The offseason is now upon Virginia Tech and Brent Pry, and it's crucial the Hokies come out of it in a better place. (Ivan Morozov)[/caption]
With the football game vs. Virginia on Nov. 26 canceled, Virginia Tech got an early start to its offseason last week. Ultimately, the Hokies' season ended on a high with a 23-22 win over Liberty
On the docket now? Conversations, and plenty of them. There's a NCAA-mandated dead period between Monday and Thursday where coaching staffs have an opportunity to tie up loose ends with players. Those discussions, which are made by the coaches, the players and their families, include a variety of options. Ten players on Tech's roster have the opportunity to use a NCAA-granted COVID year of eligibility, a few might have a medical redshirt as an option, the NFL Draft may be enticing while the transfer portal could come calling.
Pry said the Hokies have had a bunch of conversations already since the season concluded, and there are around 34 scheduled this week.
"It’s my goal and the staff’s goal to supply as much information as we can to each one of these guys and their families to make the best choice," Pry told the media in Monday's press conference. "And I’ve told them all, ... 'I’m going to support you either way, whatever your decision is. To stay here, to leave, to go to the NFL, whatever it is. But here’s my opinion, here’s my perspective, here’s the staff’s perspective on what we would think if we were in your shoes. But ultimately it’s about you and your family making a choice.'
"It’s been my point from the very beginning, I want young men in this program that want to be here, that believe in Virginia Tech, that want to do it the way we want to do it, what we think is right for our place, for our program. When we recruit young men or retain young men to our roster, it’s about surrounding them with as many like-minded people as we can."
Among the veterans playmakers who have the option to return: wide receiver Kaleb Smith, tight end Nick Gallo, defensive tackles Mario Kendricks and Norell Pollard, linebacker Keshon Artis and defensive backs Armani Chatman and Nasir Peoples. On Nov. 16, linebacker Alan Tisdale told reporters he plans on using his extra year to return to Blacksburg.
Meanwhile, cornerback DJ Harvey became the first player to officially announce a decision when he entered the transfer portal on Monday afternoon.
On the recruiting side, the Hokies have 19 commits in the class of 2023. As it always is, it's a balancing act for Pry & Co. to mine the transfer portal for talent that fits Virginia Tech, add more high school talent to the class and fill the program's needs. Pry said the scholarship numbers are "flexible" at the moment, and Tech isn't afraid to have difficult conversations.
"You have to allow for flexibility," Pry said. "It's ever-changing. When I look at our high school class, I can identify a couple of areas where I say, 'well, I could really use another player here. ... I'd like to get another player here.' And you say, 'Well, if we don't get a young guy out of high school, do you go to the portal and get a guy who has four years left?' Does that kind of replace that area of need?"
"When you look at your scholarship grid and you see, 'Here's the seniors in the program, here's the juniors, here's sophomores, here's the freshman, and you look at what you want each class to look like. You have the opportunity now because of the transfer portal where if you can't get what you're looking for at the high school level, you can go get a guy who's still what I would consider to be developmental."
When it comes to the portal, nothing is set in stone until the players arrive on campus. Once signing day rolls around on Dec. 21, the Hokies will have a better idea of where their scholarship numbers stand.
Pry wants to create competition, though. Grant Wells, a three-year collegiate starter, had a roller coaster of a season at quarterback for Tech in 2022. However, that doesn't mean he's locked in for next season as the starter. The same goes for other positions.
"I want to add competition to every room, including the quarterback," Pry said. "I’m a big believer in that, and if somebody says, ‘Aw, coach, what are you doing that for? Why’d you recruit him?’ If you’re afraid of competition, you’re at the wrong place. Each and every offseason, these jobs are opened up. I don’t want anyone to feel like they’ve got a position just because they had it last year. And that’s including quarterback."
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Grant Wells could have some competition coming his way in the offseason. (Ivan Morozov)
As for the coaching staff, Pry doesn't anticipate any changes. "I've got total trust in these guys, love these guys," he said. But, naturally, he admitted that there is room for growth and improvement. Pry also said he felt like the Hokies tried to do too much too soon.
"I haven’t flinched on how talented I think [offensive coordinator] Tyler [Bowen] is, and that offensive staff," Pry said. "I have a ton of confidence in them. Just like all of us, we have to dive into what didn’t work and how come. ... I think who we thought we wanted to be initially, we struggled to be that unit. So then where do you go?
"I think I’m guilty on both sides of the ball, we probably just tried to do too much too soon. You try to get an idea of where your football team is, just football 101, knowledge base, fundamentals, techniques, all of these things that allow you to move forward. ... I kind of got the cart in front of the horse. Certainly, a lesson I learned."
Sticking with the structure in place is understandable. Look at 12-0 TCU or 8-4 South Carolina. Both experienced struggles between 2019 and 2021, but Sonny Dykes and Shane Beamer showed that it's possible in this era to get a program back on the right track. Under Mike Norvell, Florida State is back in the conversation, too. It takes some time, more than anything else.
To Pry, it's encouraging, and it provides hope in tough times that he can turn the Virginia Tech program around. Getting the right players is a start, and learning from mistakes is crucial.
"I wouldn’t have taken this job if I didn’t believe that we can flip the script and do this here," Pry said. "I’ve got the utmost confidence in our staff and the administration. We’ve got one of the best fan bases in the country. This is an attractive place for recruits to come – for the right recruits. They’re looking for what Virginia Tech has to offer. So we’re going to put in the time, the investment. There’s the support. It’s going to take everybody, but undoubtedly, we can do this."