Returning To Virginia Tech: Strong Has More To Prove; Degree On Tuten's Mind

11 Comments

1. 

   ChazB December 25, 2023 at 8:12 AM

   Great job by the coaches to create an environment where college athletes feel comfortable to trust them for another year. Great upgrade by Coach Pry!! Let's Go... Hokies!!! Beat down the waves!!!
2. 

   phtbddh December 23, 2023 at 9:32 PM

   Regardless of the reason, if the culture was bad, they would be in the portal or trying their services in the NFL. The coaches have done a great job creating an environment where players want to stay. Of course NIL helps too! #donatetoday
3. 

   VTaimhigh December 23, 2023 at 8:34 AM

   Risk versus reward. Risk is reduced with NIL and solid insurance policy if a player gets hurt. Reward realized if they improve their NFL draft stock. Hope it happens for every Hokie who hangs around including Strong and Tuten. And, you gotta love it that Tuten's main motivation is to finish his degree. That is thinking long term. Good for him.
   1. 

      vtbball80 December 23, 2023 at 2:43 PM

      For all it's unintended consequences, at the end of the day, one thing about NIL is that it keeps kids in school longer. That is inherently a good thing.
4. 

   vtgriff09 December 23, 2023 at 7:32 AM

   Against what most fans think, these decisions usually have a very small percentage that they return because, "The coaches did a good job retaining them." These are personal decisions, and almost always are driven by their NFL feedback. We didn't have anybody who was an early nfl draft pick, but they are very good-great college players. If we win some more games, it only helps these guys raise their draft stock. It works out well for everyone involved they return...plus the guys returning will make more guaranteed money playing CFB than trying their luck at the NFL. It is a calculated decision, and NFL + NIL are usually 1 & 2. Good for Tuten that tops of the list is the degree. Glad to have them back...should keep us trending up.
   1. 

      mlewisr December 23, 2023 at 11:28 AM

      A positive environment created by the Coaches and staff, helps in keeping players.
5. 

   Hokie67 December 23, 2023 at 6:55 AM

   These are two young men who understand their station in life. There is hope - here, there and everywhere with folks like this.
6. 

   selhini December 23, 2023 at 1:09 AM

   This looks like a very positive development for Virginia Tech and I think attracts the right players to our team. Every play in football, eleven line up against eleven. More often than not, if you get eleven players with reasonably good talent and focus against eleven people who are not on the same page and not playing as team, you're going to win a lot. It's something that Boise State, BYU and Utah have demonstrated over the years. Football is a team sport.
7. 

   Arch72Hokie December 22, 2023 at 9:34 PM

   The St. Jame sis near me. I'm going to ck. it out.
   1. 

      `lag December 22, 2023 at 10:17 PM

      I looked it up, this is in Springfield?
8. 

   `lag December 22, 2023 at 8:40 PM

   Great decisions by both of them, Strong is "in the territory" so to speak, but sounds like some very useful fine-tuning and a few more skills, someone may bet bigger and faster, but if you know how to do something they don't, you get the job. Can't add anything to Tuten wanting his degree.