Pry: ‘Disappointed’ if Hokies miss ACC title game

David Hale, ESPN Staff WriterJul 23, 2024, 06:20 PM ET

Close

• College football reporter.Joined ESPN in 2012. Graduate of the University of Delaware.CHARLOTTE,
• N.C.– After a strong surface to the 2023 season, including a bowl win over Tulane, expectations for Virginia Tech are sky high getting in 2024. That holds true for head coach Brent Pry, too, who said he sees the Hokies as an ACC title competitor.

  “Yeah I would most likely be dissatisfied [if we didn’t make the ACC national championship

  ],” Pry said on Tuesday.”Again, my message to them has been we have to keep pushing and we need to make strides in these areas where we need to be better to be a group that can do that. “Editor’s Picks 2 Related After a miserable 2-4 start to the season– Pry’s second in Blacksburg– the

  Hokies rebounded by winning 5 of their

  last 7 to complete with a winning record for the very first time since 2019. Previously, Virginia Tech had actually completed above.500 every year from 1993 through 2017, at one point boasting the country’s longest bowl streak.In the consequences, a host of crucial players– protective end Antwaun Powell-Ryland, corner Dorian Strong, tailback Bhayshul Tuten– all chose to return

  for the 2024 season with sights set on returning the program to its previous glory.The turnaround started with the advancement of quarterback Kyron Drones, who started the year on the bench but progressed as the year progressed, tossing 17 goals and just three choices. Cornerback Dorian Strong stated the team has actually spent sufficient time learning about the program’s rich history, however with Drones as the focal point, the Hokies are all set to add to that legacy. “People are constantly speaking about the [Mike] Vick age,”Strong said.”However we’ve got the Drones age, so let’s begin leaving our own legacy.

  “Pry stated the ceiling might be a playoff berth after seeing how the program grew in 2023 integrated with a lot talent returning. The Hokies return 20 starters from in 2015’s offense and defense, in addition to their punter and kicker, making them among the most experienced teams in the country. Still, Pry stated, there’s not much margin for mistake for a group that, it’s worth remembering, still ended up just 7-6.” A great deal of things have to happen, but there’s enough production, there suffices experience, there’s borderline adequate depth,”he said. “We need to coach our asses off and be right a lot more than we’re incorrect.

  We have to have some things go our way. We have to remain healthy.” If Pry is optimistic about the upcoming season, nevertheless, he said among the greatest factors is that no one on the team is taking success for granted.Asked about the most motivating aspect of his offseason, Pry pointed first to the lack of

  ego his group revealed after the strong surface to 2023.”There was no indication of complacency on our football team,” Pry stated.”A great deal of pats on the back. There was success. There was achievements. There was no sign of any person coming off the gas, which I was very proud of. I consider that our biggest win this off-season.”