When Virginia Tech got a commitment from Richmond native and wide receiver Takye Heath out of Highland Springs High School, head coach Brent Pry knew he was getting a player who was really talented. However, things have been easy for the redshirt sophomore during his time in Blacksburg.
The 5-foot-10 speedster played in three games in 2023 before playing in seven games last year, very sparingly, having just one reception and a carry. Just what his future with the program was remained to be seen, but one thing is for sure: neither Heath nor Pry was ready to give up. All the hard work put in by Heath and the coaching staff is paying off, going into a pivotal 2025 season for the Hokies.
Brent Pry being rewarded with patience with Tayke Heath
It would have been easy for Heath to get frustrated with the way things were going at Virginia Tech, and in this day and age, with the Transfer Portal, it would have been easy seeing him to enter the portal and look for a fresh start somewhere else. It never happened, and now both Heath and Pry and being rewarded for their patience.
When Virginia Tech released its depth chart for the season opener against South Carolina in Atlanta on Sunday, Heath was listed as the starting slot receiver, something that Pry was glad to reward him after a grueling camp.
"Yeah, I'm very proud of Takye right now,'' said Pry. "He's a guy who, at times, quite honestly, wasn't sure he was gonna make it. He felt that way. I felt that way, but we've hung in there with one another, and Coach Mines and Coach Phillips have done a great job with him. He's had his absolute best cycle since we've been here. He's always been talented. He just couldn't put it together one phase after another, or he'd have a couple of good weeks and then have a setback physically, emotionally, academically, whatever it may be, injury, and he put together a really nice camp, and he's earned the right to uh to be listed as a starter there."
Patience is a virtue, and Virginia Tech and Heath are being rewarded. Expect Heath to have some targets on Sunday, and if he makes some catches, he can make plays after the catch. He is a player who could be an under-the-radar threat for quarterback Kyron Drones and offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery.