they were outscored 99-64 in the 3rd quarter and 14-0 in overtime. Here are some areas of emphasis:
Def. Category | Stat | ACC Rank |
|---|---|---|
Rush Yards/Game | 147.1 | 10th |
Rush Yards/Carry | 3.9 | 8th |
3rd Down Conversion % | 39.2% | 14th |
As with the offense, we have new faces on the coaching staff. New defensive coordinator Sam Siefkes brings a new scheme with him and Tech has brought in a LOT of new faces to fit that scheme and fill gaps created by departures.
Tech has added three defensive linemen in the portal to an already full position room, showing the emphasis to get the right guys for the scheme and address some point of attack needs. Tech has also dipped into the transfer portal for multiple linebackers, hoping to bolster that second-level defense and shore up an area of weakness in recent years.
Tech can't be accused of sitting on their hands this offseason, methodically addressing each of their needs both pre- and post-spring. How the pieces fit together will be important, as will in-game decision making and adjustments.