Virginia Tech fans have high hopes for the 2024 season. As any college football fan knows, there are few better environments in the country than Lane Stadium, and Coach Pry will be looking to return the Hokies to the top of the ACC rankings in his third season.
Date and Time: Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
Location: Blacksburg, Virginia
Last season (7-6 overall, 5-3 in the ACC).
Virginia Tech won .500 or more last year for the first time since 2019. They ended the season with a win over #23 Tulane in the Military Bowl, their first bowl game win since 2016. The Hokies have not been a presence in the ACC since the 2016 season. They will look to build on last year’s momentum and become a favorite to win again. According to ESPN’s Bill Connelly, Virginia Tech ranks first in offensive return percentage (95%) and 12th in defensive return percentage (77%).
Players who left the team
As mentioned above, the Hokies coaching staff has done a great job of retaining talented players. In the era of the NIL, this is no small feat. Key players missing from the Hokies roster include Bryce Duke, Daequan Wright and Dawayne Lofton. On the defensive side of the football, the Hokies’ third cornerback, Derrick Canteen, will not be returning to Blacksburg. Zero Hokies players were selected in this year’s NFL Draft.
this year
Coach Pry and the Hokies will rely on quarterback Kyron Draughns, who established himself as one of the nation’s best dual-threat quarterbacks last season, passing for 2,085 yards and 17 touchdowns and rushing for 818 yards and five touchdowns. Draughns dominated Boston College in 2023, passing for 218 yards and two touchdowns and rushing for 135 yards.
The Draughns will have weapons at their disposal. The entire offensive line returns along with All-ACC third-team running back Beischul Teuthen. The Draughns’ top four receiving targets, Ali Jennings, Stephen Gosnell, Daquan Felton and Jaylin Lane, also return to Blacksburg. If the Hokies can capitalize on the momentum they gained from last season, they could have a solid season in 2024.
