Recruiting in the Class of 2026 for men's basketball is going to start picking up steam, and it's been quiet on that front so far for Virginia Tech, Mike Young, and his staff. One four-star recruit released his Top 9 schools, and the Hokies made the cut and it was a rather interesting group that Young is up against.
Shane Pendergrass has Virginia Tech, California, George Mason, Dayton, Boise State, George Washington, LaSalle, East Carolina, and Louisiana Tech as his Top 9 schools. According to Dushawn London of 247Sports, Pendergrass has scheduled visits to LaSalle (Aug. 29), George Mason (Sept. 5), Louisiana Tech (9/12), and East Carolina (Sept. 19). It remains to be seen if he'll schedule a trip to Blacksburg this fall with the Hokies.
Brent Pry talks difficult season-opening schedule
It's no secret that the Virginia Tech football team had a monster schedule to open the 2025 season against a pair of SEC opponents. They kick off against South Carolina in Atlanta, then host Vanderbilt six nights later at home at Lane Stadium.
"Yeah, honestly, in general, we feel like we have something to prove, and that's been the mindset since the end of season,'' said Pry. "The opportunity to play South Carolina, to play Vanderbilt at night in Lane Stadium, again, that's why these guys come to Virginia Tech. That's why I wanted to be back. The standards and expectations are to beat those guys, to win those games, like Tech did for a bunch of years."
There is no doubt that the Hokies have something to prove in the first two weeks, as it sets the tone for the season, which is a big one in terms of the future of a lot of people in Blacksburg.
Kyron Drones and Philip Montgomery forming bond
When Tyler Bowen left Blacksburg, Pry hired former Tulsa head coach Philip Montgomery as his next offensive coordinator. Quarterback Kyron Drones spoke about the bond the two are forming already, as camp is about to begin.
"Just a level of consistency, Coach Monte wants me to get to each and every day,'' said Drones. "The standard he sets me to. I just love our bond already, even though I've only been with him since January, me and him got so close, just him being a quarterback guy, and he also offered me coming out of high school."
Virginia Tech is hoping that Montgomery can unlock Drones, which would help the offense this year. Health is also a key for Drones after suffering multiple injuries last season.